Hello all! I'm missing you but having a geat time! The kids here are so sweet! And I'm getting a crash course in Ahousaht culture. Monday night we got to participate in a community dance and last night we went to a special celebration of new born baby. The baby's name is Nita, she was born pre-mature and was only 2 lbs at birth! They don't have a celebration for every baby born but since Nita survived and came home after spending months in the NICU the family wanted to have a party. Everyone was invited. In fact, the chief here even stopped by where we are staying and personally invited our group!!! He said that we are family now and he's so glad where're here and if he had keys to the community he'd give them to us. It was really neat. Anyways, the dinner was awesome. We had fish and deer and potatoes and even dried halibut eggs! I tasted some. They're considered a delicacy here. All I can say about it was that they were crunchy.
Since we've been here the community has really just welcomed us in with open arms. Like I said, we were given the honor of being visited by the chief. The guys are staying in the upstairs of the youth center, and apparently they are the first Christian group that's been allowed to stay there. We're also cleaning the basement of the building, but more on that later. We are the only group that has been allowed to come and minister this summer. God has certainly had his hand in this! This is sport's week in Ahousaht, a community event. We've been able to participate in come events, such as the dance, also volley ball and tonight some of the guys are playing basketball. It's so cool how everyone is allowing us to take part in their community. In fact, Elizabeth told me that she was talking to someone and was saying that she was here 2 years ago. The man was happy to hear that and told her "welcome home." And that's really what it feels like. Everyone is loving us and welcoming us here. Last night we were worshiping on the beach and a fisherman came up to us and said that he had some salmon for us and where should he put it? He gave us two HUGE salmon that he had caught that morning. And Bri was talking to a lady at dinner last night who said she wanted to bring us some homemade bread. It really does feel like we're part of their family here.
Of course we've been able to return the favor in service. Like Gabby told you, we have spent the last two mornings cleaning the basement of the old youth center that went bankrupt 10 years ago and hadn't been touched since. It looks a lot better then when we started. Spent most of this morning mopping the dusty floors but yesterday was just hauling junk out. We found some really cool stuff, and some not so nice things. Also there's VBS. We had the most kids we've had yet today: 29 kids. A lot have been coming back and several of the more rowdier kids have really grown to be respectful and love coming and getting involved. Even the older boys are doing the hand motions during songs! Thank you so much for your prayers. God has been with us this whole time and is working in this community!
And to my family: I love you so much and am excited to spend time with you went I get home. Ben I hope the guinea pigs are ok, and they squeak for joy when you feed them. Take care of Anna, you know she's a cute, dumb little dog. And tell her I want my bed back when I come home! I hope the other critters are ok, and you are giving them lots of love. I can't wait to come home and read Hank the Cowdog books with you! Mom and Dad, thanks so much for supporting me on this trip and I can't wait to come home, give you hugs, and tell you all about it! I love you all very much!
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