Today we went to the site of the kids camp. After we waited for about 30 minutes, Shantel, the lady in charge, finally showed up. She told us that the times had changed from 9:00-5:00 to 11:00-5:00, and that the actual camp doesn't start until next week. So we organized a couple of garages that held items for people with low income. A lot of the people that come into the apartment complex have just come off of the streets, so they don't have very much money at all. So Paul and Shantel get donations of things like shampoo, body wash, lotion, conditioner, toys, hair products, and other items to give to these people.
Later we organized the game room for the kids and helped figure out some games and crafts for the camp. Erika and I worked in the game room and finished pretty quickly. We then joined Stephen, Katie, and Susan in the office. They had come up with quite a few ideas, but were still stuck on a few. We decided to work on it for the rest of the week and call it a day.
When we came back, we had dinner and went to our meeting shortly after. We talked about two other Transferable Concepts. One of them talked about forgiveness. Going along with that, we did an excercise where we wrote down our sins, wrote 1 John 1:9* over them, then tore up the paper and threw it away. Though all of us knew we had been forgiven, it was still a good excercise. After our meeting, we watched a documentary about the growth and decline of meth over the years. It was a good depiction of how controlling the drug is.
*"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." -1 John 1:9
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday June 29
So it turns out that our camp doesn't start until tomorrow, meaning we had the day off. A perfect opportunity to go shopping. We got dropped off at the mall, then walked over to Target. We had a little bit of time to hang out after that. Then we had dinner and went to our meeting.
We started the Transferable Concepts, and went to our groups. We finished a little early, so I had time to set up a Skype account and talk to Stacy. The rest of the night, I hung out with Liz, Erika, Mari, and Sam. Julie and I spent some time looking up funny videos and posts on fail blog. Then I went to bed. Pretty uneventful day.
We started the Transferable Concepts, and went to our groups. We finished a little early, so I had time to set up a Skype account and talk to Stacy. The rest of the night, I hung out with Liz, Erika, Mari, and Sam. Julie and I spent some time looking up funny videos and posts on fail blog. Then I went to bed. Pretty uneventful day.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Sunday June 28
Last night we were taken back to the garage to sleep. We were there for about an hour, then Drew and Geoffrey came back to offer us cots. No one took them because we didn't want to give into them. Then about an hour after I fell asleep, they came back again. It was time for us to move to a new location. We walked a little farther up the campus and made our cardboard beds on the grass. After staying there for about an hour, they came back and finally took us to the dorm. We were so glad to be going back to our beds.
In the morning, we went to breakfast, then met together for a little while. Geoffrey gave his testimony and apologized for being so mean to us. (He was in charge of the poverty simulation.)Then we had a little bit of time to reflect and nap before church.
The church we went to was called "The Cross". It was full of people who were and people who had been addicted to drugs, alcoholics, criminals, prostitutes, and more. There were even a few dogs there! Despite the background of the members, they loved and thanked God so much! He was working so wonderfully in their lives because they trusted Him so much. The service went on for about three hours, but they were praising God the whole time.
After church, we went to eat lunch at Red Robin. Then we came back to SPU and finally had some time to relax. We broke up into groups and did a skit based on what we learned over the past two days. Most of them just made fun of other members of the group, but it was a good time. Then we had time to do laundry and hang out. Tonight we found out our groups for the kids camps for the next two weeks. My group is going back to the apartments we were at on the first day. I'm glad these next two weeks will be a little more relaxing.
In the morning, we went to breakfast, then met together for a little while. Geoffrey gave his testimony and apologized for being so mean to us. (He was in charge of the poverty simulation.)Then we had a little bit of time to reflect and nap before church.
The church we went to was called "The Cross". It was full of people who were and people who had been addicted to drugs, alcoholics, criminals, prostitutes, and more. There were even a few dogs there! Despite the background of the members, they loved and thanked God so much! He was working so wonderfully in their lives because they trusted Him so much. The service went on for about three hours, but they were praising God the whole time.
After church, we went to eat lunch at Red Robin. Then we came back to SPU and finally had some time to relax. We broke up into groups and did a skit based on what we learned over the past two days. Most of them just made fun of other members of the group, but it was a good time. Then we had time to do laundry and hang out. Tonight we found out our groups for the kids camps for the next two weeks. My group is going back to the apartments we were at on the first day. I'm glad these next two weeks will be a little more relaxing.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Saturday June 27
Surprisingly I slept great! I woke up a few times, but it wasn't too bad for a parking garage and cardboard as a bed. This morning we got up at about 7:00 AM and walked to breakfast. Afterwards we walked back down to the parking garage and hung out outside for a little over an hour. I slept during the time we were waiting. Then the bus came to pick us up and take us downtown.
We got dropped off downtown and started our 5-hour scavenger hunt. By far it was the hardest scavenger hunt I've done. We had to collect 100 cans, find a free lunch, and more difficult tasks. To get cans, we had to dig in a trash can outside of a bar, and I got beer all over my hands. I noticed later that there was something wet and sticky on the bottom of my backpack. Sam and I figured out that the medicine I was carrying started leaking. It got all over my butt and on the front of my leg.
After the scavenger hung, we were dropped off at the parking garage. Two of the groups were taken back to the dorm. Some of us hung out outside of the parking garage, then we headed up for dinner. Everyone's feelings started coming to the surface. Most of us weren't too happy with the conditions we were given, even though it wasn't as bad as it could be. We stopped to pray because we were feeling this way. We had to stop and pray quite a bit over the last two days because it's been hard.
We were allowed inside for dinner and took turns taking showers. We had to keep the same clothes on, but I changed my jeans because they were sticky. We watched a movie about a homeless woman and her daughter. It was really sad, but it helped us see how good we really have it.
We got dropped off downtown and started our 5-hour scavenger hunt. By far it was the hardest scavenger hunt I've done. We had to collect 100 cans, find a free lunch, and more difficult tasks. To get cans, we had to dig in a trash can outside of a bar, and I got beer all over my hands. I noticed later that there was something wet and sticky on the bottom of my backpack. Sam and I figured out that the medicine I was carrying started leaking. It got all over my butt and on the front of my leg.
After the scavenger hung, we were dropped off at the parking garage. Two of the groups were taken back to the dorm. Some of us hung out outside of the parking garage, then we headed up for dinner. Everyone's feelings started coming to the surface. Most of us weren't too happy with the conditions we were given, even though it wasn't as bad as it could be. We stopped to pray because we were feeling this way. We had to stop and pray quite a bit over the last two days because it's been hard.
We were allowed inside for dinner and took turns taking showers. We had to keep the same clothes on, but I changed my jeans because they were sticky. We watched a movie about a homeless woman and her daughter. It was really sad, but it helped us see how good we really have it.
Friday June 26
This morning we went back to the CJC. I got about 6 hours of sleep, which wasn't bad, but I was still exhausted and had a headache. At the Criminal Justice Center, we talked with two sex offenders who had served their sentence. Both had received Christ while they were in prison. Though the were Christians, it was hard to sit there and not judge them. They were level 3 sex offenders and had done some pretty bad things. Even though it was hard, it was awesome to see how much their lives had changed.
When we left the CJC we went to a beach to eat lunch. That was fun, but it was a little chilly outside and the water was freezing. After we got back to the dorm, we walked inside and found our "eviction notice". That meant that we had to get our things ready to live on the streets. We were allowed to bring three possessions. Bibles, medications, and journals didn't count. I brought my blanket, pillow, and backpack. Our new home was a parking garage on campus.
About an hour or so after we were dropped off, Tom and the student staff brought us dinner. We had fries and hamburgers from McDonalds. There were a few extra hamburgers left over, so we saved them to give to the homeless later. Geoffrey, a guy who had been on the project before, came later to take whatever we hadn't eaten. Luckily we hid the food under a blanket. Then most of the group split up into two teams to feed and share the word with the homeless. Some of us stayed back and tried to take a nap.
We also had worship and a message given to us by Stephen. He talked about how Daniel was faithful and finally saw God after praying for 24 days. So we need to be faithful and not let anything hold us back. We then played a few games, and went to sleep around 11:00 PM.
When we left the CJC we went to a beach to eat lunch. That was fun, but it was a little chilly outside and the water was freezing. After we got back to the dorm, we walked inside and found our "eviction notice". That meant that we had to get our things ready to live on the streets. We were allowed to bring three possessions. Bibles, medications, and journals didn't count. I brought my blanket, pillow, and backpack. Our new home was a parking garage on campus.
About an hour or so after we were dropped off, Tom and the student staff brought us dinner. We had fries and hamburgers from McDonalds. There were a few extra hamburgers left over, so we saved them to give to the homeless later. Geoffrey, a guy who had been on the project before, came later to take whatever we hadn't eaten. Luckily we hid the food under a blanket. Then most of the group split up into two teams to feed and share the word with the homeless. Some of us stayed back and tried to take a nap.
We also had worship and a message given to us by Stephen. He talked about how Daniel was faithful and finally saw God after praying for 24 days. So we need to be faithful and not let anything hold us back. We then played a few games, and went to sleep around 11:00 PM.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Thursday June 25
After getting about 4 hours of sleep, I was pretty tired today. Our first stop was back at the Criminal Justice Center. From there we figured out groups and plans for the day. I split up with Angie, and we paired up with a couple of CCOs. One of them had us sit in on an appointment we had with one of his offenders. We then went to a meeting with the other CCO. They just had breakfast and talked about what they had going on during the day.
We then met up with Drew, Stephen, and their CCOs. We rode separately to meet at the police station. On the way there, Stephen and I got to go to the first Starbucks! Honestly it was the worst one I had ever seen. I'm pretty sure it was only a drive through, and it was really small. Anyway, we met up with Jordan and Carri when we got to the station. There we met Leslie, one of the ladies in charge of the place. She was crazy, obnoxious, and hilarious, and I loved every second of it. We got to see where offenders are taken when they have just been caught. We even got to go inside of one of the holding cells.
Once we finished up there, we headed to lunch at one of the shopping centers. After lunch, Angie, Drew, Stephen, and I went to a couple of homeless shelters. One of them, Union Gospel Mission, was really neat. They were a Christian based shelter, and had the men and women go through bible studies. We didn't get to see much of the other shelter. After that, we headed to the jail. Angie and I went with our CCO, Cory, and sat in on a hearing. The offender had two allegations against him. Failure to meet with his CCO since early April, and possesion of ammuniton. The offender plead not guilty on the first allegation and guilty on the second. He was sentenced to 45 days of confinment. Ironically, the day that he would be released was his birthday.
Finally, everyone met back together and headed to the campus. After dinner we practiced going over the 4 Spiritual Laws booklet, then had time to do whatever we wanted. Some of the girls had mentioned that the boys were writing letters to all of us girls, so I went to check it out. All together there were 3 letters. One was on cardboard, and I'm not sure where it was put. The other two were hanging up outside of the food room. They were really encouraging letters metioning how we shouldn't believe the lies that the world tells us about beauty. They also said that it was really neat to work alongside of us, and it was great to see how we all worked together. That was so encouraging because there are 21 girls on this trip and 7 boys. Just to see how willing they were to step up and work with us was really great.
I think I might get a good amount of sleep tonight. It's been a crazy day filled with, rifles, crack pipes, swords, needles, machetties, marujania, and cross bows. I'm so ready for sleep.
We then met up with Drew, Stephen, and their CCOs. We rode separately to meet at the police station. On the way there, Stephen and I got to go to the first Starbucks! Honestly it was the worst one I had ever seen. I'm pretty sure it was only a drive through, and it was really small. Anyway, we met up with Jordan and Carri when we got to the station. There we met Leslie, one of the ladies in charge of the place. She was crazy, obnoxious, and hilarious, and I loved every second of it. We got to see where offenders are taken when they have just been caught. We even got to go inside of one of the holding cells.
Once we finished up there, we headed to lunch at one of the shopping centers. After lunch, Angie, Drew, Stephen, and I went to a couple of homeless shelters. One of them, Union Gospel Mission, was really neat. They were a Christian based shelter, and had the men and women go through bible studies. We didn't get to see much of the other shelter. After that, we headed to the jail. Angie and I went with our CCO, Cory, and sat in on a hearing. The offender had two allegations against him. Failure to meet with his CCO since early April, and possesion of ammuniton. The offender plead not guilty on the first allegation and guilty on the second. He was sentenced to 45 days of confinment. Ironically, the day that he would be released was his birthday.
Finally, everyone met back together and headed to the campus. After dinner we practiced going over the 4 Spiritual Laws booklet, then had time to do whatever we wanted. Some of the girls had mentioned that the boys were writing letters to all of us girls, so I went to check it out. All together there were 3 letters. One was on cardboard, and I'm not sure where it was put. The other two were hanging up outside of the food room. They were really encouraging letters metioning how we shouldn't believe the lies that the world tells us about beauty. They also said that it was really neat to work alongside of us, and it was great to see how we all worked together. That was so encouraging because there are 21 girls on this trip and 7 boys. Just to see how willing they were to step up and work with us was really great.
I think I might get a good amount of sleep tonight. It's been a crazy day filled with, rifles, crack pipes, swords, needles, machetties, marujania, and cross bows. I'm so ready for sleep.
Wednesday June 24
After waking up late again, I was on my way out this morning with the team to head to Cedar Creek. Cedar Creek is a prison that inmates stay at when they have four or less years left of their sentance. We got lost on the way, so we were about 45 minutes late, but it was fine.
We first talked with a panel people who worked there. I honestly can't remember very much that was said because I was trying to stay awake the whole time. Next we talked with three offenders. The were all pretty close to re-entry. One guy in particular talked about God had used his wife to change his life around. He is now a follower of Christ and focusing all of his time on Him. After that panel, we were out for another tour.
Cedar Creek was very much different than MICC because of all of the freedoms they had. Based on how close to re-entry they were, each of their living areas were different. There was a dorm-style room and a hallway with two-person bedrooms. Six months before they're released, they can get jobs in the public as long as they weren't a sex offender or had committed a highly violent crime.
Our next destination was the mental hospital. From what I had heard, it was the largest one on the west side of the Mississippi River. There we ate lunch and talked with some of the staff. Unfortunately, we weren't able to go on a tour of the area, but I don't think some of the patients would have handled it very well.
We then came back and finally had a little bit of time to relax. After we were done with our groups, most of us met downstairs for worship. It was so powerful and awesome to see all of us on fire for God. We ended with prayer for the big day ahead of us.
We first talked with a panel people who worked there. I honestly can't remember very much that was said because I was trying to stay awake the whole time. Next we talked with three offenders. The were all pretty close to re-entry. One guy in particular talked about God had used his wife to change his life around. He is now a follower of Christ and focusing all of his time on Him. After that panel, we were out for another tour.
Cedar Creek was very much different than MICC because of all of the freedoms they had. Based on how close to re-entry they were, each of their living areas were different. There was a dorm-style room and a hallway with two-person bedrooms. Six months before they're released, they can get jobs in the public as long as they weren't a sex offender or had committed a highly violent crime.
Our next destination was the mental hospital. From what I had heard, it was the largest one on the west side of the Mississippi River. There we ate lunch and talked with some of the staff. Unfortunately, we weren't able to go on a tour of the area, but I don't think some of the patients would have handled it very well.
We then came back and finally had a little bit of time to relax. After we were done with our groups, most of us met downstairs for worship. It was so powerful and awesome to see all of us on fire for God. We ended with prayer for the big day ahead of us.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Tuesday June 23
Today was our first day to see a prison.This morning, we left for McNeil Island Correctional Center. This prison is the last to be accessed solely by boat, so we caught (all except Drew) the ferry right before it left. The area was very secure, and we were so fortunate to be allowed on the island.
Upon our arrival, we were taken inside and split up into separate groups. Our group was taken to the holding cells. We got to see what each building looked like on the inside and what was different about each one of them. Once we finished our first tour, we talked with a panel of six inmates. These inmates had served about half of their sentence, and were earned the privilege to talk with us. It was obvious that these men were dedicated to change their lives so that that they wouldn't have to return after re-entry. A couple of them had also mentioned that their faith in God has given them hope.
After a quick lunch, we were into another set of groups for another tour. This time we were taken to the recreation areas. We walked into the fenced are where the inmates were having their free time. Two officers walked in with five of us girls. That was still a littler nerve-racking because there were about 200-300 inmates in the area. Most of them were respectful and minded their business.
Later, we all met up and went on a tour of the island. There we saw where inmates who had served their sentence, but weren't allowed back into society stayed. These were primarily sex offenders who committed a high-profile crime. On the whole island, there was only one woman inmate, and she was kept in that area. After our final tour, we were taken back and on our way to dinner.
Once we arrived at SPU, we quickly changed our clothes and prepared for the evening. First, we did a little celebration for Sam's birthday, then we again reflected on what went on during the day After that, we split into our small groups for the first time to share our testimonies. My group includes Jordan, Carri, LaShondra, Angie, and myself. Each girl had such a different testimony, but it was so awesome to see how our pasts had lead us to God.
Upon our arrival, we were taken inside and split up into separate groups. Our group was taken to the holding cells. We got to see what each building looked like on the inside and what was different about each one of them. Once we finished our first tour, we talked with a panel of six inmates. These inmates had served about half of their sentence, and were earned the privilege to talk with us. It was obvious that these men were dedicated to change their lives so that that they wouldn't have to return after re-entry. A couple of them had also mentioned that their faith in God has given them hope.
After a quick lunch, we were into another set of groups for another tour. This time we were taken to the recreation areas. We walked into the fenced are where the inmates were having their free time. Two officers walked in with five of us girls. That was still a littler nerve-racking because there were about 200-300 inmates in the area. Most of them were respectful and minded their business.
Later, we all met up and went on a tour of the island. There we saw where inmates who had served their sentence, but weren't allowed back into society stayed. These were primarily sex offenders who committed a high-profile crime. On the whole island, there was only one woman inmate, and she was kept in that area. After our final tour, we were taken back and on our way to dinner.
Once we arrived at SPU, we quickly changed our clothes and prepared for the evening. First, we did a little celebration for Sam's birthday, then we again reflected on what went on during the day After that, we split into our small groups for the first time to share our testimonies. My group includes Jordan, Carri, LaShondra, Angie, and myself. Each girl had such a different testimony, but it was so awesome to see how our pasts had lead us to God.
Monday June 22
Ok, so I've been really busy the past few days, so I haven't been able to update the blog. I'm going to split each day up into separate posts though. This is Monday:
This morning was a rough start. we were supposed to be up and ready for breakfast by 6:40, and I woke up at 6:36. Finally after rushing and getting to breakfast, I thought I had last my ID card that we use for meals. Mari and Drew helped me look for it, and we didn't find it. Luckily, I found it in my purse later.
We left SPU around 7:15 and headed to the Criminal Justice Center in Seattle to get our volunteer ID badges made. We listened to a few workers there share a few stories for a couple of hours, then headed out. After that, we went to the Department of Corrections (DOC) in Tacoma. There we learned about offenses, sex offenders, and forms of manipulation that they try to use. Once we had lunch and finished up there, we spread into different teams for our next job shadowing.
Eight of us were taken to the other DOC office in Tacoma. After arriving, we then split up into pairs and singls to talk with the officers. Sean and I were paired up with a parole officer named Vanessa. Her area focuses on sex offenders, so she's around them and talking to them everyday. We got to learn about her job. Sean then asked her about her faith and what she believed. Turns out, she was a Christian as well, so we spent some time talking about that. She said that she didn't think she would be able to handle the job if it weren't for her faith in God.
Then we were taken back in a prison van. Caytlin and I got to ride in the back where the offenders usually ride. It was pretty cool. We then went to dinner at a fantastic Mexican restaurant. Mindy, Susan, Angie, and I had some really great conversations dealing with death, miracles, and other crazy things. Finally, we headed back to the dorm. We had a little bit of time to relax before our meeting, so a good amount of us girls watched hilarious YouTube videos on my computer. (I recommend Kittens by Kittens) At our meeting, Tom and Brooke shared their testimonies. Both of which were tear-jerking and amazing.
This morning was a rough start. we were supposed to be up and ready for breakfast by 6:40, and I woke up at 6:36. Finally after rushing and getting to breakfast, I thought I had last my ID card that we use for meals. Mari and Drew helped me look for it, and we didn't find it. Luckily, I found it in my purse later.
We left SPU around 7:15 and headed to the Criminal Justice Center in Seattle to get our volunteer ID badges made. We listened to a few workers there share a few stories for a couple of hours, then headed out. After that, we went to the Department of Corrections (DOC) in Tacoma. There we learned about offenses, sex offenders, and forms of manipulation that they try to use. Once we had lunch and finished up there, we spread into different teams for our next job shadowing.
Eight of us were taken to the other DOC office in Tacoma. After arriving, we then split up into pairs and singls to talk with the officers. Sean and I were paired up with a parole officer named Vanessa. Her area focuses on sex offenders, so she's around them and talking to them everyday. We got to learn about her job. Sean then asked her about her faith and what she believed. Turns out, she was a Christian as well, so we spent some time talking about that. She said that she didn't think she would be able to handle the job if it weren't for her faith in God.
Then we were taken back in a prison van. Caytlin and I got to ride in the back where the offenders usually ride. It was pretty cool. We then went to dinner at a fantastic Mexican restaurant. Mindy, Susan, Angie, and I had some really great conversations dealing with death, miracles, and other crazy things. Finally, we headed back to the dorm. We had a little bit of time to relax before our meeting, so a good amount of us girls watched hilarious YouTube videos on my computer. (I recommend Kittens by Kittens) At our meeting, Tom and Brooke shared their testimonies. Both of which were tear-jerking and amazing.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Day 1
First today, we went to church. Seems weird right? Hah. So we went to Seattle International Chuch, and it was a primarily African American church. So awesome. Worship was great, and they accepted us as their own. They even spent a good amount of time honoring the fathers in the church whether they were members or had just stopped in today.
Once we came back to the dorms and changed, we headed to downtown Seattle for our first sight-seeing adventure. We took an underground tour of old Seattle. It was really neat. After the tour, we walked by Puget Sound on our way back to the bus. It was neat, but we didn't get to go very close to the water. I'll be really excited when we get to ride a boat. Uncle Tom took us to dinner at a family-owned Chinese restaurant after that. Not too shabby. Then on our way back to the dorm, we stopped at an overlook of downtown Seattle and took lots of pictures. We did a little bit of reflecting on the day and got introduced to our study materials, and now everyone's winding down for bed.
More adventures to come. Happy Fathers Day Dad!
Once we came back to the dorms and changed, we headed to downtown Seattle for our first sight-seeing adventure. We took an underground tour of old Seattle. It was really neat. After the tour, we walked by Puget Sound on our way back to the bus. It was neat, but we didn't get to go very close to the water. I'll be really excited when we get to ride a boat. Uncle Tom took us to dinner at a family-owned Chinese restaurant after that. Not too shabby. Then on our way back to the dorm, we stopped at an overlook of downtown Seattle and took lots of pictures. We did a little bit of reflecting on the day and got introduced to our study materials, and now everyone's winding down for bed.
More adventures to come. Happy Fathers Day Dad!
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Arrival
I am currently sitting in my room at Seattle Pacific University, overlooking the city. What a dream come true! God has been preparing me and the rest of the team for a while now, and we're finally here. It seems so surreal.
I left the Wichita airport around 9:30 this morning, and after stopping in Dallas, I arrived in Seattle around 2:20 PM. After traveling through 2 time zones, I am so exhausted! I think it might take me a few days to get used to the time change. Both flights were great. I had 2 seats to myself on the first flight because the seat next to me was broken. Unfortunately, due to my sleep deprivation over the last few days, I couldn't control my sleeping habits on the plane. So I might have waken up a couple of times finding drool coming out of my mouth or already on my shirt. Hopefully nobody saw me. Hah. My second flight was 3 hours, and I spent about an hour of it talking to the lady next to me who was coming to visit Seattle. I love talking about life with random people.
So it finally came time for "Uncle Tom" (Thomas Durrant - the leader of the project) and his crew to come pick me up. Right after a few other team members and I boarded the bus, we were already on our way to our first project. We were taken to a block party at an apartment complex, where the other team members that had already arrived were waiting. We helped out for a couple of hours, then we went back to the airport to pick up a couple more people. Then we came to the campus for the first time to get settled in. My roommate's name, ironically, is Katie. I guess it will be practice for next year.
After unpacking, we all ate dinner and starting bonding. Everyone in our group is getting along great! I can already tell that we'll be forming really great friendships. There are people from all over the United States, coming from Ohio, Indiana, Texas, Virginia, Florida, California, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Conneticut. All different kinds of people here for one purpose. I can't wait to see how God is going to use us!
I left the Wichita airport around 9:30 this morning, and after stopping in Dallas, I arrived in Seattle around 2:20 PM. After traveling through 2 time zones, I am so exhausted! I think it might take me a few days to get used to the time change. Both flights were great. I had 2 seats to myself on the first flight because the seat next to me was broken. Unfortunately, due to my sleep deprivation over the last few days, I couldn't control my sleeping habits on the plane. So I might have waken up a couple of times finding drool coming out of my mouth or already on my shirt. Hopefully nobody saw me. Hah. My second flight was 3 hours, and I spent about an hour of it talking to the lady next to me who was coming to visit Seattle. I love talking about life with random people.
So it finally came time for "Uncle Tom" (Thomas Durrant - the leader of the project) and his crew to come pick me up. Right after a few other team members and I boarded the bus, we were already on our way to our first project. We were taken to a block party at an apartment complex, where the other team members that had already arrived were waiting. We helped out for a couple of hours, then we went back to the airport to pick up a couple more people. Then we came to the campus for the first time to get settled in. My roommate's name, ironically, is Katie. I guess it will be practice for next year.
After unpacking, we all ate dinner and starting bonding. Everyone in our group is getting along great! I can already tell that we'll be forming really great friendships. There are people from all over the United States, coming from Ohio, Indiana, Texas, Virginia, Florida, California, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Conneticut. All different kinds of people here for one purpose. I can't wait to see how God is going to use us!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
