Fall 2017 happenings!

Thanksgiving week is upon us, so we wanted to give a Fall 2017 update!

We have had a great season with no health issues and much traveling. We are praising the Lord for health and safety! September 15-October 14 we drove to and attended a pre-field training at Mission Training International in Palmer Lake, CO. This was a precious time of connecting with other missionary families and learning from those who have been on field. 

Zeke's teacher, Ms. Emily

Our people! 

It snowed on Tollie's birthday while we were in Colorado! 

We took a few days after the training to decompress before making the long drive back to Washington. YMCA of the Rockies at Estes Park is so awesome! Most of the activities are included in your stay. This is a super economical place to go as a family. 

When we got back to Washington, the fall ministry events were in full swing! 

Church Carnival (the BYGE coordinated this event:))

Firewood Ministry (delivering to elders in the community)

Pumpkin carving at Kingdom Kids (after school program)

Tollie and Zeke made a one week trip to Mississippi for a wedding early November. We are so happy for this new family that has been formed! Congrats to the Thompsons!

We were laughing and crying all day long! BFF's since first grade!!! 

Zeke spent the majority of the time in MS on some type of tractor, 4 wheeler, or side by side! He was super happy to see his grandparents and spend so much uninterrupted time with them. He grieved severely on the flight back to Washington. Thankfully, we had training at MTI on saying good good-bye's! It was very hard to see him grieve, but I am glad that he loves family so much.

We also got to see four of the children we had at Palmer Home for Children while we were in MS.

We are all settled in to our rental home and waiting for the Lord to provide a place for the long term. Zeke and Tollie have begun the preschool routine again and are enjoying it so much!

Our little man can say five verses and answer the first five questions of the Children's Catechism. We are focusing on kinesthetic learning which is the best fit for him at this age. 

We are thankful for so many things at this stage on field. We pretty much know our way around, where to shop, and have witnessed 6 months worth of ministry events. We are so thankful for the training that we received at MTI and how applicable it is to our daily life. Please continue to pray for us as we continue to transition to life on the Reservation!

First summer on the Rez!

Our first summer of ministry on the Yakama Reservation is coming to a close. We have blown many bubbles, drawn a few sidewalk chalk pictures, given several piggy back rides, and transitioned to life here in a studio space. One room living has been the way to go during this time. Zeke always knows where we are and this has been key to his security.

Zack has learned so much about roofing and general contracting this summer. Next summer, he will have a very active role in the construction that the work groups and staff complete. We were able to see the Lord's perfect timing in our move one month after we arrived. Due to a family emergency, Uncle Dave, the construction team leader, had to leave for several weeks. Zack coordinated the work during that time. We got a glimpse of one of his roles here. He is excited to learn more this fall and next spring which will enable us to love our neighbors well through sound construction methods.

Photo cred: Davy Granberry

The first step to becoming a school bus driver is complete. Zack got his CDL learners permit last week! The next month will be a time of completing driving hours for training. This license will provide income and benefits that we currently need given our level of support. Zack is glad to have the opportunity to see the kids on a daily basis and he will be another trained driver for the ministry routes. Zeke loves to wave and say goodbye to everyone aboard the church bus!

We will attend COMPASS at Mission Training International from mid September to mid October. This will be a time that we will learn about cultural differences, team dynamics, and personal growth.
All the current SRM staff have attended and we are looking forward to gleaning from others experience from their time on field.

We have a few prayer requests that we are sharing:

1. Housing! It is very hard to find decent and affordable housing on the Reservation. We have applied for a rural development loan and are waiting for approval. We have been looking for a rental home and have an option which we will view later this week! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

2. Schooling! Due to our transition and lack of preschools close by, we decided earlier this year to keep Zeke home for the next two years. Tollie will lead this work using The Homegrown Preschooler's A Year of Playing Skillfully curriculum. Please pray for Zeke and Tollie as they begin the end of August. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

3. Travel and Transition Again! We have gotten settled here in WA, but will leave for CO in a short six weeks. Zeke's transition here has been very hard. He is much better now that things are more familiar. We know that the time at COMPASS will be worth it, but we need prayers for our little man who is going to be confused why we are leaving our new home so quickly. We are anticipating another transitional time when we return back to the Reservation. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

 The below pictures are just a glimpse of summer time here!

Moving to the Rez...

Hi Family and Friends!

We are very happy to report that we have a move date! The first week of May, we will pack up our earthly possessions and begin the long trip across these beautiful states of America!

We are currently funded at 55% per month and have the opportunity for Zack to pursue a part time job in the community. The Lord is so, so, good to us! He has seen fit to provide almost all of the support we need.

Will you please pray for us? There are many endings here that we must process and many beginnings once we get to the Reservation. We are so thankful for the past two years with family, friends, and a small community. That being said, we know that while this will always be our "growing up home", it is not our forever home! We are looking towards the future and all that the Lord has in store for us in ministry to the Yakama Nation.

Please pray for these things specifically:

1. For Zack to get a school bus driver job which will bridge the gap in our support needs and provide more opportunities to connect with the Yakama youth. 
2. A healthy "See you later!" to all our family, friends, and Palmer children who visit us.
3. Safe travels for Zack and Jimmy as they drive cross country and for Zeke, Shelle, and Tollie as they fly cross country.
5. A church couple are graciously letting us stay in their studio upon arrival. Please pray for the Lord to provide more permanent housing by the fall. 

Can you help us? With our current support and the part time job, there is roughly a 5% gap in our monthly needs. We need a few more families and churches to come along side us on a monthly basis!

If so, please email us at graygravelroads@gmail.com and let us know how much you are willing to send each month. You may also give online here:

http://www.sacredroadministries.org/www/docs/7/giving.htm

Please join us in praising our Lord and Savior for the great things He has done!