Our team made it safely back to Maple Valley this afternoon. It is good to be back home - to take a long shower and enjoy some personal time and space! But what an awesome experience the last couple of days have been.
Yesterday, we spent the day at Corey's house somewhat unexpectedly. We went there to help him put up a teepee as a cultural experience. It was the first time that the teepee had been setup, so we were all learning together! After six hours of working in the hot sun, putting up and taking down and putting back up again, we we finally completed the task! Now that Corey knows how to set it up, he can more effectively lead this activity with other groups. (Just for clarification, the Yakama people didn't traditionally use teepees - that was the plains indians - but it has become a part of indian culture broadly in the last century.)
But, the highlight of Thursday was a debrief session in the evening with all four churches, Corey and Gina, and some other members of the Mending Wings' family. What a gift it was to sit and dialogue about the injustices of the past and the present, our perceptions and stereotypes that often hamper real relationships from forming (even among fellow Christ-followers!), and ask honest questions to receive honest answers. It was an opportunity that our youth and leaders rarely have, and a beautiful way to end the week.
This morning, it was hard to say good-bye to our team members and SLAM staff that we had come to know and love. We have learned and experienced much together, and grown closer to Christ and his Kingdom each step of the way. We look forward to sharing our stories and the stories that we heard this week with all of you and with others to continue the work of reconciliation and sharing the love of Jesus with others. Thank you for journeying with us thus far - we hope that we can continue to walk this road with you!
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