One of the greatest challenges about trying to portray an accurate sense of what happens on Mission trip is that for every activity or event, there is a rich mosaic of 'back story'; those layered moments of shared history and intimacies among team members and those we encounter in the community.
This is a place and a people who have become very dear to us and there is a fear that in sharing their stories, and their profound impact on us, we will inadvertently turn their lives into a 'commodity' to be 'consumed' by readers.
The other danger is that by only sharing 'activities' or what we accomplish on site we convey that the trip is all about what we 'do' and it's not.
Yesterday was a vivid reminder that this is a ministry of presence and that many times the greatest gift you can give to another person is your undivided attention.
Like all of us, the friends we've made on the reservation are eager to tell their stories, to share their lives and to know that the pain and joys they've experienced matter to someone; that they're not alone on the journey.
We were privileged to share our time yesterday getting to know the HFH Construction Manager, Dave, and to reconnect at dinner with our first partner family, Stacy and Harold. Their youngest grandchild, Allan, is 'fancy' dancing at Pow-wow on Friday night and he gave us a sneak preview.
Can't wait to see him in full regalia!
Time permitting we'll post video of his exhibition; a wonderful demonstration of the differences between 'grass dancing' and fancy dancing.
His sister, Iesha, and her friend, Samatha, also treated us to the fancy footwork of 'shawl dancing'.
Full work day ahead - and heading tonight to a birthday celebration /thanksgiving for the retun from hospital for Don, friend of ours and cousin of Harold.
This is a place and a people who have become very dear to us and there is a fear that in sharing their stories, and their profound impact on us, we will inadvertently turn their lives into a 'commodity' to be 'consumed' by readers.
The other danger is that by only sharing 'activities' or what we accomplish on site we convey that the trip is all about what we 'do' and it's not.
Yesterday was a vivid reminder that this is a ministry of presence and that many times the greatest gift you can give to another person is your undivided attention.
Like all of us, the friends we've made on the reservation are eager to tell their stories, to share their lives and to know that the pain and joys they've experienced matter to someone; that they're not alone on the journey.
We were privileged to share our time yesterday getting to know the HFH Construction Manager, Dave, and to reconnect at dinner with our first partner family, Stacy and Harold. Their youngest grandchild, Allan, is 'fancy' dancing at Pow-wow on Friday night and he gave us a sneak preview.
Can't wait to see him in full regalia!
Time permitting we'll post video of his exhibition; a wonderful demonstration of the differences between 'grass dancing' and fancy dancing.
His sister, Iesha, and her friend, Samatha, also treated us to the fancy footwork of 'shawl dancing'.
Full work day ahead - and heading tonight to a birthday celebration /thanksgiving for the retun from hospital for Don, friend of ours and cousin of Harold.
Comments
Post a Comment