Wonder of wonders, we have Internet service in Pine ridge - thanks to Mark! I'm not sure how often time will permit for blogging, but I did want to let everyone at home know how the trip is going so far.
We arrived Sunday afternoon and since no one was home when we arrived, the first-timers went on a tour through the village. By the time we were back, so was Barry and Shelly. We unloaded the truck and settled in. That evening Dennis preached and Daniel sang in the church service. After the service we had a time of fellowship with the people here. We were touched to see that so many of the children showed up to see us. It was almost like we got in another day with them because so many were here.
Monday was the first full day and as always proved to be an eye-opening experience for the first-timers. I think Mark has broken a few records - he is the first person to cry during a Kool Aid run and the first to carry 4 -5 kids on his back at a time. Teresa is also having a fantastic time. From all reports, Jeff is proving to be an effective teacher for the teenagers and is providing us all with a lot of good entertainment. What a ham!
Monday evening we went to Wounded Knee and were honored to have one of the men from the village, his wife and daughter go along with us. Lionel was an amazing source of information about Lakota culture. Each of us were invited to take an offering of tobacco inside the memorial where the mass grave is and pay our respects to the dead there. I think we all felt very honored to be invited to do that.
A couple of prayer requests ... We were not on the road for 6 hours on Saturday when Whitlock got word that his father had suffered a heart attack and was in ICU. Monday evening Jeff received a message that his uncle, who is also his godfather, passed away. News like this is never easy and is only made more difficult by being so far from home. Both of these guys are amazing and are carrying with their duties here but I am sure that they're hearts are a heavy and they would really appreciate your prayers.
We love you all and want to express our appreciation for your support!
We arrived Sunday afternoon and since no one was home when we arrived, the first-timers went on a tour through the village. By the time we were back, so was Barry and Shelly. We unloaded the truck and settled in. That evening Dennis preached and Daniel sang in the church service. After the service we had a time of fellowship with the people here. We were touched to see that so many of the children showed up to see us. It was almost like we got in another day with them because so many were here.
Monday was the first full day and as always proved to be an eye-opening experience for the first-timers. I think Mark has broken a few records - he is the first person to cry during a Kool Aid run and the first to carry 4 -5 kids on his back at a time. Teresa is also having a fantastic time. From all reports, Jeff is proving to be an effective teacher for the teenagers and is providing us all with a lot of good entertainment. What a ham!
Monday evening we went to Wounded Knee and were honored to have one of the men from the village, his wife and daughter go along with us. Lionel was an amazing source of information about Lakota culture. Each of us were invited to take an offering of tobacco inside the memorial where the mass grave is and pay our respects to the dead there. I think we all felt very honored to be invited to do that.
A couple of prayer requests ... We were not on the road for 6 hours on Saturday when Whitlock got word that his father had suffered a heart attack and was in ICU. Monday evening Jeff received a message that his uncle, who is also his godfather, passed away. News like this is never easy and is only made more difficult by being so far from home. Both of these guys are amazing and are carrying with their duties here but I am sure that they're hearts are a heavy and they would really appreciate your prayers.
We love you all and want to express our appreciation for your support!
