Weed whackers, pews, burgers, kids, febreeze - oh my!

Another week completed, and God has been doing some amazing stuff lately!!

Got back from Riverside, which is a small town close to the border (we could've taken a drive up to Canada), and Stephanie and I went with the youth groups from KBC and RBC - an awesome bunch, to say the least. Goodness, lots to say, but not enough energy to share it all. But basically I'm a weed whacker pro now, and that's the most yard work I've ever done in my life!! Chopping down weeds/grass taller than my waist was one of the big adventures last week. My pants are ruined, as grass stains were all over me, and grass bits would fly up in my mouth, in my nose, stick to my skin... you get the idea. It was crazy but a great experience. We also worked with youth/kids in the neighborhood, as well as on the reservation. Our schedule was kind of packed, and sleep was limited (which, by the way, entailed sleeping on a church pew! kind of uncomfortable at first, but i eventually got used to it. I only fell off once, which wasn't so bad), so by midweek, I'd say we were all a little cranky. But God still moved amongst the group, and it was so INCREDIBLE! On the last night, people got up and were sharing their testimonies, just pouring out their hearts; the night was full of weeping and hugging and praying, and it was so awesome. God broke down strongholds and knitted the group together. I really got to know a lot of the youth there, and I can't wait to work with them again!!! I don't know: I kind of felt God calling me to work with youth, but it's still something I'm praying about. But I'd definitely like to, since that age is something I've considered when thinking of what age group I'd like to teach (overseas, for English)... sorry if this doesn't make sense. I'm somewhat half asleep, but I wanted to post this while I had some time. And we ate so much!! I don't know if I've ever eaten that much food!! But it was mostly because we were working so hard :) But I've definitely missed salad; I've only had it three times this whole trip, and we had burgers at least 5 times on the mission trip alone. Oh, and febreeze became my best friend during this trip ;)

Today we started at Benton City, another small town but not as small as Riverside. We were sort of just winging it (the whole church) for VBS, but man, God just intervened and provided in so many ways; it was just so exciting to see!!! And now I have VBS songs stuck in my head :) Tonight we'll be at Kennewick Baptist for a different VBS, but we're so blessed to not really have to prepare much. It will be a long week with VBS in the AM and PM. But at least we have weekends to recover.

Thanks for all your prayers and support! It means so much to me, so thank you!!!

Stoked for week 2!

This week has been overall pretty chill. It has consisted mostly of handing out flyers (which, by the way, we've handed out so many flyers that I have decided that I don't need to see them again for quite some time), praying, team building activities, helping with miscellaneous things, eating, and getting to know my partners. It's been kind of difficult to do so with 7 girls, but I've been able to bond with some, especially those who are staying in the same house as I am (and our "host family" is so awesome!). I've also come to find that I really like to play nerts :) ...(is that how you spell it?)

But besides the little things, God's been so good to me so far. Thanks for all your prayers. My nose hasn't been bleeding since I last blogged (praise the Lord!), so I think the meds are kicking in. I'm still working on getting more sleep; I don't know what's wrong exactly, but I still haven't been sleeping too well. But for the most part, it's been a relaxing week for what will soon be chaotic and exhausting :)

But yes, I am totally stoked for next week's mission trip! I still don't know what it all entails (I'm trying to get in touch with the youth pastor in charge), but nevertheless, I am excited. I'll probably write again next week when I get back. Adios for now.

Oh wait! I forgot!

Yes, so I'm already not thinking coherently, and I've barely been here for 24 hours. So I almost forgot to mention what God's been reaffirming already.

Yesterday when I was at the airport, I found out I was on standby for my flight. Already God was testing to see if I learned anything from last summer ;) So I was able to get on my flight, but then I find out we're stopping in Salt Lake City, and I thought it was a direct flight to Washington! I'm meandering my way through the SLC airport, but thank the Lord I found my flight! (And He even blessed me with a seat to myself, though the flight was packed - awesome!) I just need to trust Him because He has everything in His hands; what a reassuring thought that is.

So the remainder of this week consists of finishing orientation, passing out flyers, helping with miscellaneous things... a pretty chill week. I leave for Riverside Monday morning (it's like a 4-5 hour drive from here), and I don't exactly know what to expect. Please pray that God will use me there (well, and here, too). Also, my nose has been having some issues; it's been bleeding a lot, and I just hope that whatever it is will end soon. Also that I'll get more sleep; last night was a rough night, and I hope it gets a little better. I don't want to be irritable, and I want to be fully attentive and useful. So anyways, sorry this is long, but thanks again for your prayers!

First Day

So... I've just finished my first official day here in Washington. Orientation went well. I met most of the girls I'll be working with (there will be 8 of us total), and we got our schedule!!! Yay for kind of knowing what I'll be doing :) So here it goes...

next week: mission trip to Riverside with KBC and RBC (Riverside in Washington, not CA. And I thought it was so funny that, as one of my partners said, I'm "going on a mission trip on a mission trip") working with the Indian res! Woot! (at least, I think that's what we're doing...)
week after that: VBS (AM and PM...?)
following that: park ministry (I think)
and then... 3 weeks of camp!!!! (for both girls camp and youth camp I'll be a counselor; boys camp is either cooking or doing other projects)

Wow, the summer seems really short now that I look at it. Everything is tentative, as I've learned before, so nothing is set in stone yet. And I guess I won't be going to Oregon at all :( But so far, I'm excited for what God has in store for me. And I need some sleep because I am already tired!! Already!!

Oh, and if you would like to send me mail, the address to send it is:

Joelle Tajima
CBBA
2537 W. Falls
Kennewick, WA 99336

Thanks!!

The Countdown...

Yay for blogging! :)

So I'm anxiously awaiting (more like frantically scurrying) to arrive in Pasco, WA in less than 24 hours, and I am so excited to see what God will do this summer! I'm not sure how often I'll be able to post anything with my sometimes limited access to the internet and all, but I'll try my best to keep you all posted on what's going on... I figured this would be better than email like last summer.

Anyways, please continue to pray for my final preparations and also that God would prepare me, as well as the people I will be ministering to. While I know the summer will be full of great things, I know there will be many challenges as well. I just hope to be a light to those around me this summer, that I may also grow in my walk with Christ, and that God will show me something new once again.

Thanks for all your support. Ciao for now :)