Ever since I got back from my weekend with my friend Ashley I have made a conscience decision to live intentionally in the community of Manderson. I know that when I came out here I told myself and many other people that my intention was to live intentionally in a community on the Pine Ridge Reservation and to love my neighbors and show them God’s love. Before I came out here I thought that I knew what it would be like to live on the rez and to do ministry here. I spent a summer here 2 years ago and I thought that I knew how it would be like to live here. Living here and working at the school has been so much harder than I thought that it would be. I have been hit with waves of loneliness, despair, and hopelessness. Thankfully these waves of emotions don’t last very long but I think they have caused me to live cautiously in the community. I have guarded my heart and not made myself vulnerable to people for fear of rejection.
I have decided to put that all aside. In the sermon that Pastor Stanley Hollow Horn gave on Sunday he said that God called me to this place, one of the poorest counties in the USA, to serve as his spokesperson. This got me to thinking, how can I be God’s spokesperson if I haven’t invited anyone to church or told people why I’m really here? I have to live intentionally in this community of Manderson and tell people about Jesus. I might be the only Christian that some of these people know. So since my return I have been living intentionally. I’m going to be taking a girl named Josiah to church with me on Sunday and when given the opportunity to love on someone I do it and I put my selfish desires aside. This is where it begins.
Another way for me to live intentionally is to let the readers of this blog know that I need financial support to be out here. It is hard for me to ask people for money to help support me in this endeavor; I get afraid of being rejected. I sent out support letters when I first arrived here in Manderson and the fundraising has been coming in but I am coming up a little short. I need to raise $3,000 for my internship. This money helps cover training, food, my stipend, transportation, and other things. Would any of you this holiday season be willing to join my support team? God has provided so much for me already and I have faith that God will provide the rest. If you would like to support me you can give online at this address- http://www.greaterworks.us/connect/interns/?intern=54. There are also instructions to give through the mail if you would like to send in your donation. God has called me to live intentionally and in faith while I out here and I have faith that God is speaking to one or more of you to help make my experience out here possible. Thank you.
A couple of prayer requests-
I have a doctor’s appointment on Friday
Team relationships
The upcoming Christmas season for the community of Manderson to find Christ in Christmas
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Hey Emily! It's good to hear updates from you! I just found your blog from the facebook link. Hey we have a blog too, it's montanamaryandnick.blogspot.com
ReplyDeletewe don't update it very often but i just did yesterday and im going to try to more often.
also, Nick and I would love to support you through prayers and financially. What's the address to send money to? I know what a burden it can be to ask people for money. But I also know what a blessing it can be to help someone else financially in their ministry. So don't feel burdened by it! There are people who love to help!
So blessings to you friend! I hope to see you in Michigan this Christmas. Are you going home?
Love, Mary