A week on the Rez

It had reached the mid-90s in Seattle Friday and I was on my way to south central Washington. Like any Seattlite who heads over the mts to an area which technically is a desert, I prepared myself for the heat with two things I rarely have around: sunscreen and sunglasses. I was on my way to Yakima with the youth from my church. When it passed 100 degrees Sunday we were glad to have a day to acclimate to the weather.

We also were getting oriented to a culture that is largely overlooked, its language almost forgotten, its way of life almost eradicated-the Yakima Indian culture. It is a marginalized people group, a community in need. Rather than traveling thousands of miles to engage with some exotic, well publicized country in crisis, we chose to go right in our backyard. I have friends living there who helped establish Sacred Road Ministries http://sacredroadministries.com/www They have intentionally slowed down, observed and planted roots in the community-sharing both their pains and their dreams. I have looked forward to joining them for several years so it was a joy to learn from them and work alongside them even for a short time

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My group joined a group from Jackson, MS and a family from GA in doing work projects each morning followed by a kids club at two different sites in the afternoons. It was fun to hear the various Southern accents and work together. Being associated with the "church people" helped immensely in being accepted where we went since Sacred Road has a positive reputation in the community, not simply for doing good things but for having faithful, patient yet persistent hope and joy in loving others. It was a privilege to be part of that while reroofing and repainting 2 homes, playing with children, building a shed and deck, giving rides on our backs, telling stories, teaching crafts and sharing our hearts. It is amazing how powerful it can be to take an interest in someone's life, to hear their story and enter in.

Each of us had stories to tell of our week there and it can be hard to summarize. One quick one from me: i had just set down our box of crafts underneath a tree when I heard running steps just in front of me. A small boy lunged through the air toward me with a huge smile on his face as I caught him and swung him around and around. He was so eager to be noticed. He had an appetite for attention that was satiated for a brief moment in that hug. Others came wanting to be held, thrown high into the air, each saying "again, again!" It was a joy to give something so simple that was so treasured. All of us had similar moments where it was clear that we are blessed in order to be a blessing to others, giving and sharing stories within stories.

It was a challenging but affirming experience, as most memorable and meaningful experiences are.