So I have been in Washington serving as an Experience Mission Logistics Coordinator since the middle of May, and I have yet to write a blog. Go me. I don’t know why I don’t write more… it’s not like there is a ton to do around here. Apparently, I just find it too cumbersome. Nonetheless, I feel the need to start writing some blogs… so here is the first one, and I promise… there will be more!

This internship consists of living in the middle of nowhere in southwest Washington. While I know this might sound glum and boring, surprisingly it is anything but that. Cara McKenzie (the other intern this summer) and I have been on many adventures around town and we tend to be able to keep ourselves busy despite the lack of activities that are available in Chimacum and the surrounding area. Just to give you an idea of how out of the way we live; it is a good 40 minutes to the nearest Wal-Mart. The only thing this area really has to offer is extreme hippies, old people, and everything organic. Who would have thought that I could go though such culture shock in my own country?  Not me, but believe it or not, it happened.  This culture is far what I am used to in my Midwestern state of Indiana.  And so is the scenery. This, however, I am not complaining about. In fact, the scenery is by far the greatest thing about being out here. Ok, maybe not by far because my job is pretty sweet and I love everything that I am learning, but the mountains make my time here only that much better. 

This summer has definitely been a stage in my life that I am doing a lot of learning and growing.  I never would have realized this, and I rarely thought about it, but the amount of work, time, and energy that goes into running a mission trip is mind blowing. But Experience Mission does it, year after year, and I have to say I am rather impressed. I was completely unsure of what to expect when I agreed to come out here, but I knew it would be an experience I would never forget, and I was right. I have enjoyed every minute of working alongside the staff of Experience Mission (which, surprisingly, is about a whole 5 people!) We have had many good times in the office and we have quite a few inside jokes that have kept us laughing all summer. This has truly been an experience of a lifetime and I will treasure my time working with the staff of Experience Mission, the summer interns that are serving in various locations domestically and abroad, and the teams that make this mission organization possible.

Pray for God to continue to move and work in my life as a finish out my last month and a half in Washington. I know it is going to be an incredible journey, because it already has been.

Also, stay tuned for more updates on my experiences here as well as a blog from Cara and I about what exactly being a Logistical Coordinator for Experience Mission looks like.

Through Him,

Andrea

Note: Check out all the exciting things that are going on with Experience Mission on our website www.ExperienceMission.org

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