Summer 2008 Newsletter from the Pass Creek CHoG

News from Barry and Shelly!

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Hello everyone,

It has been a while since I've been able to get a newsletter sent out but now summer is coming to an end and things have slowed down. There is so much I want to share with you and God has been so good. We have been blessed with so many wonderful people from all across the country that have came here and worked on projects and spent time in VBS with our children. If you have never been part of a work camp or been the hoset church to a work camp, I don't know if I can fully express the blessing of new friends and reuniting with old friends from summers past.

Our work camp year started with Tri-S University, headed by Ed Breeden and Emily Clark. Shortly after they left Dale Ridley from YWAM (Youth With A Mission) out of Minnesota called and wanted to bring some of his staff out to meet us and see our church. That resulted in one work camp from Minnesota - waht a terrific group of kids and their youth pastor Scott. We painted the post office in Allen and had a one day VBS. Two other groups that were in White Clay (from YWAM) came and had a one day VBS with the children here. They were from Chicago, Illinois and from New York.

We met some new friends from Vinita, Oklahoma that came and did an incredible amount of work in just a couple of days. They installed two new water heaters, ran water lines, brought new double and single sinks and a toilet for our second work camp trailer that we hope will be up and running in the Spring. They also built a deck between the two work camp trailers. We thank you guys so much!

Of course we welcomed our friends from Jersey Shore, Fairfield and Monroe City back for a great time. Emily Clark's home church from Kalamazoo, MI came out for the first time and they are an awesome group of people!! Bob and Carol we love you and all your group.

Another church that came out this year was the Castine Church of the Brethren from Ohio with their pastor Brian Delk. This is such a special group to me and I made some deep friendships, we may have some of their young people coming out next summer to help as an internship. Some time this fall I would like to make a trip to Ohio and stop in Monroe City on the way.

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Shelly also included pics of each group but I can't do that here since I don't have access to those pics.

Please keep Barry, Shelly, and all of the people in Allen and on the Reservation in your prayers. Good things are happening there!

News from the Rez - May Newsletter

School is out and summer is here!! We hope that all of you are getting your summer off to a great start. Around here it is garden time and that is what we have started on. We have been blessed so far this spring with abundant rain, that has been desperately needed. Even the Badlands are green and we are praying for more rain because we have had drought conditions here for about eight years.


We want to stay in contact with everyone and give you an idea of what is going on here this summer. By the way, I do so appreciate the newsletters that come to us, it gives me a chance to see what other churches are doing and pray for all of you. Here is a list of work camps that will be here this summer:


June 15-June 21 - Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania
They have already sent funding to purchase paneling for our second work camp trailer that had flooring replaced two years ago but needs new ceilings (we have the materials), paneling, carpet, and linoleum. We'll make some more bunk beds and have much more room for our work camps, one of our camps will have 21 and another 27!

July 23 - July 29 - Elk Hart, Kansas

I am not certain the details of what this group will be working on at this time but we will have several projects in the village among the people. We have four families that we are going to try to put concrete patios next to their houses and fencing. I spoke to the housing officials in Pine Ridge and they thought this was a very good thing. We are anxious to meet all of you!

July 29 - August 4 - Fairfield, OH (us)

This is our second year working with this group and we are excited you will be here. This group always has a kool-aid run in the mornings, meeting all the children and inviting them to lunch (for all who want to come in the village) and then Bible School for the children. Each year they come they bring backpacks loaded with school supplies for the kids. This group has made lasting relationships with so many of the people here. The kids are really looking forward to seeing you.

August 6 - 10 - Monroe City, Indiana

We would like to continue community work and get some fencing around more of the property. We will not run out of projects and look forward to meeting everyone in this group. Most of the groups like working with the children and many of them have a VBS for them.

We are eagerly waiting for a student that will be arriving from Tri-S the beginning of June who will be doing her internship here. Her name is Emily, she has been to this area before and we are thrilled to have her until the middle of August. Just today I also found out that Jael, from the work camp this past March may also be coming out , if possible, with Emily for a week. It will be great to see her again. I felt a real connection to her and all the children with her.

Also we want to thank those special people in California that have met so many of our needs at the Pass Creek Church of God. Your support came at a time when God reached out to us through you, and as usual His timing was perfect - thank you. To each and every person that prays for us and supports us financially, this mission and the Lakota people here on the Pine Ridge Reservation - we thank you so very much.

The summer months are a very busy time and a time the people here look forward to seeing all their old friends from previous years. For us also it is a time of meeting new friends and reuniting with old ones. It can be lonely out here sometimes and we really count on these workcamps and all the summer meetings to help hold us over during the winter months.

Several other events that are coming up this summer are as follows:

• May 26th - we will be taking a trip to Rapid City to take the children to Old McDonalds Farm, a petting zoo, and then to Storybook Island for a picnic.



• June 9th - trip to Evans Plunge for swimming and picnic


• July 19 - 22nd - AIC at Wounded Knee


• August 12th - Baptism at the Niabrara River


• August 17-19th South Dakota State Camp Meeting in Brookings


• September 12 - 16th - Dors and Dells Wilson at Wounded Knee
  
• September 21 - 22 Prayer Conference in Riverton, Wyoming

Now for picture time:

A sweat lodge

Pete Showing a Headress to the Work Camp

March 2007 - Parade in Allen village

Many of the people here have horses and ride together as families

God bless all of you, talk to you in June,

Barry & Shelly

News From The Rez: March/April Newsletter

From Barry and Shelly:

We hope that everyone had a blessed Easter and that the promise of spring brings renewal, not only in the earth but also in our lives. There have been so many good things that God has given to all of us and that is no different for Allen, South Dakota.

First and foremost I would like to share with everyone about our first work camp of the year from Tri-S in Indiana. We had the greatest bunch of people here in March, led by Ed Breeden!! There were 10 students, three from Singapore, one from Uzbekistan and six from around the United States, and what a blessing they were. They scraped the entire floor in the fellowship hall so that it could be recovered because it was peeling badly. A raised stage area was also built in the sanctuary for the piano, podium, and also for our kids to perform their plays. We are planning on moving to the main house so they also laid new linoleum tiles in the kitchen and painted the ceiling. many of the supplies for building were supplied by this group. But all was not work -- oh no!

They also got to do some sightseeing around the Black Hills, they saw Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Jewel Cave and some of the Badlands. We spent time with Melda Trejo and some of her family, cutting wood for them, having lunch with them and listening to some very interesting stories. Melda just had a book published, "Lakota Tradition" about her and her husband's life on the Pine Ridge Reservation. Her stories and the time spent with them was very special.

The other things that went on were with the children, and boy did we have children. Ed did the Sunday night service and it was excellent, music was supplied by two of the students that played the guitar and piano. This was the first work camp that Barry and I have hosted by ourselves and we consider most blessed to have known each and every one of these young people. They work hard, play hard and were an absolute delight - God bless you all!!!

We have other good things come our way, this past month too. We received a box of hats from our friends in Ohio - thank you Amber (more than a thanks to Amber - thanks to the generous couple at Winton Rd who purchased the hats) and 500 army blankets from Stanley and Sylvia Hollow Horn from a large shipment they received. God works in all ways for the good, He knows the needs and provides daily for each of us.

Easter was a time of thanksgiving and remembrance here and our children were a part of sharing the good news. There was a group of seven children and two adults, Roberta Yellow Boy and Gerald Plenty Arrows that went to the nursing home in Martin and took small Easter bunny cups and some puzzle books, puzzles and cards to the residents. The people there really enjoy seeing the children and it is so good for the children to share God's Love with them. Some of the ladies of the church made Easter baskets and had an egg hunt for the children, we really have a great congregation and I thank God for all of them.

Praise God for the much needed rain, everyone ,especially the ranchers and farmers are very happy about this. I reflect every spring of the greatness of God when I see the new life and winter and the promise of summer beauty. Gardening is one of my favorite things to do and so I'll have a large garden and share some of the vegetables with the congregation. The kids are all planting two hills of pumpkins this spring so that when fall comes and time for jack-o-lanterns comes they will all have their own, home grown.

We thank each and every one of you for your prayers, your monetary support and for all things sent here to help the people here in Allen. We continue to pray for you also, God be with you as you work for the Lord and His kingdom.

Barry and Shelly

February Newsletter from Pass Creek CHoG

We praise God in all seasons, not only seasons of life but seasons of the year. Sometimes out on the prarie when the wind blows and the snow drifts it seems more lonely somehow and more desolate than other times of the year, but God is always near. Soon the crocus and daffodil will show their presnece and we will know new life with spring will also follow shortly. As the Easter season aproaches and we begin to teach our children the story of Jesus, his death and resurrection I cannot help but see the similarity with winter turning to spring.

The needs of the people are more desperate and pronounced in the winter months with the cold, and we continue to try and meet those needs. In meeting those needs we make new friends and can share the love of Jesus with them. We find we must meet the physical needs first in order to share the spiritual, just as I believe was the example Jesus gave.

Once again I want to thank the people who have faithfully sent us money to keep this ministry going and to those who have sent us coats, blankets and so many other items we need.

As you know the work with the children is very important to us here. We want to have programs for the kids that include outings, crafts, fun nights and fellowship. We want to equip them for a world that is often unfair and people that are often unkind. We want to teach them about the love of God and that with God there is a different way of life. This is a poem I came across when I worked in the school system with migrant/homeless children that touched me very deeply. Read this and pray for ALL the children everywhere.

A Prayer For Children
We pray for children who put chocolate fingers everywhere, who like to be tickled, who stomp in puddles and ruin their new pants, who sneak Popsicles before supper, who erase holes in math workbooks, who can never find their shoes.

And we pray for those who stare at photographers from behind barbed wire, who can't bound in the street in a new pair of sneakers, who never go tot eh circus.

We pray for children who bring us sticky kisses and fistfuls of dandelions, who sleep with the dog and bury the goldfish, who hug us in a hurry and forget their lunch money, who cover themselves with Band-Aids and sing off-key, who squeeze toothpaste all over the sink, who slurp their soup.

And we pray for those who never get dessert, who have no safe blanket to drag behind them, who watch their parents watch them die, who can't find any bread to steal, who don't have any rooms to clean up, whose pictures aren't on anybody's dresser, whose monsters are real.

We pray for children who spend all their allowance before Tuesday, who throw tantrums in the grocery store and pick at their food, who like ghost stories, who hove dirty clothes under the bed and never rinse the tub, who get visits from the tooth fairy, who don't like to be kissed in front of the carpool, who squirm in church and scream in the phone, whose tears we sometimes laugh at, and whose smiles can make us cry.

We pray for those whose nightmares come in the daytime, who will eat anything, who aren't spoiled by anybody, who go to bed hungry and cry themselves to sleep, and who live and move but have no being.

We pray for children who want to be carried and for those who must, for those we never give up on and for those we don't get a second chance. For those we smother ... and for those who will grab the hand of anybody kind enough to offer it.

This poem has always impacted me and made me think and given me cause to always pray for the children.

As spring is just around the corner, we eagerly anticipate in the coming months the workcampers and all the work and excitement that spring and summer bring. We are blessed that we have so many coming this summer and our prayers are that we can impact this community and each person in this community. Pray with us that God will send His Spirit on Allen, South Dakota and there will be revival here and the people will come to know the love and saving grace of Jesus. We received notice from the workcamp in Ohio that they
will have 27 people coming with that group!!!! Praise God. We'll be ready and waiting for everyone! We also continue to pray for all of you and your work for the kingdom. God bless.

Now for something fun. the people here love to celebrate and birthday parties are one of the most fun times here. We have been trying to get the word out that the fellowship hall here is for all in the community to use and encourage anyone who needs a place for a gathering to give us a call. We can meet many thing way and have a good time!

In closing we thank you again for your support and prayers for the Pass Creek Church of God and the Lakota people here on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. God bless all of you in your work and we will speak with you in March.

Love in Christ,
Barry and Shelly

The January. Newsletter From Pass Creek CHoG

From Barry & Shelly

We hope the new year is bringing new hope, new challenges and new promises revealed by God. Christmas was a wonderful time here in South Dakota, even though it wasn't white. We would like to thank everyone for their continued prayers and support for the mission here.

Kid's Corner

We now have a youth group for kids age 11 and older, meeting on Thursday nights at 6:30. We are using the series Revolution 2 by bluefish TV, a DVD series that also has a Bible study that goes with it. We will continue our children's program on Wed. nights, children's church on Sunday mornings, and the program Sunday nights. We visited the nursing home before Christmas, taking treats and gifts to the residents there. That is something I would like to continue, the residents love it and it will be good for the children to give of themselves to others.

Work Camps

• The scheduled work camps to date:
• Tri-S Group from Anderson University - March 11-17
• Jersey Shore, PA - June 15-22
• Fairfield, OH - July 29-Aug. 5
• Monroe City, IN - Aug. 6-10

This winter we have experienced some very cold weather and have found that there is a need during these times for blankets, coats, hats, gloves and electric heaters. Our items are depleted, but thankfully there are 26 boxes of blankets, hats and gloves on the way.

During our cold weather we had some pipes break in one of the work camp trailers and Barry is working to not only fix the pipes, but to install a new shower. We should have things looking good for all you work campers!!!

We enjoy all the newsletters that come here an dhow all of the other Churches are doing. T here are some exciting things going on for the kingdom of God and I believe that we will see many more in the days to come. Please remember Paul and Kathy in your prayers. They now live in Rapid City and are adjusting to retirement. I know they would love to continue to hear from everyone. (See Amber for their address) They continue to come here many Sundays to help with music and the message sometimes. Barry is doing most of the services now, studying a lot and praise God for His divine inspiration.

Giving Thanks

We would like to thank God for always looking out for us here and also a couple of people God continues to use for This work. Bill R. we would like to thank you for the green truck that you have given to God's work, and to Paul and Kathy for the transmission they had put in the truck, AND the new snowplow that is on the front. Those of you who ave seen South Dakota winters on the prairie know that this will be one of the most useful things we need here, especially on church days to get everyone in and out safely. THANK YOU!!

It is easy to sometimes get discouraged and lonely and feel that what we are doing makes no difference. When I have those times I try to refer to this little story.

As an old man was walking along the beach at dawn, he noticed a young man ahead of him picking up starfish and flinging them back into the sea. Finally catching up with the youth, he asked him why he was doing this. The answer was that the stranded starfish would die if left until the morning sun. "But the beach goes on for miles and there are millions of starfish, "countered the other. "How can your efforts mane any difference?" You young man looked at the starfish in his had and then threw it safely in the waves. "It makes a difference to this one," he added.

I have to keep reminding myself that what we do matters to someone and the reason we are doing it is found in Matthew 28:19020.

God Bless,
Barry & Shelly