Meet Jason. He smiles so sweetly but watch out....he is about to run and dive on the concrete. He doesn't cry, he just dusts off and tries the jump again. He lives in White Swan, Washington on an Indian reservation where the life expectancy is 39 years old. Where the infant mortality rate is twice the national average and suicide and abuse are rampant yet for Jason and hundreds of kids just like him it is home. His home. His future is shaky at best but he is just happy someone has come out to play and watch him try the skateboard jumps like the boys he looks up to. He is just a kid who want to be loved and love him we did!
Jason lives on the Yakama Indian reservation that my church Oak Hills Presbyterian visits once year during the summer. We partnered with the Granberrys who serve the Native Indians year round. The group was split into two different groups, one worked roofing and the other on housing rehab. I was in the group that scraped and painted the outside of the home. The girl below name is Coral. She stayed the days with her grandparents Walley and Mitzie in the home we worked on.
Here are Coral and Mitzie and their fun dogs crazy Daisy and Homer as well as the house and the group working together. I love painting and I love being outside!
Above is the finished home:) In the afternoons we would go to a concrete slab with a small basketball court called Todos park. We brought crafts and did skits. We met lots of kids like Jason, lovable and wanting to be loved. Below are photos of the kids, the group playing spoons, and a photo of Coral, her mom Kim, and Mitzie.
Movies made from out teams week are linked below. I thought it was a great idea to post them on You tube so I could share them with everyone!
Jason lives on the Yakama Indian reservation that my church Oak Hills Presbyterian visits once year during the summer. We partnered with the Granberrys who serve the Native Indians year round. The group was split into two different groups, one worked roofing and the other on housing rehab. I was in the group that scraped and painted the outside of the home. The girl below name is Coral. She stayed the days with her grandparents Walley and Mitzie in the home we worked on.
Here are Coral and Mitzie and their fun dogs crazy Daisy and Homer as well as the house and the group working together. I love painting and I love being outside! Above is the finished home:) In the afternoons we would go to a concrete slab with a small basketball court called Todos park. We brought crafts and did skits. We met lots of kids like Jason, lovable and wanting to be loved. Below are photos of the kids, the group playing spoons, and a photo of Coral, her mom Kim, and Mitzie.
On the last day we took a trip to Mt. Rainer. It was cloudy but beautiful and we even got to hike and ride down a small waterfall!
Movies made from out teams week are linked below. I thought it was a great idea to post them on You tube so I could share them with everyone!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMyb88Rw0Hk Part 2
I think the most significant development from the week was a renewed desire for me to serve. I am still not sure what that looks like in my life but life is an adventure in a lot of ways.
I think the most significant development from the week was a renewed desire for me to serve. I am still not sure what that looks like in my life but life is an adventure in a lot of ways.
My parents were in Nashville visiting so I thought Gail and I could tag a long for the visit. It was so sweet to get caught up on the Nashville crew. For those that I missed I will be back in October!
The Elrods have been there through the years...
Betsie and Justin are the greatest. They have bought a home and just made a new edition to their family, Louie the dog.....
