Lakota Mission Trip
June 15-23, 2012
Read Tim Green's Latest Newsletter HERE.
February Pray and start saving/raising funds.
Group Leader Brainstorming Session Feb. 24-25. March The final deadline to sign up is March 15. We have to confirm lodging and transportation plans! April Deadline for all supplies to be ordered and the lessons, song lists, etc. completed and sent out. May Final deadline to pay in full and turn in all forms. |
Here are the basics facts...
When: June 15-23, 2012
Where: The Pine Ridge Reservation in the Badlands of South Dakota
What: We will be serving and encouraging the Lakota people in every
way we can, sharing the gospel (mostly in VBS-style programs for kids)
as well as sharing food, building and repairing things, and much more.
Why: The Lakota have been abused and neglected for centuries, often by
people who claimed to be Christians. We're trying to reverse that!
Where: The Pine Ridge Reservation in the Badlands of South Dakota
What: We will be serving and encouraging the Lakota people in every
way we can, sharing the gospel (mostly in VBS-style programs for kids)
as well as sharing food, building and repairing things, and much more.
Why: The Lakota have been abused and neglected for centuries, often by
people who claimed to be Christians. We're trying to reverse that!
Links to help you learn more about the Pine Ridge Reservation
The Wikipedia Entry
The Recent 20/20 Show's Web Page
One of the 20/20 Videos
The Trailer for a Documentary Made About One of Our Early Trips to Pine Ridge
Some notes from Tim Green, our team leader...
Be prepared for God to touch your heart with compassion for the needy and with a calling to draw you closer to Him. I ask you to pray that God takes us where we need to be this year. I ask you to pray that we will follow God where he leads--even if that means dealing with problems. Pray that we seek Him and recognize His plan, not mine; His expectations, not yours, and His call, not that of the world.
Having said that, here's what you can expect:
Fridays & Saturdays: Travel
This is mostly van time (about 22 hours of actual on the road driving), but we'll stop for meals, gas, etc. several times. You're on your own for food and other expenses, these days. We're still confirming lodging at this writing, but it won't be a hotel--possibly just a floor to put your sleeping bag on. More soon.
Sunday Through Thursday
1) Breakfast, Group Devotions and Preparation for VBS / Building Projects
Depending on the day and the weather, these can happen in different orders or at different times, but they all happen "first thing" and as fast as possible.
2) VBS and Building Projects
Expect to be at the VBS sites for several hours until the water and snacks run out, the kids go home, and/or it starts getting dark. Our VBS-style programs include Bible stories, songs, crafts, and games; we also use sidewalk chalk, art projects, bubbles, balloons, puppets, and various sports (especially basketball) to connect with the kids. We have found one-on-one time with individual kids works the best--just listening to them, being their friends, and letting them know they are loved. They especially love piggy back rides and writing Bible verses on our arms with Sharpie markers, and we reinforce the Bible stories and big ideas the whole time.
The building projects vary from week to week. Over the years, we've helped restore The Kennedy Center, a building used almost daily for education, town meetings, Bible studies, wakes, and more. We've also helped build or repair shelters, stairs, ramps, cement floors, church buildings, and more. One project we're working on this year will be a shelter to help them organize, store, and distribute the clothes, blankets, food, bikes, and other donations we (and others) send them. Although we try to have a dedicated construction crew, most all of us will have the opportunity to work on a construction/cleanup project at some point. If you have mad construction skills or are willing to get your hands dirty, let me know and I will sign you on for a possible tour for construction/clean up/ maintenance work.
3) Lunch
We're working on plans to eat more lunches on the reservation and share our food with the people there. More on that soon. Other than that, we do end up eating lunch at some point...
4) Return to Camp
We unpack, reorganize, and clean up, and the food team fixes dinner. We eat, have Group Devotions (often around a campfire or in the Badlands), enjoy some Free Time, and head to bed. Plan on taking an excursion to the Badlands at least one evening, if not nearly every night! They're within site of where we're sleeping.
6) Extra Fun
We cram in the fun excursions to Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse Monument, Wall Drug Store, etc., wherever we can, depending on how the other projects are going. Sometimes smaller groups take turns having some time off to do this while the rest keep things going.
Packing List
You WILL need the following:
Sleeping Bag, Bible, Pillow(s), Flashlight, Air Mattress/Cot/Pad (if needed), Rain Gear, Towels, Bug Repellent, Medications (any needed), Sun Screen, Personal Hygiene Items, Clothes you can get dirty/ruined, including at least one pair of long Pants.
Please include an Overnight Bag for our mid-drive lodging, as we will NOT completely unpack at the halfway point. This bag should must contain your Bible, sleeping bag, pillow, pj’s, achange of clothes, deodorant, tooth brush, meds and anything else you will need access to before we arrive in SD.
Be prepared for both cold and extremely warm temperatures; items that are easy to layer are ideal. I suggest having a hoodie or light jacket on hand, because the altitude makes for some crazy temperature changes (mornings and late evenings are liable to be chilly). I also recommend t-shirts over tank-tops due to the Sunburn potential.
Shoes with sturdy soles (tennis shoes, boots) are best. Please, no flip flops or sandals at the VBS/Construction sites (e.g. flip flops etc at camp only). This is because glass shards, nails, etc. are everywhere, and it’s hard to play basket ball in flip flops! Really sturdy and tight sandals (e.g., Chocos) are OK, but choose carefully!
STRONG SUGGESTIONS
1. Do not bring valuable items or clothes/shoes that you do not want to be damaged, lost, or stolen.
2. Label everything! Sharpies work great.
3. There will be opportunities for souvenirs & amazing scenery for photographs, so you may want to plan accordingly, keeping note #1 in mind.
That's it for now, but my contact information is below. God bless you!
Tim Green, Team Leader
Tim Green cell 865-603-1296 email tim.green6522@gmail.com
