The last few days

This last week all of the interns came in from all over and we moved into the home we will be staying in. We are living in a house on the McKinnly Mission about 6 miles outside of Harrah and 12 miles from White Swan. Its is tough to be so far away, but it is as close as we can be, and a great facility with a little church which is trying to stay on its feet. Things are going really great, we have all that we need really. A church in the tri-cities donated kitchen and bathroom supplies, and we got some food staples from a foodbank behind our house that had excess stuff.
If I had more tech time I would love to write about all the great people I live with...I have already learned so much from everybody and I have seriously enjoyed everyone greatly.




This is the youngest of the Interns Alicia Stacy (Beth she went to your school) She is sooo great, and also my "PP"




You can drive through the rez and think to yourself I have seen worse...or this is no different than home, but once you get out, there is no avoiding the conflict and suffering from abusive relationships and endless drug abuse.
Culturally there is a mindset that western Americans cannot understand probably because of isolation in the reservations. Something Chris Granberry has been mentioning is that being out here is in a lot of ways like playing a game where you do not know the rules.
Today we have been going over cultural things to keep in mind, and I have already messed up quite a bit..its complicated and I dont think I was ready for it. With the Yakama Indians and maybe all American Indians it is important to not ask questions or look in the eyes of the people speaking to you. Which is incidently how I am taught to show interest. Digging for questions I have learned comes off more as a threat than listening or being ready to hear what people might say on thier own.
Another thing, being the linguist that I am..I have been really keen on the few poeple speaking their language...and yes I have asked questions inquring more. Well today I feel put in my place I didn't realize why people don't really offer much or talk much about it or they even act like they don't know much about it. I was told that the langugage is considered a gift that the Creator gives and people will have it within them when they are ready. It is not something that is taught, not even to their own kids for the most part.
This is only the beginning of the cultural offenses I am aware of committing so just image all the mistakes that I have made. I guess this leaves me aware of this mission being the Lord's and for any service or love that is communicated here will must be from God Gods-self.





Kaitlyn and her brother Justin who live next door. They are constantly at our house and peeking in our windows.