The Start of the Journey

The journey started for me on July 31 a little more than four decades ago, when I was born. Two years later I was removed from the Yankton Sioux Reservation. I was placed over 1,000 miles away from my family into a different, non-native world, and raised in the Catholic Church. Fast forward to my 36th year, I was newly saved and began to walk my life in faith. At 39, I reunited with my birth family and discovered one other sister new in Christ.

She gave me a copy of "One Church, Many Tribes."

Since the reunion on the Yankton rez, I try to travel back each year. I have seen the struggles of my family and tried to pinpoint the greatest need. As a believer I see two; prayer and Jesus. As an Urban Indian I see many needs and am more aware of the actions taken to recognize and meet those needs.

I knew that I knew that I knew I was to take this cultural immersion class. This time, my trip back to what family I could visit was more powerful. I have met a body of believers who have a heart for my people. Although many along the road have told me they also have a heart for the Indian, it is gratifying to see action in place of words. We are relational people, show me and tell me where your heart lies.

I cannot wait to see how the rest of my brothers and sisters in Christ continue on in their journey.