Growing and Learning

Anytime you get a group of adolescent boys together for any extended period of time you will have your highs and lows. This group has been largely all about the highs. So that I can end on positive note I will relay the ONLY negative to the whole week. It is not even a negative, it is about learning how to work and live together in community. Trying to get each of the guys to do their part at the bunkhouse when it comes to cleaning, doing dishes and respecting each other is a challenge for any group. We have some guys who were first to jump up to accomplish any chore thrown and them and some guys who were unsure or content to have someone do it for them. In the end everyone has pulled their weight.

Today in the classroom has been business as usual, but we made a decision as a group to help support the 7^th grade fundraiser to Yellowstone. This was significant because the boys have limited cash and they made a conscious decision to partake in this regardless. The 7^th grade also put on the weekly mass and Fr. Ed talked extensively about the Ascension and the upcoming Pentecost, very fitting under the circumstances. They have forged some relationships with the kids and their primary objective was to be a role model of why education is important. In talking to the students about dreams and what could be for themselves they have sparked interest in things that some of the De La Salle student may not have thought possible.

It is a hard time around the school as their year comes to a close. Each year DLSBS goes through transition. It is a poor school with limited resources and the teachers sacrifice greatly in their personal live to teach here. Some of the more seasoned teachers are at a place in their lives where they are ready to move on. All of the teachers are young energetic and selfless, but there comes a time when they want to start families and focus on careers. They need to fulfill their own dreams. The DLSBS students are hurting because they are close to these teachers. Our boys have helped like all the immersion groups as a buffer to this. In addition to 4 teachers moving on the principal is also moving on. This is a lot of turn over for such a small school. Thankfully Brother Ray and Brother Dale are up to the challenge of keeping this school going strong.

This afternoon the CBC boys took some time to visit the Trading Post and the Gift Shop to get some gifts and souvenirs. They enjoyed the opportunity to shop and check out some beautiful Native American art and artifacts. When we got back to the bunkhouse we assigned a team of three to help Brother Ray replace and spruce up the solar lighting around the bunkhouse and Mr. Gerdes replaced a faucet while I continued my role as Mr. Mom and cooked supper. We shared our supper with Brother Ray and Darnell Rides at the Door. She and her granddaughter shared their experiences as members of the Blackfeet tribe. The boys asked wonderful, insightful questions. They showed they were learning about the plight of the Blackfeet and other Native Americans.

As the evening winds shut you can see how these boys have grown together as a group. As I sit here typing this up they have had a wonderful conversation about their childhood TV shows, Movies and experiences. Many laughs have been shared and you can see their inhibitions dropped as they have grown into a community. They may never all be best friends but they will always be able to share this experience. I hope these ranks as some of the strongest memories they have.

Tomorrow we get to have some fun and then start our long journey home. 

Men For Tomorrow…Brothers For Life

Live Jesus in Our Hearts…Forever