This past week, we had 40 people from Cullman and Birmingham, AL. They worked very hard and it was a good week. We put on a new roof and decking, painted inside and outside, cleaned and mowed the yard, and built a water pumphouse. By the end of the week, we filled up 3 industrial size dumpsters. We finished just about everything, and the guy interns will head out there Tuesday or Wednesday to finish up a few things. The week went well - no injuries, but we faced a struggle throughout the week as lots of stuff went missing. You can see the two part video from last week by clicking here. Check out the video - it's very good and helps show what we're doing.
This past weekend is a three day celebration of the treaty the Yakama people signed in 1855 and "Treaty Days" includes an all-Indian Rodeo and a massive Pow-wow with about 200 hundred dancers and many drummers. I really enjoyed the Pow-wow and Rodeo - it was a good time to fellowship and observe. The drumming, singing, and dancing is very engrossing. The webshots site has a few pictures from the Pow-wow and a few short videos.
This week is our training week and we have to clean up a lot of stuff and prepare for the next week when new teams come. Things are going well and it's been a very good experience. I really like it here and it's also a big challenge to stretch yourself and pour yourself out, both for the one-week team & to the children.
We also hosted "Kid's Club" at two different parks throughout the week. At Kid's Club, we and the team play with the kids, feed them snacks, sing a little, and go over a Bible story. Janel & Sadie, two summer interns, did a great job making skits for the kids to show the Bible story, and the kids really enjoyed and learned from it. Kid's Club is a great way to get to know the kids, share the Gospel with them, and provide a safe place for them to play, and just show them love. The kids come from a rough place, and they face constant bullying. Chuck, one of the guys here on staff, says the schools and playgrounds run on the "law of the jungle" where the strong rule. Kid's Club is probably the only place where the kids can play without having to deal with bullying or fights. This picture below is from the Rodeo and it is of several children who are playing and they're throwing rocks and dirt clods at teach other.
Either the parents don't know or don't care how their kids play. On the last day of the week before the teams leave, Sacred Road has "Say so" where the team members get a chance to talk about their experiences and one of the girls from Totus Park in White Swan who hangs out with Sacred Road a good bit said that she really appreciated Kid's Club because of the laughing. She said that she rarely hears the kids laughing in the neighborhood and Kid's Club is the only place where they are all laughing and having fun. Her comment really struck me as laughing and childhood are supposed to be tied together, yet many of these kids don't get to experience that as they grow up.
Natalie - Sacred Road doesn't need anything in particular - I think they're facing a bit of a financial crunch, but they don't need any specific things/objects. Thanks for the comment though.
Here's a picture of the Sacred Road Team:
From left to right, front row: Veronica Vasquez, Anne Marie Granberry, Morgan Granberry, Emily Schmidt, Uncle Dave Koerner, Sadie Corbett, Me, Mark Shaw/David Granberry, Mary Granberry, Rebekah Griffin, & back row: Luke Irwin, Chris Granberry, Scott Burnett, Janel Corbett, Gretchen Becker, Heather German, & Beth Granberry. This picture has everyone except Chuck, Neena, Asha, & Isaac Clevenger who didn't come with us to Chinook Pass.
1 comment:
The pictures of the children playing were so very sweet and excellent choices. I have thought often of the litle girl you were holding. Watching the video and pictures did provide a richer understanding of what Sacred Road is doing and the environment. Many things reminded me of our reservation in the old days. I was so glad to hear that the missions group is teaching alot about the culture of poverty and keeping judgementalism at bay. I am glad they are committed to loving people where they are and letting them see Christ in you. So glad you are there. Love You, Mom
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