First Post

Ok - I've been here 5 days including Wednesday and today, and it's been great so far. There are 3 other male interns and we're all staying in a tipi behind the Granberry house while the 3 female summer interns are staying with the 4 female staffers who live about 3 minutes away. The countryside is beautiful here, but very dry so skin drys out quickly and I've been having sinus trouble; claritin has been helping. The Granberry house is a small farm with 4 horses, 4 peacocks, 5 dogs, 2 cats, 20 chickens, 3 turkeys, 2 guineas, and lots of flys. The Granberry family is great - they're fun, wise, kind-hearted, open to God, humble, loving, open, friendly, and great. They've been very welcoming and loving, treating us like family.

These past few days and the next week are the interns orientation as we focus on team building and educational exercises that help us to think through what we'll be doing this summer and focus on how to lead the teams that will be coming soon. Team building is important in making us one unit for the summer and there's a lot to think through regarding this type of ministry. The type of ministry is regarded as fourth world ministry because it is ministering to a third world type situation that is surrounded both physically and culturally by a dominant culture. We've been thinking and talking through issues of culture and community while next week we'll spend time on other issues and prep for the team that comes the following week.

I've really enjoyed the discussions we have and feel convicted and blessed as we talk both in our structured environment and to each other throughout the day.

We haven't really begun ministering yet to the Yakam people, but I wanted to recount a few things I've seen so far. Yesterday (Saturday), we went to a small high school pow-wow and I was struck by two things. First, Uncle Dave (a guy from Florida who is here to lead the construction stuff) was asked by Stacy, a close friend of the Granberry's who is active in the Bible study, to dance with her during the dance. Last year, Uncle Dave helped her financially and physically to get a van which she and her two small children use. I was struck by the honor he received of being asked to dance, and the special place that he earned. The second thing that struck me was that Chris Granberry (our leader) was asked by the pow-wow organizers to judge a dance competition. It's amazing how the Granberrys have been able to enter into their world and earn their trust and acceptance.

Thanks again for your prayers and support. I've raised all my money and will post some pictures within the week. Thanks again!