Traveling Times

Day 1                                                                                                                              May 23, 2012

Well… day one is in the books.  Jess and I have had a full day of seeing the sights and meeting new people.  We started the day roaming the streets of downtown Seattle, making sure we spent a good amount of time experiencing the sights, sounds and tastes of the world famous Pike’s Place Seafood Market.  

Being my first time in Seattle, it was really cool to see this historic landmark that I had seen and heard so much about.  For years I have seen pictures or video footage of market workers heaving 30 lb. King Salmon through the air to complete a customers purchase, and heard of the original Starbucks Coffee House.  Even though I am not the biggest fan of Starbucks over-roasted coffee, I can’t help but appreciate what that company has done for coffee lovers everywhere.  This tiny little coffee house looking out over the Seattle bay revolutionized the way individuals across the globe experience a good cup of coffee. 

After a few hours of walking, talking, eating and drinking (delicious Seattle’s Best coffee, which also got its start in… you guessed it, Seattle), we boarded the light rail and headed back to the airport where we would catch a shuttle that would take us the final leg of our travels, destination YAKAMA!!!!!  We arrived in Yakima (spelled correctly both ways) around 5:00 pm (remember Pacific Standard Time, PST), and Chris Granberry, church planter and ministry director, came and picked us up.  He brought us straight back to his house where the rest of the summer interns, along with his family were there awaiting our arrival.  It was fun meeting the rest of the team for the first time, and hearing just a little bit about each other over dinner.  We had a great time of fellowship over some tasty chili, and some ever so delicious Apple Crisp for dessert!  All of my sweet teeth were thrilled to be reunited with an old friend J.  After dinner we gathered together for a time of singing and prayer, which really brought our summer of service to the starting line.  In the morning, the race begins with orientation and team building.

It’s late, so I am going to officially wrap this day up.  Once again, we are thrilled to be here surrounded by great people for an even greater cause.  Thank you all who have prayed for and donated to our efforts!  We can’t wait to share with each and every one of you this experience of a lifetime.  We wanted to let you know that we have limited access to the internet, so our blog post will be a little more spread out than we would have liked.  We encourage you to check back every few days!  Also, we would love to hear how we can be praying for you, so let us know either on the blog "comments" section, or send us an email.  Until then, here are a few request we have.  Will be in touch soon!

PRAYER REQUEST:

Pray that we run this race well, giving everything that we are physically, emotionally and spiritually able to give. 

Pray that our eyes will see and our ears will hear this beautiful yet dark place where we have been called to live in and engage for the next 11 weeks.

Pray that our team will grow together as one unit working towards one goal.

Pray that Jess and I would enjoy this adventure that God has prepared for us, and trust that He can and will work in us and through us for His namesake!

Lastly, for now, please pray that we would fix our eyes on Jesus, our Gracious LORD and Savior.  In doing so our hearts will be refreshed and filled with an everlasting love that overflows for the Native American people of the Yakama Nation.