Whom Shall I Send?

The ongoing Excelsior Covenant Church relationship with the Lakota band of the Oglala Sioux Tribe living at Pine Ridge, South Dakota has always been a team effort. And the formation of that team involves some degree of soul searching on the part of individuals. First, just expressing an interest in this ministry requires a recognition of the historical events of conquest and subjugation of native peoples. Second, it brings one face-to-face with issues of race and poverty in contemporary America. Making a commitment to join the team demands of members certain and deliberate sacrifices. Imagine surrendering an entire week's worth of vacation days during the middle of the summer for a mission trip to the middle of nowhere. Further imagine driving twelve hours west to the poorest of Indian reservations, working long days in ninety to one hundred degree heat and living in often cramped, always hot quarters. Imagine giving to others who have little to offer in return save a hug and a smile. Here the realities of race and poverty are inescapable. Participating in this ministry is no picnic. Rather it is an act of service. Despite these and other difficulties, mission team members have continued their efforts over the past eight years. Many in our congregation have experienced Pine Ridge at least once; some have been there each year. Whether returning annually or just making the trip for the first time, team members often announce their desire to return even while driving homeward at week's end. It's that kind of mission trip.

One team member who made that long-term ministry commitment was Tom Weiland. Joining the team in its inaugural year 1998, Tom returned again and again. He looked forward to working with his hands whether remodeling homes, building wheel chair ramps, decks, outhouses or just fixing things that were broken. There are, not surprisingly, a lot of broken things on the reservation. But among the myriad useful things to do there, what Tom really longed for was the opportunity to walk down the road with tool bucket in hand stopping at each house to ask, "Have you got anything that needs fixing?" That simple question, spoken from the heart, expressed Tom's sincere desire to be a servant. Ironically, it also captured authentic Indian humor. Of course these people had things that were broken; not the least of which was the entire reservation system. Tom was learning what every Native American already knew. Still, it did not diminish his willingness to go anywhere on that vast reservation and fix anything that needed fixing. Tom was there for no other reason than to serve. He said, "Here am I; send me."

Tom was not only good with his hands; he was also good with people. He enjoyed making new cross-cultural friends, often continuing written correspondence with them throughout the year. Upon his return each summer he looked forward to revisiting the people he had met there. Among them were Geraldine Blue Bird, Jasper Milk, Olive Makes Good, Ione Lamont and a young girl he was particularly fond of named Shiloh. This kind of genuine and lasting relationship is an essential part of Indian culture and always held in high regard. During a conversation with a friend in the remote district of Wanblee, an elder man named Jasper rose hurriedly to answer his own telephone insisting, "I can't talk now. I have family here."

Tom's last trip to Pine Ridge in late June of 2005 was perhaps his best. He not only provided manual labor but also managed to reconnect with many old friends there. In the days that followed the mission trip Tom spoke often of his experience there and his desire to return yet another year. Sadly, he died just two weeks later. Tom was a servant of Jesus Christ, a valued mission team member and a friend to many on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.