The Power of the Give Away:
Rev Charla Hermann

A few years back, I found myself sitting at a Café in Peru with a group of gal-pals. A very regal woman entered and commanded the attention of everyone in the room as well as the band of children that followed her. As she gave us a big hug, she asked one in the group. Brooke Medicine Eagle, if we had ordered the extra meals to go. Brooke smiled and nudged me with a “watch this” sort of look. In addition, I did, watch as this beautiful woman named India pack up the boxes of food and parade off to the fields with all of these children to share our abundance. It was a joy to see these young children feasting on the extra foods that we have come to take for granted. I was told that India does this in all of her travels around the world. She shares food, clothing, and whatever her traveling guests have that they will give.

Another powerful experience for me took place in El Paso, Texas as I shot a Cellular phone commercial with a man who used his phone for the good of the children. This fine man ran an orthopedic shoe store, his walls covered with humanitarian awards. He ran a clinic in Jarez for the thousands of young, single mothers and their starving children. I was introduced to a very sweet woman with eleven children who lived in a tarpaper shack. She invited me to her home to share a meal for the time I had spent caring for her son. When I arrived, I realized that she brought home two bags of groceries a week with one pound of meat and beans, which I feasted upon as I held back my tears for my own many blessings.

Still another time, I found myself in South Dakota coming off a long ceremonial fast. A family of eight showed up to honor all of the Dancers and Questers, bringing a huge pot of chicken soup. Later the Holy man explained to me that was all of the food that these people had. They so believed in the power of healing that comes form the Ceremony, that they were willing to give their all to experience our prayers.

These stories could go on for days. We each have them around us each day. As I write them, it is not to remind you or me as to how blessed we are. We should all know that. I do write to remind you that even when times get tough, there is always someone who has it worse. Much worse. I write them to remind you that when you are without, you probably are not. When you are feeling like you are doing without, perhaps that is the best time to give away. The bottom line on all of these stories is a reminder for each of us that prosperity comes with responsibility. When we take the responsibility to share back to the source of life, we are feeding the source that feeds us. It is very important time of spiritual balance.

I offer to you that one of the greatest joys in my life is to continue the Give Away Ceremony. Each time I empty the Give Away boxes, I begin to fill them again. Each morning I give thanks, for all that, I have and all that I am able to share in a responsible manner. This joyful teaching came to me from my mother when I was a very young child. She called it tithing; I call it the law of reciprocity. Whatever you call it, it is one of the most powerful gifts that you can give yourself and your family.

For all of you who will find supporting this new shelter a meaningful part of your own gift of service, we your board of directors and teachers thank you for caring for the children yet to come. We are proud to day that this shelter WILL GROW CORN!

Grant Requests:

Many of you work in the Healing and educational fields, as well as corporate. Those of you who know of any granting departments that we should be applying to for the new shelter, PLEASE SHARE. We will be putting together a master grant package this Spring. Any suggestions that you might have would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance for the support. We will publish a list of needs in our next newsletter as things come together in a more meaningful form.