Still we had the whole day ahead of us and off we went. Part of the team stopped along the way to visit with the Episcopal Habitat for Humanity office in Mission. It is adjacent to the building we worked at our first year on the reservation. We wanted to show the team from NC other options for ministry that were available. Since my last visit there, I was pleasantly surprised to see that their dormitory is now complete and so is the chapel. The dormitory can house up to 32 people now and has two communal bathrooms. With its own kitchen and dining area, it would make a comfortable setting for a team to work out of. While its relative proximity to the town in which we were working is attractive, to use it would mean breaking a growing relationship we have with St. John’s. Besides, what would the team do with itself if they could not visit the pool, go to Frosty’s, Subway, or Dollar General. I am not sure the kids would be able to cope.
Once we arrived, part of the team quickly went to work finishing the inside and outside of the Vicarage while another part began to set up for the day’s activities, and the rest gathered around the ramp to pull the finishing touches together. By the time the kids arrived, we were ready to go and so were they. It was amazing to watch the local kids run to the new friends they had made and visa-versa. Before we knew it, the kids were enjoying another of the skits we offered each day. You could tell that we had become friends because there was feedback during and after the skit. It was really neat to see how much had changed in just four days. Even Ryliegh was excited about the day ahead.
Today we followed up on our colors theme with sand art and tye-dyed pillowcases. The designs the kids came up with were really pretty cool. Despite the heat, all had a great time and when it came time to collect the crafts they had made throughout the week, and load up the van, there wee many hugs and goodbyes and even a fair number of I’ll see you next year. I pray that we are able to do so. What has begun here is nothing short of amazing. I am not just talking about fun and games that amuse, but the beginning of real relationships. Several of the local kids remembered members of our team from last year and that helped us quickly overcome the awkwardness of the first day. By today, all that was replaced with a shared energy. Who says God still doesn’t work miracles?
Following worship, the service project team put the last touches on the ramp, pouring some concrete to level out the end of the ramp and the sidewalk. There were many oohs and ahhs as team members came over to survey the work. Don Eagle was very grateful for all that we did to help make the new ramp a reality.The team then went and once again signed the back of the church sign with team members who were here last year signing over their previous entry. Lots of handshakes and farewells and off we were to the Lakota Historic Society’s display hall. There were many artifact to amuse and intrigue our team. Some quickly noticed a picture of Webster Two Hawks and read about his election to Reservation Chairman over a more seasoned opponent. What followed was another amazing moment for our team. We gathered on the front porch of the museum and shared with one another our most memorable memory of the trip. Most of the memories centered around the relationships we had formed amongst ourselves and our new friends in Rosebud. We closed with a prayer circle, the Lord’s Prayer, and a final blessing by Fr. Tom. After a group hug and many goodbyes, we said next year we will once again meet in this place. I truly believe we will. God brought our two organizations together for a reason.
We closed out the day by going to the pool in Valentine and then we began to pack up for an early start tomorrow morning.
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