The Brumfields in Alaska

01/30/2026

Photo drop from Austin’s flight to Port Alsworth yesterday. 📸 🏔️ He had an amazing time visiting with the missionary families there and dropped off some groceries for them as well. Thank you all for keeping him in your prayers this week!

01/27/2026

Austin is in Alaska this week helping with aircraft maintenance at ABM. He’s calling it his “tropical getaway” since it was in the 30s when he arrived and -10° back home. 😂

While maintenance has been going well, he had a mishap with a knife while making breakfast this morning, and ended up with a visit to the Kenai ER for some stitches. 😟 Thankfully he is doing well and able to still help with the aircraft maintenance.

Please keep him in your prayers this week, that he and the other mechanics will get a lot of work done on the aircraft and have them up and running well before the busy season begins. Please also pray for his safety and safe return home. 🙏

01/04/2026

Our Winter Newsletter is here! ❄️☕️ It's a bit late getting posted as we've been out of town for Christmas (super blessed to visit lots of family which was amazing 🥰), but then we had the flu just after Christmas so we've been working on recovering since then. 😅 Hope you all enjoy reading this update and year in review...excited to see what God has planned for 2026! Happy New Year! 🎆

10/22/2025

I’m SUPER excited to share that we’ve officially hit 75% of our recurring financial support goal!!! 🎉🎉🎉 We’re beyond thankful to everyone who’s been giving or made pledges to support the work we'll be doing as missionary pilots in remote Alaska. We couldn't be more grateful to you all for coming alongside us as our "Barnabas" (encouragement) in this journey. Thank you!

With our move planned for next Spring, we have about six months to reach the final 25%! If you’ve been thinking about joining our financial support team, now’s an awesome time to jump in.

Here’s a fun fact: if just 22 people or churches gave $100 on a monthly recurring basis, we’d be fully funded right now!

If you feel led to join our financial partnership team, you can set up a recurring gift here: https://arcticbarnabasministries-bloom.kindful.com/?campaign=1372441

Thank you all so much for your prayers, encouragement, and partnership. We truly couldn’t do this without you! ✝️✈️

10/12/2025

Still can't get over these views from our time in Alaska last week! 😍

10/09/2025

10/09/2025

I don’t even know how to put into words how wonderful of a week we had while serving at ABM’s Ministry Family Retreat! ABM told us that even though we came with the intention of blessing the ministry families, we’d find by the end of the week that they would end up being the greatest blessing to us. How true that was!

Each morning and evening, we listened as families took turns sharing about the victories and trials of remote village ministry. We heard stories of the opportunities they’ve had over the past year to share the Gospel and speak hope into incredibly dark situations. We also heard about their struggles with brutal weather conditions, equipment failures, isolation, and health challenges. We laughed with them as they shared lighthearted stories from life in such a unique culture, and we cried as we heard of the heartbreak and tragedies they face daily. I was reminded of the verse in 2 Corinthians where Paul says, “And He has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.’” All I can say is that God’s power is so evident in these families’ lives!

Hearing their stories of ministry in the villages was hands down the highlight of the week. However, there were so many other amazing moments. We loved watching the families enjoy activities like spa day, horseback riding, and s***t shooting. Hosting a table for date night while couples enjoyed a kid-free evening together was also such a joy! And hearing a mom tell us that her kid told her that “MFR is better than Christmas” brought a smile to all our faces.

There’s honestly too much to cover in one post, but here are a few more details about MFR that made us feel so honored to be part of ABM and the work they’re doing to support ministry families across remote Alaska:

◆ 23 ministry families were in attendance (100 individuals)
◆ 63 volunteers helped with everything from childcare and leading worship, to dentistry, chiropractic care, and more
◆ Over 200 pairs of boots were donated to the ministry families
◆ More than 150 people received free dental care, including cleanings, crowns, fillings, extractions, X-rays, and more
◆ Families had access to Christian counselors
◆ Two workshops were held: one on small engine repair and one on building stronger connections among ministry men in Alaska
◆ Ministry families enjoyed activities like horseback riding, s***t shooting, chiropractic care, spa day, family photos, date night, family fun night, and so much more

Thank you all so much for praying for us and for the ministry families this past week! God certainly answered your prayers. We’re more grateful than ever for your partnership with us in this Gospel effort!

10/04/2025

What an incredible week! Can’t wait to post more about how it went once we get back to Michigan!

That's a wrap on the ABM Ministry Family Retreat 2025! Today was the final day, with the kids sharing their presentation of all they learned during the meal time. The final session was beautiful and filling time of learning and encouragement from the Lord, facilitated by our special speaker, Del Tackett. It was tearful as the families all said goodbye until next year, many new friendships tucked in with them as they left. It was a beautiful blessing to be together all week and to be encouraged to be RADIANT for the Lord, in remote Alaska and beyond. May the Lord bless the many families who attended, the many volunteers who served, and the staff of Victory Bible Camp who hosted us. You are all loved and prayed for, that remote Alaska would have a thriving Gospel presence!
-the team at Arctic Barnabas Ministries

09/30/2025

What an AMAZING day!! Austin and I spent yesterday meeting incredible ministry families from all over Alaska and have already been so encouraged by their faithfulness in the Lord. Please continue to keep these families in your prayers as we begin day two of MFR!

Ministry Family Retreat Day ONE is in the books! Thank you to all who prayed. The Ministry Families are all checked in and getting signed up for all the great opportunities at MFR. From dental care to family photos, there is so much in store for them this week! Our first session ended with a sharing and prayer time, and the Lord showed up with encouraging messages and an amazing show of the northern lights. Please continue to pray!

09/28/2025

Thought I’d share some photos from our drive so far before we lose cell service 🏔️ 📸 Looking forward to sharing more photos and stories once we get back to Anchorage next weekend!

09/28/2025

Met up with some amazing ABM friends for breakfast! Getting ready for a drive through the mountains to Victory Bible Camp where MFR will be hosted. 🏔️ 🚐