Ripples...

“Remember there's no such thing as a small act of kindness.
Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.”

Scott Adams

The toiletries were distributed today to VERY grateful agencies/churches all serving the Lakota people.

Heidi Wade and little Angel, the pastors wife and a parishioner at All Nations church.

Pastor Johnny (center) and Heidi are originally from TX and have been serving on the Rosebud for several years.

When we were unloading the boxes of personal items, Heidi saw the bag of knit items in the back of the van and asked, "Are those baby blankets?".

When I said yes, she immediately said "Praise God; you're the answer to our prayers."
She went on to say that, over the winter, the pipe above their nursery had frozen, burst and destroyed everything in the rooms below and they were starting over - with no insurance money or identified donors for basic supplies.

They had been praying for help with re-supplying the baby items just minutes before they heard we were coming with some 'personal items'.

Sorry, knitter ladies, I know the blankets were 'supposed' to be designated for Father John but I made an executive decision, on the spot, that maybe the Holy Spirit truly had intended them for the babies in Heidi and Johnny's care!!

Don't worry, Fr John and his flock are still getting the scarves and gloves!

For obvious reasons, I can't show the building of the shelter (White Buffalo Calf Woman's Shelter) that received a donation but in the back is a playground for the children caught in the middle of domestic abuse. Although under constant surveillance, it is nonetheless an inviting area.

The items should help many women and children throughout the summer.

Tree of Life is another faith based social service agency on the reservation.
Their coordinator was also ecstatic about the items we brought from home.

She reminded me that the federal food stamp program doesn't allow for the purchase of toiletries, so there is a HUGE need for these items among the poor.
They distribute these items every day to about 40-50 people.

Our contributions will go a long way - and will, no doubt, be in the homes of those most in need very soon.

I wish all of you could have been with me during these interactions; to see the faces, some with tearful eyes, all with grateful hearts.

The individual items might have been small but the accumulated boxes and bags made a big difference in the operating budgets of three underfunded and over utilized agencies.

And, of course, that doesn't begin to count the number of individuals that will be assisted in the coming months, all because of your generosity.
So, as inadequate and overworked an expression as it seems in this circumstance....thank you.


Give us, Father, a vision of your world
as love would make it;
a world whose benefits are shared
so that everyone can enjoy them;
a world whose different people and cultures
live with tolerance and mutual respect;
a world where peace is built with justice,
and justice is filled with love;
and give us the courage to build it,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.