Taking in the Beauty of Spokane, Washington

Rachel Shomali, 2019-20 XPLOR Resident in Spokane, WA

Hey! My name is Rachel Shomali and I am currently in Spokane, Washington. We have been here for a little over a month now, and coming from Bethlehem, Palestine, Spokane is very different!

I am working at Northwest Fair Housing Alliance in downtown Spokane. I have been shadowing my colleagues in daily tasks, trying my best to learn the ins and outs of the fair housing world.

My favorite thing so far has been the natural beauty that encompasses the city. I love taking photos and have shared some below. My housemates and I have gone on quite a few hikes already! We were even able to go over to Idaho and hike and swim in Coeur d’Alene. It started to rain on us, but it was beautiful, nonetheless.

Something else I have been enjoying are the shared house meals. We take turns cooking for each other and it has been a great way to learn more about a significant part of our lives: food culture. Every meal is very different, and I look forward to them.

This year I’m excited to learn more about what I do and don’t like, and how that can fit into helping bring justice to those who have been lost in the margins of our world. I’m thankful that XPLOR has given me the opportunity to do that.

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NBA XPLOR is a 10-month service residency opportunity for young adults ages 21-30, with the purpose of empowering young adults to discern and develop a “heart for care” as they live together in simple community, engage in direct service and justice work, engage in leadership development, and discern their vocational calls to honor the various communities they are called to serve. Learn more and apply at nbacares.org/xplor.