Spring Break : Breaking with another culture

So this year for spring break i decided to go on a trip with CSF. We didn't go to Mexico again--even tho that was a blast! We went to an Indian Reservation in Minnesota--where David Lasley's family lives. That week was seriously an amazing week!!! Comming back i really see how much i learned and how much i grew from that experience. its weird once you meet and interact with another culture to see how the boundries between you break down. The kids at our afterschool program became like a family for me!
Now i should probably explain why we went to minnesota.
We went up there to put on an after school program for the kids up there. Now most of you are probably thinking...well whoopy an afterschool program--couldnt they get one anyways. No. the kids at the res really dont have anything to do after school that is why problems like drugs, alcoholism, and other addicting things are so popular at places like a reservation. So, we went up there to show them that there are other options...it wasnt anything like lecturing to them or anything boring like that...it was more about showing it through our actions and how we live our life. the Indian culture is very internal. They prefer to observe instead of talk a lot. It was pretty intersting to see that change from the american culture.
The after school activity that i did was basketball..it was so funny to see all the kids come up to you so cocky...i absolutly loved being able to play with them knowing that if they made fun of you it was because they thought you were cool...i even walked away with a few crushes lol..but the entire experience i had up there was just amazing i couldnt believe how far encouragment could really go! it made me so happy to see how the work we were doing was effecting them. The second day we were there i saw how the encouragement we gave to them the first day during basketball was spread like wildfire. it was encouraging to me to be able to see that happen. here are some pictures from the trip..

This is the group i was with :)

These are the k-2 girls...they were so cute :)

This is Skyler...he was an amazing kid! it was so sad having to leave him!

These were the fourth graders

The fifth graders! they were a crazy group :)

Me and Christie out on the lake...that was so much fun!

the group who went out on the lake :)

this was in wisconsin...and yes it is a mouse with a huge piece of cheese!...haha