Montana Journal Day 3: Tuesday

Today was the first day that Yvonne and I went to the Bump Ranch. When we arrived we were immediately greeted by a chorus of dogs and sheep and goats.
 
We met with the pastor for a little bit before going inside and talking with him and his wife Sheri in the kitchen. They were both so welcoming and funny. 
 
For most of our time at the ranch Yvonne and I mucked stalls while Pastor Hill fixed one of his wheel barrels. Half way through, Calvin joined us and brought in some country music, telling stories and making jokes as we went.
 
Calvin also took us out to meet with horses. There was one baby and one yearling, and most of the mares were pregnant. The ranch also had a horse named Bacardi, who’s daughter was named Cardi B, and a male horse named Offset. At one point Cardi B and Offset were going a little crazy together, running and jumping. Calvin said that that behavior was because of the wind and the cooler weather.
 
After the ranch, we all packed into the vans and drove through the res to Glacier. Joe came with us and spoke about the geography of the res, especially the ridge of land that stretches 30 miles and was created by a large glacier running into the land repeatedly. The weather was really overcast because of the rain, but I think the smoke had started to clear. We only drove a couple of miles into the park, but the views over St. Mary Lake were spectacular. This was where we took our picture with the Block M flag.
 
Everyone slept in the car ride home from Glacier and when we got back to the church the cook had prepared a traditional Blackfeet meal. It was made of boiled potatoes, hard boiled eggs, beef, red sausage, salad, and bread. I only had the vegetarian components, but they were very tasty.
 
We spent the rest of the night talking as a large group with Pastor Rayola, Denise, Sheri, and Calvin. A lot of the conversation centered around religion and how the Pastor’s own life experiences impact his personal relationship with Christianity. He told a story from the Bible that is traditionally about David, but interpreted it differently as a Native. He focused more on the rape of Bathsheba than about David’s punishment. He talked about how the Navajo story of creation actually overlaps closely with the Judeo- Christian story. He hates the white Christian culture, but he doesn’t let that interfere with his belief in basic Christian values like loving your neighbor. -Lizzie Hoyt