I have something to add to my list of Yupik things I've done; a couple nights ago I learned how to make agutuk (sp?) - eskimo ice-cream.  It was a lot more involved than I expected, and there are a lot of different ways to make it.  For those of you who don't know, eskimo ice-cream is made from lard and sugar, most people around here make it with Crisco now, you add lots of berries for flavor and vwha-lah!  Its ready to eat!  Some people add mashed potatoes or some kind of (deboned) white fish.  Sounds pretty weird, tastes pretty good!  I got to learn from an expert too, one of the teen girls here, who's agutuk is her Grandpa's favorite. 
I've been encouraged in the last few days, I'm starting to feel a connection with some of the teens and living with the Funks and being part of their ministry has been such a blessing to me.  I don't think it happens very often that an entire family gets involved in the ministry of their parents, but here the whole family is part of the team, and it wouldn't work if they weren't - the Funks set an example to all of Hooper Bay of what healthy family is, healthy marriage, loving siblings, involved parents, responsibility, etc.  It's not like they say how it should be and then go home and fall apart - not that they are perfect - but they live their words, in and out of the home, for all to see.  I've come to respect them a great deal and I hope I can follow their example in holistic ministry. 
Pray for me, in my last week here, as I meet with a few of the girls as a mentor, and pray for me as I try to be a loving spiritual sister to some of the boys.  I also ask prayer for the future; I have spoken to the Funks about coming again for a longer period, maybe in the winter.  There will be a lot to do once the new ministry building is finished, because it will need to be open everyday after school and Lord willing will function as a meeting place for Leaders for Life/Fellowship of the Rings, Youth Group, Church, at times it will be open as a restaurant, a coffee-shop, an ice-cream shop, etc.  Kind of like a Whit's End without all the crazy inventions.  With the increased work-load they will need more workers.  My heart leaps at the hope of being one of the workers involved in this ministry, this village. 
But there are a lot of questions in the air - what about my school loans?  That's the biggest one I guess, and how will I cover the expense of living here in Hooper when I have no income?  But I've learned that these are small questions to God.  But there is another one that hurts me more: what about the time with my family that I was looking forward to over the next school year?  Even on this short trip I have missed my family so much (and they don't even know, because I'm horrible at calling).  I guess most of that is just part of growing up (''everybody knows, it hurts to grow up'';) - again I must trust God. 
Thank you for reading and praying, and thank you for your comments and notes, its so encouraging to hear from people while I'm far away!