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| Yakima Indian Reservation |
With the
new day comes new strength and new thoughts.
~Eleanor
Roosevelt
In
2007 I interviewed the Christian Church teens in Louisville, Nebraska, about their mission trip
to the Yakima Indian Reservation in Washington. The three 15-year-old-teens returned
home inspired to ask, “What about my neighbors.”
“I
do some community service here in Louisville, a little bit—you know,” Trista
said. “But after the workshops at the reservation, I know I need to be more
involved here at home. Like, care about others more and just listen.” Moved to
tears more than once while she worked in the daycare, she added, “The lunches
were such small portions. I couldn’t see how the kids had enough food. When they
left for the afternoon, I had a snack before the evening meal—they didn’t
receive one. It makes me realize there are families in my community that might
be hungry and I want to do something about it.”
Jessie
worked in the daycare also. Because of the demeanor of the children, she
noticed the impact of verbal and negative putdowns. “Some of these little kids
have it in their head they are dumb and useless. It really hit me—how if you say
something even one time it can affect the other person. Even if you are kidding
around someone might not take it as a joke. I know it happens at my school—it
needs to change.”
There
is more to this story, these teens wanted to live a new day with new strength
and new ideas. They inspired me in 2007 and again today.
Still
Lionhearted, Kat
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