We walked across the stage at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on June 16, 2013, full of excitement and apprehension. The two years of training college were done. We were fully commissioned Salvation Army Officers and ordained ministers ready to serve God with our whole lives, but where would we be serving?
Then the words “You have been appointed as the Corps Officers at the Juneau Citadel Corps in Juneau, Alaska” were spoken. I could hardly contain my happiness and joy. We were going to Alaska! Lance and I had dreamed of going there and here we were, being appointed to this amazing place.
Three weeks later we arrived in Juneau, having driven a U-Haul from Colorado. We could never have imagined the incredible beauty that greeted us. The eagles, glaciers, mountains, evergreen trees and fireweed in bloom filled us with such awe for God and His creation. What a wonderful beginning to the amazing four years of loving and serving the community!
We have been privileged to serve alongside amazing people and organizations. Juneau is a community that is rich in its care and concern for others and we, along with many others, have been blessed to be recipients of those riches.
Our wonderful Advisory Board has given us guidance while patiently standing beside us as we learned and grew into our roles. Our amazing Women’s Auxiliary has been a source of funding for sending kids to camp and many other projects (not to mention the wonderful strawberry shortcake)!
We have served on some great committees and coalitions that are filled with people who are passionate about their cause. Their passion has fueled our desire to know more about these areas so we can serve more effectively.
Our church family has grown over the past four years and includes many people we now call friends. It has been our honor to serve as pastors of this congregation and to watch people grow in their faith and walk with Christ.
The people who come to us for assistance hold a special place in our lives and many have become friends. We treasure the trust they have given us as they shared their victories and challenges, their tears and joys and even births and deaths.
Now, we must say farewell to this amazing community that we love, as we have been appointed as the Corps Officers in Fairbanks. Tomorrow we will board the ferry and be off to our new appointment. Although we know that God has wonderful and amazing things for us in Fairbanks, Juneau will always hold a very, very special place in our hearts. Thank you Juneau and farewell!
• Dana M. Walters is a Lt. Juneau Corps Officer for the Salvation Army.
