I Made an Executive Decision

I made an executive decision. Usually I like to give the VBS teams lots of freedom to do what they want in their classes. This year none of the teams planned any craft for their class. Not doing crafts would save us $$ BUT it would also leave us with a LOT of kids with a LOT of unstructured time.

I've always said and still believe that the best ministry we do there is done on the playground, BUT too much time with no very little structure can be disastrous. Besides, the kids really love to draw and color.

SO, I ordered some crafts. In keeping with the Olympic theme, I ordered the following:

Make your own Flag

Make your own Medal

We also still have one of these plastic display thingys left over from last year. It doesn't look exactly like this one pictured, but it is very similar and holds several index cards with can be decorated any way the kids want.

I also have made up some coloring pages with the American Indian athletes from the post below. Each of the sheets has a picture of the athlete that can be colored and a bit of their "story". These could be used to help instill in the kids that their circumstances do not have to limit them - that anything is possible. God has given each of them a gift. It may be athletic ability or artistic ability or intellect, but if they work hard God will bless their efforts.

I also ordered a BIG box of markers which we will leave there for Shelly to use in children's church.

More Materials for Melda's

Jerry, Cliff, and myself went to Lowes today to get paneling, OSB board, and some sizing for the flooring. The paneling cost a bit more than I had planned but seems like a much better material. Thankfully, we have received a lot of donations! We'll need 'em!

The Garage Sale

Despite threats of rain one very determined team member (Cathy) carried on and held the garage sale. We did OK. Here's a pic of Cathy with her first $5.

Tim dropped by for a while, bought my coffee maker for $5 and then resold it within about 10 minutes.

Whitlock came by too but due to a misunderstanding he did not buy the yard that he thought was for sale - or the garage for that matter.

And I (Amber) didn't make much $$ because I was practically giving stuff away, but I didn't bring anything back home so I'm happy. Having someone pay me to haul off my stuff seems like a deal to me.

If you missed it, you missed some good deals, some good coffee, some good bologna, and some good laughs.

Come to our garage sale today!

Olympic Themes

The theme for VBS this year is "The Olympics". I've been researching some inspiring American Indian athletes who competed in the Olympics and am pretty amazed at their stories. I think the kids need to know about these heroes. They are American Indian and they did not allow circumstances to control their destiny. They overcame some pretty daunting obstacles - that's a message the kids we work with need to hear. I'm thinking of making some trading cards to give to each of the kids.

Cheri Becerra

An Omaha Indian, she also became the first native American to win an Olympic medal

when she claimed a bronze in a demonstration wheelchair event at the Atlanta Games.
.
She only started wheelchair racing in 1995 when a rehabilitation worker in her home town of Nebraska City, Nebraska, showed her a magazine article and encouraged her to get involved.
Before that, Becerra had been swimming for fun and fitness but had never competed at sports.
"Being in a wheelchair, so many people have the attitude that you can't do anything," she said. "It's events like the Paralympics that prove we can compete and that we are very capable."

Becerra became a paraplegic at the age of four, saying she went to sleep one night and woke the next morning without any feeling in her legs.
Doctors attributed it to an unidentified virus.
Becerra said it could have been a blessing.
"If I could walk, I don't think I'd be competing at an international level -- I doubt it," she said.

Billy Mills

Oglala Lakota Sioux

Born in Pine Ridge and raised on the Pine Ridge Reservation.

Billy was orphaned at the age of 13.

He took up running while attending the Haskell Institute, which is now knows as the Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, KS.

He is the second Native American ever to win an Olympic gold medal.

He accomplished this feat in the 10,000 meter run at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics making him the only American ever to win the Olympic gold in this event.

Many consider his victory in 1964 to be the greatest upset in Olympic history.

Ben Nighthorse Campbell

member of the US Olympic team in 1964,

competingin Judo.

He is the only American Indian in Congress.

He is a member of the Northern Cheyenne tribe.

During Campbell's childhood, his father had problems with alcoholism, often leaving the family for weeks and months at a time. His mother had health problems, with tuberculosis that limited the contact she could have with her children and continued to force her into the hospital for long periods of time. These problems led to Ben and his older sister Alberta (who died in an apparent suicide at age 44) spending much of their early lives in nearby Catholic orphanages.
Campbell dropped out of high school in 1951 to join the U.S. Air Force.

Campbell obtained his GED while in the Air Force and after returning to the United States, Campbell used his GI Bill and work as a truck driver (he was and remains a member of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters)

Today's Update

I've been shopping for cleaning supplies today. Gotta keep those bathrooms clean and shiny. 150 kids + 15 crew + 2 missionaries + dirt + sweat + a watermelon eating contest + a building project + lunch for all 150 kids and crew + potty breaks + an EXTREME water fight all adds up to some pretty messy bathrooms. So I've been buying, boxing and stacking up the boxes today.

I imagine they have cleaning supplies there, but ya know what? We go through a LOT of them in a week so ... we take our own so we don't become an added expense to the missionaries there. We take paper towel and garbage bags too - we go through a LOT of those too.

And SURPRISE! My surprise for the crew arrived today! *evil grin* I'll be working on that tomorrow.

And we got some GREAT NEWS!! Papa Johns will be back for REZonate Music Fest again this year! And .... they are willing to glue some flyers about the event on their pizza boxes!

OK, speaking of Papa Johns ... I'm hungry - gotta go fix dinner.

Wounded Knee

I hope you all got to see the PBS special about Wounded Knee tonight. It was extremely well done and left me with a fresh perspective about Wounded Knee and a greater appreciation for what happened there in the 70's. Films like this always leave me feeling sad and angry about the injustice and immensely grateful that the Lakota people allow us to care for their children. Many of the children we work with are children or grandchildren of those who experienced the horrors of the boarding schools that were ran by white, Christian, missionaries. That they allow us to take their children for a moment is amazing to me. If you missed the broadcast, I think it will be available to watch online at this site.

A Shower

Today I received $150.00 for Melda's project from a friend who found us through Michelle's blog. Its amazing to see how people are pulling together to help out. Michelle posted about Melda after the presentation at church and the school principal read it and told Michelle that there is a gift at the school for Melda. :) Michelle and Sheri will be doing a shower and I hope to be able to have Melda come up and make Indian Tacos for us (we'll buy the ingredients) the last night we are there and then we can present her with the gifts. She will not be expecting that - at all and will be so surprised. I'll post the date of the shower as soon as I know it.

For anyone who may be interested, I've made up a list of things Melda might use. The electric is limited there so please no electrical items. Here are some ideas ...

Ideas for Melda’s Shower Gifts

Dish Towels
Pot scrubbers
Dish Soap
Pot holders
All sizes cast iron cookware
Non-breakable glasses/mugs
Kitchen gadgets (non-electrical, things like spatula, tongs, long-handled spoons, etc.)
Kitchen knives
Flatware
Tupperware type storage containers
Non-breakable pitcher
Cutting Board
Kitchen Rug – the floor tile is black
Blinds or Curtains and the hardware to put them up. (if we can find out what size windows we will be putting in) I would suggest something sheer since privacy is not an issue – they are all alone there and the window(s) may be her only source of light. (this is taken care of)
Scrapbook – made of pictures from the shower and pictures of the building project and then mailed to her after the building is complete. If this included names of everyone and maybe some info about them it would be cool for her to feel “connected” to those back here who were a part of it that she may never meet.

Drywall and VBS

Dennis just left from unloading drywall for Melda's. We got the big sheets so (hopefully) it will go up quicker and we'll have less seams. We have plenty of us to hold it in place until it gets fastened in good. I have a feeling we'll need pictures of that. :)

Also been hitting some garage sales and picked up some stuff for VBS games. Now I'm gonna hit the thrift store to see what others VBS game stuff I can come up with.

Garage Sale

Garage Sale!

Saturday, May 16, 2009

9am - 3pm

2504 Haverknoll Dr.

Cincinnati

Proceeds go to help team members pay for their trip to Pine Ridge.

Items: Housewares, Golf Clubs, Tools, Dishes, Fabric for quilting, Home Decor, good stuff

What's Happening Today

I've finished the Devo's for the trip. Last year I decided not to do that since I didn't figure anyone really took the time to read them and because we have team Devos twice a day anyway ... but I heard that people do actually read them. So, we have a brand new set of 'em. I'll give ya a hint - they are each based on a Lakota value and incorporate the story of Nehemiah. Might be cool to read that book before we go.

I'm getting ready for the meeting on Sunday. Crew - better be there. We're making assignments and giving them out at this meeting. In addition to that the crew Devo schedule will be given out. And I hope to offer everyone some encouragement. Should be a good meeting.

I'm also making up the chore schedule. I hate doing that. It's waayyyy harder than I ever imagined it would be. And of course this includes the infamous "bathroom duty" schedule - so if you're on the crew you might want to pray I overlook you for that one. :)

Updated List of Materials Needed for Melda's Kitchen

Here is an updated list. We may add to it as we think of things we've overlooked.

UPDATED: May 21, 2009

Lumber:
2) 2” by 12” x 12’ treated boards for decking beam
Misc treated wood for stairs
1. 1 - 2” by 12” x 12’ for stringers
2. 2 – 2” by 6” x 10’
12) 4’by 8’ T11 siding boards – Vinyl Siding Donated by Ameridian Specialty Services, Inc.
14) 4’ by 8’ Light color Paneling (interior walls)
52 ft of fascia board

Overhang Soffit:
70’ of vinyl soffit – Donated by Ameridian Specialty Services, Inc.
70‘of F channel - (we may have this too - I'm not sure what all of the stuff in my garage is for)

Roofing:
4) Square equivalent of metal roofing or 4) Square of shingles (12 Bundles) – Donated by Ameridian Specialty Services, Inc.
320 sq/ft of tar paper for roofing – Donated by Ameridian Specialty Services, Inc.
20’ roof flashing – Donated by Ameridian Specialty Services, Inc.

Dry wall:
6) 4’ by 8’ drywall boards or 4) 4’ by 12’ boards - purchased May 9, 2009
1) 5 gal. buckets drywall compound – Donated by Ameridian Specialty Services Inc.
1) 5 gal. bucket drywall topping- Donated by Ameridian Specialty Services, Inc.
Roll of dry wall tape

Hardware:
Nails (framing, finish, paneling) - Have a 5 gallon bucket of roofing nails donated by Charles Fraizer & a 1 gallon can of framing nails donated by Ameridian Speciality Services

5 lb drywall screws
10) 3\8” x 7” carriage bolts w/ washers and nut - (we may have this too from Ameridian - I'm not sure what the big bolts they gave us are)

Insulation:
350 sq/ft of insulation for walls (16” width between studs)
200 sq/ft of insulation for ceiling (24” width between rafters)

Paint:
3 gal. for interior walls and ceiling – 5 Gallon donated by Ameridian Specialty Services, Inc.

Doors:
Pre-hung Steel Exterior door - donated by Bob & Pat King
Storm door - donated by Bob & Pat King

Windows:
Any size, pre-hung Window - two windows donated by Bill & Dixie Phelps

Flooring:
250 Self-sticking vinyl tile - donated by Cliff & Judy Dyson
Woodwork or vinyl stripping for base of wall

Electric:
Electrical wiring – Donated by Hauser Heating and Air
Electrical boxes – Donated by Hauser Heating and Air

Misc.
Kitchen ceiling light – Donated by Hauser Heating and Air

Got a Building Project?

Lots happening ... I'm so busy I don't know if I'm coming or going but I do know things are crazy good about now.

See this post at the Backpacks blog ...

Tomorrow me and Brody (thank you Brody for your help and use of your truck) will be picking up a load of materials for Melda's kitchen. Now, here's the part that's really cool ... Ameridian Speciality Services, Inc. has donated a LOT of the materials! Just a few of the things they are giving us are:

Siding
Shingles
Roof flashing
Vinyl soffit
5 gal. bucket of drywall compound
nails
Drywall screws

SO ... if you need any building done please give these good folks a call. Not only have they donated these materials but they have been a title (big) sponsor of REZonate Music Fest for two years!

Policy About Fireworks

Every so often the issue of fire comes us. The first year we went to the Rez it was the 4th of July and several of our crew wanted to take fireworks. Since then several people have suggested that we have a bonfire or campfire in the evenings while on the trip. I admit, that I would really love to have both fireworks and a bonfire BUT, its not a good idea. The weather is very hot and dry and the Reservation is made up of a lot of prairie (dry grass). You get the idea - fires can be a real problem. See this video for a view of a fire in 2007 that shut down Hwy 18 and burned over 36 square miles of the Reservation. The fire was from the careless use of fireworks. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cs9kSRiMles So if you were wondering ........ that is why we don't allow fire of any kind.

Packing and Party Stuff

Today I've started packing toilet paper and paper towel (yes a few of the crew has that in already!).

I'm also getting stuff together for the games for the big end-of-the-week party the last day we're there. I've bought prizes a prize for each of the teams for the Watermelon Eating Contest and will be packing game stuff up as I get more of it together.

So far, I'm thinking we'll do:

• Potato Sack Races (we already have the potato sacks from previous years)
• Penny Pitching (with lots of little prizes for every winner)
• Tug-of-War
• A suitcase relay (two teams, one person takes a suitcase packed with lots of odds and ends of clothing, runs to a finish line, unpacks the suitcase and puts everything on, then runs the empty suitcase back to the start, takes all the stuff off and puts it back in the suitcase so the next team member can do the same. First team to finish, wins)
• Bean Bag toss (or corn hole)
• Water Balloon Toss
• Slip-n-Slide
• Watermelon Eating Contest
• and of course The EXTREME Water Gun Fight

The water guns are supposed to be delivered today!

Part of the Way There

Dennis, me and my dad picked up a load of lumber this evening. My mom found a deal on Craig's List. This will be Melda's kitchen. We still need quite a bit of other stuff. Will update the list soon.

Work Project: Melda's

Do you happen to have any of this stuff?

If so, we need it. :)

We have a huge work project planned for this trip - bigger than usual. And we have a smaller crew and less money. Not a problem ... God is able to do more with less. But, if you happen to have any of the following materials sitting around your garage looking for a home ... we could really use them to build a kitchen for Melda. (See details here) If you don't have them but know where we can get a really, really good deal on them, let Amber know that too. Oh, and we'll still take cash too. :)


Lumber:
22) 4’ by 8’ sheets of plywood or OSB, 7/16” or1/2” thick for the sides and roof sheeting
6) 4’ by 8’ sheets of plywood or OSB, 5/8” or 3/4" thick for floor sheeting

68) 8’x 2” by 4” studs, half can be 92.5” long framing studs
10)16’ x 2” by 4” studs for truss beam
10)16’ x 2” by 8” boards for floor joist
4) 8’ x 4” x 4” treated posts
Misc treated wood for stairs

Siding:
4 Square of vinyl siding
44’ of starter strip
2 outside corner strips(10 footers)
60‘of J channel
64‘of F channel
40‘under sill edge molding
40’ fascia cover

Roofing:
4) Square of shingles (12 Bundles)
320 sq/ft of tar paper for roofing

Dry wall:
11) 4’ by 8’ drywall boards or 7) 4’ by 12’ boards
2) 5 gal. buckets drywall compound


Hardware:
Nails (framing, roofing, finish)
Floor Joist Hangers for 2 by 8 boards
10 lb drywall screws

Let's throw some
Insulation
Paint
Tile for a floor
and an Exterior Door and a Screen Door in there too. We want to leave her with something fantastic that will last a long time.

Lots Happening

Orders are being placed and arriving! Things are starting to come together. Stay tuned here for updates.

The t-shirts arrived early - like today!

I still have to sort and bag them according to the orders but I hope to have them at church tonight.

I plan to do some shopping for VBS tomorrow ... check back to see what I get.

And I'm writing the devos for the crew book this week (hopefully I'll finish this week) and then will begin making chore assignments. Yea! Bathroom duty!

A Tip for the Crew

I've been on a few mission trips and have discovered two things that I think are FANTASTIC for anyone going on a trip that involves the rugged outdoors.

Crocs

I could seriously do a commercial for these shoes. It took me a long time to get on board with them. I thought they were ugly. And I thought they were a fad and since I'm not too into fads I was reluctant to try them. But I eventually did try a pair and now I don't want to wear anything else. They are amazing! The past two years at Pine Ridge I've had some trouble with my feet and legs swelling at the end of the week. Its the only time I've ever had any trouble like that but it's annoying when I need to be on my feet and on top of things. Since working in retail and being on my feet all day, I often feel pain in my feet - as if the bones are about to come through the bottom of my feet, but they only swell when I'm on the Rez and then only at the end of the week. Did I mention how annoying that is??

Last year I wore my Crocs while on the Rez and it seemed to help - a lot. This year I've discovered that Crocs makes a shoe specifically for people like me. In fact, they make 2 medical shoes - one for diabetics who have problems with sensitivity and circulation and one called "Relief" that provide an ultra soft sole for a cushioning effect for plantar pain, heel pain, and metatarsalgia. I've just ordered a pair and hope to get even more relief this year. You can get them online at crocs.com

Columbia Sportswear Shirts

I can't say enough good things about these shirts. I've worn them to Haiti and had them washed by Haitian women in the river and beaten on rocks and they came back looking brand new. They are lightweight - much lighter than a cotton t-shirt, so they are cool and comfortable in HOT weather. They also dry really quickly when they get wet. And they provide UV protection! They can be pricey but they are worth it. I've had some of these shirts for 7 years now. They've been everywhere from Haiti to the Rez to working on the farm at Eagle's Nest to Hurricane Katrina relief trips, to just plain everyday wear and they still look like they did the day I bought them. Well OK, one of them does look like it's been on the Rez - one of the teen girls gave me a hug with paint all over her hands last year. I now have a permanent "hug" on my shirt which I wear with pride. These can be found at Bass Pro shops and at Dicks Sporting Goods.

No, you don't have to have them. You'll live without them. But I figure when faced with a rough week, I'll take all the comfort I can get and these two items have been wonderful to have on mission trips.

The Hotels

The hotels are booked! We're traveling on the cheap.

This will be our hotel in Sioux City on the way out.

The Super 8!

and on the way home it's the Ramada in Des Moine

Not A Sight We Want To See

Remember to bring

4 rolls of toilet paper

and

4 rolls of paper towel

to Amber by June.

150 kids + 13 crew members + the missionaries can go through a lot of TP in a week.

We don't want to burden the missionaries with that expense - so we take our own.

Feel free to bring extra if you're one of those people who need a bit more. :)

*And for anyone wondering ... no, I did NOT say to toilet paper my Jeep

I said to put the toilet paper in my Jeep

Are You Ready for Some EXTREEME Water FUN?

July will be here before we know it!

Time to start getting stuff together!

The request for a food donation is in....

And the waterguns have been bought!

I think Fred and Judy's class (4/5 year olds) are donating money for the watermelon's for the watermelon eating contest!


The t-shirts have been ordered ....

Hopefully they will be in before Sunday, April 26 ... that is when I will do a short presentation about our work project at Melda's to our congregation ... it would be great if we had our t's so everyone could see who was going this year.

This is what the t's will look like this year.

a close-up of the design

A Record Has Been Set

Click here to see how it went at the Backpack Packing Party and see some pics of who was there!

March Madness

Just some stuff that's going on ....

• Friday, April 3rd @ 7PM - Backpack Packing @ Amber's! We have 500 backpacks for fill and pack up so they're ready to be delivered when we hit the road
  
• Sunday, April 5th @ 4PM - Crew Meeting - Topic: Cultural Prepardness
  
• Sunday, April 5th - April payment of $135 due.
  
• Sunday, April 5th - Crew T-shirt Money due
  
• Sunday, April 19th - Amber & Jeff speak to the Teamsters Motorcycle Association about REZonate Music Fest and possible charity Bike Ride to benefit Backpacks for Pine Ridge
  
• Sunday, April 26th - Amber presenting the work project for Melda to the congregation in the AM service.

Are you all praying? There is plenty to pray about ...

• Two crew members have surgery this week
  
• One crew member is facing a long recovery from shoulder surgery
  
• We need more $$ for Melda's project
  
• We're still behind in funds due to losing 2 crew members

Remember: ANYTHING can happen to ANYONE at ANYTIME before, during, or after the trip - so pray

Click here to see an article about Backpacks for Pine Ridge in CNN's iReport site.

REZonate Music Fest

REZonate Music Fest is on Myspace!

If you're in the greater Cincinnati area, send us a friend request!

Backpack Packing Party

Its that time again ... time to fill and pack the backpacks for the kids at Pine Ridge.

Friday, April 3, 2009

At the Buriff's home.

7 pm - 9ish??

We have 500 backpacks to fill and pack this year and will need your help.

Anyone can help regardless of age. We cannot take more than 12 people so email Amber amberburiff@aol.com if you want to be a part of giving to the kids on the Rez.

So This is Your Able-Bodied Crew??

This is for all the crew members who have gone with us the past 5 years. I've reworked it and I think you'll enjoy it.

Extreme Makeover Home Edition: Pine Ridge!

GOOD MORNING PINE RIDGE FAMILY!!

I want to introduce you to Melda and her family and show you what our work project will be this year.

This is Melda and one of her grandchildren.

She lives on her own property near the reservation. Melda's husband passed away 8 years ago.

Our crew met Melda in 2007 and needless to say, we all fell in love with her and her family.

This is the road to Melda's place

(and yes, those are the church vans - don't look board members!)

This is what you see as you approach the top of the hill.

This is Melda's place.

This is the front of Melda's house - her kitchen area where she prepares the family's meals

You will notice, there is no door.

This is the view after you go through the kitchen to the other part of the house.

It is a 150 year old log cabin that has been in Melda's family for generations.

Inside you will see all sort of old photographs of the classic "Indians" that we all think of when we think of the Great Sioux Indians. These are Melda's family members.

There is no indoor plumbing at Melda's.

When it snows, as it often does in South Dakota, the snow drifts can be as high as 20 ft high.

Melda and her family walk though the snow to the outhouse they have.

Because they have no door to their home, the snow often piles into the kitchen.

While most of us shovel snow from our driveways, they shovel it out of their home.

Because she lives on her own property, she does not qualify for any federal assistance to the tribe. She is one of those people who have "fallen between the cracks" of society.

And yet...

Melda never complains.

She takes each day as it comes and accepts the path she has been given in life.

And ...

she and her family are very generous.

They hold strong to the Lakota value of generosity.

They willingly share with us (strangers) what they have, be it food, company, or their culture.

Our crew has decided that its time Melda had a new kitchen and that repairs were done to the front part of her home.

This summer we will demolish the front of her house and rebuild it, giving her a real kitchen with running water.

We will work on Melda's house every morning and do a VBS for the children in the afternoon.

Remember this?

Remember about a month ago when Brian and I went to Winchester, VA for a benefit at The Virginia Brewing Company that our friends from 8 Lives Spent put together? The benefit was for the purpose of raising funds to purchase heaters for the people on the Rez. Thanks to Roy who got us a good deal and thanks to Brody for helping us pick them up, they are now sitting in my dining room ready to be taken to the Rez and distributed!

Click on the pics for a larger view!

OK, Pine Ridge crew ... get in shape cause next July we'll be loading and unloading these along with 500 backpacks and our supplies. :)

These things always amaze me ... a bunch of folks in Winchester, VA (near DC) got an idea to have a benefit show to raise money for heaters for the Lakota people ... They gave me the money .... Roy found a good deal ....Brody picked them up and brought them to my house ... and we'll be taking them out to Pine Ridge in July so that next winter some folks will have heat that might not otherwise have it. From DC to Rapid City ... people pitching in and doing what they can to make a difference. How cool is that?

Feb. Meeting

Team Meeting

Sunday, Feb. 8, 2009
4pm

We will be working in teaching teams, talking about physical prepardness and I have some important info regarding fundraisers so please be there!

$135.00 is due at this time

Fundraisers!

Just a reminder about some fundraisers ....

To protect the integrity of current and future fundraisers, please turn in all of the money you raised ASAP. ALL fundraiser money should go directly into your account and is not meant to be used for any other purpose.

Some fundraising opportunities that are coming up include:

The Rock-A-Thon
Sat. March 21, 2009
See Tammi for a sponsor sheet soon so you can begin getting sponsors. Thanks Tammi for including the Pine Ridge crew along with the Haiti crew!

Silent Auction
Sat. March 21, 2009 (along with the Rock-A-Thon)
Tables will be set up in the Narthex and the bidding will begin at 9:00 a.m. and will end at 6:00 p.m. (so everyone can claim their items and we can clean up on our last couple of breaks from rocking.)

So ... clean out your garage and basement and if you find any items that you think might be worth something, bring them for the auction. Let me know what items you are bringing so we can advertise ahead of time. Only bring items that are worthy of selling -- no junk. All money will go directly to the individual who brought the item. Invite your friends and relatives to come and bid on our auction and they can stop by and say "hi" to us, too!

What a Weekend!

We (Amber & Brian) are just back from Winchester, VA for a benefit @ the Virginia Brewing Company to raise $ for heaters. We are SO tired and SO grateful to 8 Lives Spent for pulling this together. For info and pics click here.

Lakota Voices

Please take a moment to watch this short video

Lakota Voices of the 21st Century

VBS Teams

Little Kids

1. Debbie
2. Fred
3. Wint
4. Nirvana

Middler's

1. Brian B
2. Rachael
3. Darlene
4. Cathy
5. Dennis

Teens

1. Jeff
2. Charles

(Amber will be a floater, going where needed at any given moment, taking kids to the bathroom, changing diapers, finding the missionary when things go wrong, and serving my trusty crew in any way possible)

Welcome to the Jungle, We Got Fun and Games

Yesterday was the deadline to register for the trip to Pine Ridge Reservation in 2009 and our first crew meeting! Here is the 2009 crew!

Amber B *
Brian B *
Cathy J *
Charles J *
Debbie H *
Jeff S *
Darlene B *
Rachael K *
Mark M *
Wint M *
Nirvana M *
Brian W
Fred H
Brandon W *
Dennis W *

We have a smaller team this year than in years past. The economy has hurt a lot of people and it shows up in mission trips just as it does everywhere else. Many of our "regulars" were not able to go because they can not afford to do so. We will miss them ... a lot .... especially when we are getting run over by 150 kids on the playground.

Those that are going are also stretched thin ... very thin ... in their finances. Please pray for us in that respect this year. We hate doing fundraisers that hound people for money but the fact is, missions does not happen with out cold hard cash. The cost of the trip for everyone goes to pay for fuel, truck rental, food for the kids and crew for the week, VBS materials, and work project materials.

Our biggest expenses are fuel and food. We feed 150 kids a hot meal each day that we are there and that can add up very quickly. In the worse case scenario, we may have to give them a snack instead of a meal.

Pray for our health and overall well-being this year too. I'm not kidding when I say they will run over us. I don't like to take a crew of less than 20 and this year we are really very low in number. The week is always physically, emotionally, and spiritually challenging but this year it will be more so. It will be a jungle and we will have fun and games and we will take it day by day. And if you don't have any idea what I'm referring to, that's probably a good thing. :)

That said, we know that God will make a way. He always does. And we are looking forward to a fun year of water gun fights and watermelon eating contest and hugs and tears and experiencing the JOY of giving of ourselves to serve others. It truly is the greatest joy you'll ever know.

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