Day 5 - June 20, 2013

What a beautiful morning. Temperature of 72, light breeze and except for some rain clouds that threaten to dampen our day, all is good. As usual the adults were up and enjoying a morning cup of java long before the first youth member stirs. There was an anxiousness among us after watching the numbers of reservation kids joining us increase each day this week, each of us thought would this be even bigger today. While we hoped for it, we also worried, would we have enough; enough food, enough prizes for the games we had planned, enough back packs. Thanks to Greg’s organizing, we had just over 30 backpacks with school supplies ready to hand out. What if we had more kids than packs? As the kids woke and the morning prayers were offered, we learned that it was not just the adults who were worried. But everyone trusted God and off we went.

Fr. Tom left a little early. He went looking for the proverbial needle in a hay stack, his cell phone. Accompanied by a couple of youth, who claimed to have better eyesight then Fr. Tom, they left about 30 minutes early watching the side of the road for signs of a wandering phone. As they approached the bottom of the hill (less than ½ mile from Church of Jesus) there, lying just next to the center line, was a very tired and worn out looking phone. While the case was in excellent condition, the face glass had long since disappeared but the sim card was still in place (which meant some of the pictures from yesterday were saved), and the worry over a lost phone was avoided. A few calls later, Fr. Tom learned his replacement phone was only a day away.

Having just pulled into the parking lot, low and behold the rest of the team showed up, just in time to help unload. The team made quick work of it and began their daily prep. About an hour after our arrival, a parent showed up to drop off their child, only to learn that we had another hour to go until we began. Despite their disappointment, they returned later and the kids had a great time. At first it looked like we would exceed the previous day’s number, but alas we ended the day with 32 kids. However, even though the numbers went down this did not deter our team. We were grateful for the additional time we would get to spend with those who came.

We began with a story about a rich landowner who went around hiring day laborers. But instead of paying for only the hours worked, he paid everyone the same; and of course, this upset several of his workers. In the end, the landowner prevails, but it made us consider how much we complain about the unfairness in our own lives; and it reminded us God would sort it all out, so we had nothing to worry about. And you want to know something, Jesus was right. We didn’t have to worry about the food, we had plenty, we didn’t have to worry if we had enough prizes, we didn’t even have to worry about the number of backpacks. We had just enough of everything. During the nightly roundtable discussion we have, one of our team asked Fr. Tom if it was one of those God things he keeps talking about. His answer, sure why not.

Today was a grand day, games included sack races and other outdoor activities designed to get the blood moving and build relationship. I think we were successful, because when it came to part, the kids, and members of our team were truly sad to see the week come to an end for everyone. There were lots and lots of hugs and of course promises to see each other again next year. Instead of crafts today we held a carnival. We had all sorts of games for all age groups and it was a lot of fun. Guess what, we had more than enough prizes for everyone to receive at least one or more prizes at each of the games.

A couple of other things to note; not long before it was time to pick-up kids, the new priest (Rev. Lauren Stanley) stopped by for a visit. It was great to put a face to a name and we talked about all sorts of things, including next year’s trip. No need to worry, we are invited back again. The other thing to note is the visit of the Rev Joan Pritchard, our interim Dean of the Cathedral. She could only stay a few hours but it was so nice to have her visit. Another regular visitor was Kieran, a former Resurrection House Intern who has been living in an intentional community here on the reservation that focuses on young adult ministry. We didn’t get to spend much time with Don Eagle this trip. Schedules being what they are it was just tough for him to be there.

By the end of the day, there were a lot of tired youth (and adults too) all ready to get back to the pool. But Fr. Tom, Greg, and Claire had a surprise for everyone, the whole team headed up the road to the Lakota museum at the St. Francis Misson. The kids were amazed at the variety of artifacts and the number of costumes.

They hung in there for about 30 minutes, but what they really wanted, was to get back to Valentine and the pool (it had gotten much warmer than originally forecast). So that is what we did, back to Valentine and the pool. Pool time was finished with a BBQ under the pool pavilion, a little free time, a short trip wrap up meeting, and finally, we began to pack up. The team got a pretty good head start before Compline, the morning should go pretty quick. Before we knew it, it was time to crash and that is what we did. This lowly journalist is going to do the same, got to get a good night’s sleep with the river ride tomorrow morning.