Samartian’s Purse staff and volunteers are constructing a new church in Kwigillingok, Alaska, a remote village of Yup'ik Eskimos approximately a two-hour flight from the SP base camp located in Soldotna. Steven Cox, a volunteer from Dalton, Georgia, blogs about a special moment at Kwig.

It was our group’s privilege to build and set the cross on the House of Worship for the good people of Kwigillingok, Alaska.

Our on-site leader, Ralph, contacted some of the village leaders to notify them of the setting of the cross. As we prepared to raise the cross the village came alive with residents rushing to the job site for this obviously very special moment in the life of their church and their village.

When the cross was set there was a very brief moment of silence. Then, inspired by God, the villagers broke out into song. The pastor was standing beside me. He whispered in my ear, “They’re singing a song of praise.”

It was a completely spontaneous, spirit-led, and spirit-filled praise song. Without notice my heart was filled with emotion, and my eyes welled with tears.

I was torn about what to do. Fall to my knees, remove my shoes, bow my head? It was obvious I was standing on holy ground witnessing the breath of God as He moved through the hearts of these faith-filled servants of Christ.

As the song ended the pastor, in his native Yup'ik tongue, prayed. I didn’t understand the words he spoke as we all entered the very throne room of God, but I knew the spirit of his prayer.

The gratitude of these people, their passion, their humility, their complete and total “realness” left an impression on my heart I hope I never forget. I will forever be indebted to the Yup'ik people of Kwigillingok for their extraordinarily inspiring faith.

Samaritan's Purse , United States , The Presence of God

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