Day One
07-23-09
Day Two
07-24-09
Day Four
07-26-09
Day Five
07-27-09
Day Six
07-28-09
Day Seven
07-29-09
Day Eight
07-30-09
Day Nine
07-31-09 |
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Day
Nine: 07-31-09
Well, that was certainly a long day. We had been looking forward to our
"off day" at the end of the trip. After all, how many times are we going
to get to see Mount Rushmore up close and personal? Well, before we got
there, we had a 3 hour van ride that started around 645!!!!
Our first site was the Crazy Horse Memorial. It, like Rushmore, is being
carved from the granite hills in the Black Hills of South Dakota.
However, it is still in progress. The project accepts only private
contributions (no gov't support) and still needs about $10M to complete
the project. We watched a 15 minute movie on the history of the
memorial. It is almost 10x the size of Mt. Rushmore, and it was truly
stirring. Many of the kids (and a few adults) took advantage of the
native crafts being sold at the Memorial.
Then we drove another 15 minutes up the road to Mt Rushmore. We stopped
at a little scenic "uplook" to see the side of Washington's head, as well
as observe some of the local mountain goats. Then around to the front for
some pictures of all 4 presidents (Washington, Jefferson, T. Roosevelt,
and Lincoln). Absolutely amazing.
Last stop was at Custer National Park for some lunch. The ambitious ones
(Pete, Andrew, Nic, Matt J., Matt R., Jack and Becky) took off on a 3 mile
hike up to the 2nd highest point in all of South Dakota. Trip up took
about 75 minutes and trip back down took a bit more than 30 minutes. It
was a tough slog over roots and rocks, but the incredible view at the top
made it worth while. The rest stayed down at the base of the mountain by
a pretty little lake and hiked the path, and some other ones through the
woods to some scenic overlooks, and just generally enjoyed the 70 degree
weather (a true blessing).
Then we piled back into the vans, stopped at Pizza Hut for dinner
(yeah!!!!) and then back to base camp for a quick change into some warmer
clothes to head back over to Pine Ridge for the Lakota Pow Wow.
and off we go.
We look forward to our 13 hour van ride back to MN tomorrow and then our
return to Lovettsville on Sunday.
God Bless.
The Pine Ridge Mission Team
 
Day Eight: 07-30-09
Well, today it all hit home. We all saw first hand some of the beauty of
the reservation but also some of the hopelessness. The day started at the
555 Mission making breakfast for the natives of White Clay. Many of these
men and women came in drunk from the day before and those that were not
drunk were very hung over. The Worship Team of Cindy, Mary, Clif and
Taylor played some beautiful music that moved some of the natives to
tears. Jack, Davis, Matt J, and others worked the serving line, cleared
the tables, and spent time with the natives as they ate. It was a very
powerful experience. In all, we had almost 25 served today.
And then it was off to Allen, SD (about an hour drive) for a vacation
bible school at an Assembly of God Church there. We had 63 kids in all
that came out today. It felt to us like we were trying to herd a bunch of
cats, but Shelly (who runs the church) and the YWAM team said they were
relatively calm today. The day consisted mostly of piggyback rides,
crafts, and snacks. There were lots of smiling faces on the kids, but
everyone on the team was struck by how many of the kids had open sores,
had very dirty faces/noses, and used very bad language. Everyone playing
outside with the kids had a blast, but you always had to be aware of the
kids trying to take anything that seemed to have any value. It just
showed how impoverished they are on the reservation, in material goods and
in spirit. The highlight of the VBS had to be Taylor getting painted
almost from head to toe by about 3 or 4 of the 10 year olds. He was quite
a sight.
Then it was off to Wounded Knee, where we learned of the history of the US
Gov't massacre of Chief Sitting Bull and many Sioux Indians on December
29, 1890. We bonded there with a cute little stray dog that followed us
around as we explored. When we returned from Wounded Knee, we stopped for
one last round of craft shopping at the 555. When there, we say many of
the men and women that we'd seen earlier in the AM terribly drunk and, in
one case, passed out. This was terribly difficult for many of the kids
and adults to handle. The day was very emotional for all to see and
feel.
Tomorrow we'll have a free day, but a very busy day. We'll be out the
door at 6AM so that we can see Mount Rushmore, the Crazy Horse Memorial,
have a hike on a trail in the Black Hills and then return to Pine Ridge to
go to the Pow Wow which starts at 7PM.
We love all of you and look forward to seeing you on Sunday.
The Pine Ridge Mission Team
Day Seven: 07-29-09
Jack here. Today is my turn to blog so here goes:
The day dawned very cold and it never warmed up above 65 the whole day.
We started the day with breakfast at 730 and then had quiet time from 8 to
830. Some spend their quiet time in the house; others sit or walk outside
in the beautiful prairie. After quiet time, we headed over to White Clay.
Many of the ladies spent the day working in the 555 Mission. Today, the
ladies decided that the Lakota homeless needed a special treat so they
went to the grocery store and bought some hot dogs and cookies to hand
out. Most of them were genuinely grateful for this extra food as the
mission usually only serves meals on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.
The remainder of the team went down to the Green Tiki Garden to continue
our projects down there. Mike W., Jack R. and Davis R. helped to finish
the "Temple of the Vine" today. Pete led a team of boys in building a
children's garden. Matt J. really led the charge up there. And the rest
continued to clean out the gourd garden that the mission has planted to
give some of the Lakota artists some raw materials for their crafts.
Two real highlights of the day - A Lokata native named Harrison graced us
with his presence today. He was a wonderful artist, entertained us with a
paper trick that evolved into a cross, and helped the team design a few
eagles that they painted onto a big truck for the mission. While he is
has been a resident of the White Clay street for a few years now, he was
sober while with us through the late morning and into the early afternoon,
and really gave the team some hope that residents can be saved.
Becky W. also made a new friend - a 5th grader named Christian. He came
along each day with his extended family who visited us to sell us some
crafts. Becky asked him to stay with us, and his mom said ok. He helped
us weed and paint, and generally horsed around with all of the kids. He
had a really cool sense of humor. He brought home to our youth the impact
of the social conditions on the reservation on the youth of the
reservation.
We are all looking forward to continuing our service to the Lord and to
the residents of the Lokota nation tomorrow through our work serving
breakfast at the 555 Mission and in running a Vacation Bible School in
Allen SD on the Pine Ridge Reservation.
We thank everyone who is praying for us and we miss all of you terribly.
In God's Name
The Pine Ridge Mission Team
 
Day Six: 08-28-09
The team had a busy day today. Several of
the team worked in the Tipi Gardens, it actually looks like a garden from
the road! Becky and Mary H are the co-mayors of the garden, not leaving the
gardens for the last two days! Many of the "boys" worked on the Vine House,
almost ready for the tepee poles! Several of the ladies ran the Thrift Shop
today, with GiGi being the queen of sales! Clif, Taylor and Mary helped
prepare and serve lunch today at the soup kitchen. We served around 75
people, some families with small children. During lunch Cindy sang, and
after we finished up serving Taylor and Clif picked up their instruments and
we played and sang for about an hour! One of the local ladies sang Jesus
Take The Wheel with Cindy!
Well, we need to head out of the little coffee shop we come to get smoothies
and play basket ball so we can get home before dark!
Please continue to pray for our safety while we are out here.
Blessings
Mary and Team
 
Day Five: 07-27-09
End of day 5 we are hanging out in
a Christian Coffee shop on the reservation. Some of the guys are out back
playing basketball, and maybe they will have an opportunity to get to know
some of the youth on the reservation.
Today we worked hard in the 555 Mission gardens and thrift shop. We may
have to purchase a piece of luggage for the items we purchased while we were
working! :) The guys worked on a Vine House of Prayer in the gardens. The
lumber they are using came from a 106 year old pine wood prairie home.
Chainsaws were used, but no one under 18 allowed to use them!
God really has blessed us with great weather. Cool mornings, sunny
days, low humidity and a little rain in the evening...perfect working
weather!
Day Four:
07-26-09
Greetings from White Clay
NE -- 2 miles south of Pine Ridge SD. We survived the big road trip today.
12 hours over some of the most amazing scenes you can imagine. Lots of
sleeping in the vans, so it was basically uneventful. The kids are doing
good...the adults..well..... :0 We had lunch on the Missouri River, then
off to drive through the Badlands, which looks what we think Mars would look
like! :)
Tomorrow morning we start our ministry outreach at the 555 Mission in Pine
Ridge. We drove by on our way to the house, so we are excited to get to
work!
will send a slew of pictures tomorrow if technology allows.
Day Two:
07-24-09
The boys survived the
night in the no air-conditioned cave. Gives new meaning to "man cave".....
Right after breakfast we started the day with quiet time, and a time to
share among our group about our devotions.
Many activities filled the day, with the scavenger hunt being the
highlight! We had our introduction or our ministry outreach, and are all
excited to be part of this amazing adventure. Megan is turning into quite
the football player, keeping up with all the boys...no holding her back! :)
The adults on the team have really enjoyed the serene atmosphere and the
time spent fellowshipping and just getting to know each other better.
Thanks so much for keeping all of us in your prayers.
Day One: 07-23-09
We made it to MN fine. Slight take off
delay, but we made it safe! Stopped at the Mall of America for lunch,
shopping, and roller coaster riding. For those Ashley Tinsdale fans, she
was appearing at the Mall, and I think some of us grabbed a glimpse of her.
Tonight we have dinner, then a orientation, worship service and then lights
out. Back up tomorrow morning for training classes.
The base camp is lovely, out in the country, about 45 minutes from
Minneapolis. Some of the boys are in the pool, some are in the game room,
and the ladies are just hanging out in our room.
Thanks so much for the continued prayers for the team. Next update I will
see if I can get some pictures sent.
Blessings,
Mary
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Mount Olivet Mission 2009
Mount Olivet has sent a mission team
to Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. This Blog is documenting
their journey.
1Peter
4:8-10 NIV
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of
sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should
use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering
God's grace in its various forms.
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