Salmon Jammin'

What a week it has been here in Juneau! This time last week, Waffle Co was packed full of locals and Project Golfers as we cherished the last bit of time left with the staff before they hopped on ferries and airplanes to head south for the rest of the summer. Part of staff leaving is that they hand over the project to us students and give us complete responsibility and ownership for the rest of the summer. As you can imagine, this can be both nerve-wracking and totally exciting! Before leaving, new roles were assigned for both sides of the projects. I was asked to be the project director for the women, with my roommate Kelly leading alongside me as co-director. Emily and Abby are leading Action Groups, Samantha and Ashley are heading up Womanhood Development and Kelsie is our service leader. Although I was fairly nervous at the start of it all, I have had complete confidence in everyone of these girls since Day One in Juneau and was so excited to serve together in one heart and one mind. This past week has only strengthened my confidence in these women. It was a little weird at first, but the time on our own has felt so natural. There were moments when I thought my heart would burst from the joy God was giving me through time with these girls; floating on an air mattress in Auke Lake, working with our hands to build a roof, loving on fellow church members, hanging from hammocks, picking fresh salmonberries for a jam-making session with our friends Virgil and Lori, sharing Solarium with strangers in downtown coffee shops, taking communion together, sacrificing sleep to pray for together before work, inviting girls into our home to tie-dye and play games, digging into God's Word and confessing our sinful tendencies. Having the opportunity, not only to watch each girl live their life out for Christ, but to also participate in that with them, has meant so much to me.
This week our focus has been PERSEVERANCE. Galations 6:9-10 , our passage for the week, says "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." This has been a good theme for all of us. We have about three weeks left here in Juneau, which seems like such a short time and yet, at the same time, still far off. The importance of being good stewards with the time and opportunities God has given us here in Juneau is huge. Our passage for the week has meant so much to me. I have had a really enjoyable couple of days at work so far this week, after going through a time of being slightly discouraged. I have had fun goofing off with coworkers (not at the expense of being a good employee, of course) and building my relationships with them. I am also getting chances to hang out with them outside of work. Chase, Brandon and Jesse (a few guys from the men's project who work downtown. Chase and Brandon go to school with me! WOO PIG!) have been able to build relationships and hang out with some of the guys I work with. The gospel has been shared with a few of my coworkers so please be praying for God to move in their hearts along with:
-Continued friendships that allow the gospel to be shared
-That I will have patience with a particular co-worker who kinda drives me crazy!
-Brandon McKay, David Matthews and the rest of the men as they lead their project, as well as ours.
-My family will be coming into town next Tuesday! Safe travels and a great time together, while balancing project and staying focused on Juneau.
-The rising up of local believers in Juneau. That they will be encouraged by Christ's love and through each other.
Thanks so much! I wish I could share more, I feel like I am just scraping the surface. I really appreciate your interest in what is going on in my life. Til next time!