South Dakota - Day 4

Teachable moments are one of the best parts of mission trips - opportunities abound to be an example, have a conversation, and just live life together! One such moment arose this morning.

George, who runs a local school here for Native American children, shared with the team about how he strives to help children learn life skills, as well as academic skills. He also talked about how high the unemployment rate is in the area and on the reservations.

Later on I found myself with several of the teens finishing up one of the rooms in the duplex. One of the teens mentioned a conversation that happened in the van while we were driving through Bear Country a few days ago.

The conversation went something like this...

"Hey, look! That guy is cleaning up bear poop!"

"Ew, that's gross, I would NEVER do that job!"

After seeing the things around them this week, spending time with the people here, and beginning to process the situation here in Rapid City - today's conversation went something like this...

"Remember that guy cleaning up the bear poop and how I said I could NEVER do that?"

"Yea, I remember"

"Well, I've realized that I could do that, if it meant that I would have a job."

This is what its all about - helping kids see a world that is bigger than their day to day surroundings and understanding the needs that exist both at home and around the world. We've had some AWESOME conversations the last few days - everyone is really digging into their faith, learning more about God, and evaluating their own situation and how they can be involved in missions both at home and around the world!

We spent today finishing up the two rooms in the duplex and helping to finish painting a mural in Bethel's Special Needs Classroom. This evening, we finished up Global Expedition by visiting Nicaragua. Everyone connected with the children and the other volunteers and did a phenomenal job helping things to run smoothly! Our time here in Rapid City is finished, but we will be traveling to White Clay, Nebraska to work with a local ministry there for two days following our visit to Mt. Rushmore.

Here's a picture recap of the day!

George with the team during Devotions this morning.

A quick game of basketball with Daryl during lunch.

The girls painting the mural in the Special Needs Room.

A new friend.