On the road again

Day Two

Day one went well.  We made good time and arrived at the hotel about 9pm (Central Time).  Amazingly, we only had one unscheduled stop along the way!  Everyone is fine.  Whitlock could use your prayers because his foot is giving him some discomfort, but he is OK. 

Today we will arive at the Reservatin - but first I have a couple of surprises for the crew.  :)  Once we arrive at the Rez, we will unload the truck and get settled in and try to get some rest before the chaos begins bright and early tomorrow. 

Made it to the hotel

Sandbags still up from the flooding.

And we're off!!

Locked and Loaded

Well ... it couldn't be a tighter fit....

Ut oh ....

Ah, it'll be fine.

Thanks to all who came out to help load the truck!

Family and Friends of Crew

We LOVE you, and THANK YOU so much for your support.  We couldn't go and do these trips without your support and understanding and there's really no way to tell you how much that means to us. 

We're going to MISS you next week, and you can be assured that we will be thinking of you every day. 

Your crew member should have given you directions as to how to contact us in case of an emergency (which we hope no one has).  Other than that, we ask you not to call us Monday, Aug. 1st - Saturday Aug. 6th.  The reason is that we are very busy and it is complete chaos and we need all of our focus to be on the mission we are trying to carry out.  Its not that we don't want to talk to you - in fact its because we care so much about you that calls from home can be a big distraction.  On our travel days you are free to call our cell phones as often as you like.  No doubt you'll be hearing from us on those days. 

If there is a genuine emergency, you may call, of course.  We hope you know you come first - if you don't know that, maybe we shouldn't be doing these trips.  :) 


Thanks for your understanding - again. 

Just picked up food for the trip. We will feed about 150 kids a day while there. Now off to get dry ice & pack it all.

For Those of You Following ...

I've tested this by trying to post pics from my phone to the blog and its not working.  That doesn't mean that it won't EVER be able to do it - it just means that I can't right now.  So you may or may not see pics here.  I will try my best, but technology will only go so far.  I should have no problem posting text updates though ... unless there is no data coverage out there.  There is supposed to be, but .... we'll see. 

So, if you don't see anything here, don't panic.  Its not that we've all died.  Its that Verizon isn't working for me.  If there is ever a real emergency, you'll hear from us via a phone call. 

Picked up the truck!

A Motley Crew

Well ... I would say its about to get crazy, but it already has done that.  There are always two things that happen every year as we near the time to leave, 1) things fall into place with such uncanny timing that you know it just has to be a "God thing", and 2) the enemy throws everything he's got at you. 

Both of those things have been happening.  Several of our crew are under attack.  Some have physical issues.  Others have family issues.  And there are no doubt some that I don't know about.  At least one is leaving in a cast - and he's the cook. 

Yeah, we're a motley crew this year.  We're battle scared and we've not even left yet.  So ... pray for us ... and pray for their families who are staying behind. 

Angie Coffey
Roy Hauser
Terie Winkler
Andy Murphy
Cathy Jackson
Charles Jackson
Dennis Whitaker
Ericka Buchanan
Bailey Cartwright
Jean  Hitsman (who is already battling health issues)
Tyler Hitsman
Brian Whitlock (who is going with an air cast on this foot due to a torn ligament)
Fred Howell
Earl Baker
Brian Buriff
Amber Buriff
 

Melons?

Thanks Terie W. for helping pick up 25 watermelons today! 

The watermelon eating contest is always a blast!  

How to Burn Bridges

I'd like to credit this article but I'm not sure where it originated.  I believe it may be from Campus Crusade for Christ, but  I'm not sure of the specific source.  In any case, here are some GREAT reminders as we head off to the Rez.  Please take the time to read it carefully.  Your life may depend on it.  OK, maybe not your life, but perhaps someones soul. 



How To Burn Bridges

• Ask a lot of questions.  Especially about sensitive issues like poverty and alcoholism.
• Interrupt often when they speak.
• Be uneasy about silence and speak as often as possible.
• Feel disrespected when they don't show up at your "event", even when they said they would.
• Take a lot of pictures of "them" and use them for your ministry newsletter or research.
• Refuse a gift from them because you know what's best for them and don't want to take away the little that they have
• Think that if they pray in their language that it can't be Christian because God only speaks English

Calling Out Your Name

Well the moon moved past Nebraska


And spilled laughter on them cold Dakota Hills

And angels danced on Jacob's stairs

Yeah, they danced on Jacob's stairs

There is this silence in the Badlands

And over Kansas the whole universe was stilled

By the whisper of a prayer

The whisper of a prayer



And the single hawk bursts into flight

And in the east the whole horizon is in flames

I feel thunder in the sky

I see the sky about to rain

And I hear the prairies calling out Your name



I can feel the earth tremble

Beneath the rumbling of the buffalo hooves

And the fury in the pheasant's wings

And there's fury in a pheasant's wings

It tells me the Lord is in His temple

And there is still a faith that can make the mountains move

And a love that can make the heavens ring

And I've seen love make heaven ring



Where the sacred rivers meet

Beneath the shadow of the Keeper of the plains

I feel thunder in the sky

I see the sky about to rain

And I hear the prairies calling out Your name



From the place where morning gathers

You can look sometimes forever 'til you see

What time may never know

What time may never know

How the Lord takes by its corners this old world

And shakes us forward and shakes us free

To run wild with the hope

To run wild with the hope



The hope that this thirst will not last long

That it will soon drown in the song not sung in vain

And I feel thunder in the sky

I see the sky about to rain

And I hear the prairies calling out Your name



And I know this thirst will not last long

That it will soon drown in the song not sung in vain

I feel thunder in the sky

I see the sky about to rain

And with the prairies I am calling out Your name

- Rich Mullins

If you were following my Facebook today you know it was a crazy morning.  I had planned to shovel sand today.  We are taking 2 of those molded plastic kiddie pools to the Rez along with a lot of sand left over from a project here at our house and making sand boxes for the little ones.   So after 3 cups of coffee (it was a short night) I got to work putting the sand into bags and when the strong bags were filled I filled garbage bags inside 5 gal. buckets.  I'm still not sure how to load them onto the truck since the buckets do not have lids.  Someone suggested duct taping them but we can't stack them that way ... so I'm not sure but I am sure we'll figure something out.   

 I got almost all of them finished when I got a call from Walmart ...

I've been buying school supplies from Walmart for Backpacks For Pine Ridge for 8 years now.  I have asked many, many times if they would let me order the supplies since I buy so many but until yesterday, never found anyone there willing to help me out. 

Yesterday I was there and happened upon a lady putting tissue on an endcap near the school supplies ... so I figured, "why not ... doesn't hurt to ask again", and what do ya know ... she not only was willing to help me but she went the 3rd and 4th mile to do so.   She got on her computer and found out that they had 6000 folders in the back (they usually tell me there aren't any back there) and that a truck was coming in later with notebooks on it.  She wrote down what I needed and then stayed after her shift - on her own time - and pulled 2400 folders and put them on a skid with a note for no one to touch them.  Then today was supposed to be her day off ... but she went in and pulled 2400 notebooks for me and then gave me a call to make sure I got them.  Amazing!  Its hot here today.  The heat index is up over 100 degrees and she was supposed to go swimming today but instead went in to take care of our school supplies.  Wow .... Yeah, her boss is going to get a letter from me telling him to do whatever he has to do to keep her. 

Since plans changed so fast I posted a request for help picking up the 4800 notebooks and folders, but then had to run out really fast because some folks at Walmart were giving my friend there a  hard time about holding them till tomorrow.  So off I ran...

And after Brian and I loaded one load into his car and my Jeep, Dewayne Hitsman showed up with his SUV to help load the rest.  THANK YOU Dewayne!! 

 

1st load

More ...

Our stash grew again ...  I came home from church to find this ...

This is all the work of Fred, Earl, and Charles and Jerry.  Charles and Jerry are not going on the trip but they've put in a good deal of work to help get us ready. 

I think it bears repeating ... a LOT goes into these trips long before we ever leave. 

Hydrate!!!!

With the brutal heat this summer we need to be extra careful to stay hydrated while we're on the Rez.  While we're not really "working out", we will be out in the heat working hard for long periods of time.  Here are some guidelines to pay attention to so that you don't get dehydrated.  Remember - take care of yourself!! 

General Guidelines for Fluid Needs During Exercise


While specific fluid recommendations aren't possible due to individual variability, most athletes can use the following guidelines as a starting point, and modify their fluid needs accordingly.

Hydration Before Exercise


•Drink about 15-20 fl oz, 2-3 hours before exercise

•Drink 8-10 fl oz 10-15 min before exercise

Hydration During Exercise

•Drink 8-10 fl oz every 10-15 min during exercise

•If exercising longer than 90 minutes, drink 8-10 fl oz of a sports drink (with no more than 8 percent carbohydrate) every 15 - 30 minutes.

Hydration After Exercise

•Weigh yourself before and after exercise and replace fluid losses.

•Drink 20-24 fl oz water for every 1 lb lost.

•Consume a 4:1 ratio of carbohydrate to protein within the 2 hours after exercise to replenish glycogen stores.

Pic of the Day

In this crazy heat and humidity my lens fogged up as soon as I stepped outside.  But here's a pic ... the garage is starting to fill up.  Fred, Earl, and Charles and Jerry have been busy.  More is on the way....

If You Want to See Us Off ...

If you want to see us off, it'll cost ya!   Well, it'll cost ya a couple hours of sleep.  I know sleep is precious, but it would mean a whole lot to the team. 

We will be meeting at the church on Saturday, July 30th at 5:30 AM and will be driving out no later than 6AM.  If you get there at 6, you'll be too late. 

A lot of you have said you would like to go but can't .... this is a way to be involved.  Just saying ...

WooHoooooo!!

Be sure to check out this post at Backpacks For Pine Ridge for some really cool news!! 

How "Cool" Is This!!

Thanks to Fred and Earl for making this very cool misting machine. With temps over 100 degress on the Rez this summer, this will be awesome! It will mist water all the time so that the kids (and us) can run under it and cool off.  Click on the pic to enlarge. 

Less Than 2 Weeks ... and Counting

Ever wonder what a typical day looks like a couple of weeks before we leave? There's a lot that goes into these trips ... a whole lot.

I can't speak for everyone but I do know that 3 guys showed up today with a load of lumber for the building project. They had been out buying it and hauling to my garage and if I know them, they were probably busy doing other things too.

Another lady is cutting about 900 strips of fabric that measure 2"x6" for a craft project. I'm quite sure she's having a blast. ;)

Another team member is having surgery tomorrow. Yeah ... its like that.

And I am doing all sorts of things. I started the day out by going shopping for a few things that are still on my list. I bought 500 cookies, 200 band aids to add to the few hundred I already have, and 2 cans of coffee. All completely necessary. :) I ran into the center of the universe there - a lady who moved my cart away while I was in the middle of paying for the items. I was so tempted to say, 'Oh excuse me, I didn't realize the world revolved around you - let me get out of your way" ... but I was nice and smiled and said, 'Oh I'm going to need that to take my stuff to the car."

Then I came home and bagged sand. We have a pile of sand in our backyard that was left over from a project and since the theme this year is "the beach", we're taking a couple of those molded plastic kiddie pools and a bunch of sand out to make sand boxes for the little ones to play in. Maybe they'll even build sand castles.

I'm not sure what I was thinking because we have a heat emergency out today - the heat index is over 100 today. Oh yeah.... its going to be that hot or hotter all week long and we're running out of time - so I'm gettin' r done when I can.

I'm also still looking for a home for 327 backpacks. I have homes for the other 500 but still need a place to distribute these last few hundred. I know, I know ... I can hear the screams of "WHY DID YOU WAIT SO LONG TO DO THAT?!?!?!?!" Welllll ... let me tell ya .... its a different world on the Rez. If we do things too soon - plans seem to fall apart. I've had that happen enough to learn my lesson and wait ... and trust that God has it all under control and it will work out just like its supposed to.

That's a hard lesson for us middle-class, suburban Americans who like to think we're really, really efficient. So its kinda fun to watch people freak out a little bit when they see how I work. Hey, what's the worst that can happen?? Whatever it is, trust me, the world will not come to an end over it. I have a few possibilities ... and if those don't pan out, there's always plan "B" and "C". But I have a feeling ... that it's going to be just fine.

And when I get all this down to a manageable work load ... there's shopping to be done for school supplies for backpacks in 2012. And REZonate ... and a 5k/10k race to work on.

Well, daylight is burning ... keep watching here ... I plan to post lots of updates on the trip.

Top 10 Ways to Ruin Your Mission Trip

Haha... "this is Fred.  He was a hard worker"   

Seriously though ....

Playground Games



We're taking the beach to the Rez this year.  In keeping with the theme, we'll be playing beach games and water games as often as possible during VBS.  Here is what is planned ...

Tug of War

Frisbee

Beach Ball Race (One beach ball per team.  Players will race 2 by 2 to get the beach ball to the finish line without touching it with their hands- can balance it between their heads, stomachs, or whatever works for them)

Penguin Race (two teams will line up, people on each team must put on a swim mask and fins and race the other team to the finish point and back.  This continues until one of the two teams wins by having all of their teammates finish.)

Shell Races (same as Penguin Race except that teams will balance a sea shell on their forehead while racing to the finish without dropping it. If it is dropped they  must go back to the start and start over)

Sand Castle Races  - Two teams will race to see who can build the biggest sand castle

Tarp Surfing - with a skateboard on a large blue tarp - two team members will hold the edge of the tarp up to catch the wind while someone surfs across it.  It looks just like surfing. 

And of course we'll have sack races, slip-n-slides, a misting machine, and sand piles for the little ones and sidewalk chalk to decorate the basketball court. 

Hotel # 2

OK, so I won't really make us drive straight though ... although ... I've seriously considered it. 

On the way home we'll be staying in another hotel that will be new to us.  For some reason its been a bear to book at our usual hotels (I've spent 5 hours today trying) so we're going with some different ones.  Drivers, before you get upset about the out-of-the-way location of this one - keep in mind it was this or pay a lot more per room. 

We'll be at the Hilton Garden Inn in Des Moines, IA.  You can check it out here

One Hotel Down, One to Go?

We've booked the hotel where we will stay on the trip out to South Dakota.  Its a different one that we usually stay at so I hope you're all up for an adventure!  :)

Prices were a bit higher this year ... so I found a cheaper one.  HAHAHAA

Those who went the first year are probably cringing about now. 

Trust me ... I don't think it will be THAT bad.  Actually all of the reviews were great!   It had better reviews than the hotel we normally stay at.  Check it out for yourself here 

About Comments

Just FYI, I've reluctantly had to disable comments from this blog again.  I had hoped that this blog could be more than just an informational format and that the people connected to our mission could comment and lend support, but it seems that blogs such as this tend to attract people who often make rash judgements about what we are doing without taking time to get to know anything about us or our mission.  I'm too old and don't have the time or interest in answering those comments and if published all they do are bring the folks who are trying to do something good down - so, sorry folks, no more comments. 

Walk on .... the One who knows us, knows our hearts and that's all that matters. 

VBS Teams

For those team members who may not remember ...

VBS Teams

Little Kids

Cathy
Charles
Earl
Fred
Bailey
Brian B.

Middlers

Roy
Jean
Angie
Ericka
Tyler
Dennis
Terie
Andy

A Story Worth Repeating

One  of the most challenging things about preparing a team for a mission trip is the aspect of sharing the gospel.  Each year we have a team with various church backgrounds and who are in various stages of spiritual maturity.  Its probably safe to sasy that there are a lot of different expectations and opinions on the topic of sharing the gospel and what that looks like in a different culture.  Do we do it?  How do we do it?  When do we do it?   Afterall, it is a mission trip so winning souls is what its all about, right? 

Yes, winning souls is the ultimate goal but how we go about that makes all the difference.  Emily Clark has worked as an intern on the Pine Ridge Reservation and shares this story which illustrates how a mission team can go wayyyy off the rails in seeking to share the gospel.  With her permission, I share a portion of it here.

One of the more horrific experiences of my life, related to my experience of the Church, took place last summer while I was living and working of the Pine Ridge Reservation. A little about the community before I tell you the story, because I believe context will help you understand. Manderson, where I lived, is 15 miles from the closest gas pump; it has a school k-8, a college center, a tribal office, a tiny store where a gallon of milk costs $5, a post office, and a day care center. About 600 people live in the community. Pine Ridge has 80-90% unemployment, an average yearly income of about $3,500, and a life expectancy for men of 46 and women 52. There is one small Catholic Church in the community of Manderson and it does not have regular services. I can rattle off other stats but you get the point, life there is hard and if anyone needs to be shown the love of God it is the Lakota people.



While I was there working for YouthWorks hosting youth mission trips, my team and I worked to shoe the people in the community that we came because we loved them, another church group came for a week long mission trip. This group, who denomination will remain nameless, invited the entire community and the 70+ YouthWorks participants to a free Indian Taco meal. An Indian Taco, which is not a racist term trust me, is the best food in the world. My mouth waters just thinking it about them. Anyway I gave my permission for my group to be a part of this activity because a meal is a great way to engage with people and interact with them on an even level. The pastor planning this event plastered the community with signs inviting them to a free meal. No cost, nothing you have to give or do to be a part of it, just come and eat.

About 400 hungry people crammed into the tiny gym Wounded Knee District expecting a meal and were given instead a worship service. Hymns were sung from the stage while the White Christians attempted to engage the native people sitting at the tables across from them. Then came the message, it was at this point that I entered the gym, totally unaware of what was happening my community. I felt terrible. Here was this pastor speaking from the stage to a room full of hungry people telling them how if they only accepted Jesus into their hearts as their savior everything would be better. They wouldn't go to hell when they died. Even thinking about it makes me cringe; this pastor knew nothing about the pain that people lived with daily. The people who filled that gym expecting a meal lived in a daily hell. Hell was all around them, hell is not being able to feed their children, hell is be a child who is raped by his or her drunk uncle, hell is a 6 year old riding her bike for 2 days straight because she does not have place to sleep

While I was sitting there cringing at the disgrace that the pastor was preaching in the name of Jesus he pulled out the classic, turn or burn moment. I am sure that some of you have experienced it.
He said, "Now everyone close your eyes," something no one did, "Now raise your hand if you don't want to spend eternity burning in hell."

I heard several people around me yell, "we are hungry and want to eat, just raise your hand."

The pastor, "We are not going to eat until someone comes to Jesus and steps away from Hell."

Finally after the acceptable number of people raised their hands, we were able to eat. The next day, an ice cream social was offered to the community and before they could get their ice cream they had to listen to the same message. Then the Christian's left, they did their good service to the poor Indians, and then went home.

I was left saddened and frankly amazed at how the love of God got boiled down to a way to get a free Indian taco or a free ice cream Sunday. I had invested a year of my life in that community showing people that being a Christian was about love and being able to see the love that God has for them. I did not see the point to warn people about hell, when it was all around them. What they need to see is heaven here and now. If you are going to describe a revolutionary concept to people speak of peace and love enduring and conquering all.

More please ....

Each year we feed about 150 children a meal every day that we are on the Rez.  In past years we have always been given a large donation of meat from a local business and we are very grateful for their past generosity.  However, this year the donation of food is looking very, very, very doubtful. 

We know from past years that the kids on the Rez are truly hungry so NOT feeding them a meal is not an option.  Its just something we have to do, whatever the cost. 

This Sunday evening, April 3, at 6pm at the Winton Road First Church of God, Gary Hitsman will be in concert.  If you've heard Gary, you know he has an awesome voice.  Its a voice that has taken him to some pretty high places in his past.  His old band opened for some national acts when he was the lead singer for Distant Rail.  He's good.  Really good. 

The concert is free.  Just come and enjoy and be blessed. 

We will take up an offering at some point and all the money we receive will be used to purchase food for the children on the Rez.  If you can't give, that's OK, come anyway - you will be glad you did. 

We're Going to the BEACH !

And if you go to the beach you know you're going to need Flip Flops, Sunglasses, and a brightly colored bandanna to keep the sun off your head.  :)  

I was able to get them all to match ...

In the pic is also a couple of the crafts we'll be doing with the younger kids.  Some foam craft crabs and sandcastles. 

The teens will do some Tarp Surfing and scrapbooking and have a "make your own banana split" night. 

Those are just a few of the FUN things we have planned for the kids this year! 

Meeting and Payment Time Again

The next team meeting will be Sunday, Feb. 6th @ 4pm @ Winton Rd. First Church of God.  The next payment of $130 is also due at that time.   We'll be setting up the VBS teams so be thinking about which group you would prefer to work with.  We'll do our best to get you with the group you would like, but no promises.  :)