The Green Grass Experience

Today our group helped out with the little kids’ camp in the morning
and Joel, Seth, Adrienne, and I took the kids on a walk to the rodeo
grounds again. When we got there some kids saw that the some horses
were very close to the fence and wanted to go pet them. They were all
excited about it and even fed them some grass. Later on in the
evening, around four-thirty, we all packed up into cars and drove out
to Greengrass. Along the way we saw some buffalo with their calves.
They were really big, and scary-intimidating. I mean, this wasn’t your
average Grant farm trip, this was right there in front of you. It was
amazing, at least for a few seconds anyway. The church we went to in
Greengrass was small. VERY small. Not a lot of people came to eat with
us too. Randy came with us, and a few more people met us up there. One
was a woman, Shirley Fiddler, who talked all about their history and
even sang us some Lakota hymns. It was a very interesting night and I
loved hearing about the chiefs and what had happened back then.
Tomorrow is the Art and Heritage Festival and we are all very excited
about that. We thank God that we will be able to see and hear all
about their culture and learn more about them.

Encouragement

Today is day three of our trip and everything seems to be going great.
We had a camp for the younger children where they just played
volleyball, soccer or just ran around the gym. We had people put in
“jail” and jumped on and there were a LOT of piggy back rides. In the
morning we went outside and cleaned up the kid’s playground. We had
noticed that there was a lot of trash around the playground and in the
grass. After we picked everything up we mowed the grass. We even got a
fence put up around the windows of the Main in the playground. In the
afternoon, there was a basketball camp for the older kids where we had
a full court game with four of the teens there. We played for about an
hour or so nonstop. Many of us were VERY tired after that. Yesterday
we had the chance to talk to Randy, a Christian living on the
reservation, and he had given us hope to share with the teens. In
fact, some of us had the chance to talk to some youth about the bible.
We thank God that he gave us a chance like that and for keeping us
safe here and healthy.

Learning the Ropes

On our second day our team got together with some of the long term
volunteers to go over the rules and what is expected for us. We then
took a tour of both the Teen Center and the Main. After the tour we
each separated to go do our different jobs. The kids went off to help
with the younger children and took them on a walk to what the children
called the Powwow Grounds. Some adults went to go cook in the kitchen
and we had three adults going out and getting windows to replace the
ones broken. So far they have three of the eight that they bought. The
older kids got to play in the gym with the older kids later on in the
evening. We all found out how good they are real fast. Some kids even
played a little two on two with some of them. Joel and I had a great
oppurtunity. We were able to sit in with a meeting that they were
having at the Teen Center. They talked about the changes that they
wanted to happen in their community, what they were proud of in their
community, and what qualities their ideal leader would have.We thank
God that we are able to help out here and just hang with the kids.
It’s been really interesting learning about their situation here and
we pray that we will be able to help as much as we can.

Michele

Team 4 and time on the CR

Day 1- July 26

    I am a little late posting but here it is finally. So we arrived
close to the middle of the day and just got everything unpacked and
set up in the kitchens and where everyone will be sleeping. The kids
got the best room, the library. We had devotions and made dinner,
which was pretty much all we did that day. After dinner we went to the
only Diary Queen around and almost got locked out of the Teen Center.
The Teen Center was created by the youth on the reservation,
literally. The long time volunteers here sent out surveys about what
the teens wanted if they could have their own center and everything in
the building was what the teens requested.  There is a large, rather
nice, gym where the teens usually play tons and tons of basketball
(which is how they got so amazing at it) and an “Internet Café”.
Besides the Teen Center there are two other buildings. One, which is
right across from the Center, is where the Elders meet and the other,
which is right next to the Center, is a building called the Main, even
though it isn’t on Main Street anymore. The Main is where all the
younger children from grades sixth and under get to hang out and just
play around on the play ground outside. We arrived safely here and
didn’t have any troubles, except for almost losing a watermelon and a
box of apples. We thank God for giving us safe passage here and pray
that he will also help us with our mission to help the people that
live here.

Michele

Team 4 and so it goes on

Praise be to God how he works.  Team 4 is about to leave for South Dakota.  As the last team there are many exciting things God will have them do.  Following on the 20:26 Rock the REZ tour they will be doing follow up plus completing what remains of the projects started by other teams.  While they are the last they are few from the least in service.  This team will be assisting in a Youth Conference and in the Art and Heritage Festival while on CR.  Please pray for this team as they serve others to serve the Lord.

Rock the REZ completed

Sometimes things happen that we can't understand and often question.  The last day on CR brought that feeling, excitement for the concert and the message to come yet a doubt that any walls will be breached.  A meet and greet lunch with fun and wonder from the young kids and youth added to all the energy.  Speaking with Randy and David gave hope to the music, art and message about to happen.  Would those listening know there is a Savior Jesus who cares?  I could only hope that part is clear.
As the concert begins, my trust in the music and message getting through to those in the audience lessened.  As I see some leave I am heart sick.  Is this their last time to hear about a Savior who loves them so much he died for them?  It was hard to focus on the ones still in the gym listening when others had gone.  During Taylor's Song I saw the tears of a young teen, later that would flow more as the message of what do you see in the mirror was conveyed  and What does Jesus see and how does he care?  That part clear.  I saw a Pentecost moment when Lakota youth talked about the message being personal as those meant for just them alone.  God spoke and they listened, it was an amazing moment.  
While still hurting for those who left, I can rejoice in the ones who stayed and were fed the gospel message.
I am reminded that I am to trust in the Lord with all my heart and lean not on my understand but to acknowledge Him and he will make my path straight.  I have no way of knowing what impart the 20:26 Rock the REZ will have on those listening but I know I have a God who cares for all including the Lakota on CR.

TGIF

Well it's Friday and we are all tired.  Letting many relax and just get some rest before the midnight basketball tonight.  It's been an intersting week and a productive one as well.  The fence is finish and so are many other jobs which is nice.  God has done some amazing things this week with the team and will continue, some times it's hard to trust him but I know he is always with us keeping us in his care. Well for now this is it until next time.