Being

May 31, 2012

"To be or not to be: that is the question." -William Shakespeare

Back in Yakama. In some ways it feels like I never left, but then the ministry has grown so much, in other ways it's like starting over. After getting to see one of the lovely friends I made last summer (shout out to Julie Bilbro), we drove to the reservation from Seattle, and got here last Wednesday.

Day 1 consisted of meeting the other interns, greeting the six new puppies at the Granberry house, choosing my bunk bed (top bunk), and going through those awkward get-to-know-you stages. The first ten days of this adventure begins with orientation, which is quickly coming to a close as the first team arrives on Saturday. We talk about why we're here, the Yakama culture, the various aspects of the ministry here. We also try to figure each other out based on fun tests that reveal our conflict styles (I'm an avoiding turtle with competing shark/accommodating teddy bear tendencies) and personalities in order to be able to work and serve together well.

One of our orientation days was spent discussing why we're here. Ministry was defined as "being," to be wherever God has put you wholeheartedly-physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually. Chris pointed out that a name used for God is Yahweh, which translated is "I am"- a form of 'to be.' Our goal individually and as a team is "to be" here in Yakama with all we have to give.

Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men Colossians 3:23

Friday night we got to hang out with the youth at the church building. Seeing familiar faces, hearing some say "I remember you."But also a plethora of new faces. Our night was spent roasting hot dogs and smores (laughing when seeing Jesse's beard covered in marshmallow), playing an epic game of capture the flag which covered a large portion of the property (girls vs. boys-pacing the boundary line, inching across while sometimes running with all your energy to free the people from prison), and singing praise songs by the bonfire watching the sun set. A good night. One of the youth, Thomas, prayed at the end. At one point he said something like, "Watch over us...like you always do." It was cool to see him acknowledge God's continual protection over us.

Yesterday we went on a road trip to Chinook Pass. The day was filled with snowball fights and fellowship. We used garbage bags as sleds, which resembled diapers.
Today will be more orientation, food prep, and kids ministry prep. Here we go!