God sightings

Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men Ephesians 6:7
Today was busy for the team as some worked in the warehouse and others with the children.  Many challenges faces some teammates as the kids in the Main we having a wilder then normal day.  Flexibility was the order of the day and by the grace of God everyone managed to getting done assigned jobs and keep tempers in check.  Our day began with breakfast and a devotion lead by Barbara.  Prep work for canning began as strawberries we cleaned from the garden group (Brooke, Mary with Romey) who picked 14 pounds of strawberries.  Luke and Oliver worked in the walk in freezer and the 2 chest freezer getting outdated food thrown out.  Brooke too others to work in the warehouse while Natalie lead others in organizing the Main library.  All were busy in the morning hours.  Come noon all were ready for a break and lunch.  The afternoon was working with the kids with a few others taking care of needed chores.  Brooke lead the evening Bible Study on the subject of noise.  The God sighting we talked about we varied from God providing a need person at the right moment to protecting a team member from a confrontation.  It was awesome to hear everyone relay their personal God sightings.  How great is He who protects His children and we sure feeling His protecting hands around us.  

My plans aren't alway God's Plan

In Proverbs 3:5-6 it states, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding in all thy ways acknowledge Him and he will make your path straight."  Yesterday was a lesson of trust as only 2 planned task were implemented, the freeze cleaned out and the warehouse inventoried and organized.  Our day started with the orientation which lasted all morning then lunch and work with the kids.  Oliver and Luke started work in the freezer, Matt and Al mowed in the garden, with Rena, Mary, Kathy, Tricia and Alexis with the smaller children working in the garden with 2 long terms Arieanna and Cara.  Hannah, Natalie and Nikki helped in the Teen Center with in the locker rooms getting the cleaned up for the basketball camp taking place in the gym later in the day.  Brooke and Hans headed to Green Grass to find out about the VBS.  The team didn't feel strained with them gone for over 2 hours.  To jump ahead, when they returned we all discovered there were 2 groups out at Green Grass doing a VBS at the Baptist Church and the UCC Church.  Brooke while disappointed made a leadership decision to cancel the VBS and keep the dinner and worship service on Thursday.  Brooke and Hans talking with the groups out there found out they we a green team and very discouraged by how few kids came to the VBS.  The 2 reminded how God's word isn't about numbers but people and a few need the message of salvation just like the many do.  It was arranged to serve the groups and the community of Green Grass dinner and do a prayer service.  As we don't have a Pastor I'm not sure what we will do yet but I have no doubt God already has that worked out.  Later in the evening we got a surprise visit from Derek, he talked at length to the team about his art and his beliefs also challenging me as a Christian to how the spirit works and how do I feel the presents of the spirits...a simple response of the unity of common faith in the circle we were sitting in make me feel the presence of the Holy Spirit for i know in unity I am strong even when I am weak.  Derek asked if that was apart of my good deeds.  As I have not good deeds of my own to please God with it is through his grace alone that I am worthy.  After Derek left it was Kathy who commented that he used the word I a lot as though he were trying to prove he had worth.  It was a great ending to the day and a reminder of how God is working in our lives and those around us on Cheyenne River.

On CR

Well we are now on CR with team 2.   God was so good to us yesterday, we got away from Zion around 5:30am.  Normally we arrive in Mitchell about 6:30 but this year it was 4:45PM.  that doesn't sound like a big deal but a severe storm went through Sioux Falls less then an hour after we passed through.  They had baseball size hail and had to close many streets.  Only God could explain why we arrived early with all the road construction we encounter.  It turned out to be a relaxing evening for the team and a chance to get to know each other a little better.  While at Zion Mitchell we learn about a woman we was the church organist for over 50 year, she is 99.  Pastor Troester had a wonderful sermon about unity, it was really a great start for the team.  When we arrived on CR the first person to greet us was Alex, it was great chatting with her and hearing what her plans are regarding Law School.  There is so much to tell but I'm tired and need sleep.  I just know God has formed and bond and unity within this team that is amazing.  Well to all reading this good night and I will update tomorrow.

Time to go

Habakkuk 3:17 &18 - "Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall no herd be in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation." (KJV) 
I know this sounds like a strange verse to start a mission trip but it's a reminder that no matter what happens in life we are to rejoice and find joy in God and all he does.  Today Team 2 leaves and I pray each of us focuses on the Son for our salvation, the Father for his mercy and love and the Holy Spirit for guidance.  Each our focus, each our guide as we work and build relationships with the people on Cheyenne River.

Team 1 is on the road again for South Dakota

This morning Team 1 left for South Dakota.  Last minute packing and loading of cars to be sent off with a devotion by Pastor Schlie on love and how we are to reflection God's love to each other.  As they travel keep them all in your prayers.

Team 1 getting ready

Tonight SWAMP-IN team 1 worked  to get ready to leave early tomorrow morning.  It seems strange not going with them but at the same time the mission will never grow if I am there for every team.  God has done amazing things through a lot of people and my prayers and thoughts are with all the members of team 1 as the head to the mission field on Cheyenne River.  Safe travel to all!