Reminiscings from the Roof of the World
The Beginning
It seems a lifetime since I first sensed that God had something for me to do in that mysterious part of the globe called the “Roof of the World” due to its high altitudes and the fact that it is the abode of our planet’s ten mountains that tower over 8,000 m (26,000 ft). If you know me very well you are probably aware of how much I love that beautiful land and its amazing people. This is the first in a series of chronological blogs recounting my time in the Himalayan region of the world.
This abiding obsession of mine came in an instant and stubbornly nestled into my heart where it has remained even till this morning as I begin my attempt to document the incredible journey on which it led me. From 1982 until 1985 my family and I lived in perhaps the most beautiful place I have ever visited, Haines, Alaska. We lived in the parsonage of the church where my husband pastored. The church attic was brimming with bygone treasures of previous pastors. Of upmost interest to me were a plethora of books and troves of National Geographic magazines. In spite of being mother to three small children, I passed most of my limited free hours engrossed in this newly discovered library.
One of those books was authored by a husband and wife team who were at the time well known public speakers. As I had years before attended one of their meetings and the book title was intriguing, my interest was piqued and I jumped into the book curious as to what they had to say. The main premise of their book did not resonate with me but one section lit up my spirit like a roman candle. In this portion they discussed the concept of territorial spirits (see Daniel 10:13, 20 and Ephesians 6:12), a concept with which I had gained firsthand experience while living in Haines. They then presented the idea that around the globe there are “touching down points” for both angels (see Jacob’s ladder at Bethel in Genesis 28) and demons. Upon reading that my mind kicked into high gear. Instantly I had two strong impressions: 1) Haines, Alaska was a touching down point for the demonic and 2) The Himalayas are Earth’s major touching down point for evil forces. With that impression I knew that those majestically beautiful mountains were somehow in my future and I embraced that understanding with trepidatious excitement.
What I did not know was that it would be some seventeen years until the soles of my feet would actually touch the dirt of the Roof of the World and much longer until I would be able to stay there long-term. For me to have gone any sooner would have been disastrous. I was nowhere near being prepared to face the challenges that awaited. I needed more forming and more learning and that would come primarily through life experience. God had a rigorous training program in store for me.
While that training had already begun it stepped into high gear during my years in Haines, a location where paranormal activity was extremely commonplace. (I was told that a B movie was filmed there based on the stories of one of the better known local spirit beings and even more recently Ghost Hunters filmed an episode on location.) Those experiences are too much to share here so I’ll save that for another day. But by finding myself in the middle of the metaphorical fire and learning to survive as well as to thrive, all accompanied by study and books and good mentoring God would mature me. He would teach me that His Spirit in me has absolute authority over the evil realm, how to exercise that authority according to His will because formula prayers don’t always work, and that I never need to fear. I would learn how to hear His voice, how to follow His leading, how to discern the spirit realm, how to wait, that His will is not always what I want or think best, how to pray and to stand in spiritual warfare and in hard times, and so so much more. Of course the learning process continued after I first breathed Himalayan air and even now I am not complete and probably was never the “best candidate” for the job. But God knew what He needed to build into me so that I could not only persevere but be effective in the work He gave me. And so, I launch into the story of the life and the land and the people that I love so much.
Coffee, Tea, and Reverie 
We spent two weeks in Klukwan and some day trips to Haines. I couldn’t identify what was stirring in the air but prayed in the spirit many times a day.
Jackie, your story stirred something in me to spend more time for the people who constantly need prayer help against the works of the enemy. Please continue writing.
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Thank you, Ann, for the confirmation and the encouragement..and especially for contending in prayer.
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I don’t think I knew, or if I did have forgotten, that you all pastored the Haines church. We lived in Klukwan for a total of six years and our son’s family has lived in Haines for the past 17 years (our daughter-in-law grew up there since she was 2 years old). It would be interesting to sit and visit with you about your experiences there. ~Debby Ganey
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I would love to have that conversation..one day.
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