Parejas militares encuentran sanidad en Alaska

God is doing an extraordinary work among military couples who attend Operation Heal Our Patriots marriage retreats in Port Alsworth, Alaska. A photo gallery from the 2014 season shows how each day is filled with devotions, marriage enrichment training, and outdoor adventures.

Operation Heal Our Patriots couples arrive by plane in Port Alsworth, Alaska, and are welcomed by flag-waving Samaritan’s Purse staff and supportive town residents. Week One couples, including retired Army Sergeant Craig Tharp and his wife Christine of Brownsburg, Indiana, arrived June 1 this year. Craig was wounded in insurgent attacks during his two deployments to Iraq.

Since 2012, Samaritan’s Purse has been bringing wounded military personnel and their spouses to Alaska for weeklong marriage retreats. Following the Alaska experience, ongoing ministry to these families occurs through our aftercare program.

With Tanalian Mountain towering in the background, retired Marine Sergeant Rich Timberlake and his wife Kasey of Swansboro, North Carolina, shake hands with residents and staff in Port Alsworth, Alaska. Rich suffers with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and nerve pain in his groin, leg, and back resulting from service in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Army Captain Jeremy Baggett and his wife Teresa of San Antonio, Texas, enjoyed exploring Lake Clark National Park during their marriage retreat. Jeremy joined the military in 1994, has been on active duty continuously since September 12, 2001, and parachuted into Iraq during the March 2003 U.S. invasion. Eight months later, he was wounded in an IED blast. He has gone through more than 25 surgeries as a result of injuries sustained in service to our country.

Couples put on their boots and waders in preparation for a day of adventure.

Ginger Irvine, a former Marine and current National Park Service employee, teaches couples how to kayak each week. Here she assists retired Army Staff Sergeant James Taylor and his wife Azeita of Copperas Cove, Texas. James was medevaced out of Afghanistan in December 2009 after being run over and dragged by an enemy vehicle in a Taliban attack.

Retired Marine Sergeant Josh Barber and his wife Courtney enjoy the outdoors, whether it’s Alaska or near their Middleville, Michigan, home. Josh served twice in Iraq and once in Afghanistan. Multiple IED blasts caused traumatic brain injury (TBI), which affects his balance, memory, vision, and cognition.

Some of the wives also took time to go kayaking on their own and returned all smiles.

Whether getting there by plane or boat, couples enjoy fishing and sightseeing adventures in and around Lake Clark National Park. Retired Army Specialist David Kelley and his wife Stacey of Yelm, Washington, relished their time in the wilderness together. David served in Iraq and deals with a broken back, PTSD, and TBI.

A person can learn a lot about marriage from fishing. One day during the week Stacey Kelley hooked the same fish four times before finally catching it. “When the fish went into murky water,” she said, “I didn’t give up at that moment, even though I was unable to see the future of the fish or anything.”

James Taylor hoists his prized catch as guide Carlin Toews looks on.

Retired Navy Chief Petty Officer Kelly Smith of Davenport, Florida, casts a fly in the Kijik River. Kelly had a transhumeral amputation of her left arm last year due to injuries she suffered in December 2007 in Iraq. In the same incident, she was shot in her right ankle, knee, hip, chest, and face. In the photo immediately above, her husband Daryl catches a fish with guide Carlin Toews.

Tying flies was a popular activity for Week One participants. “This is very therapeutic,” said Jeremy Baggett. “You can just kind of clear your mind and focus.”

James and Azeita Taylor enjoyed teaming up to take on the challenge of fly tying.

Retired Marine Brigadier General Jim Walker, executive director of Operation Heal Our Patriots, gives James Taylor some pointers on fly fishing while other men also practice their casting.

On Wednesdays, staff and guests join together for a BBQ feast. Jon Micah Sumrall and James Mead of the Christian band Kutless performed at the Week One BBQ and thanked patriot couples for their service. A portion of the band’s merchandise sales is donated to Operation Heal Our Patriots.

Couples are fascinated by a special trip to Dick Proenneke’s cabin at Twin Lakes. The now-famous naturalist and carpenter lived there for most of 31 years. “He just loved making things,” said Monroe Robinson, who serves as a Park Service interpreter at the historic site.

Retired Army Sergeant First Class Junior Murguia and his wife Heather of Osceola, Missouri, pose at the much-photographed entrance to Proenneke’s cabin. Junior served in Iraq and Afghanistan and suffers with PTSD and a back injury that wakes him up in pain each morning. “It’s an everyday battle,” he said. “Because my back is a combat injury, it really triggers my PTSD.”

Mark Lang (center), program manager for Samaritan Lodge Alaska, takes a smile break with pilot/guide John Erickson and guide Liz Jones.

Chaplain Jim Fisher, a retired Navy chaplain, and his wife Lori conducted eight marriage enrichment training sessions during Week One. “You can tell they have life experiences and have been through a lot,” said participant Johnny Montoya. “They’re a good team for this class.”

During one session each week, couples split into a wives’ group and a husband’s group. “I try to make the women’s group a time of encouragement,” said Lori Fisher, citing Hebrews 3:13 and 10:24 as key verses for the session.

Johnny Montoya and his wife Shannon of Prescott, Arizona, recommitted their lives to God and to each other on the final day of their retreat. “I know there are seasons in our life, and I think this is a new season,” Shannon said. “I’m really excited.”

Kelly and Daryl Smith renewed their vows in Alaska, too. “We’re each other’s best friends,” Kelly said. “This is the most I’ve smiled in seven years.”

Junior and Heather Murguia, who’ve been married 11 years, offered each other grace and forgiveness in their renewal vows. “He may have his moods, but he has a big heart,” Heather said of her husband.

“If it wasn’t for our faith and stubbornness, we wouldn’t still be married,” Jeremy Baggett said. He and Teresa also participated in the marriage rededication ceremony led by Chaplain Jim Fisher.

David and Stacey Kelley renewed their vows as well. David has rarely left home in recent years, and the retreat helped him connect not only with his wife but with other veterans too.

The Kelleys both trusted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior during the marriage retreat. They were baptized the next day in the chilling waters of Lake Clark. “This has been a life-changing experience,” Stacey said. “Jesus brought us here.”

“For me, it was finally realizing I couldn’t do it on my own, and I needed more than just Stacey,” David said of his conversion. “I’ve been fighting a lot of demons these last few years and, being here, a light bulb just kind of went off.”