Monday, August 23, 2010


Last Day at Pine Ridge.

(In a nod toward truth in blogging, this entry is being written from my living room. We simply ran out of time for reporting, so I put the computer away and, I’m now hoping to fill you in on the last couple days of our experience at Pine Ridge.)

Our last work day on Pine Ridge was a really hot one. The thermometer hit 97 degrees. Pat and Corrine went with a group to a small, private renewable energy site and helped there. They did some cutting of aluminum strips to be used on the solar panels that were being constructed, and then worked in the gardens there. It was pretty hot work. Janet helped complete an outhouse and then took it to the site and helped dig the pit (6 Ft. deep)to set in the latrine. The ground here is REALLY hard, so it was quite a task.

That leaves Patty and I. We went with Jerry, the Re-Member master of building and fix-it projects—He’s also the husband of my Seminary roommate—and we traveled about an hour and a half to build a handicap ramp at a home in Wambli. It was quite a day. We began with the need to load lumber onto the trailer that we pulled. After a couple stops to pick up some supplies and make arrangements for another project, we got to Wambli and checked in with the Housing Authority. (This is the agency who is responsible for building homes and making necessary improvements. The problem is that they have too little funding to meet the massive need on the reservation. Part of the treaty agreement is that homes would be provided to the Lakota people, but it often takes 15 to 20 years for a family to get their own home. They live with family in the mean time or make do with trailers that they purchase on their own.) The Housing Authority had some treated lumber that we could use. (What we had brought from Re-Member was untreated because they can’t afford the better quality materials.) We decided to use the treated even though it meant moving a bunch of other stuff off the top so we could get to the lumber we needed. That moving project took us about an hour and a half and was really hard, hot work since the 2 men needed to lift it over a 5 ft. fence to move it out of the way. We finally got the needed lumber and then it was time for lunch—remember, we also drove for an hour and a half. We still needed to unload both piles of lumber to get to the saws and tools we needed.

In the afternoon we built the major part of our ramp, but needed to quit by 4:00. We then needed to re-load the lumber that was unused—couldn’t just leave it on the site. It would be stolen. By the time we made it back to the dorm, it was 6:00, and supper was over for the rest of the groups. They saved us food ,and we ate—We were famished! Showers felt really good, and then we joined the others with the crafts people and activities for the evening. They had drumming lessons and dance lessons, but I’m afraid I was too exhausted to participate. I think several others felt the same way.

Thursday was called “Tour Day,” but I would better title it “Hope Day.” For the first part of the week we had seen the devastation of the poverty and the absolute injustice that the people lived with. We heard stories of their history and the dehumanization of the way they had been treated until they have become quite demoralized. Thursday was an attempt to show us the hope of the people at Pine Ridge. We visited Red Cloud School where students are educated and where a large part of the graduating class go on to college, often to gain skills to bring back to the reservation. We also visited an agency that transports people around the reservation. Remember, this is an area the size of Delaware, so it takes 2+ hours to go from one side of the reservation to the other, and jobs, services and education demands this mobility. To be able to get to work allows many to have jobs that would otherwise be impossible. We visited 3 businesses of different stripes that are working to build an infrastructure for employment and sustainability. The last stop was the Oglalla Lakota College that is on the reservation. It has several sites in the different communities and trains it’s students to be able to serve many jobs on the reservation and beyond.


One of the private businesses was the restaurant where we ate lunch. It was a home up on a hill that overlooked some rock formations. The proprietress was the great-granddaughter of Black Elk, a very revered wisdom leader of the people. She prepared the food in her kitchen and served it under a lattice of pine branches that was designed to offer shade. (unfortunately for us it was drizzling rain during that lunch and while not cold, it was not as pleasant as we had hoped.) Re-Member paid for our lunch with us ordering our food before we left that morning. We also had the option of buying a slice of wonderful chocolate cake, the money to go into a special fund to send her grandchildren to college someday. It cost $.50 per slice and was wonderful. I think everyone had cake, and many of us slipped extra into the jar because we would pay so much more for such a dessert on this side of the reservation.

We returned to the dorms in time to do some clean up and to eat pizza from Pizza Hut. We had a last gathering with “Wisdom from the Elders” and then the director told us that with winter coming they were about out of money to buy the materials for skirting trailers. To skirt trailers cuts the heating cost by up to two thirds, so it is a major assistance to a people who are already struggling with extreme poverty. A participant from the previous week had donated $500 and offered a challenge to us that he would match whatever we gave up to another $500. In our group was a man who was on the board of directors for Re-Member, and he made another challenge. He said that he would match our giving up to $1000. There was a scramble. People were grabbing their billfolds, and teens were counting quarters. Some folks asked the director to use their credit cards. Well the bottom line was that we gathered $1234 in about 5 minutes, and I am not aware of a single person who didn’t joyfully contribute something. The director was taken aback and was wiping tears.

At one point I skeptically wondered if this was the normal way to conclude a week, but then it occured to me that we had many people who were on their 3rd, 4th or even 7th time there. They would know if this was the norm, but they all said that this was the first they experiences such a call for help for the organization. It was a high moment for me. It shows the power of sharing and the joy to be experienced in such sharing.

The rest of the evening was filled with ice cream sundaes, the exchange of addresses, goodbyes and packing. Many of us were leaving early the next morning. We scooted out of there at 6:00 AM on Friday morning. We had a great week, and our team talked on the way home of when would be a good time to come again. We want to avoid the heat of August, but talked of bringing another team in June, maybe. We’ll see what transpires, but those of us who went feel strongly that this is a vital mission and filled with great opportunities for our congregation.


I'm glad to be home again and look forward to telling you all the stories of our wonderful adventure. Talk to you soon. Blessings--Joyce

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

wednesday--Pine Ridge Trip

Wednesday morning----- Is it possible that our week is fast coming to a close? We have this last work day and tomorrow is a tour day before we head back east.

Let me tell you more about yesterday’s work. I have never encountered such crushing poverty. We worked on a trailer home. The siding was absolutely gone. It was water soaked, rotting, holes punched in many places, and yet the owner only had 4 sheets of siding to replace what was destroyed. That meant trying to determine where we most needed to replace panels. When we were trying to pull off the old siding, we couldn’t find a solid place to get any leverage to pry out the nails. Everywhere we pryed, it crumbled. Even the studs were rotten in places. Those studs will need to be worked on to get them solid, but for the moment we tacked up some siding until they can get the materials to do that other work. The windows were single paned aluminum affairs, and they had put up plastic on the inside. It makes me cold to think about it. The winds around here are brutal. Brrrr.

We actually had too many workers for the tasks to be done on our job yesterday. There are several teens from a couple different youth groups. (Wouldn’t it be cool to bring our kids here?) The kids needed to be doing something, so I allowed them to work and I spent much of the morning being the go-fer . I retrieved whatever was needed and passed it up to the roof where they were tearing off shingles, or I held something for the siding folks to cut or nail. In the afternoon another woman and I hauled the old shingles away from the side of the trailer and put them in a pile beside the pickup to be hauled away—couldn’t put them in the pickup because he needed to pull out tools first. It was hard work, but necessary work.

The facility here has 2 different dorms. Where we are bunking there are four rooms for women and 2 rooms for men. In the other place there are 3 and 3. Each dorm room here has 12 bunks. They are stacked into 3 deckers. The bottom bunk is basically at floor level. The second is about 4 ½ feet from the ground and the top is at about 7 ½ feet. The top one is empty in our bunk room. There’s some good space for storing our things, and we have claimed a couple of the empty second bunks for our use, as well. It’s cozy, and quite acceptable. One concern we all had was the temperature for sleeping. That has NOT been a problem, partly because it’s not been as hot, but mostly because the nights get so cool here and they have a system of fans that pull in the cool air from outside at night, and then we close things up during the day. The community space is 5 picnic tables in the center of the room with a speaker’s space at the head, and some cushioned benches against the wall. We gather here for our speakers. They have been very informative and good.

Meals are simple, but quite acceptable. Breakfast is cereal (including oatmeal) toast with peanut butter or jelly and butter, juice and coffee, and several mornings they have had hot hard boiled eggs that have been tasty, too.
Lunch is a basic turkey or ham sandwich with cheese, chips, cookies, and cold water. That water tastes really good. Dinner is a bigger meal. We’ve had buffalo stew—actually pretty good, lasagna, chicken soup, a Mexican casserole of beef, beans, tortillas and tomatoes with olives, sour cream and salsa, and Indian tacos. They make the base out of a deep fat fried bread dough—They were really good.

Today is going to be a really big day. Once again we are going in different directions and tonight we will have local craftsmen and their families coming in to show us their wares—and of course we are invited to come with cash in our pockets to buy. There will be a drummer who will teach us to dance and then a time of talking together a bit.
(I returned to this blog rather late and so will merely push the button to publish and say good night for now. Take care. We will see you soWednesday morning----- Is it possible that our week is fast coming to a close? We have this last work day and tomorrow is a tour day before we head back east.

Let me tell you more about yesterday’s work. I have never encountered such crushing poverty. We worked on a trailer home. The siding was absolutely gone. It was water soaked, rotting, holes punched in many places, and yet the owner only had 4 sheets of siding to replace what was destroyed. That meant trying to determine where we most needed to replace panels. When we were trying to pull off the old siding, we couldn’t find a solid place to get any leverage to pry out the nails. Everywhere we pryed, it crumbled. Even the studs were rotten in places. Those studs will need to be worked on to get them solid, but for the moment we tacked up some siding until they can get the materials to do that other work. The windows were single paned aluminum affairs, and they had put up plastic on the inside. It makes me cold to think about it. The winds around here are brutal. Brrrr.

We actually had too many workers for the tasks to be done on our job yesterday. There are several teens from a couple different youth groups. (Wouldn’t it be cool to bring our kids here?) The kids needed to be doing something, so I allowed them to work and I spent much of the morning being the go-fer . I retrieved whatever was needed and passed it up to the roof where they were tearing off shingles, or I held something for the siding folks to cut or nail. In the afternoon another woman and I hauled the old shingles away from the side of the trailer and put them in a pile beside the pickup to be hauled away—couldn’t put them in the pickup because he needed to pull out tools first. It was hard work, but necessary work.

The facility here has 2 different dorms. Where we are bunking there are four rooms for women and 2 rooms for men. In the other place there are 3 and 3. Each dorm room here has 12 bunks. They are stacked into 3 deckers. The bottom bunk is basically at floor level. The second is about 4 ½ feet from the ground and the top is at about 7 ½ feet. The top one is empty in our bunk room. There’s some good space for storing our things, and we have claimed a couple of the empty second bunks for our use, as well. It’s cozy, and quite acceptable. One concern we all had was the temperature for sleeping. That has NOT been a problem, partly because it’s not been as hot, but mostly because the nights get so cool here and they have a system of fans that pull in the cool air from outside at night, and then we close things up during the day. The community space is 5 picnic tables in the center of the room with a speaker’s space at the head, and some cushioned benches against the wall. We gather here for our speakers. They have been very informative and good.

Meals are simple, but quite acceptable. Breakfast is cereal (including oatmeal) toast with peanut butter or jelly and butter, juice and coffee, and several mornings they have had hot hard boiled eggs that have been tasty, too.
Lunch is a basic turkey or ham sandwich with cheese, chips, cookies, and cold water. That water tastes really good. Dinner is a bigger meal. We’ve had buffalo stew—actually pretty good, lasagna, chicken soup, a Mexican casserole of beef, beans, tortillas and tomatoes with olives, sour cream and salsa, and Indian tacos. They make the base out of a deep fat fried bread dough—They were really good.

Today is going to be a really big day. Once again we are going in different directions and tonight we will have local craftsmen and their families coming in to show us their wares—and of course we are invited to come with cash in our pockets to buy. There will be a drummer who will teach us to dance and then a time of talking together a bit.
(I returned to this blog rather late and so will merely push the button to publish and say good night for now. Take care. We will see you soWednesday morning----- Is it possible that our week is fast coming to a close? We have this last work day and tomorrow is a tour day before we head back east.


Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Pine Ridge Mission Trip-- Tuesday, Aug. 17

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

It’s now 7:30 in the morning, and it’s a bit of free time. I’m going to begin writing about last night’s speaker because it was pretty powerful. His name was Will Peters, and he’s a teacher in the High School here as well as the local college. He teaches Lakota studies—art, culture, history and language. (Yesterday as I helped to deliver donated items, we met another Lakota Cultural Advisor whose name was Ed Young Man Afraid of Horses—How would you like THAT name? ) The Lakota culture is of SUCH importance to the youth. It is through the claiming of their culture, understanding their roots, and the wisdom of their culture that young people can be strong and healthy and productive. In the last month there have been 12 suicides among children and teens here on the reservation. That shocked and sobered us all. The devastation of the Lakota people is that they feel so despised by the surrounding society and so hopeless. That translates into SO many problems that are compounded by the poverty and the unemployment. One man I met yesterday had a t-shirt with the slogan (in Lakota—but he translated it for us) “We are the shadow people.” That speaks volumes about how they feel— so despised and isolated from the greater society in which they exist.

Mr. Peters did not talk about the devastation of the poverty or about a poor us mentality. He spoke of the pride the Lakotas can claim in their own history. He spoke with great passion (and some bitterness) about our recognition of Columbus Day as a national holiday. As many historians have brought to light lately, Columbus and his men did such violence to the native peoples they encountered—rape, murder, theft, taking of slaves, even beating people and betting about how long it would take them to die. Peters said, “It teaches us that one can wreak havoc on native people and get one’s own day of celebration and honor. “ To do such damage to native people is seen as the way of the whites in their treatment of Lakotas.

He also spoke of a different understanding of Custer’s encounter with the 7th Calvary. In the Lakota version, the tribes were gathering to powwow in order to pray for wisdom about how to handle the treatment they were receiving from the military. Villages of women and children were being killed while the men were gone. Small hunting bands were being attacked and slaughtered. After 4 days of prayer and fasting a small group of braves went out to hunt to bring back meat to feed the hungry people. While out, they encountered Custer’s forces. Custer thought he had easy pickin’s, but the braves raced back to the largest encampment of the people to date. The Lakotas had no plan of fighting that day, but neither did they plan on being slaughtered. The result was the battle of the little Big Horn and Custer’s utter defeat. But the Lakotas, Mr. Peters said, felt no great pride in such a victory. There were many prayers for the young soldiers who were killed. When some young braves tried to brag and boast, the elders took them aside and sternly told them it was nothing to be proud of.

Mr. Peters talked about two basic needs that were necessary for the people to thrive. The first is for them to take responsibility for their lives, to be good husbands and wives, good fathers and mothers—with everyone helping the children to be strong and healthy. They need to put aside the alcohol and to let go of hatred and anger. They need to live the wisdom and integrity of their own culture. He was very clear that no one could do that for them. They had to do it for themselves.

But the other part of the equation is what they need from the government, from us. They need for the government to keep their promise. In the 1868 Ft. Laramie Treaty the US government promised adequate housing, good health care, and education for their children. By ignoring that promise we continue to tell the Red man that he’s not worth the paper we used to write that treaty. According to this gentleman, it’s not that we owe the Lakota people a living for all time. It’s that we owe them the respect and care that will give them the ability to believe in themselves and to begin to make the changes that hope and involvement in our society can bring.

He also talked about the corruption of the Tribal Council. Whenever there is extreme poverty AND a complete power without any checks and balances, there are abuses of that power. Those abuses have created a climate that discourages business coming to the Reservation. It encourages a few people to profit off the difficulties of others. He urged us to lobby our legislators to abolish the Indian Reorganization Act. That would allow a system in which the abuse of power would be discouraged and where the people have a more options for making change.

This speaker was very interesting . He talked about our connection to one another and how we owe it to our children to be the strong, caring presence in their lives. Surprisingly, he strongly advocated for the respect of women. To be partners and helpmates for one another was another of his themes. I very much liked this part of his presentation!!!! Go figure!

I’m going long with this. By now we have worked all day on Tuesday, and we’re waiting for tonight’s speaker. But I want to report a dawning awareness. The passion and energy around the Wounded Knee Massacre is, for the Lakota people, a symbol of their treatment by the white people and the US government. It is their holocaust. To ask them to get over it is like asking the Jews to get over the concentration camps and the ovens. It represents how they see themselves through our eyes and in a very sad way, they have adopted that self understanding. They feel like a hopeless, persecuted, unwanted people who are without the gifts and resources to make a difference in our world. The purpose of Re-Member is to bring the cultures together so that we can stand for a time with our Lakota brothers and sisters to say to them that they have not been relegated to “shadow people.” That their lives matter and that we believe in them. We can’t do it for them, but by understanding them, honoring them, and standing with them, we give them the ability to see themselves differently and it offers hope that is a life force all on its own.

Today we all worked—I in helping to finish a roofing project and putting on some siding, Corrine and Patty in building an Outhouse, Janet helped to put skirting on a mobile home and then returned here early and so did some cleaning. Pat worked with getting some electrical projects completed and putting skirting on a trailer. It was 87 degrees, but the sun was unrelenting. It was hot! Showers felt good, as did dinner tonight.
OK, folks. That’s enough. I think of you often and wish I could bring this experience to each of you. Be well. I will see you soon.

Monday, August 16, 2010

Today we began working. They have split us into different teams. Obviously it’s because they need people to help the other teams be organized. But it did happen that Patty, Corrine and Pat worked at the same project. They began to insulate and put skirting on a trailer. The sad part is that these are FEMA trailers that have been shown to have formaldehyde that is a cancer causing agent. It seems like such a step up for many of these families, even considering the health risks. They have nothing better. They have been living in mobile homes that were condemned in the greater society in which we live. Those trailers were then brought here to be sold to the Lakotas because they are so desperate for housing! Can you imagine the outcry if someone from home was trying to sell condemned trailers to poor families?

Janet worked at putting a new roof on another trailer, and I had the job of sorting through a ton of donated items to divide things into bundles for different sites. We then delivered our goodies. We took a lot of school supplies to different grade level schools. We took other things to the social service agencies in the different communities where people come to seek assistance. In that grouping were home-made quilts, bedding, clothes, shoes, baby items, and toiletries. At each place we were warmly received and as the things were brought in as people immediately began to sort them.

Someone sent about 30 canvas bags and our staff helper suggested that we make up bags for the residents of a veteran’s homeless facility. Re-Member had never taken things to them before, but it had been suggested that they were in need. One of our groups here is a youth group from a church in Michigan and they brought a ton of homemade quilts and lap robes. We put toiletry items and then a lap robe or quilt in about 20 bags for residents. It was great fun to sort through the donations to find things I thought the men might enjoy. When we took them, they were so delighted. This is not a nursing home or facility like I think of. The men are more independent, cooking their own meals and having chores to care for the place. There are 13 men living there. When we were ready to leave, we asked what type of things they needed. The director immediately said, “food.” It seems their refrigerators are in an area that is semi public and someone had walked away with many of their groceries. We were so dismayed at the idea of men who have served our country NOT having food to eat that the other adult volunteer and I (the only 2 adults in our group) immediately asked to be taken to the grocery store so we could buy them some food. We spent about $55 to buy stuff for the 13 men. Unfortunately it didn’t go very far. Prices in that store, the only grocery store in the community and one of only 2 on the reservation –a place the size Delaware, were about double what we would pay at our local Hy-Vee. A can of the cheapest spaghetti sauce cost $2.25! It’s no wonder that the people eat such a poor diet. They can’t afford healthy foods. And as a result of that they are building another 5 new dialysis centers on the reservation. Diabetes, kidney disease and heart disease is ravaging so many.

Before I close I want to report briefly about last night’s speaker. He spent much of his time talking about the Lakota section of the Badlands. He said that such a title is a misnomer. Lakotas would never call any part of our planet “Bad.” It seems that this title was predetermined by government sources, and they practically jammed it down the Indian Council’s throat to get the Lakota name for such. The people here call that land “the White Wilderness” and it has taken on a sacred aspect. To begin with, so many of their elders are buried there. In addition the place where we were yesterday is called the Stronghold because it is very defensible and has been the setting of so many standoffs. It is also the place where much violence has happened against the people. It is Lakota property with easement to the government for the national parks. The problem is that the Park System has put cattle on the land and the cattle are doing damage to this holy space—creating ruts, drinking from the springs in a way that changes the land, desecrating graves and disrupting the people’s use of the land. There is an ongoing battle to reclaim that bit of land away from the park system. It is tied up in the courts and while Lakota claim seems pretty strong, they feel great outrage that they must fight for what is foundationally their right and their land. I have to admit, he made a very strong case. I think if we were in their shoes we might feel the same way.
Ok. That’s enough for tonight. By this point we have had another speaker. Much to write to you tomorrow night, but for now, I need to sleep. We are well and all of us feel very blessed to be here. Thank you so much.

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Sunday Evening , Aug. 15th. Pine Ridge





Pine Ridge –Sunday Evening – 8-15-10

What a day! This was our tour day. We began with some initial back ground info here at Re-Member ,and then we boarded a bus and a van to go to Wounded Knee. Once there, a Lakota father and son told us the story of the Massacre that happened in 1890. It was a very different account than I had learned through other sources. The basic facts are the same.-- A whole village of people were in the process of turning themselves into be deported to a reservation, were disarmed and then systematically slaughtered. The difference is that in the Lakota account it is so much more chilling. Their story includes the killings as planned and cold bloodedly carried out, even with a priest administering last rites, although the people didn’t understand what was happening at the time. Women and children were chased into a ravine so the soldiers could better corral and account for them as they were shot. There is also a discrepancy in regard to the number of people killed and the number of battalions involved. For me the disturbing part is that it could have been such a calculated and systematic murder instead of a situational incident that got terribly out of control. Either way the white government comes out looking very bad, but with the Lakota version (could it be that cold blooded?) it is exponentially worse. I certainly can’t determine the truth, but it is very clear that the Lakota people see it in such a horrible way.

Several other statistics are equally chilling. Like the fact that for so much of our history we saw the people as less than human. George Washington in his diaries called the native peoples “beasts of prey” and called for their total destruction. It was reported that Abraham Lincoln despised the Native Americans. In fact, that was the major sentiment of “Americans.” We learned that even The Bureau of Indian Affairs was originally a part of the war department. What does that say? Congress ratified ,and Presidents signed, 372 treaties, all of which have been broken-with disasterous consequences for these people.

The major problem has been that Native peoples didn’t understand owning land or acquiring wealth instead of living in a subsistence manner that honored nature. We tried to force Christianity on them, but they already had a deep reverence for life and other people. We needn’t lift this society and people to a place of sainthood, but then, our history is also pretty bloody.

Ok, we also did a major hike in the badlands that are also a part of the reservation. It is not as hot here as it was last week. It hit 90 degrees this afternoon, and with the altitude and the lack of vegetation to absorb the sun’s rays, it was quite hot, but there was a breeze. We walked about 3 miles total in the park, and they showed us a cliff-rimed bowl that has sacred quality to the Lakota people. It has a natural sound barrier. We were invited to sit alone and be quiet for a time. It was more quiet than anything I can remember. Two images come to mind. The first is a young brave going on his dream quest to enter his manhood. He would go into the desert and seek the Great Spirit’s image. The quiet and the heat sort of took on a life force of its own. I could see visions happening after a time. It was quite intense. The other was of the old west’s cowboy who is wandering in a desert alone. So desolate. So quiet. So brutal. So hot!!!!! We had water, of course, and knew exactly how to get back to the bus. Did you know that the badlands were actually an ancient ocean? That’s why the rock formations and the brutal landscape.

We arrived back at the dorm at 4:30 and after some free time we had a demonstration of how to put up a teepee. A native Lakota and his family came to show us an authentic teepee raising. It’s quite ingenious and interesting. I took pictures of each step.
Our most recent activity was eating. We were hungry and it was SOOOO good. We had Indian tacos that are made of Indian Fry bread with all the toppings of tacos. Yum!
OK. That’s what I know. I hope things are well with all of you. We have lots to tell you when we come home. What a wonderful experience.

Sunday, August 15th

We are here! We arrived yesterday afternoon about 3:00. At one point it seemed like we were going to be late, and then Pat remembered that we would cross into Mountain time and once again all was well! The ironic part of that is that when we began our orientation with the other 43 people who are also here, one of the main points that our leader is stressing is that a major part of our experience is to SLOW Down. A slice of calm and peace is an important gift that this place and experience is to offer us. I suspect it is also a bit of necessity for moving this many people to our work sites and getting things done in a culture that is so much less time oriented than we are used to.


When we arrived Patty met us here. She had another commitment and so flew into Rapid City and was picked up by one of the staff from Re-Member. Several others were also picked up. We then selected bunks in our own private bunk room. Normally we might have had 5 -7 other people in our room, also, but because they have about half as many as in a “full” week, we have the space to ourselves. It’s quite acceptable and the beds are much more comfortable than in New Orleans—Thank you. Thank you!


I want to report a bit about the drive. It was uneventful in any negative sense. But who says that the drive across Nebraska is boring? It was beautiful! We came north from Council Bluffs where we spent the night and then came across Highway 20 which is a 2 lane highway through rich farm land with a gentle roll. The colors, textures and lush vegetation was rich. Then we slowly moved into what I think of when I consider Nebraska. It was more flat, such that we could see for miles and the primary function of the land was pasture, cattle and hay. Then we moved to much more sparse territory. Still cattle and hay, but it obviously took more land to support the herds. Finally it was back into foothills, but still very sparse with houses miles apart. I suspect that this is the place where mail is delivered only every few days. It seemed sort of lonely in a strange, beautiful and rather peaceful way. I know. Rather contradictory, isn’t it. But that’s the way I felt. When we drove into South Dakota we ran into a field of Sunflowers. Beautiful!!!! Pat was driving at that point, and we made her stop so we could take photos.


We did a short orientation last night with some expectations for our time here—SLOW DOWN, and e careful with the water. We will be assigned to different teams, so we will have different experiences. Our groups are from Michigan –several ambitious teens, Delaware, Massachusetts, Hawaii and us. This morning we are discovering our assignments and already Pat is in the kitchen making breakfast.


Last night we went to a POW WOW. It was several miles from here, and the weather has cooled down to the point that we were uncomfortably cold. The pow wow was ok, but I was disappointed because what I saw last year was so much larger and with such incredibly, colorful regalia. We did experience some of the culture, though and saw some really cute youngsters experiencing the pride of their culture.
So tired when we arrived home. We fell into our beds and I think most of us fell instantly asleep. Today is our tour day with a trip to Wounded Knee. We begin working tomorrow, so a bit of a Sabbath.

Right now you are all preparing for worship. I know Sheila will offer a wonderful message. Know that we are thinking of you and looking forward to telling you about this experience. Be well and see you later. (PS. I'm working on getting photos included. Will send some other pics next post.)

Monday, July 26, 2010

It's soon time for our group to head west to Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. We're all beginning to be excited as we pack and prepare for our adventure. Those going are Pat Hayden, Corrine Gunter, Janet Davison, Patty Cook and Joyce Basler. Yes it's an all-girl show, but we're expecting to learn lots and get lots done. We have been told that we might not have internet availability, so you might have to wait until our return to read of our adventures. If I can find a way to get my daily blog uploaded, I will do so and Mary Orwig will send an e-mail to the membership to let you know.

In the mean time please be in prayer for us--not only for a safe and wonderful trip, but that we will have the opportunity to learn and grow in our faith and understanding of the problems and needs of our native American brothers and sisters.