The "Thaw Out Tour"...Part 1

Eight years is a long time for missionaries to go without doing a significant trip to connect with financial and prayer supporters. And so we were long overdue for this trip. Because we don't talk about it a whole lot, many people don't know that, though we pastor an established church, we live on missionary support. What this means is that 90 percent of the funds that make up our salary come from individuals and churches who faithfully give month after month.

Months and months of planning have gone into this three month support and partnership development trip. And we hope to keep you updated along the way.
So here we go!!!!!!

Two of our church members were there to see us off at the airport in Galena and captured our "Going away" on the 1900 otherwise known as the "BIG" plane.

Upon arriving in Fairbanks we crammed our family of 6, a dog,12 pieces of luggage, 5 backpacks, and a violin case in a minivan...

After two days of errands in Fairbanks we flew to Anchorage where we had a full schedule of meetings with friends, and supporters. 

Galena Bible Church partners with SEND North to see Gospel Centered Churches and northern disciplemakers planted in every village in Alaska. So we stopped into the main office to say hi. 

One joy and sorry of ministry in Galena is that a lot of folks have come and gone. We make great friends and then life has moved them on. Many of those friends have moved to Anchorage. This was a sweet time to visit with former Galena folks and catch up with them.

Kaleo Church is a supporting church and sister church in the PlantAlaska network. What a joy to begin our trip preaching there!

Also visited with our friend Kyle who is the Outreach Pastor for ChangePoint Church. Another Anchorage supporting church.

Chris and Anna Cha, dear friends and Pastor of Kaleo Church

The transition from Alaska to our "home away from home" was a multi step process. First stop Shell's Aunt and Uncle's home just outside Dallas TX where we flew from Anchorage.

Then via our third rental vehicle, to Kilgore TX where Shell's grandparents live.

Finally to longtime friends who generously drove from Texas to Colorado and back to get our camper and truck in the same location!!

And here it is... the...well we're not sure what to call it. The "Kopp mobile" doesn't have a great ring to it. Maybe you have suggestions for us. Drop us a note in the comments. Thanks for following our journey.

Pray for us as we preach at Stevendale Baptist Church tomorrow (2/10) and then meet with First Baptist Beaumont on Monday (2/11).