Busy Week!

This week has been very busy, but extremely satisfying. I came home from Dallas with a renewed sense of purpose. To tell you the truth, I am very happy to be here and I don't want to be anywhere else.

Translation Team:
Lillie, Warren and Leonard are continuing to work on the book of Luke on site. Jesse and Elijah have other commitments, but are doing some revisions and drafting. Jesse is revising the Childrens' Bible Stories Level 1 and Elijah is working on Philippians.

Storytelling:
The ICI storytelling workshop is planned for May 25-27. The first step is a "mini-workshop" to prepare and inform the staff. I drafted a preliminary outline. Eddie gave me some more information about the recording equipment and the technological side of things. (I was very tempted to sit and play with the Olympus recorder!)

Partnership Development:
84% promised! I continue to reach out and share about Bible Translation as I build my team of prayer and financial partners. I'm taking an online PD seminar through Wycliffe. It's been helpful and encouraging. This weekend I am sharing at a church in Jackson, MS.

Drama at Hopewell Baptist Church:
We didn't have a practice this week because of the tribal elections. A lot of folks are attending rallies. Leonard has a lot of great ideas. He'd like to incorporate drama and dance into the ministry of his church.

God Sized Vision

I want to share some inspiration with y'all. A vision. A God sized vision.

The Choctaws are unique among Native American tribes because their language is still spoken in homes, churches, schools and in the work place. I consider it a privilege to be part of this community. I hear Choctaw spoken when I am shopping at the grocery store! According to Miko (Chief) Beasley Denson, 85% of tribal members speak Choctaw as their first language! That means that the Choctaw language touches hearts in a way that the English language doesn't.

As an Arts Intern, I understand how the Arts (storytelling, drama, visual arts, music and dance) allows people to connect with others. In their own culture, but also with people from other cultures. Arts are a cultural universal! Christian artists are in a unique position to be catalysts for change.

I don't know about you, but I want to be part of what God is doing. I want to be part of something big! I've been praying about a God sized vision. Jesus tells us to pray that "His kingdom will come and His will be done on Earth as it is in heaven." Wouldn't it be wonderful if God's kingdom came to the Mississippi Band of the Choctaw Indians?

I want to be part of something so big that only God can be given glory for it. He is faithful!

Translation Progress

At our staff meeting this morning, translators Lillie, Leonard and Warren gave updates on their translation progress. Lillie and Luke are preparing the book of Luke for publication. Warren is learning the translation software and creating a word list. The challenge right now is making sure the translation is ready for publication - and that all of the words are in the Choctaw modern alphabet.

Marathon Socialization

I've been doing a lot of full-on socialization while I'm in Dallas! I've had a chance to talk with Karl Franklin about storytelling in preparation for our workshop at the end of May. I caught up with the Musicology and the Arts staff (getting a healthy dose of snark!). I have a lot of resources and I'm excited about getting started.

I am extremely blessed. Blessed beyond measure.

The all too familiar pangs of loneliness started again late this afternoon. I miss the Rez and the people there. I'm going to be heading back to central Mississippi tomorrow.

Visiting Texas

I am in Dallas, Texas tonight. I had a meeting to discuss the upcoming storytelling workshop with the the staff at ICI (Institute of Chata Immi) in Pearl River. Spending eight hours behind the wheel is a little hard, especially being in the car alone. I made it, though and I'm very happy to be in Texas.

Being away from Mississippi confirms to me that that's the place I'm supposed to be. It's strange to visit a place where I used to live, I used to have a complete life. Things have moved on and changed - of course they have. It's nice to see some of my friends in person, realizing that God has allowed them to grow. I am privileged to witness the grace of God in their lives.

Thought

See everything, overlook a great deal, correct a little.

Pope John XXIII

Kamap Raskol Meri? Nogat!

My career as a raskol has been cut short. Yesterday my new coworker Warren and I were locked out of the office. I managed to crawl in through an office window but I have bruises all over my arms now. I'm not going to be doing that anytime soon!

Things have been pretty quiet at the office. Laura came up on Tuesday for a few hours and I got to play with her son Kinsley. Jason is on vacation this week.

I'm tired, y'all. I really need a vacation. Perhaps a trip to Texas?