Christmas is a special time of the year, and we especially love to celebrate it at Lower Brule. Last year was fun, and this year was even more so for us. We were just beginning last year, and we only had a few children. We have experienced some growth; so there were several more children who took part in the program this year. We plan a three-day mini-VBS for the kids prior to the Christmas Program, and we tell them a portion of the Christmas story each night, let them make crafts to hang up at home, and give them treats and prizes. We also teach them the songs and Bible verses that they will need to know for the Christmas Program. This was our method of operating this year, also. The kids were excited to see Esther again, and she planned the theme, "The Light of Christmas." They learned three verses from the Bible about Jesus being the Light, and some of the familiar Christmas carols that refer to the Light. We pulled out the trusty costumes and fixed the children up to look like Mary, Joseph, shepherds, angels, sheep, a donkey, and a cow. The night of the program, they did very well in saying their Bible verses and singing. They were excited to be costumed up, and they cooperated. At the end of the program, the angels lined up in front of the altar and held lighted candles while we extinguished the lights and Esther played "O, Holy Night" on the violin. They are such special children, and they are happy with so little. 
Some of them came back for Sunday School today, and we quizzed them on their memory of the Bible verses, the songs, and the lessons learned during the sessions. They have it all down pat. We feel like there has been some work accomplished. I am so sorry that I do not have any pictures of the program, but my camera has decided to die, and I can sometimes get a picture from my phone. Unfortunately, I was busy on the night of the program and didn't get a picture, though I can assure you that it was a beautiful sight with the innocent and sweet-looking angels sparkling in the candlelight, the demure little sheep standing quietly nearby, and the Mary and Joseph looking so protective of the little doll that they were guarding. I wish you could have been there. Some of the people brought treats and gifts to give to the children at the program, and the Pilgrim Holiness Church at Marion, MI sent an offering to buy treats for the children. My 'crafty' sister also sewed and appliqued cloth treat bags with handles for the kids who took part. They were so cute and fun to give out. 
I contacted a student from last semester and found that she had been looking for me right after we left the church Sunday night to tell me of a tragic death in her family. Esther and I took the time to stop at the wake after one of the children's services on Tuesday, and we were glad that we stopped, as it was the right timing. We see the hand of God in the work there, and we are honored to be a part of His Plan. We have found that we can rest in God's will as He plans our paths for us. All that is required is that we keep step with Him. Thank you for your interest in Lower Brule. May God especially bless you this Holiday Season!
We had a relatively quiet Sunday School. The children are so special, and they love to help with holding and singing the little songs, and they also help me tell the story by putting up the pictures when I call on someone to put one up. It seems like the action of holding a picture and putting it on the board helps them to remember and understand the story. The next week they are usually able to tell me the story from the week before, and they have astounded me by the details they remember. Some of them ask me almost weekly: "Where is Esther?" They get the same answer every week, but this week I promised them that Esther would be there next week. They were so excited. One little girl told me very dramatically that 'Esther is the best teacher that has ever been at this church!' Ha! Kudos for me!!
We started out this morning and arrived very early for church. It was very cold this morning, and Ray worked at the bus, trying to get it to start. It seems to have a weak battery, and the starter refused to spin. Oh, well, buy a new battery! :) Our people started coming in for church, and they are always so upbeat and cheerful. However, this morning, they bore the bad news that the son of one of the men who has come to church here passed away Saturday afternoon. It was sad for everyone, as the death was so unnecesssary. We prayed much for him. The father came to the church later in the afternoon and spent a couple of hours with Ray as he worked through the initial grief and pain of this death. We will be coming back to Lower Brule this week to attend the wake and possibly the funeral of this young man.
Sunday School was fun this afternoon, though we ended up exhausted when it was over. Happily, the weather warmed up a little, and the bus chose to start for us to take the kids back home. We had an especially long Sunday School because the children crafted a little Christmas decoration that involved a hot glue gun. Clever idea, Charlotte!! I only used the glue gun so that no one would get burned, and they waited in line and became bored. Ha! This will be a lesson to me. They were not bad, but the noise volume increased a bit. :)
Today is the last week of the semester there at Lower Brule Community College, and I will be administering semester finals today. I have enjoyed working with my students, and I will miss some of them as they will not be my students again. I am leaving this semester, however, with new friends. That makes me happy.
Last Christmas, Amy Susan came out and helped Esther and I as we held a series of children's services just before the Christmas Program and then had the Program. The Kalovsky family came out and helped make the Christmas Program happen. Ben was the narrator, Abraham played his violin, Zak and Lori helped get the children costumed and up on the platform at the right moment. They also donated for the treat bags that we distributed after the program. We made contacts that have given us Sunday School children throughout this year.
Ray had knee surgery last winter, and he was not able to preach nor go to the mission for many weeks. Ben Kalovsky took Ray's place most Sundays, and Lindell Howard filled in one Sunday. At Easter, we had a Good Friday service with communion, and Ray needed help as he was not able to walk freely yet. Dale Sherman from Winner and Scott Yoder from Ravinia helped him serve the communion. Lindell Howard sang in the service. 
Our friends Mike and Vivan Pile came from Indiana this summer and visited the mission one Sunday. They were a great encouragement and boost to our morale. Rev. Melvin and Kay Beecher also stopped in on a Monday and visited and spent a couple of days with us. This also was an encouragement. We need willing fellowship from God's people, and these times help to meet that need. 
I also have the blessing of a friend who calls every time when we get home to see how the weekend went,and she listens patiently while I give her all the details-good or bad.
This friend also does us another weekly favor. Pet owners know how a pet can curtail activities such as going away for the weekend. Lori and her children keep up with the dog while we are gone, and we rest comfortably, knowing that he is being cared for. Lori periodically comes down to the house over the weekend, Abraham comes sometimes, and her daughter Jessica and her little daughter Lizzy Beth come over sometimes. Lori called me a couple of weeks ago because Duke uncharacteristically ran away from her. I told her to go check Jessica's house; and, sure enough, he was paying her a visit! :) I think he thinks the Kalovskys are his family, too. 
Maybe we have unintentionally left someone out-I hope not. If so, God know about you, and we are so thankful for those who form a human chain and work to keep the mission going smoothly.
My mind has been processing the idea of God's Kingdom vs Our Kingdoms for many years (I process slowly). Since I am not a theologian nor a Bible scholar, I will just share some of my thoughts and how they relate to Ray and I. Hopefully, you can glean a little for yourself from my thoughts.
I am sitting above Lower Brule at an outlook that overlooks the Big Bend where LB is nestled against the bend in the river. The view is spectacular this evening. I have taken pictures from this area before, but my camera is 'on the blink.' The sun is setting, and the golden bluffs across the river are mirrored perfectly in the still water. Buffalo wander in the buttes below, and the pink clouds are flung across the multi- blue sky. The river is reflecting the pink light of the sky at the bend, and the rose fades into a deeper blue as it progresses down the river. Lights are beginning to sparkle in LB as people are beginning their supper. This could be one of the last days left this fall when I can sit up here in the car with the window down and wearing a sweater enjoying the evening. I cannot express how much I love our time here at LB on the weekends, and how much we love the work.
Here at the mission, the kids seem to find comfort in odd positions. We allow them a little play time in the bus while we are in housing, but when we get on the road, they have to sit down.
and a table with coffee and donuts.
What more do we need? 
I never knew the day would come when I would be 
Monday classes are going well. I thoroughly enjoy working in this capacity, and I am thankful for this opening. I have met many nice people. I take pleasure in the opportunities to get more acquainted with my students. They often linger during breaks or after class to talk, and we have nice conversations. My students are people who are trying to better their own lives and the lives of their families and their tribe. These students are balancing a grueling schedule and financial load to accomplish what they have a vision to accomplish. I feel honored to be a part of their lives.
Thank you for your interest in Lower Brule. Please continue to pray that we will be wise in the work, that money will be raised to pay the loaner back for the van, and that Ray will be able to accomplish the work on the basement that he has been pursuing for a couple of months now.
