South Dakota

The days and nights pretty much ran together, but I wanted to write about some of my takeaways from the trip.  It was a long week in many ways, but it also went by very quickly.  The trip was fairly primitive - no showers, no cells, no computers...etc.  I loved being out in the middle of nowhere without the distractions or the busyness of city life.  Having been back for a little over a month now I have realized how different ministry is here at home.  How fast paced it is and how at times perfectionism creeps into it making it more of a show than ministry. 

Over the last month life has been moving at break-neck speed.  However, I think my biggest take away has been to let things be, they don't have to be perfect ... life goes on ... ministry goes on.  It is a struggle for me to not have everything just as it should be, but I'm growing, I'm learning, I'm being stretched in ways that I have never been stretched before ... and yet I am thankful for this reminder that its about the people ... simply loving on the people, not worrying about the programs, the stuff, having it all together ... its the people who matter.  And in the past month I have at times (many times to be honest) lost focus of that - yet in the end people and relationships are all that's left.

I am thankful for these reminders that God provides to step into another culture, another place, another ministry and be refreshed, reminded, and refocused. 

South Dakota - Photos

Make a Smilebox slideshow

South Dakota - Day 3

We’re here and getting started on several work projects.  Ministry on the reservation is tough … and the burnout rate is fast – usually 1-2 years for a pastor on the reservation.  As I told the team, wer’re here to encourage the pastor and do whatever she needs.  There are several things that we’re working on this week that she isn’t able to do herself. 

Our first project today was to begin tearing out and replacing a sidewalk.  We are still in the process of breaking apart concrete – it is a slow process, but going smoothly.  We have all taken turns with the sledgehammer today and will continue to do so tomorrow after church.  We have also been helping Sonya with her home – trimming, weed wacking, mowing, scarping, and painting her garage.  Tomorrow we’ll continue to work on those projects!

Today we were working on Sonya’s yard and one of the teen girls on the team realized that her neighbor was having a ton of trouble moving around, so she took the initiative to go and talk with the neighbor and ask if we would be able to help her in anyway.  The neighbor was more than thankful for the help and tomorrow we’ll be mowing her lawn for her!

As a special treat, Mark and I loaded up all 9 of the kids and took them with us to Mobridge to buy supplies.  I was thinking it would be good for them to see more of the reservation and take a small break after a long morning of work, I wasn’t thinking that meant we would be shopping with 9 kids!I’m not sure what we were thinking taking all 9 of them, but we did it and no one got hurt or in trouble!  After 3 stops at hardware stores and a stop at a grocery store, we made it out alive, but having gotten many strange looks from the townspeople who were out shopping today!

This is quite a special group … they are having a ton of fun and getting a ton of work done, yet experiencing things that they would have never seen in Indianapolis and allowing God to work in their lives during the trip!

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

South Dakota - Day 1

Throughout the week I'll be posting parts of the journal that I kept while in South Dakota.  Since I didn't have internet access and wasn't able to blog about the trip while there - I still want to give everyone an opportunity to read about it!  This post was written on Thursday, June 25th after arriving in Rapid City, South Dakota.

We’re Here!

How long does it take to go from opposite ends of the Minneapolis Airport?  About 25!  Which is the exact amount of time we had after we got off the plane from Indy and got on the plane for Rapid City!  The final call for our flight was made just as we came running around the corner.  Sweaty, out of breath, and tired – all 15 of us made our flight to Rapid City!  Everyone did a great job staying with the group and not complaining when there wasn’t time for a bathroom trip between flights.

Northwest Air has been amazing all day long.  From the ticket counter at Indy where they were extremely helpful and accommodating for a group our size to Minneapolis where they held the plane (much to the dismay of the 10 or so people who thought they were going to get to bump flights and take our seats!)– everything has been extremely smooth.  They have even begun serving peanuts or cookies along with their in-flight drinks!

 We got into Rapid tonight a little earlier than expected, so we took advantage of the evening. and headed to Mt. Rushmore after a quick stop for food at Wendy’s.  I love the innocence of children.  When I said that we were stopping by Wendy’s for dinner one of the younger kids on the trip said … “But I thought they had nothing”.  During our trainings we had talked about how the people we were going to minister too didn’t have the things that we have … and in his mind that meant absolutely NOTHING!

 The trip to Mt. Rushmore was great and gave everyone a chance to walk around a bit after being on the airplane all day.   Here are a few pics from our Mt. Rushmore trip.

Back to Rapid City - Day 6

Day 6? Honestly ... I have no idea what day this is!  Things have begun to run together this week :-)

We wrapped up this morning in McLaughlin and headed back into Rapid City.  Our morning was full of goodbyes - the kids did a great job connecting with some of the neighbor kids this week, so it was hard for them to leave them behind.  But, we had some great talks about how to say goodbye and looked at a passage in Acts where Paul said goodbye to the church at Ephesus.  It was a great time of discussion and learning for everyone one!

We left McLaughlin around noon mountain time and drove about 5 hours to Rapid City.  Tonight we took a hike ... or rather a climb ... up one of the hills here in Rapid City.  There was a beautiful sunset and we had some time to just sit and share as a group.  

Tomorrow we'll head into the Black Hills for a day of fun and relaxation before heading home on Thursday.

McLaughlin - Day 4

Hello all!  I happened to stumble upon an open wireless signal tonight outside the church in McLaughlin!  It has been a tiring couple of days, but everyone is doing well!

The past few days have been very busy!  We have talked a lot about WHY we're here ... which is to encourage the pastor and I think tonight the kids learned a HUGE lesson about what Sonya deals with on a daily basis.

You see, we've worked really hard on tearing out and replacing a sidewalk this week, as well as a few other projects.  We went for a drive tonight and when we returned someone had dug into, drawn in, and scraped up the cement that was still setting and drying.  

At first, there was frustration and anger, but everyone then realized that this is life here.  It's hard and there's a lot of anger.  What we talked about earlier this week about how we're here to encourage the pastor who is in this environment everyday became a real life example to the kids.  They saw an example of life here.  

As a team, we gathered around the sidewalk and prayed for those who had done this, as well as for those here on the reservation and for Sonya, the pastor here who ministers to the people here in McLaughlin everyday.

I'll blog more once we get to Rapid tomorrow night ... I have everything in a Word document right now :-)  We will leave here for a 5-6 hour drive around noon tomorrow and then spend a day relaxing before heading home!  See you all in Indy on Thursday!

We're Here!

(I don't think anyone was ready when Jim took the picture - but its the only one I have of everyone!)

How long does it take to go from opposite ends of the Minneapolis Airport?  About 25!  Which is the exact amount of time we had after we got off the plane from Indy and got on the plane for Rapid City!  The final call for our flight was made just as we came running around the corner.  Sweaty, out of breath, and tired – all 15 of us made our flight to Rapid City!  Everyone did a great job staying with the group and not complaining when there wasn’t time for a bathroom trip between flights.

 Northwest Air has been amazing all day long.  From the ticket counter at Indy where they were extremely helpful and accommodating for a group our size to Minneapolis where they held the plane (much to the dismay of the 10 or so people who thought they were going to get to bump flights and take our seats!).  An attendant even boarded before our departure from Minneapolis to ask me what flight we had come in on and how many bags we had to make sure that they made it on our plane to Rapid City!  Everything has been extremely smooth.  And they have even begun serving peanuts or cookies along with their in-flight drinks!

We got into Rapid tonight a little earlier than expected, so we took advantage of the evening.  After dinner we went out to Mt Rushmore.  What a sight it is ... especially as the sun is setting!  We spent some time together as a team and then watched the lighting ceremony.  

Everyone is in bed and exhausted (don't worry ... they've been in bed for awhile now!)!  Tomorrow we leave for McLaughlin after we have devotions with a Lakota Pastor here in Rapid City.  They all say hello :-)

South Dakota

I head out today with a team of 15 for Rapid City, South Dakota.  We'll be spending most of the week on the northern side of the state at the Standing Rock Reservation working on some construction projects and with the kids there in the town of McLaughlin.

Please pray for the team while we're gone.  Pray for hearts of team members and those we minister to, for safety, for travel, and that we would be flexible and willing to follow where God leads!

If I have internet access I'll update during the trip ... if not I'll update when we return next week!

One Week

A week from now I'll be in the land of South Dakota.  

We're heading to Standing Rock Reservation to spend the week there working with a local church in McLaughlin, South Dakota - near the North Dakota state line.  After the busyness of life here near the city I'm really looking forward to the slower pace of the west!

Hopefully while there I'll be able to post some updates - but there's a good chance we'll be out of cell phone reception and internet access - if I'm not able to update while there I will update about the trip once we get back!

2 Weeks...

In 2 weeks I'll be in Rapid City, South Dakota.  I am looking forward to this trip and the way that God is going to use it in my life and in the lives of those on the team that is going with me!  Today I received the rest of the funding I needed for the trip.  I am always amazed at the way God moves people to give.  

Challenges and Growth

I met with the team that will be going to South Dakota for the first time this morning.  I am excited for the trip and it looks like its going to be an awesome team!  Throughout the morning I was challenged in many areas, but one really aligned with what God has been teaching me lately.

I've been here now for 2 years ... its been a fast and busy 2 years, but its been really great.  Lately, I've been reflecting on my past and how I've changed in the last couple years.  God has been teaching me that its ok to be who He created me to be and not who others want me to be.  He's been showing me my past experiences and how through those experiences He has molded me into the person I am today. Ultimately, He has been teaching me that my past is my past - and it can be used to help others ... its not something to hide!

This will be my fourth trip to a Native American Reservation.  I sat down last night and began thinking about this trip ... and asked myself ... why?  Why Native Americans?  Why the United States? Why?  Through my thoughts and conversations with God I realized that I have a lot in common with those I am going to minister to.  My background is much the same as those I will minister to - we come from different places, yet there is a commonality between us.

We all have a culture ... it's where we're from.  What's your culture?

Make a Smilebox photobook

Thanks to Aime I think my roommate and I just found a great new way to spend our time :-)

Here's a quick recap of this past summer's mission trip to South Dakota. This was so much fun...I can guarantee there will be many more to come ... stay tuned!

A Story from South Dakota...

While in South Dakota I shared about how mission trips with kids and teens are really about all the teachable moments that arise during them! Here's a cool story about one of these moments while I was in South Dakota.

On Friday, we arrived in White Clay, Nebraska and immediately got to work on several different tasks. I found myself and two teens in a garden. Now, let's take a sideroad for a moment...below is the "garden" I thought we were going to be weeding with hoes...

...it looked like a small, bordered garden - between the three of us I thought surely we could have this finished and looking nice in about an hour's time - that was until Bruce, the 555 Ministry Leader kept walking...right past the "garden"!

And walking, and walking, and walking ... until our view opened up to this...

THE REAL GARDEN! At this point I was thinking about how much harder the task ahead had just become, but we got to work and began weeding the garden row by row - taking a quick break each time we would complete a row! About the third row in I heard one of the teens say..."I hate weeds, why do we have to have them anyway?" Well, this led to a conversation about Adam and Eve, Creation, Sin, the things that changed when sin entered the world, and about Heaven and being restored with Christ. Questions abounded and conversation went on and on as we talked about these things all because of a simple garden, overrun with weeds. Even in the midst of all the hard work I know that I will never look at a garden overrun with weeds the same again, nor will these teens. Forever I, and hopefully they too, will see a weedy garden as a result of sin coming into the world and our separation from Christ, which can only be restored through our relationship with Him.

To today's generation hands on experience means so much more than reading something in a book or hearing it - obviously the teens I was with didn't remember that weeds and toilsome work were because sin entered the world, but through their experience and conversation in the garden that day, I'm not sure they'll ever forget the lesson they learned!

South Dakota - Day 8

We arrived home in Indy late this afternoon! To say the least, I think everyone is pretty exhausted!

I had the opportunity to sit down today with the members of the team and ask them about their experiences on this trip, what God had taught them, and their favorite parts of the trip. Their answers were amazing - from meeting new friends to learning that there's a big world out there - everyone learned so much and did such a great job!

What impressed me the most though was that everyone's favorite part of the trip - was the most difficult part of the trip. The overnight trip on Friday and Saturday to White Clay, Nebraska left quite a lasting mark with each person. Being able to be there and minister in a difficult environment was amazing, but what was more amazing was the response of everyone - even the youngest members of the team. I watched in awe as 12 and 13 year olds sat down with homeless people who looked tough and scary, yet opened up so much as the kids began to talk with them and share stories about life. Everyone was deeply impacted by this time over lunch on Friday.

To say the least, we shared life this past week with some wonderful people in Rapid City and with each other. Lasting relationships were built and a deep impact was made in each person's life. I could not be more proud of the team that I got to serve alongside this past week - from the way that they took in new friends and showed love to everyone they met to the way that they were willing to do whatever was asked of them - everything came together and made up a great week of ministry.

Each of us this week had the opportunity to grow more in our faith by hands on experience. It created some great conversation time while we were working and many opportunities for teachable moments along the way. This past week I had the privilege to work alongside a group of people who are willing to live lives that are owned by God!

South Dakota - Day 7

We packed up and left White Clay early this morning. On our way back we took the scenic route through the Badlands. It was amazing to see - we even stopped and walked around a little! This afternoon we helped the local YMCA with setup for a banquet. After dinner tonight we'll be heading back over there to bring everything back to the church. Right now we're getting cleaned up, resting, and packing! We'll be heading home tomorrow!

I can't say enough how amazed I have been with this group of teens. They haven't complained all week! Instead, they've worked very hard and done whatever they were asked to! God has really been working in each of our lives and I know that they will be excited to share the things that they've learned when they arrive in Indy tomorrow!

Nebraska - Day 6

Yes! You read that right! Nebraska! We got up early on Friday morning and drove about 2 hours to White Clay, Nebraska. The population there is 14, but the alcohol sales each year total more than 4 million dollars. The town is the first place you come to just past the reservation - its about 2 miles from Pine Ridge, South Dakota. We worked with the 555 Ministry while in White Clay - the team divided up and accomplished a lot! Some helped prepare lunch for some of the people there, while others worked in a large garden, treated a wood platform, and took apart a fallen tree. Pat even had the opportunity to help put the Tee-Pees together! It was a busy, busy, busy day, but everyone worked hard and did a great job!


Following the long day of hard work, we had a wonderful evening. A Native American Storyteller joined us for about an hour and shared some stories, then shared about her life and testimony. The winds then died down enough for a small campfire where we roasted hot dogs for dinner and S'mores for dessert. We also sat and shared about the week and what God has been doing in each of our lives this past week. There was also a beautiful sunset. Then, we had the opportunity to camp-out and sleep in Tee-Pees!

South Dakota - Day 5

After working so hard this week, we took a little time off today and had some fun!

Our first stop was the Cosmos, which was probably the kids favorite! Its a place way back in the Black Hills where the gravity is a little bit off. It was pretty hard to stand up straight - and I have to admit that I'm getting old, because it made me a bit woosy!


From here it was on to Mount Rushmore! What a sight that was to see as we walked the 1/2 mile around the Memorial and took in the statue from several different angles! There was also a museum where we learned more about the mountain and of course, a food court, where we had some lunch!

Following Mount Rushmore we shopped a little in Keystone, then headed over to Sylvan Lake - YES! The lake where National Treasure 2 was filmed! The lake was beautiful and the kids had a chance to cool down and swim a little!

Following our time at the lake we went to the Crazy Horse Memorial - It is currently the only mountain carving in progress, and has been in progress for more than 50 years!


We wrapped up this fun filled day with a cookout at the Sorum's home. The kids got to hang out with some new friends while we sat and shared stories and talked about the week here in Rapid City. The Sorum's live on the edge of a beautiful canyon at the edge of the Black Hills!

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.

South Dakota - Day 3

First of all, let me say that this group is AMAZING! Everyone worked so hard today and accomplished so much - they're also asking some incredible, thoughtful questions, learning more about their faith and have an excitement to serve the Lord - parents you have some amazing young people!

This morning began with the opportunity to hear a man named Rusty share his story. He is currently seeking out God's purpose for his life, and as we talked about tonight he has broken through the cycle that seems to be all around us - from home to here and across the world! We talked about how many times people can become prisoners of their past, slaves of their current circumstances, and fearful of their future - but Rusty clearly has broken through these things! Christ has freed him from his past and he is daily overcoming the circumstances that he faces, while seeking the Lord about his future and knowing that God is in control.

Following our time with Rusty we got to work!

Paint...Paint...Paint!!! That was our theme for the day!

After a full day of painting, we cleaned up and got ready for the third day of Global Expedition! Tonight almost 100 children attended and everyone had a great time! We made weavings, played games with a parachute and had pudding and Oreos for snack!




The teens have done an incredible job connecting with the local teens here! They are enjoying hanging out with them each night and partnering with them in ministry here in South Dakota!

Here's a few more pictures from our time today! Tomorrow will once again be a busy day as we attempt to finish painting the duplex and wrap-up Global Expedition!