Seventeen adults from Maple Grove traveled to Cherokee, NC, June 19 – 27 for an interesting week among the Cherokee people.  Most of our work was at three sites – two homes and the buildings related to the Cherokee United Methodist Church.  We pulled off siding and insulation, ran new electricity for much needed outlets, winterized some exposed pipes, repaired shower stalls, replaced doors, installed new gutters, tore off siding and replaced it with new which we also painted.  One of the special parts of this year’s trip were the folks that came along.  Don Lipke, Barb Lipke’s father from Texas, David and Lisa Parks, a couple from Weston, West Virginia thinking of planning future youth trips who simply wanted to experience one first, and Sandy and Donny Widmer, Willard Becker’s granddaughter and husband from South Carolina who spent a day working with us.  And then, there was just the being in the beautiful Smokies!

Probably even more meaningful on this trip than on most mission trips was the opportunity to learn the story of the Cherokees through the outdoor drama “Unto These Hills” – a retelling of the story of the Trail of Tears - visiting the Native American Museum, and hearing from Freeman Owle his perspective on the life of his people on the Qualla Boundary.  It was also interesting to contrast the different realities of the East Carolina Band of Cherokees with the Lakotas we worked with last year.  Where we saw healthy and somewhat affluent Cherokees this year, we saw a depressed and hard life in the Dakotas.

There were certainly a few disappointments this year: pretty uncomfortable living quarters for the males, not much guidance or support from the local leaders, some logistical problems, and we missed some who have gone with us in the past.  But the message was loud and clear that it’s much more about being present with the people than it is about the work that gets done.  Oh, if we could but hear it and really let it happen when we go among different people and in our own living together as a community of faith. 

Thank you Maple Grove friends for your support in making these mission trips a possibility for all who want to live out being the hands, feet, and heart of Christ!