Today I am currently 8 days away from moving to Pine Ridge.
Exciting? Yes. Frightening? A little. Largely Unknown? For sure.
And yet I feel ready. Ready to embrace what God may be stirring up in my life. I smile thinking about the journey I have come through thus far, and I know that this coming year will only add the flavor of additional insight, wisdom, failure, learning, and hopefully growth in faith. As I have been slowly preparing myself this summer, I think back to the many conversations with dear friends and family, and I realize that this experience in Pine Ridge will be best spent in connection with everyone I love, so I invite you in on my time- and thank you for your interest, support, and listening hearts as I embark on my ongoing reflections of time spent on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.
A brief intro: I will be serving one year in volunteer service for Red Cloud Indian School, located 3 miles north of Pine Ridge, SD. The School has a fantastic website, which I encourage you to check out if you're interested in the details of my location. http://www.redcloudschool.org/ It is a Jesuit-based private school which seeks to embrace and appreciate both the Catholic and Lakota faith traditions. I will surely be learning much about both, considering my protestant background and lack of Lakota knowledge. :)
My position will be in the high school, as the Director for Student Activities, which includes the responsibilities of major school functions as well as leading the student council and organizing the after school program. In addition, I shall become a bus driver- that's right, CDL and all, and teach two weight training courses (one for girls, one for boys).
I will live amongst other volunteers in one of two houses. We will share common living quarters and a kitchen and participate in group functions on a weekly basis. I am particularly excited to be joining this community to grow alongside other young, determined, and open-minded adults. My basic expenses are all covered, so I will deal w/ relatively few financial decisions, thank goodness! Overall, I will be living simply, which is a key characteristic of the Jesuit commitment.
A few goals I have for myself througout the next year:
1. Learn to appreciate the Lakota culture and language
2. Develop and affirm my faith perspectives within an unfamiliar faith environment
3. Discover new and lasting friendships with those God places in my life
4. Learn to be content with fewer material luxuries
5. Inspire others as I faithfully seek after my own identity in the arms of God
I shall continue my reflections upon arrival on Aug. 2nd, 2007. My three week orientation begins Aug. 6th, and I look forward to what this all entails.
May the Lord keep you and bless you and make his face to shine upon you.
I smile,
Exciting? Yes. Frightening? A little. Largely Unknown? For sure.
And yet I feel ready. Ready to embrace what God may be stirring up in my life. I smile thinking about the journey I have come through thus far, and I know that this coming year will only add the flavor of additional insight, wisdom, failure, learning, and hopefully growth in faith. As I have been slowly preparing myself this summer, I think back to the many conversations with dear friends and family, and I realize that this experience in Pine Ridge will be best spent in connection with everyone I love, so I invite you in on my time- and thank you for your interest, support, and listening hearts as I embark on my ongoing reflections of time spent on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.
A brief intro: I will be serving one year in volunteer service for Red Cloud Indian School, located 3 miles north of Pine Ridge, SD. The School has a fantastic website, which I encourage you to check out if you're interested in the details of my location. http://www.redcloudschool.org/ It is a Jesuit-based private school which seeks to embrace and appreciate both the Catholic and Lakota faith traditions. I will surely be learning much about both, considering my protestant background and lack of Lakota knowledge. :)
My position will be in the high school, as the Director for Student Activities, which includes the responsibilities of major school functions as well as leading the student council and organizing the after school program. In addition, I shall become a bus driver- that's right, CDL and all, and teach two weight training courses (one for girls, one for boys).
I will live amongst other volunteers in one of two houses. We will share common living quarters and a kitchen and participate in group functions on a weekly basis. I am particularly excited to be joining this community to grow alongside other young, determined, and open-minded adults. My basic expenses are all covered, so I will deal w/ relatively few financial decisions, thank goodness! Overall, I will be living simply, which is a key characteristic of the Jesuit commitment.
A few goals I have for myself througout the next year:
1. Learn to appreciate the Lakota culture and language
2. Develop and affirm my faith perspectives within an unfamiliar faith environment
3. Discover new and lasting friendships with those God places in my life
4. Learn to be content with fewer material luxuries
5. Inspire others as I faithfully seek after my own identity in the arms of God
I shall continue my reflections upon arrival on Aug. 2nd, 2007. My three week orientation begins Aug. 6th, and I look forward to what this all entails.
May the Lord keep you and bless you and make his face to shine upon you.
I smile,
Emily
