Day 93: Three-Month Review

Hello!

It's unbelievable that three months ago my roommate and I loaded up my Subaru and started out from Newberg. What is even more incredible to believe is that during a regular summer, my three-month marker would be in August, just a couple of weeks before I would return to Oregon. This year, I am not even half-way through my summer commitment! It is such a blessing to have an extended season amidst school; it allows me to explore the area in slower increments whereas my summer would otherwise be spent only studying. I am so grateful that God opened the door for me to be here.

This week's post will be short, as I'm in the middle of my final school crunch. I'm trying to complete a school assignment.

Yesterday there was a fatality on Lake Powell. A powerboat carrying 13 people crashed into a houseboat and flipped, killing one, and two are still missing. Two were critically injured, but the rest of those on the powerboat had only minor injuries. The ministry team here has been praying for these families as they've been facing such loss in the midst of vacation. As a front desk worker, the day was spent having to protect the families staying at the resort involved in the wreck. News crews arrived, families were calling trying to find out if their vacationing family were the ones in the crash, and others canceling their reservations for the hotel.

My hard moment for me came when a man checked into the hotel after a week on a houseboat. His houseboat was nearly hit in the collision and he witnessed the wreck. He was able to immediately respond and helped pull children out of the water while waiting for emergency crews arrived. This man's willingness to step in during an emergency was pure courage, and God's provision during this tragedy.

This is the second death that has occurred on Lake Powell since I've arrived. The other death happened three weeks ago when a swimmer drowned in deep water near Glen Canyon Dam. There is an intrinsic tension between safety and danger--to be out exploring means exposure to danger. While preparation helps reduce risk, the danger is never extinguished. Last summer in Yellowstone, there were over 7 deaths...some from negligence, others from failing to heed the warnings about the hot springs, or not to approach the wildlife. Here at Lake Powell though, where people come for the water and are away from land in order to explore the area, that tension becomes even more precarious.

So on this three-month marker, considering all God has done over the past 93 days, there is great joy in the blessings He has done, but there is also the awareness of the call of God to touch people with His love here and now.

Blessings on your week.