This morning we said goodbye to Ron and Kathleen. Then, we said goodbye to Heather right before they took me to the airport. It was hard to say goodbye, but I knew it was coming. I tried to hold back the tears as much as I could, but it didn't work. When they left, I went to check in.
First, I went inside and stood in line, but soon realized that the line was for people who checked in online. So I went to the curbside check-in are outside. When it was time for me to pay, they asked for a credit card. I gave them the card, but it didn't work, so I would have to go inside to use cash. The line was extremely long, and I only had 20 minutes left to check in. I asked a guy ahead in the line if I could cut in front of him because I was running late. Thankfully, he let me. Time was really running short, so I asked an employee if I could go ahead. She let me come out of line and check in. I made it to my gate and went to board the plane. The ticket I had didn't have a seat number, so I had to wait. I didn't think that I was going to have a seat on the plane, but I got my boarding pass last minute. I made it on the plane, but it was a really close call.
After a few minutes of flying, I decided to read my encouragement letters. They, of course, made me cry. All of them were great and made me even more thankful for such a great team. The rest of the flight, I listened to music and slept a little. When I got to the Denver airport, I got some dinner, then went to my gate to journal and read. We left Denver about 30 minutes late because both runways were pretty busy and there was a storm outside. The flight was pretty short. My family and a few of my friends were waiting for me when I arrived. It was really good to see them.
Coming home was one of the hardest things I have done, but I knew that I had to do it. Re-adjusting will take a while after spend a month with 27 amazing men and women. Seattle Summer Project was an experience like nothing else, and I'm so glad that I could be a part of it. I have learned so much in the past four weeks, and I can't wait to share it with everyone else.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Saturday July 18
After saying goodbye to another group, some of us went down to breakfast. When we came back up, I started packing. My friend, Amy, came to meet me for the day because she is on a road trip with her friends. She came, and I said my tearful goodbyes. I then met Amy's friends, Adam and Jenny.
We went downtown and walked around the market for a little bit. Jenny went to get some coffee after we had lunch, so Amy, Adam, and I went to get coffee and roam around. We had our drinks outside on a hill that overlooks Puget Sound. It was really relaxing, and the weather was nice. On the way back to meet up, we stopped to get pastries. I just had a bite of theirs, but they were delicious! We all met back up and discussed plans. They didn't have a place to stay in Seattle, so we decided that they would drop me off, and they would head to Vancouver. It was hard to say goodbye to Amy because I won't be able to see her for a long time.
After arriving back at campus, the group went out to dinner at the California Pizza Kitchen. We walked around Target and Ross, then went back to SPU. LaShondra, Liz, Nick, and I helped Ron and Kathleen finish stuffing their and Tom's newsletters. Then around 10:00 PM, we took Nick to the airport. It was our last goodbye for the day. When we came back, we talked in the lounge for a little bit. Then LaShondra, Liz, Jordan, and I slept in Jordan's room. I'm glad that we could spend the rest of the night together.
We went downtown and walked around the market for a little bit. Jenny went to get some coffee after we had lunch, so Amy, Adam, and I went to get coffee and roam around. We had our drinks outside on a hill that overlooks Puget Sound. It was really relaxing, and the weather was nice. On the way back to meet up, we stopped to get pastries. I just had a bite of theirs, but they were delicious! We all met back up and discussed plans. They didn't have a place to stay in Seattle, so we decided that they would drop me off, and they would head to Vancouver. It was hard to say goodbye to Amy because I won't be able to see her for a long time.
After arriving back at campus, the group went out to dinner at the California Pizza Kitchen. We walked around Target and Ross, then went back to SPU. LaShondra, Liz, Nick, and I helped Ron and Kathleen finish stuffing their and Tom's newsletters. Then around 10:00 PM, we took Nick to the airport. It was our last goodbye for the day. When we came back, we talked in the lounge for a little bit. Then LaShondra, Liz, Jordan, and I slept in Jordan's room. I'm glad that we could spend the rest of the night together.
Friday July 17
This morning, my second cousin, Sue, picked me up to meet with some of my family for lunch. We met at her dad, Bud's, place. There I ate with Bud, my great uncle, and some of his family. I haven't seen them since I was really young, so we spent some time catching up. I enjoyed spending time with them, especially since I haven't seen them in so long. After lunch, Sue took me back to the campus.
I spent a little time getting ready for our last dinner, then we left. We went to a hotel that had a garden outside that we could eat in. It was beautiful and a nice place to spend time with everyone. The students got together and got Tom a gold whistle with an engraved case. We gave it to him, and the boys said their thank yous to him. It was really emotional, but a good way to end the project. We picked up our newsletters after dinner, then headed back.
When we got to campus, we took a group picture and signed the bus. Then we packed and addressed our newsletters. During that time, we listened to a couple more testimonies. Next, we watched a slideshow and a movie that some of the students had made. Finally, we decided to have one last time of worship together. It was really hard for all of us, but definitely needed.
Once worship was finished, some of us went to 7/11 to get slurpees. Most of us still had encouragement letters to write, and the first flight was leaving in a few hours, so we knew we would be up late. I wrote my encouragement letters and had a little dance party with Stephen, Jordan, and Megan. After I finished writing, I decided to try to sleep in the boys' lounge, so I could say goodbye to everyone. I didn't end up getting any sleep, but it was worth it.
I spent a little time getting ready for our last dinner, then we left. We went to a hotel that had a garden outside that we could eat in. It was beautiful and a nice place to spend time with everyone. The students got together and got Tom a gold whistle with an engraved case. We gave it to him, and the boys said their thank yous to him. It was really emotional, but a good way to end the project. We picked up our newsletters after dinner, then headed back.
When we got to campus, we took a group picture and signed the bus. Then we packed and addressed our newsletters. During that time, we listened to a couple more testimonies. Next, we watched a slideshow and a movie that some of the students had made. Finally, we decided to have one last time of worship together. It was really hard for all of us, but definitely needed.
Once worship was finished, some of us went to 7/11 to get slurpees. Most of us still had encouragement letters to write, and the first flight was leaving in a few hours, so we knew we would be up late. I wrote my encouragement letters and had a little dance party with Stephen, Jordan, and Megan. After I finished writing, I decided to try to sleep in the boys' lounge, so I could say goodbye to everyone. I didn't end up getting any sleep, but it was worth it.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Thursday July 16
The prison was amazing today! We all did worship with the inmates and a couple of the girls from our group shared their testimonies. Ron then opened the floor for the women to say anything they wanted. A few women went up one by one and shared. A couple of them shared their testimonies, and it was so amazing to see how they've turned to God after all they have been through. Another woman said that she now felt free because one of the girls form our group shared their testimony with her. It was so awesome to see how God used us to give them hope. After they were done sharing, we broke up into our small groups again.
Our group shared encouraging poems and Bible verses for a little while. Then we went through the Soularium cards* with them. It really helped us get a better look at their hearts and to give them a better view of ourselves. We didn't have much time left, so we prayed for them before we had to say goodbye. Chandelle and Adriana both gave me hugs, and Chandelle gave me a note that she had written as well. She was so encouraging, and it was so rewarding to see how God worked through us to give her hope. Once we said goodbye, we left the prison. It was our last day of ministry, and it was so worth it.
We stopped in Gig Harbor for lunch on the grass. Then we walked around and got ice cream. We came back to SPU for a couple of hours before dinner. During that time, a few of us walked to a gas station to get slurpies. We then left to eat dinner at 5 Spot. Tom's wife, Sue, and his daughter, Heather, were there. We each got to meet them and talk with them. They were both beautiful and really sweet.
Once dinner was over, we came back home again. Most of us worked on our encouragment letters for one another. I can't believe that we only have one day left together, and we'll all be going home soon. It's going to be really hard to say goodbye.
*Soularium Cards are a set of cards that Campus Crusade makes to help share the gospel. They are just ordinary pictures, but you are supposed to choose pictures that represent your life and explain why. They are a wonderful tool to share the message with.
Our group shared encouraging poems and Bible verses for a little while. Then we went through the Soularium cards* with them. It really helped us get a better look at their hearts and to give them a better view of ourselves. We didn't have much time left, so we prayed for them before we had to say goodbye. Chandelle and Adriana both gave me hugs, and Chandelle gave me a note that she had written as well. She was so encouraging, and it was so rewarding to see how God worked through us to give her hope. Once we said goodbye, we left the prison. It was our last day of ministry, and it was so worth it.
We stopped in Gig Harbor for lunch on the grass. Then we walked around and got ice cream. We came back to SPU for a couple of hours before dinner. During that time, a few of us walked to a gas station to get slurpies. We then left to eat dinner at 5 Spot. Tom's wife, Sue, and his daughter, Heather, were there. We each got to meet them and talk with them. They were both beautiful and really sweet.
Once dinner was over, we came back home again. Most of us worked on our encouragment letters for one another. I can't believe that we only have one day left together, and we'll all be going home soon. It's going to be really hard to say goodbye.
*Soularium Cards are a set of cards that Campus Crusade makes to help share the gospel. They are just ordinary pictures, but you are supposed to choose pictures that represent your life and explain why. They are a wonderful tool to share the message with.
Wednesday July 15
At the prison today, we split up into our groups again. I thought it would be hard to work with one of them after finding out what she was convicted for, but it wasn't. Her, Lonnie, and Chandelle (inmates in our group) had some really good conversations with us. We tried to go over a Transferable Concept about How to Study the Bible, but it was hard because we hadn't gone through it either. So we just ended up sharing how we go through the Bible on our own, and tried some of it out. Soon it came time for lunch, so we went back out to the bus.
After lunch, we met again with the same girls. One of the ladies started pouring her heart out to me and some of the things that she struggles with. She just filed for a divorce, and she felt really guilty doing so even after her husband had beaten her and cheated on her several times. Sean and I explained to her that their relationship was not beneficial, and divorce would probably help to get out of the situation. We also talked about how she struggled with her image. She is very self-conscious because of they way she was treated by her husband and how drugs had rotted her teeth. I did my best to encourage her and explain to her that God thinks she's beautiful no matter what. They had to leave a little early, but the time that we spent together was awesome.
When we left the prison, we came back to the campus to pick up the students who were sick and to change into more comfortable clothes. We went out to a small diner for supper. Liz, Sean, Susan, and I sat together and had some good conversations. It was time for training again when we returned home. Tom brought us stuff for Root Beer floats after that. Yum!
After lunch, we met again with the same girls. One of the ladies started pouring her heart out to me and some of the things that she struggles with. She just filed for a divorce, and she felt really guilty doing so even after her husband had beaten her and cheated on her several times. Sean and I explained to her that their relationship was not beneficial, and divorce would probably help to get out of the situation. We also talked about how she struggled with her image. She is very self-conscious because of they way she was treated by her husband and how drugs had rotted her teeth. I did my best to encourage her and explain to her that God thinks she's beautiful no matter what. They had to leave a little early, but the time that we spent together was awesome.
When we left the prison, we came back to the campus to pick up the students who were sick and to change into more comfortable clothes. We went out to a small diner for supper. Liz, Sean, Susan, and I sat together and had some good conversations. It was time for training again when we returned home. Tom brought us stuff for Root Beer floats after that. Yum!
Tuesday July 14
Today didn't really go as I had planned. My roommate, Katie and I woke up late. We ran to the lobby and realized that the bus had already left. Susan called me to see where we were, and I told her the situation. We ended up staying behind for the day. It was nice, but we both felt awful. After being in shock for about ten minutes, we went back to bed. I woke up when it was time for lunch. After getting ready, Katie and I made a "Cribs" video of the girls' side of the dorm. Then I went to get coffee with Mindy and read my book. When we heard that everyone else was on their way home, we headed back. Mindy, Katie, and I set out the ingredients for quesadillas. A few people made fun of us when they got back, but it wasn't too bad.
Ron, the head director of prison ministry for Campus Crusade, led us in training after dinner. When he was finished, his wife, Kathleen, told us her testimony and talked to the girls for a little while. They're a great couple, and we are very fortunate to have them here with us. Our ministry site group then wrote our article for the newsletter. Later on, I went on a walk with Stephen, Caytlin, Julie, Noelle, Heather, and Drew. That was fun, and we were able to do a little bit of worship afterward.
Ron, the head director of prison ministry for Campus Crusade, led us in training after dinner. When he was finished, his wife, Kathleen, told us her testimony and talked to the girls for a little while. They're a great couple, and we are very fortunate to have them here with us. Our ministry site group then wrote our article for the newsletter. Later on, I went on a walk with Stephen, Caytlin, Julie, Noelle, Heather, and Drew. That was fun, and we were able to do a little bit of worship afterward.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Monday July 13
We were at breakfast this morning at 7:00 and left the campus at 7:30. This week we are ministering to women in prison at Washington Correctional Center for Women. Before lunch, we toured the buildings and invited women to talk with us at the chapel later. We ate lunch on the bus, then headed back to the chapel. The students split up into groups with the offenders. Nick, Sam, Angie, and I were in a group with five other women.
In our group, we went around and shared a little bit of our spiritual background. Then we went over the Four Spiritual Laws booklet. All of the ladies were believers except one of them. So we then split up into smaller groups and talked from there. Angie, Nick, and I split up with three other women. Two of them prayed the prayer from the Holy Spirit booklet, and the other one prayed later. The women were there for different reasons, some shocking and some not so shocking. We all really enjoyed spending time with them though.
When we were done at the prison, we went to Ft. Lewis to visit a guy that Uncle Tom knew. We stayed there for a little bit, then went to get gas. For dinner, we went to the Old Spaghetti Factory. It was delicious! I'm glad that we got to eat downtown, because we don't go there very often. We got back late, so the rest of the night was free for us to do whatever we wanted.
In our group, we went around and shared a little bit of our spiritual background. Then we went over the Four Spiritual Laws booklet. All of the ladies were believers except one of them. So we then split up into smaller groups and talked from there. Angie, Nick, and I split up with three other women. Two of them prayed the prayer from the Holy Spirit booklet, and the other one prayed later. The women were there for different reasons, some shocking and some not so shocking. We all really enjoyed spending time with them though.
When we were done at the prison, we went to Ft. Lewis to visit a guy that Uncle Tom knew. We stayed there for a little bit, then went to get gas. For dinner, we went to the Old Spaghetti Factory. It was delicious! I'm glad that we got to eat downtown, because we don't go there very often. We got back late, so the rest of the night was free for us to do whatever we wanted.
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