Greetings from Idaho

Glacier Camp was great all around. Each of had his or her chance to face a personal challenge with the ropes course, a long day hike or making way to the dock in the middle of the night to sleep under the stars. We finished our week out as a team with a white water ride down the middle fork of the Flathead River. Our guide was not only a skilled oarsman but was also an Iowa native. After a cruise down the river our team grabbed lunch at a small cafe boasting the catch phrase: "Save room for pie." Here we sampled the huckleberry lemonade and a couple different flavors of their pie... Yummy.

I did not end my week with a visit to Glacier with the others as I opted to stay at the camp and finish the wall project we had started. The walls will help to transform the former dining hall into a home for the new assistant camp director and his family. It was satisfying to see the task to completion.

On Friday we left the glacier area and headed to Stephensville (the oldest town in Montana) where we stayed with family friends of the Henkle’s. They treated us to a homemade supper and a bed for everyone. Mike, Jo and the girls had also opened their home to accept mail for Team Latreia. After supper it was like Christmas with a flood of letters and packages carried out and presented to the travelers. Thank you to Mike, Jo, Shawna and Tanna for opening your home, for your hospitality and for your gift that will help support our mission.

Leaving Stephensville we headed south to Idaho Falls where, on the way, we stopped at Bannack. Bannack was the first capital of Montana but is now a ghost town and state park. It was interesting to get a glance at life that took place years ago.

I am now sitting on a park bench in Idaho Falls looking over the Snake River listening to the gulls and geese through headphones that have just expired the last song on my mini-disk player. I must admit that a piece of me is sad to be back in a city and away from the “outdoors.” On the other hand, I am ready to interact with people and continue with the Latreia mission. Peace, Prayer and Friendship… Jesse