Day 2 - Heading to McLaughlin

It was a restless night, but everyone was up early and ready to go this morning for breakfast.  Larry, a Lakota Pastor, came and spoke to the group.  He gave some great information about the Native American culture, do’s and don’ts, as well as shared a devotional. 

I ran to Sam’s to get our food for the week this morning and then we began the packing process!  And what a process it was.  16 people, 16 pieces of luggage, plus 32 carryon pieces and food for an entire week for a team of 16 fit in 2 vans … barely … but it did!

About two hours into our drive to Standing Rock we had van trouble, but everyone did a  great job and enjoyed a picnic lunch on the side of the road.  While we were calling to have another van come and pick up our stuff, a friend of Jim’s stopped by!  Totally a God thing considering that we were on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere!  The trip turned into almost 7 hours, with a couple of gas stops and bathroom breaks along the way. 

We arrived at McLaughlin and drove through the small town searching for the church.  While we waited for Jim and our luggage, food, and supplies to catch up we enjoyed getting to know the pastor here at the church – Sonya.  She shared some of her story with us, told us more about the reservation, and about here ministry here in McLaughlin.

 Once our stuff arrived we ate dinner and then Jim shared a great devotional on the difference between expectations on a trip and expectancy (going into the trip with your expectations set, vs, expecting God to do something incredible!)  Throughout the week I saw this play out in many different ways.  When we live by expectations we tend to let our sinful selves get in the way, but when we focus with expectancy on what God is going to do incredible things happen!  What I learned is that we remove ourselves and our expectations from the picture and allow God to work in His way and His timing!

On the road to McLaughlin, we stopped in Faith, South Dakota 

(where the dinosaur "Sue" was found)

Pastor Jim Sorum calling for help after one of the vans broke down.

The broken down van and some of our lunch supplies.

Some of the teens who went eating lunch and relaxing while we waited for another van to come.

One of the younger kids on the trip ... waiting for everyone to head to McLaughlin