a pocket for corduroy-

...this note finds me writing from the small town of longville, minnesota--our first day off since we've begun team. this quaint square is called home by a small "handful" of folks and i quite love it. The highlight of the morning has been the chance to wash our clothes in the laundromat. i felt like i stepped into the book A Pocket for Corduroy. Do you remember that tale from childhood? i loved it--done in linocuts and water colors, or something similar to that--the colors were wonderful and the shadows and sketchy quality was just fantastic.

...anyway, after a community laundering session, we wandered the town and have made our way into a quaint coffee shop to pass the time, catch up with folks, and revel in having nothing pressing to do.

...it's hard to describe what all of this is like. We sit in sessions for good chunks of each day--the first week we were in the twin cities at a church (sleeping in one as well) and now we're at Luther Dell Bible Camp for the next few weeks. It is spectacular--everything from the wood beam cabins and stone fireplaces to the pristine lake--it's truly something God would have the right to brag on...these sessions are all about policy and procedures and theology and attitudes about our role and various ways to worship and how to set up our sound systems and the list goes on. We also have lots of team times where we are very intentional about learning how to communicate and deal with conflict in healthy ways, etc...We have devotions together and delve into how we can best understand our teammates and support and work with them.

Music sectionals and rehearsals have also begun and they are challenging and rewarding. We are being inundated by lyrics and harmonies and instruments that we are to learn in the next few weeks.

The people are very evidently passionate about their faith. The YE staff is incredibly real and dedicated. The "teamers," as we call them, are wonderfully diverse. They bring to the table a myriad of styles and personalities and opinions and it's been incredible to get to know them and yet to realize that despite all our difference, we all share our Christian faith and are passionate about this opportunity to share the Gospel with those we meet this year.

,..It looks as if these updates may be few and far between, as I'm not carting a laptop around, and we don't have a lot of time off. i will do my best to write when i can and to call occasionally, but please know that you're in my thoughts and prayers. Speaking of prayers, no new word on Prosper yet, but we still pray for his Visa process. Luke needs another guy to hang with on the team, but is handling it well so far. =0)

Christ's love,
A