Homer Alaska - News

Taking on a new adventure is nothing new for Steve and Stacey Veldstra and their six children — Ann Marie, 18; Ethan, 14; Tyler, 11; Kailee, 9; Alyssum, 8; Adams, 7. Add a cross-cultural perspective, an existence that is earth-friendly, an approach that puts others first and a motivation that comes from the heart and you've got the Veldstra family summed up.

No surprise then, that they are leaving Homer to help others in another place on the planet. The Veldstras are relocating to Balabac Island in the Philippines, where they have committed to a two-year internship involving agricultural projects.

"The main goal is to plant rubber trees as a long-term financial resource," Steve Veldstra told the Homer News. Describing how the forests of Balabac have been depleted, Steve said rubber latex could be extracted when the trees are three years old, with the trees capable of producing for 15-20 years. The wood, a medium hardwood, could be used for making furniture.

The Veldstras' second goal is encouraging contour farming in hopes of stabilizing the hilly, deforested island landscape.

Looking back, it is possible to identify some of the many pieces that brought about the family's move.

At the age of 19, Steve visited Honduras and still remembers his first-hand look at areas lacking agriculture and the ability for residents to produce their own food.

Nineteen years ago, the long-time Homer residents — Steve has lived here 32 years; Stacey grew up Homer — began Dutch Boy Landscaping. Steve's goal at the time was to provide the most professional mowing service he could offer the Homer area.

Four members of the Veldstra family come from other points on the globe. Ann Marie and Adams were adopted from Sierra Leone, Ann Marie when she was 13 and Adams when he was 3; Kailee was adopted from Vietnam when she was 3; Alyssum was adopted from Korea when she was 13 months.

Over the past few years, the family has been exploring mission opportunities. Three years ago they visited in the Philippines with Dennis and Jeannie O'Keefe, who have spent three decades working with an organization called Seeds of Life. The O'Keefes' daughter, Jenny, is the wife of Aaron Weisser, a pastor of Church On the Rock, a Homer church the Veldstras attend.

Not only are Aaron and Stacey, cousins, Aaron also spent much of his childhood with his parents in the Philippines.

While Steve, Stacey and their children were visiting with the O'Keefes, the idea of joining them in that work began to take shape. It has continued to grow, with support from Church On the Rock.

For the past year and a half, the Veldstras have been training Danny and Kassy Stanislaw to take over Dutch Boy Landscaping.

"I cannot imagine a better couple to hand over the reigns of our life's work," Steve wrote in an open letter to the community announcing the family's move and the business change.

Starting in January, the Veldstras began studying Tagalog, the language of the Philippines, with the help of Rosetta Stone software. The people of Balabac Island have a language unique to their area, but being familiar with Tagalog will be helpful.

Photo courtesy of the Veldstra f Steve Veldstra and Ann Marie, Ethan and Tyler — Steve and his wife Stacey's three oldest children — left Tuesday to prepare the family's new home in the Philippines before Stacey and the couple's other three children — Kailee, Alyssum and Adams — arrive in September.

Stacey has homeschooled her sons and daughters for the past six years through Connections, the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District's homeschool program. The younger Veldstras are registered through Connections to continue their education while in the Philippines.

"The school books have already been ordered and are waiting for them," said Stacey, an announcement that elicited groans and smiles from all six youngsters.

On Aug. 24, Steve, Anne Marie, Ethan and Tyler left Alaska for Balabac Island where they are working to prepare the family's home. Stacey, Kailee, Alyssum and Adams leave Friday.

Asked what they will miss, the family has a ready list, an indication the topic has been discussed: long summer days; Ginger, the family dog; and Shadey, their cat. Alyssum adds she will miss her stuffed animals. Driving a four-wheeler is on Ethan and Tyler's list.

"The mountains across the bay and friends and family, that's the biggest one," said Stacey. "Our roots go deep here."

What they are looking forward to is as quickly recited. Stacey is eager to bake in a clay oven. Adams is anxious to see some big bugs. Ann Marie has her heart set on a ready supply of tropical fruit, such as bananas, coconuts and pineapple. A smile spreads on Alyssum's face as she mentions raising goats and chickens.

"Getting my fingers dirty year round," was Steve's reply.

Aaron Weisser has no doubt the Veldstras will do well.

"The specific field that Steve is going to be entering into is obviously suited to him. I don't think there's a better guy for that job," said Weisser. "Steve and Stacey have always been, in my opinion, a model of what a stable home and family looks like. They're hardworking, but just a very loving and flexible family that is now headed off to a new adventure. There is nothing about them that would leave me concerned about how they'll do."

The day before leaving Alaska, Steve said, "Homer was an excellent place to grow up and start a business. It's with a heavy heart we're leaving."

Stacey agreed this was a good area to raise a family.

"Homer's been good to us. It's exciting to be going, but it's sad to be leaving," she said.

The Veldstras could use help in several ways. During a send-off ceremony at Church On the Rock, the following needs were listed: prayer, encouragement in the form of letters and photos, and financial support that can be given through World Outreach, P.O., Box B, Marietta, GA 30061. World Outreach is an organization of interdenominational missionaries.

McKibben Jackinsky can be reached at mckibben.jackinsky@homernews.com.