Keep on keeping on...

There are so many layers of brokenness on the reservation that it's hard to know where to begin.

Within minutes of our arrival, we were greeted by an old friend and regaled with tales of a pow-wow we were slated to attend being cancelled because one of the singers, a respected and talented young man, hung himself the night before; we heard expressions of frustration, resentment and division within the institutional church, our church, which has been without a clergy presence in this community for over 2 years.  Even worse than inattention however is the presence of an ordained person from a neighboring town who is perceived as perpetuating the old paternalistic, condescending attitudes and behaviors of nearly a century ago - leading to the wholesale resignation and departures of Native members from positions of leadership within their congregations in protest. 

We heard of the increase in gang violence and criminal behavior, in part, due to the lifting of a curfew for teens, resulting in roving bands of kids with too much time on their hands and too little supervision.

And, as hard as it is to believe in an area that has traditionally had an 85-90% unemployment rate, we also heard concerns for the impact the declining economic situation has had on the reservation.

The sense of pervasive hopelessness hung palpably in the air - and settled heavily in our souls that first night.

But in church the next morning, we saw two baptisms  and witnessed babies being 'welcomed into the household of God', surrounded by family and siblings.

We sang familiar songs, a cappella, and unfamiliar ones as well, even one in a' foreign'  language- (Lakota) - and managed to pull it off well enough that, at the door after the service, the Pastor asked if we were a touring choir group! 

(Poor guy must not get out much!)

And this morning, our first 'official' work day, the same friend introduced us to an Episcopal intern who will be staying here and starting a youth outreach program. They spoke of plans for members of a new contemporary monastic order to occupy one of the buildings on the campus in the fall; men who will be active in the community in many roles but most importantly as an active presence for listening and support.

He apologized for 'dumping' on us  before and spoke openly about how easy it is to get overwhelmed; to feel that all the efforts you make aren't making a difference in the face of 'the odds' and the many faces of evil. He went on to say, "but then I remember that you keep coming back year after year after year and, if you believe we matter, if you haven't forgotten us, then maybe God won't either.

In that moment, without picking up any tool at all, the Mission trip felt like a success.