Pine Ridge Indian Reservation: Why go there? 2

Why go on a mission trip to Pine Ridge Indian Reservation?

Obviously, there are lots of reasons. Pine Ridge is one of the poorest and most isolated (geographically and spiritually) places in the country. Poverty, unemployment, disease, addiction, crime, and violence are all part of daily life in one way or another for most of the Sioux. Astronomical drop-out, teen suicide, and infant mortality rates combined with the shortest expected life span in the western hemisphere (except for Haiti) combine to render an entire people almost entirely without hope.

There are good reasons to go: Want to get closer to Christ/help others get closer to Christ, want to serve God, empathy, an affinity for Native people, just want to help, want to share your blessings with those less fortunate, want to learn, etc.

There are also bad reasons to go: Vacation, white guilt, everybody else is going, those little Indian kids are just so darn cute . . .the list goes on and on.

I’ve thought many times about why I go. I’m certainly nobody’s idea of a missionary, by many standards, I barely qualify as a Christian. But I keep going back. Believe me, it’s not because I’m such a good guy. There have been plenty of times that I’ve wanted to quit, to stop going, but I can’t seem to do it.

And it’s not like my contribution is all that critical. Basically, I mow playgrounds, take pictures, and run errands. That’s really about it. Well, I am handy with the parachute cord around camp. When I tie a tent down, it stays tied down.

But every year, I get to thinking about those kids running around on playgrounds covered with knee-deep weeds, playing on broken playground equipment, often getting very little attention or food. I think about those parents and grandparents who often aren’t even able to adequately feed their kids.

Then I think about my own grandkids, and how I’d feel if they had to live like that, and I remember the faces of not just the kids, but of the adults who we’ve grown to think of as family, and how happy they are just to see us, whether we can do anything for them or not. I always end up feeling like it’s worth it.

That my own feeble contributions helped someone put a smile on those kids faces, even if it’s just for a couple of weeks, that they’ll have a mowed playground for a little while, that the folks waiting for the bus at Potato Creek have shelter to wait under, and that the kids have an awesome playground set (thanks for both of those to the Morrison Hills branch that goes out every year), that thanks to the efforts of the both the Indiana and Morrison Hills branches of Nape Na Si, along with the help of many Sioux locals, the town of Wanblee has a community center, just blows me away.

A lot of people tell me, “Oh, I’m just too old,” or, “There’s nothing I could do,” or, “Maybe next year.” All I can say to them is, “You’re wrong.” We’ve had little old ladies in their 80’s go out every year for years. If I can find something helpful to do, anyone can. If you can cook, you can help. If you can read a story to a kid, or change a diaper, or listen to a kid, or just hug one and really mean it, you can help. If you can shoot a screw, or hammer a nail, or run a saw, you can help. If you can sit and listen to an old woman or middle-aged man talk about their life, share your own experiences, and find a common ground, you can help.

You. Can. Help.

No single one of us can do it all, but as the church, we are supposed to be the body of Christ, right? All of the parts are necessary. All of the parts are needed. Even if you’re sure there’s nothing you can do. I mean, look at me. As a wise man once told me, “Every body needs a rectum.”

Granted, this is not for everybody. But if you don’t want to go to Pine Ridge, then go to Africa, or Haiti, or China, or Chicago, or New York, or to your own home town or neighborhood. There’s no shortage of people who need help. Who need to see Christ, not just hear about him. Get involved somewhere, and do something.

You’ll be glad you did.