This past weekend (October 17th - 19th) Jessica, Mike, and I went to the Red Cloud School (named after Chief Red Cloud) on the Pine Ridge reservation for their 125th anniversary. Originally called Holy Rosary, the Jesuit mission transformed into an incredible school that does some amazing work on a beautiful campus (I dare not say more because of the rivalry between the Pine Ridge Reservation and the Rosebud Reservation on which I currently reside). We crashed with a group of volunteers who very hospitable to us. They were also very incredible people dedicated to serving and teaching these wonderful students.
Since we arrived Thursday Night and left Saturday noontime, Friday was the one full day at Red Cloud. It was also the day of the celebration of their 125th anniversary. So waking up around 6:30 with Mike we toured the school with a volunteer named Garrett. He showed us parts of campus and gave us a tour around the high school (it's K-12) introducing us to countless people. After that we spent some time with some students who were doing some recording for the anniversary which resulted in us hiking around some of the hills on campus and checking out some of the landscape and scenery (which was awesome) and the chapel. After that we chilled in Garrett's Faith and Justice class for third and fourth period which was wicked cool. After this we checked out the Lakota Language studies and returned to the chapel for a bit. While wondering we ran into a volunteer named Amanda who invited us to check out her Kindergarten class earlier in the day. So we took advantage of that and played with a bunch of maniac Kindergartners who were chasing us around and I honestly think trying to kill us! Either way they were adorable and a ton of fun to hang out with.
After this point the day ended around noon since it was a half-day. Amanda invited us to join her on her bus route (volunteers drive buses too which is pretty nifty). So we jumped on bus number eight. That's when I met the Girl from Pine Ridge. Her name was Sapphoria. She was probably about first or second grade and was filled with life, love and laughter. I talked, laughed, and had fun with her and a couple of other girls in the front of the bus. They shared toys, stories, you name it. Sapphoira in particular showed me her monster dolls from some movie/tv show, her penguin blanket, and this little blue plastic bear that looked like it belonged on top of a pencil eraser. All of these things she seemed rather fond of which makes perfect sense. Anyhow, we all had a really good time getting to know each other and I honestly believe there was some sort of connection made. Especially with Sapphoria.
Her stop was closer to the end of the route so we spent a good chunk of time having fun, talking, laughing, etc. When her stop was a few minutes out she placed her bear under my bracelet on my wrist as if buckling it up. So I made some comment about buckling the bear up and gave it back to her. As her stop came into sight, she gave this plastic little blue bear back to me, telling me to keep it. My initial instinct was to decline; how could I take a child's toy? So after expressing my sincere gratitude I tried to tell her it was okay and that she could keep it. Then what happened next was so profound it almost moved me to tears. She took the little plastic bear and with a thrust of her arm held the bear out towards me saying, "Take it! So you can remember me!" Even right now those words "remember me" get me all emotional. I hardly met this little girl Sapphoria maybe thirty minutes before and here she was, giving me something of hers so I would not forget her. I hardly know what to say with those words ringing in my head. Other than this girl was so open to giving and receiving love. Not even just open, but wanting. I know this because I saw her later that day during the celebrations twice. The first time we recognized each other I waved and she came running over. I expected her to hug me around the waist, but instead she just jumped right into my arms and I spun her around and she was laughing and giggling and all excited. The second time was on the way to Mass. She was on the playground and the same series of events happened again except this time she hugged even harder.
I still have that little blue plastic bear by my bedside. It was one of the most profound experiences I've had since being here. It wasn't dramatic and it wasn't revolutionary. It was simple, heart-warming, and eye-opening. Eye-opening to what ministry is at its roots. Yes, it's love. But to say it is love is one thing, to experience it, is entirely different.
As always, prayers for Jessica, Mike and myself are always welcomed and appreciated. As always, thanks for reading, God bless.
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