Page 159 - Winterling's Chasing the Wind

Under the directions of Rev. Kermit Whitaker, the Vesper Services each evening were
very inspiring. We sang hymns and choruses and many students shared their
experiences with us. Some of us would gather on Sunday afternoons and visit the city
jail and nursing homes to sing gospel songs like “Down by the River Side” and
“Mansion over the Hill Top”.

Also, I used the piano in the Student Union to teach myself to play a few simple hymns.
One of my favorites was “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”. After receiving my
assignment to Alaska, I had to meet a 2 AM bus to California. I was very impressed
when one of my friends, John Nance, offered to get up at that hour to drive me to the
bus station.

I spent a month at Camp Stoneman,
CA being processed for travel via
transport ship to Alaska. During that
time, I spent an hour each day
learning to play the Hammond
Organ in the Base Chapel. It was
there that I was assigned to KP
(Kitchen Police) where we operated
the Cafeteria from 7 AM to 7 PM.
We’d mop the floors after each
meal, but enjoyed the free food. My
favorite was the three-flavored ice
cream bars, vanilla, chocolate, and
strawberry.

Upon arriving in Anchorage, I was invited to attend a mission that was to become Faith
Baptist Church. We gathered in the “hole in the ground” building that was to become
the basement of the future church.

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