Trust me, there's a difference.
We pride ourselves on being known on the reservation as "the people who come back".
So many congregations send Mission teams to the reservation for a 'Native experience' - for one short period during one summer - and, once the hammers and paint brushes are put down, the participants on those trips are never seen again.
I don't mean to denigrate those short term missioners or minimize the value of their work.
The more people who can be exposed to the reality that there's a third world nation existing within our own borders the better - maybe one of those missioners will be moved to be a major instrument of change!
We've simply chosen something different.
We see our ministry as more relational... a chance to build relationships as well as houses; a chance to be involved in the lives of the people we serve in ways which we hope (trust?) go beyond the summer and our one short week of service.
Several years ago, I dialed a phone number I thought was Father Johns (the priest then serving the reservation) to let him know we were almost at the dorm and would he meet us there to unlock the door and give us a key. I misdialed the number (by one digit) and got someone else on the reservation - a lady who was, initially, short with me (as anyone would be when complete a stranger calls and bothers them with the wrong number).
But then there was a moment of hesitation and she asked - Wait, what week is it? Are you the group that comes back from St Louis? When I said yes, she went on to tell me "just keep driving", I'll get hold of Father John for you and have him meet you at the dorm; oh, and by the way, it's nice to have you back with us".
For all the value I see our sustained ministry having, and I do, there are people on the reservation who have made a far greater commitment ... people like Greg, the acting Construction manager of HFH
and Lauren, Rosebud Missions Priest in Charge
These two individuals are making HUGE differences in the lives of people on the reservation - and they're doing it while living here everyday!
We worked with Greg last year and was impressed by his passion and willingness to change his life in response to a call he first heard while he was in senior high and working with his High school group on a mission trip here.
He and his wife moved to the reservation last year and his sister and her husband soon joined them. Two other friends from his high school group are also coming later this summer - all taking jobs in the public school system, with the Boys and Girls Club in Mission, at Rosebud Hospital and in other non-profits.
Lauren has only been here for 4 months but her history as a missioner in Haiti and Sudan and her background in journalism seem a perfect fit for many of the needs here on Rosebud and she's already proven to be a tireless advocate for the people here.
When we asked her what the main thing is she wants to accomplish, she responded, "My only job is to give the people hope and I'll do whatever that takes."
Doesn't get much clearer - or better- than that!
She's already conducted 14 funerals in 15 weeks.
We're hoping she's learned how to pace herself and has her self-care skills perfected... she's certainly going to need them!
We're really looking forward to working with her, and figuring out how to best support her in the coming years.
The sacrifices of these people make our short term efforts pale by comparison.
(and yes, I get that its not a competition!)
We may be the people who come back but they're the people who stay - and that's even better!
It reminded me of the old saying about the difference between 'involvement' and 'commitment' in an eggs-and-ham breakfast: the chicken was 'involved' - the pig was 'committed'.
Trust me, we're just chickens!
So many congregations send Mission teams to the reservation for a 'Native experience' - for one short period during one summer - and, once the hammers and paint brushes are put down, the participants on those trips are never seen again.
I don't mean to denigrate those short term missioners or minimize the value of their work.
The more people who can be exposed to the reality that there's a third world nation existing within our own borders the better - maybe one of those missioners will be moved to be a major instrument of change!
We've simply chosen something different.
We see our ministry as more relational... a chance to build relationships as well as houses; a chance to be involved in the lives of the people we serve in ways which we hope (trust?) go beyond the summer and our one short week of service.
Several years ago, I dialed a phone number I thought was Father Johns (the priest then serving the reservation) to let him know we were almost at the dorm and would he meet us there to unlock the door and give us a key. I misdialed the number (by one digit) and got someone else on the reservation - a lady who was, initially, short with me (as anyone would be when complete a stranger calls and bothers them with the wrong number).
But then there was a moment of hesitation and she asked - Wait, what week is it? Are you the group that comes back from St Louis? When I said yes, she went on to tell me "just keep driving", I'll get hold of Father John for you and have him meet you at the dorm; oh, and by the way, it's nice to have you back with us".
For all the value I see our sustained ministry having, and I do, there are people on the reservation who have made a far greater commitment ... people like Greg, the acting Construction manager of HFH
These two individuals are making HUGE differences in the lives of people on the reservation - and they're doing it while living here everyday!
We worked with Greg last year and was impressed by his passion and willingness to change his life in response to a call he first heard while he was in senior high and working with his High school group on a mission trip here.
He and his wife moved to the reservation last year and his sister and her husband soon joined them. Two other friends from his high school group are also coming later this summer - all taking jobs in the public school system, with the Boys and Girls Club in Mission, at Rosebud Hospital and in other non-profits.
Lauren has only been here for 4 months but her history as a missioner in Haiti and Sudan and her background in journalism seem a perfect fit for many of the needs here on Rosebud and she's already proven to be a tireless advocate for the people here.
When we asked her what the main thing is she wants to accomplish, she responded, "My only job is to give the people hope and I'll do whatever that takes."
Doesn't get much clearer - or better- than that!
She's already conducted 14 funerals in 15 weeks.
We're hoping she's learned how to pace herself and has her self-care skills perfected... she's certainly going to need them!
We're really looking forward to working with her, and figuring out how to best support her in the coming years.
The sacrifices of these people make our short term efforts pale by comparison.
(and yes, I get that its not a competition!)
We may be the people who come back but they're the people who stay - and that's even better!
It reminded me of the old saying about the difference between 'involvement' and 'commitment' in an eggs-and-ham breakfast: the chicken was 'involved' - the pig was 'committed'.
Trust me, we're just chickens!
What wonderful people. Thank you for introducing us to them.
ReplyDelete(I hope your water situation improves, but the comment about Lui puts it into proportion. St least, when you get it, it's not filled with mud or parasites.