Post trip reflection
My Adult Mission Trip experience was heightened by reading a recommended book during our long road trip to Rosebud Reservation.
The book was my soul's "springboard". It provided a deeper heart and mind set before I ever set foot on the "Rez".
Few non-Native writers can understand or convey the sentiments of Native American hearts.
In his book, NEITHER WOLF NOR DOG, Kent Nerburn has accomplished this feat. Nerburn has eloquently captured the Native American soul embodied in his personal account and relationship with Dan--an elder Lakota tribal member.
I was especially inspired by Dan's challenge to us, the reader.
This challenge is one I have brought back from my experience on the reservation. I hope to strive for this throughout my own life's journey.
May Dan's words challenge all of us:
"Your people must learn to give up
Nancy Grow
The book was my soul's "springboard". It provided a deeper heart and mind set before I ever set foot on the "Rez".
Few non-Native writers can understand or convey the sentiments of Native American hearts.
In his book, NEITHER WOLF NOR DOG, Kent Nerburn has accomplished this feat. Nerburn has eloquently captured the Native American soul embodied in his personal account and relationship with Dan--an elder Lakota tribal member.
I was especially inspired by Dan's challenge to us, the reader.
This challenge is one I have brought back from my experience on the reservation. I hope to strive for this throughout my own life's journey.
May Dan's words challenge all of us:
"Your people must learn to give up
their arrogance.
They are not the only ones
placed on this earth.
placed on this earth.
Theirs is not the only way.
People have worshiped the Creator
and loved their families
in many ways
in all places.
Your people must learn to honor this.
It is your gift to have material power.
You have much strength not given to other people.
Can you share it, or can you use it only to get more?
That is your challenge--
to find the way to share your gift,
because it is a strong and dangerous one."
Sounds like the trip was "mission" accomplished in the shalom sense of the word, not militaristic: work was done on behalf of others; relationships were renewed, strengthened, and started; inter-cultural awareness happened; growth in self and world awareness with spiritual growth; building of ecumenical relations; identification with the life struggles of those who live there a la lack of water; may the truth and challenge above now be heeded by all of us.
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