Christmas Feast

To view a video of this years Christmas feast visit:

http://www.youtube.com/user/SacredRoad#p/u/0/gERF3jVmW6o

Here are a few of my reflections from the feast:

This year my perspective of the Christmas Feast comes mostly from inside the kitchen.  We, which includes Mary, me, several local church small groups, women and men from the community, and helpers from the Tri-cities and Seattle areas, cooked and served a Christmas dinner to 400+ people.  The meal consisted of ham, turkey, venison, salmon, mashed potatoes, gravy, potato salad, fruit salad, green beans, relish plates, cranberry sauce, fry bread, rolls, and the largest array of Christmas desserts I have ever seen.  As the meal time drew closer we were joined by more and more women from the community.   We had fry bread being made in one corner for several hours.  There were women cutting up venison roasts, while others filled 50 bowls of mashed potatoes and green beans.  It was bustling.  I spent several years in High school working for a catering company and when the time drew close for the meal to be out and served stresses were always high.  Well, that was not the case at the feast. It was busy, but it was full of joy.  Everyone was excited to be able to serve so much food to so many people.  It was fun to watch the women in the community take ownership of the food that was being served and to work under their capable guidance.  

Thank you for all of you who were praying the night of the feast.  I know that your prayers were the reason we had such a calm and enjoying time in the kitchen on the night of the feast.

To read more reflections from our stay go to http://sacredroadyakama.blogspot.com.

Hello Everyone, 

Thank you for all of you prayers and support.  I have lots of exciting news!

1.  In the middle of October I only was at 13% of the support I need to stay on with Sacred Road.  Now I am at 80% of the support I need to raise by the end of December! What an answer to prayer! 

2.  We have been raising money to buy a building in White Swan that we can use for Sunday church services, after school tutoring, and youth events.  We were able to raise $330,000 in 30 days for the building.  A few weeks ago the bank accepted the offer we put on the building.  There are still a few zoning issues we need to get in place by the closing date, January 27th.  It has been so amazing to watch all the donations from all over the country flow in for the building.  God works in remarkable ways.  

3. On Thursday evening  we got together with the youth group in order to decorate the longhouse for our Upcoming Christmas feast.  35 youth  made and hung about 1000 feet of paper chain and about 100 snowflakes.  We ate pizza and enjoyed listening to Christmas music.  We had a lot of new youth join us, who had only been to youth group once or twice.  Spirits were high.  It was a fun time to be together and create positive memories related to Christmas time.

Prayer Requests:

1. This coming Tuesday, December 14th, is our annual Christmas Feast.  We are preparing food and gifts for about 500 people.  We will be sharing the story of Christ's birth with all who come.  Please pray that hearts would be open and ready to hear the good news of the gospel.  

2.  On the days  leading up to Christmas, we will be delivering Christmas gifts and food boxes into the community.  Pray for clear, dry roads, and open hearts for receiving Christ's love.  

3.  Pray for the remaining 20% of my support to come in by the end of December.   Pray for our staff Veronica Vasquez, Joshua Tsavatewa, and the Clevengers who are raising more support as well.  Also pray for the families (the Yarbroughs and the Dempsens) who are raising support to join our team full time.

4.  Pray for my family back in Tacoma.  My Grandma's health is failing, and she may not make it through the holidays.  

Love in Christ,

Heather

 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary 

   and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; 

   they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.   Isaiah 40:28-31