Home is where the Heart is

Last sunday, after leaving a weekend spent at home, I felt like I was embarking on my first service trip ever. I was anxious, excited, and even a bit nervous as we headed to Standing Rock Indian Reservation in North Dakota. I haven’t felt this way for quite awhile…it was actually a welcomed change. I have yet to be “calloused” to this new culture. I am pretty uneducated when it comes to the rez; this “fear of the unknown” causes all these unexpected emotions to once again rise to the surface. Because of my lack of knowledge, the rez proved to be a wealth of information that was eagerly consumed by my numerous questions. The more I was exposed to the people and their way of living, the more I wanted to learn.

And lucky for me, there was just the guy to answer my many questions. His name is Pastor “Boots” March. Two years ago he came up from Houston, TX and has been pastoring in Cannon Ball (one of the communities within Standing Rock) ever since. His passion for reaching each and every person on the rez is contagious. Day after day he wakes up, waters his plants, refills his bird feeders and then unselfishly dedicates his day to serving those around him. His unconditional love and desire for each individual draws each one closer to knowing Jesus as his/her personal Savior (even if they do not realize it quite yet!) Through Boot’s dedication, God is bringing hope to Standing Rock. And that hope is the salvation found in Jesus Christ. On our last night on the rez, Boots commented, “Home is where God leads you. I am home now, and it only took me 65 years to get here.

I guess that saying is true – Home is where the heart is.

Stephanie