July 13-20 2007

By Alex Michl

Photos by participants

 

-The Beginning
 Today was the first day of the 2007 Mission Trip to Pine Ridge, South Dakota.  The day began early with a 9:00am departure from church.  This day was said to be a day of miracles and that was definitely apparent when a motorcycle accident had happen a little ways ahead of where we were driving on the interstate.  It was a miracle because we had had Steve with us who is a trained EMT.  The day ended with a wonderful, intense game of Ultimate Frisbee. I thought to myself why am I on this trip? Why have we come so far and what are we exactly doing? I hope these questions will be answered… good night.
  -Dancing with the Indians
 We arrived at the RE-MEMBER headquarters and settled in.  I was able to meet and greet a lot of other teens from all across the nation.  Over 90 people had gathered together for a week to help improve the lives of those less fortunate.  Tonight we headed out to Oglala, to watch a pow wow presented by the Lakota people.  They had a grand ceremony and invited all non-indians to join in and dance.  I joined and it felt like I was a part of their culture.  Then, a little Indian boy asked me to come over… I walked to him and we greeted each other and told me that he liked my dancing.  He then insistited that I dance some more for him.  We danced together until it was time to go.  The stars are absolutely amazing in the Great Plains, clear and bright. What a beautiful night. 
 -The Massacre
 Today was a day that I realized how horrifying the truth is. We traveled to the cemetery of The Massacre of Wounded Knee and learned the history entwined with the physical evidence all around us.  It was hard to stand on the same ground where innocent blood was shed.
 -Helping Others
 Today was the first day of work.  With the temperature rising we went out to a few homes of the Lakota people to construct bunk beds.  It was a shock to look and see how they live, with few possessions and barely meeting the necessities.  I felt sorry because I knew how I live and now I see how they live and there is no comparison.  Through this experience I realized that while I am out here helping, the rest of the nation filled with wealth, doesn’t even know what is going on.  People ignore the truth or they just don’t know it.  Our help can only go so far…
 -Respect
 We had a guest come to speak with us about the life of the Lakota people and how they feel.  Will Peters explained and shared stories about his life as a child until now and how everything had affected him.  His main message was to respect women.  He taught me that without the respect of women, men are nothing.  In the Lakota family, the woman is in charge of the house and men must respect them.  Everything Will said was eye-opening.
 -ULTIMATE
 Ultimate Frisbee was enjoyable the first day but today it was amazing!  More teens and adults from other churches joined us in the largest game of ultimate Frisbee I have ever played.  The game was so intense and many newcomers became more comfortable with the game.  Overall this was one of the greatest highlights of the trip. 

 -A night on the hill
 Tonight was the night that we all spent watching the sun go down and the stars come out.  The scenery in South Dakota is absolutely amazing.  I am able to see for miles and miles.  The sunsets were just as beautiful.  The sun would produce a million colors that covered the sky.  It was breathtaking. 
 -re-member…
 On the last day it was hard to say goodbye to everyone.  Many pictures were taken and e-mails exchanged to insure the chance to stay in touch with newly met friends.  Worn out from the trip, a nap was in session for the whole way back.  Now it’s time to share the history of the Lakota people and remember what they went through.