Pine Ridge
Mission Trip Blog
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Friday
– R&R day – : Update – August
5th –
XX:XX PM Angustora Reservoir: Most of us went to
the beach today at the reservoir and had an enjoyable day of fellowship,
swimming, picnicking, some went to Pizza Hut for
lunch, etc. We had a great time. Tonight we will have a closing worship
service and tomorrow morning we will be on our way home. Some families departed today. Anyway, it has been a great trip and we
thank all for their prayers and love.
See you all soon! Thursday
– last work day – : Update – August
4th –
XX:XX PM VBS: We had an awesome
last day! We had fewer kids today so
were able to spend time in small groups with them building relationships and
sharing about Jesus, and the kids were very responsive! We were able to share the gospel message
several ways…through a tie dye project, with different colored balloons and a
stain glass cross. We ended the day
with water balloons and Beanie Babies in the lunches we served, which was a
BIG hit! Construction: We completed many
projects today. At the church we have
been working on, we finished staining the walls, sheet rocking, taping, trim
work, and other things. It looks
really nice. Then, the pastor of that
church stopped by and shared with us the story of his church and his ministry
with troubled youths. It was an
awesome story I could not recount if I tried, but we were all very
impressed. It was really cool. They are hoping to hold their first service
in this new church either this coming Sunday or next Sunday. I really wish we could stay for it. The shed project
went well and they were able to finish up as well. We also put in shelving and cleaned up the
scrap lumber. Earlier in the day we
helped hand out items from our community give-away. Met some nice people who were very happy
with the clothing and the blankets.
One Grandmother of 9 really appreciated the items she found. Reflecting on the week as Crew 5 wrapped it
up, I could not think of one, not one negative word. All who helped served with grace, patience
and kindness. Truly servants with the
hands and feet of Christ. WOW! Putting
up the ceiling at Lillian’s is done and it looks great. Even though we never had the chance to meet
Lillian we did hear that she saw it the other day and was very pleased and
appreciative. We heard that the mold
in there was making her sick to the point that she had to sleep outside. Crew 2 worked great together getting the
ceiling put in and we praise GOD for bringing all of us together to get this
done for Lillian. The project at
Arlene’s house also went very well and finished up all that was set out for
them to do. We had the privilege of
finishing the work already started by other crews earlier in the summer. We
had fun dealing with the unevenness of the floor, but we made it all look
pretty good. We got to meet some of
the family while we were working and we took the time to talk, listen and
even pray. Neighbors of Arlene saw the
work that was being done and asked for help on their properties. While it was sad to say that we could not
do anything during our stay, it was awesome to know that we have a name and
reason to return. It was nice to have
another crew working only 100 yards away.
We were able to help each other out and share tools and hardware. We all learned how you have to conserve and
plan carefully when a hardware store (or 2 or 3) are NOT on the other side of
town. Quilts: We brought about 50
quilts and pillow cases to Pine Ridge that were made
by people from Christ Church. Bill and Barb, who have a prison ministry here
on the reservation, delivered quilts to families they know had a need. Quilts
were also handed out to families who were invited to stop by the school we
are staying at. They are beautiful and a blessing to many families. Wednesday
– Day three – : Update – August 3rd –
XX:XX PM VBS: We had more crazy
fun again today learning about Moses leading the Israelites through the Red
Sea. About 22 kids showed up
today. The weather was again in the
80s, so a much nicer day to run around.
The kids made nametags, played in the gym, saw a puppet show, ate a
snack while watching excerpts from the Prince of Egypt movie, played games,
and made some bead crafts. Tomorrow is
the start of the Oglala Pow Wow, so we don’t know
how many kids to expect, but we’ll be ready to show God’s love to whoever
shows up. Construction: Group 3:
Construction went really well today. Everyone had a task and we completed
many projects for the lord. We were able to finish staining the doors, put up
all the trim in the sanctuary, sheet rock the bathrooms and mud the entrance
which is now finished and ready to be sprayed. WOW… We also broke early
to visit the Red Cloud Indian school private school for children interested
in working toward bettering themselves and the community they live in. The
school has received more Bill Gates scholarships than any other in the
country. We were honored to meet in their very impressive church, built in
2000, after the previous church burned on Good Friday in 1996. Tuesday
– Day two – more work: Update – August 2st –
XX:XX PM It was a cooler day – Yeahhh God! Temp about 86. VBS: We had more kids
today – about 30. They showed up
earlier – the lesson was about God’s power and how God sent the plague on Pharaoh.
The kids got a kick out of Adam getting pelted with marshmallows (a
plague). They had snacks, crafts and
games – a great time. Construction: Construction went
pretty well today. We got into the
groove of the projects and made pretty good progress. The church site got some sheet rocking,
taping, doors hung, some staining, etc.
The Ministry shed got all the exterior walls, interior walls,
sheeting, and stuff done. They got the
doors done as well. Cody, Matt and
Andrew did a great job their today.
The group at Lillian’s continued work on putting up a ceiling for
her. The group at the Veterans home
putting up a shed made great progress as well. The group at Arlene’s is struggling with
some leveling issues getting a floor put in, but they are making progress.
Monday
– First Day of Ministry: Update – August 1st –
XX:XX PM It was a hot day. Temp about 103. Facilities: We are staying at a
school that teaches vocations to local people. They learn construction trades here – it is
a Christian ministry school. We have five crews
working on different projects throughout the area. It is a nice environment. VBS: The VBS crew got
started and about 20-25 kids showed up, eventually. We passed out flyers the day before, and
canvassed the neighborhoods, and people seemed very interested. Then this morning, when no kids had showed
up, we had to walk through some neighborhoods again and round up the
kids. We ended up with a good sized
group that will hopefully return tomorrow. We played games,
sang songs, did crafts, had a puppet show, and learned that “God is with us”
through the story of Moses and the burning bush. Construction: Group 2: Today we worked on
Lillian’s house putting up a new ceiling.
Her roof had been leaking for some time which ruined her existing
ceiling. Previous crews had already
taken down the old ceiling and installation and put up new installation. We were able to get most of the living room
and kitchen done today. We hope to
finish off the kitchen tomorrow and start on the hallway and bedrooms. Group 3: Today we were
working a on church for former gang members. We installed and stained doors, painted
the ceiling, and started mudding the ceiling.
It was a hot day, but we made good progress and are excited about
getting more done tomorrow. The pastor
of this church has about 50 people that are former gang members that are
currently meeting in his house. So, it
will be nice for them to have a church building, when this gets done. Group 5: 6 feet off the
ground with a sawsall over my head I trimmed a joist to make room for a new
wall. Working with my son,Matt, and
Cody M, we started construction on a tool shed for the Mission site to store
their tools. It was a special day in
the fact that I worked with my
son most of the day. Equally special
in working with Cody and getting to know him. Sunday
– Travel to Pine Ridge, SD Update – July 31st –
XX:XX PM We all arrived safely, had a great dinner
and had a nice worship service. Then
we broke into our work crews for the week.
We are working on 5 projects for this week: VBS Crew: Crew 1: Arlene’s Crew 2: Lillian’s Sister installing ceiling - Crew 3: Church –
painting ceiling, installing doors, staining, trim, etc. Crew 4: Vets Shed:
Finishing painting & trenching around for dreain tile Crew 5: Tool shed
for Next Step Missions |
Pastor Tom:
763-913-5413 Please pray • That people would see Christ in our words and actions • That we are accepted by the people • That we are stretched beyond our comfort zones • To grow in our faith • Flexibility, patience and grace • Kingdom growth as the result of our ministry • Good devotional times • God’s blessing on work, businesses and family at home • Safe travel and good health • That people would see Christ in our words and actions • That we are accepted by the people • That we are stretched beyond our comfort zones • To grow in our faith • Flexibility, patience and grace • Kingdom growth as the result of our ministry • Good devotional times • God’s blessing on work, businesses and family at home • Safe travel and good health ·
That Cassie heals from stomach pains and can join in on all the
activities |
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