Harrah, Washington

As we take time out to thank God, family and friends for our many blessings, I find myself overflowing with thanks for those of you who took the time to clean, collect, and drop off bags and bags of clothing for the people of the Yakama Indian Reservation.  We had our vehicles filled to the brim several times as we drove to the church and filled a living room and then a U-Haul trailor with your donations.  My two daughters, Emily and Stephanie, were a part of the youth teams who spent three days and nights cleaning, repairing, and remodeling homes and buildings; and teaching, listening and holding kids.  This post is from Emily...

"This was my second year going on a mission trip to Harrah, WA with my church, Summit View.  Last year, I was assigned to a kid's club.  A small group of us hosted a hangout for the local kids.  Many of them didn't speak English.  About twenty-five showed up, and it was amazing to be able to show love to these kids.  Many weren't used to it.  So this year, when I was assigned to janitorial duties, I was really in for something different.  We spent our hours washing hundreds of windows, cleaning bathrooms and cars and sweeping at a large homeless mission/rehab center in Yakama.  At first, I was a little discouraged, because I was thinking of all of the smiling kids of last year, and how you could see their gratitude on their faces.  While working here, it seemed that we were not as wanted by the people living there.  But as the weekend went on, I got to have some really good converstaions with more and more people.  I began to realize that even if I didn't enjoy the jobs I was assigned to this year as much as last year, I wasn't there to do what I enjoyed.  I was there to serve, in whatever way needed.  And once I came to this conclusion, I was able to serve with a more open, loving heart."                            Emily B.