Intern Week

Over the past week, we've been working with training the summer interns and working around the Sacred Road compound. We've also had very limited internet access, but we switched to a new provider yesterday which helps us communicate with the outside world a lot more.

Orientation with the interns is going well and it's been great to work with them and get to know them and their strengths and what they bring to the summer. They are a good crew and I expect it'll be a good summer. We've already had a great time hanging out, playing volleyball, hiking, eating, and talking. It's not all fun and games b/c we've been spending a lot of time talking and working, but our free time spent together has been good and the work time has been a really good experience. On Monday, we went on a team trip and hiked in a canyon north of here. I think it's a great team and we have the beginnings of a strong, connected community.

This past Tuesday at Bible Study was a smashing success with the children attentive and reasonably well behaved. The two previous Tuesdays were chaotic and a bit crazy. The summer staff managed very well as Tuesdays can be stressful, fast-paced, and hectic. We've been doing lots of preparation for the summer, and I've been mostly working on preparing skits and props for Kid's Club and making lessons for Bible Study on Tuesday. It's very encouraging to see things coming together and to be a bit ahead.

Pray for the teams that get here Saturday to work next week, safety at worksites and Kid's Club, connections with the kids and adults, and safety for the Warm Springs team as it's a bit of a different situation and slightly more dangerous area. Things are humming along and I appreciate your prayers especially for me to listen to and follow directions without becoming inwardly bitter/angry/self-doubting. The next week will be especially busy and it'll be nice to get a little rest Saturday morning before it all gets crazy.

Grace and peace.

First Week Reflections

Well I've been here a week and settled in a bit. I spent the week working around the Sacred Road Property and cleaning and cleaning around the ti-pi in preparation for the guy interns who are getting here Wednesday. Tuesday night Bible study went well, but it was a bit chaotic. I began working on summer lessons and skits for Kid's Club.

On Thursday, Chuck and I hung out with some youth after school at the Cougar Den which is a gas station/restaurant outside the Middle & High School in White Swan. We had a good time talking with them and playing hacky sack. After the Cougar Den, a foster family had Chuck, Veronica, their 6 kids, 3 youths, a family friend and their three grandchildren over for spaghetti (Chuck & Veronica work with Sacred Road; Chuck is over the youth, and Veronica is the administrative assistant).

Today (Sunday) the Sacred Road team visited a church in Kennewick WA that supports Sacred Road and is sending a team to Warm Springs this summer. We had a good time visiting with them, a good sermon, fun with boccie ball, and an overall good experience. The summer interns get here Wednesday and it's gonna get crazy!! I'm excited.

Safe and Sound

After 8 days and 3600 miles, I've safely arrived in Wapato, WA. The trip was exhausting. Despite the difficulties of driving cross country, I really enjoyed it. I got to reconnect with old friends, see some family, fellowship with Christians I'd just met, and it was just a neat week of travel and connections. Thanks for your prayers - things couldn't have gone more smoothly with the car, directions, or accommodations. The next few months should prove exciting!!!

Almost there

I'm in Boise w/ six hours of driving ahead of me this afternoon. Travelling is going well. Some advice from me: If you are ever faced with driving across Nevada, don't. After I left Las Vegas, it was about 7 or 8 hours of the most repetitive empty landscape. For those of you familiar with driving through I-10 across Florida, it's similar except this is longer and even more boring. I'm just happy I made it through without falling asleep. I'm excited about this afternoon!

15 hours of fun

I just completed a 15 hour drive from Dallas to Flagstaff and am pooped. It wasn't too bad and nothing too exciting. Still on schedule to arrive in WA on Sunday.

Grace and Peace.

On the Road

It's Tuesday evening and I'm in Jackson, MS, but will be heading to Dallas in the morning. The visit in Jackson has been really refreshing - it's wonderful to see old friends and laugh, reminiscence, catch up, and shoot the breeze.

The drive so far has been good and without incident. On Thursday, I'm driving from Dallas to Flagstaff for 15 hours, so I'm not too excited about that drive.

Not much else to report, except things are going smoothly.

Grace and Peace.

On the Road (almost) & Foundational Thoughts

It is just past midnight (EST) and I'm all packed and ready to begin the week-long cross-country journey to Washington. I'll make some posts throughout this week and continue posting in the future.

As many of you know, I'm heading out to Washington to work with Sacred Road on the Yakama Reservation. I'll be in charge of children's ministry, working with youth, leading summer teams, and assisting the pastor. I could not do this without your financial and spiritual support and I'm deeply humbled and moved by your prayers, encouragement, giving, and love. Thank you.

In an editorial note, I've changed some stuff on the blog. I changed the title and added a verse on the right. I really like Revelation 5, and especially verse 5 because it is a good reminder that no matter how bad things appear or how bleak the situation appears, we have an advocate in heaven, a high priest who understands our weakness, we are surrounded by the everlasting arms, and He has conquered. A favorite song of mine puts the same idea in a different light: "When Satan tempts be to despair and tells me of the guilt within, upward I look and see Him there who made an end of all my sin." Our hope and trust does not lie in the situations we are in or our skill, wisdom, preparation, or humility, but in the fact that Christ conquered, it really occurred, and we can trust in it and His promise to be with us until the end of the world.

These are thoughts that encourage me and give me strength and faith. I wanted to share with you that although this verse means a lot to me, I am quick to forget it and the implications it has for me and ministry. I feature this verse prominently on the blog so as to remind myself, but also to remind the readers out there and spur you to pray for me that I would remember this verse and others and live as if they are true. I cannot serve without your prayers and God's strengthening me - I know all too well my weaknesses and tendencies.

Thanks again for your support and continued support. I would weep loudly, despairingly, and without hope if not for the love of Christ that changed all things.

It takes a while to make a post and I need to sleep. Grace and Peace to you.