The following was written by one of our group, who’s shy and wants to remain anonymous. It’s a very insightful perspective that illuminates some different aspects of the trip. Enjoy!
Coming out to Pine Ridge Indian Reservation with the Nape Na Si mission group has been one of the best decisions I have made. Even though this year has only been my second time, these two trips have been life-changing, both emotionally and spiritually. It has allowed me to step out into faith, go into considerably dangerous territory with people I have never met face to face, and try to somehow bless a group of people that could potentially reject me. What I have found is that this trip will also bless you.
Flashback to early 2017, when I came across Lloyd’s blog. I found his blogs hilarious, intriguing, and made me see things in a different perspective. One of his posts was an invitation to everyone to go on one of their annual mission trips to Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Upon reading that blog, I knew somehow it was meant for me to go.
My first year out to Pine Ridge was magical, and I don’t mean that in a clichéd way. Now, I know most people do not think of Pine Ridge as a magical place. What you hear about and see of Pine Ridge in the news does not exactly describe a vacation getaway. It is basically a third world country inside what is supposed to be the richest nation in the world. However, when you first step onto the reservation and just open your mind and heart to the surroundings, the people, the sounds around you, you will find the real magic. It is the combined feeling of love and purpose that suddenly grows inside of you. You want to somehow bring hope and love back to the natives and show them that they have people that care for them, and empathize with their struggles. I instantly felt a connection to these people and the land. I knew after the first couple of days of building relationships with a few of the natives that this was something I could not let go of. From seeing the children on the playground laughing and begging us not to go back to camp every day, to dining with the elders of an evening, every moment was special. Other moments I have not been able to forget is the amazing opportunities that our group had to go out to Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, and Wounded Knee. Every year, we go out there when there are new people. Seeing that for the first time was breathtaking.
My second year however wasn’t so much about having a fun time like last year was, but learning how to truly have faith and forget about myself. I came out here ready for the same thrill that I had last time. My immediate expectations were fun, laughter, and magic every moment like last year. I think God was ready to remind me that this trip is about him.
One day, our leaders drove us to a hidden view of the Badlands on a dirt road. Unlike last year, the group this year seemed more interested in running and climbing all over the Badlands than the group last year. I am a cautious person due to having had several accidents that were brought on from running and doing other things that required balance. Agility is not my strongpoint! I immediately decided that I was going to just stand back and observe the beauty from where I was, and watched everyone laugh and race each other down the rocky slope. I did feel very left out, but I decided that I could deal with the temporary sadness. At least I was safe. After all, being safe and comfortable has always been my utmost priority anyways.
As I was taking pictures of all the beauty in front of me, I heard Lloyd calling me from far down the cliff.
“Hey! Come down here and join us! You won’t regret it!”
I nervously walked over to where I could see where he and the others were. It sure was a long way down…
“Um… I don’t think so. I wish I could, but I know I can’t get down there. I don’t have the right balance for it.”
Now as I found this year, this group doesn’t accept no as an answer from me. I think they have more faith in me than I do for myself.
“Come on, man! You can do it. Just keep walking. You will love the view.”
At this point, Lloyd and a couple others were yelling up at me to come down. I was the only one that hadn’t braved the climb down.
“Alright, alright! I’ll do it.”, I said panicked.
I inched closer. I put one foot in front of the other. I felt confident and proud of myself until my feet started slipping on the rocks. I could see them crumbling down from where I was walking on them. I knew I was going to fall! I wasn’t used to taking risks, and I felt like this group didn’t know what they were asking of me. Last year was a lot safer.
“I can’t do it!”, I yelled and ran back up to my safe vantage point.
Just then, Tyler ran up the rocks to me and grabbed my hand. He assured me that he wasn’t going to let me fall, and I was going to get down the rocky slope.
After what felt like a lifetime, I finally made it down. It really was a spectacular view. Everyone cheered me and told me that I should be proud of myself. I had to admit, I was. It was unnerving, but their encouragement and help, I did it. I felt a bit stronger and empowered.
That evening was basically part two of my lesson of bravery. Now, one of the most treasured traditions that the mission group does every year, is spending part of an evening in Badlands National Park. There are parts of the Badlands all over Pine Ridge but going to the actual park itself is a different feeling. Not only is it breathtaking, but as you stand there with the Badlands surrounding you, you feel humbled knowing that you are one small person with these huge structures around you. Last year, I didn’t do much climbing. I didn’t have to worry about anyone urging me to join in. I was left alone to enjoy practicing my photography.
Like with the event earlier in the day, several others ran ahead again. This time though, Chavala and Debra were encouraging me to do the climbing and running with them. Having already been empowered by my success earlier, I felt a sense that I could do it. With some help from them, I was able to do so much more than I ever thought I could. We spent about a half hour just laughing with so much joy and taking silly photos of each other. As I stood on a cliff just staring at the endless view of the Badlands, I felt so much closer to the earth and to God. I thought to myself, “If I were the same person as last year, I wouldn’t be able to see such beauty.” In that moment, I knew I had grown. These people had so much faith in me, and God used them to help me push fear behind me. I then knew my lesson for coming out again. Not only was my purpose to come out to love and serve the Lakota people, but to also make myself grow stronger and fearless.
I encourage everyone to consider coming out next June and joining our mission group. You will not only make friends, but also another family. Love and peace surrounds you out here in a place that you wouldn’t think it could happen. If you do come out here, I hope you will receive the same blessings that I have found. Thanks for reading this!