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Adopt a Seminarian St. Innocent of Alaska Missionary Prayer Society Spiritual Travel |
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ADOPT A SEMINARIAN > Seminarians & Their Sponsors
Ishmael Andrew Birth Date: 2-25-81 Spouse: Michel (Anastasia) Ishmael graduated from High School in 1999. He attended the University of Alaska Fairbanks Kuskokwim Campus in Bethel to study Elementary Education. Counselors had encouraged him to attend college and provided full funding for his studies. He met Anastasia during his time in college. Since the 9th or 10th grade, Ishmael had always felt he would attend St. Herman Theological Seminary. His father, Noah Andrew, has always served the Church as a Reader and wanted Ishmael to attend seminary. He and Anastasia live in Bethel and worked at Tundra Women's Coalition - a domestic violence social service program. At first his work was part-time in Child Care. When there was full-time position, he became a children's advocate. Anastasia also worked there in child care and with the women. They were not able to save money for anything due to the high cost of living in Bethel. He chose to attend seminary and not stay in college. They moved to Kodiak in August 2006 when he enrolled in his first year at St. Herman Theological Seminary. Anastasia converted from her Roman Catholic faith so that he could go to seminary. Ishmael has 5 brothers and 2 sisters.
Ishmael is looking forward to this next year. He feels this will be better for him because of the adjustments they all made last year. Plus, they now have a new baby in the house and are excited about what is ahead for their entire family.
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Since being in seminary they have gone on food stamps. His family helps when they are able and the seminary donations have assisted them in many ways the first year. He has benefited a great deal from the St. Juliana Food Pantry project. This was a tough year and Ishmael feels he could have done better. It has been difficult being away from family. His Grandmother passed during Old Calendar Christmas and they were not able to go to the funeral. His father asked people in the villages to donate funds for Ishmael in memory of his Grandmother so that he and Anastasia could attend the funeral. They made it to Anchorage but because of bad weather, could not get a flight to home in time for the funeral services. They spent the time in Anchorage with a sister who lives there. This at least gave them some family time together in remembrance of their Grandmother.