HANGIN' EM UP

The last two Sundays have been very encouraging to us. The children who are coming to church have been so precious and loving, and we feel that we have established a strong relationship with them. I expect some of these relationships to become lasting. These children face life challenges that would make an adult shudder, but they are brave and cheerful most of the time.
We were so happy to bring the bus out, and the kids were happy. I will give the proof for that statement in the pictures that follow. :)
We do not hang the kids, but they love the bar at the top of the van. Somehow, I knew what would happen when I saw the rail up at the top. After we pick them up, we end up spending a little time getting everyone sitting down, as they would rather sit anywhere than in the seats (how boring!!). They are compliant, though, when we get serious about it.
This is harvest time here as well as other places in South Dakota. Lower Brule is situated on a big bend in the Missouri River, and there is rich and fertile farmland on the banks of the river in this area. Ray and I took a drive between the fields, and found some impressive crops. We also found some wild flowers and pretty grasses, along with some deer and wildlife. We find Lower Brule to be many-faceted with surprises around every corner.
The Monday classes are moving right along--we are nearing the midterm 'crisis.' I am very impressed with my students. I find them to be artful and meaningful writers. Some of the writings reflect such deep thoughts and life lessons, though they are 'writers in the raw.' Most of them are open and friendly, and I am honored to be a part of their lives at this juncture.

DEVELOPMENTS

This Sunday dawned bright and cheerful. The temperature was a perfect 72 degrees, and the river was a sapphire blue. Ray and I started out for Lower Brule with the 'new' van that was purchased by the FMA for the mission. Before we left town, Ray noticed a flat tire on one of the back duals. He tried to fix it, but time was against us, and too much had to be done before we left. We left town a little sad, as we were excited to take the van out for the kids. Oh well, next week...
We had a nice Sunday morning service, and our attendance was up a little. The afternoon Sunday School was enjoyable. The children are refreshing and fun to teach. It takes so little to make them happy. We feel that we have established a relationship with them. We were happy when a mother brought a three new children who were wanting to come to Sunday School, and they showed us where they live so we can regularly pick them up. On the way home, one of the children informed me that 'this van is too little.' I promised her to try to have a big van by next week. :) :)
We're so thankful for the van (have I mentioned this before?). Someone loaned the $3000.00 for the van for the mission. We are praying that the Lord will move some people to help pay this person the money owed.
Monday was a beautiful day as well, and I held the two classes that I teach at the Lower Brule Community College. I find the students to be warm, enjoyable, and mentally stimulating. I have included a picture of the classroom that I use for the classes. I spend a minimum of 7 hours in this room every Monday. Ray uses the time that I am in the classroom to visit and get acquainted around the area. This week he went and had a nice visit with the tribal chairman.

May God bless you for your interest in the work in Lower Brule.

OLD FRIENDS; NEW FACES

We are stepping through 'the gate' into the unknown in some areas of our lives, and especially in the area of the work in Lower Brule. I have taken the responsibility of teaching two classes-EN 101 and EN 102- at the Lower Brule Community College. I have been thoroughly enjoying this experience in my life. I find the students to be bright and eager to learn, for the most part. They are respectful and cooperative. While I am teaching, Ray has time in which he has been visiting the men who come to church. We stay over on Sunday nights and teach the classes on Mondays, and return to Mitchell after classes on Monday night. This seems to be working well.

We were thrilled to entertain Mike and Vivian Pile, friends who have been with us through 'thick and thin' since college. We had some wonderful times together during the week that they stayed with us. They came with us over to Lower Brule on Sunday, and it was an encouragement to have them with us. They took several pictures and we will share them with you. The above picture was taken at Shakespeare Gardens in Wessington Springs where we stopped on our way home from the mission.

Did I mention that it was a hot day that Sunday? It registered 104 degrees on the car thermometer.

This is a building that is in Lower Brule that was decorated by teen boys from the village. The people are often very artistic and talented.

The kids are usually and interested audience.

They love to lead the singing.

We were very happy when the Faith Missionary Council voted to help buy a van to haul the kids in to Sunday School. This is a $3000.00 expense with which they need help from those who are interested in the work there. This van will relieve a heavy burden on us when we transport them to and from church.

ALONE??

"Lo, I am with you always..."

What a comfort to know that we are not alone in any endeavor that we attempt for God! Ray and I started out with a little trepidation this morning to hold church service and then to have the afternoon Sunday School. We are doing what missionaries are doing and have done for many years past--trying to hold Sunday School by themselves. We are aware that there have been behavior issues in the past, though we have not experienced them since we have been there; and we know that the children could get out of control. In spite of our uneasiness, we enjoyed our drive out to the reservation. The sunflowers are in full bloom now, and the sunflower fields stretched on each side of us as we drove. The wild sunflowers are blooming profusely along the interstate, interspersed with other wild flowers; and I had a crazy desire to stop along the highway and take some pictures. I fought down the desire and got a few pictures after we exited to go to Lower Brule.

Pow-Wow Grounds at Lower Brule

Today is the Pow-Wow at Lower Brule, and our attendance reflected the event. We were sorry when we realized we had not come early enough to see the parade, as we thoroughly enjoyed it last year (see blog entry Where were all the children?) We took a couple of pictures of the Pow-Wow, and we will share them with you.

Molly usually goes to Sunday School, but she was headed to the Pow-Wow this morning. Mr. Shetland was not cooperating so well. She is such a happy girl.

I attended the orientation for instructors at the Lower Brule College this week, and everyone is so friendly. I am looking forward to working with all of them. We feel that this will help us to become acquainted with more people of the Lower Brule area. One of the young men who comes to church sometimes told us that he registered to go to college there, and he is registered in one of my classes. The Bible commands us to go and 'teach' all men, and this is an integral part of the Kingdom of God.

These girls decided to do their coloring under the table.

We are looking at a van to purchase for the mission. Please pray that we can have the money that is needed to make this purchase. Thank you for your interest in Lower Brule Wesley Chapel.

A CURVE IN THE ROAD

Sometimes when I have been driving or riding, a curve in the road has evoked a strong feeling of relief: for instance, when I thought I had made a wrong turn because the road seemed to be going another direction than I needed to go, but it suddenly curved and headed the right direction. Sometimes, I have been frightened when I realized that the road curved when I didn't expect it and I felt I was going too fast to negotiate it safely. Other times, I have been driving or riding when the curves in the road spoke peace simply because they were so much a part of the beautiful landscape of overarching tree branches, bird songs and wild flowers on our drive. Our family has been driving before when the road appeared to end and a part of a lake or a house or something else seemed to be placed directly in our path, and we would comment and chuckle as we knew that the road turned and twisted around the 'roadblock.' Our pastor in time past quoted a poem that spoke of a road that looks like it is ending for us, but in reality it is just a curve in the road. Ray and Esther and I have reached that curve in our road. Our afternoon Sunday School is a change that we felt it best to make, and it appears that it is a good decision. Our attendance has picked up, and the children are usually dressed and ready for us when we arrive. This is so much easier than having to leave the vehicle and go knock on the door and wake them up and then wait for them to get dressed to come.

Esther has been taking care of the Sunday School, and she has done a fabulous job; however, today was my time to take over the Sunday School, as Esther left today to drive to a friend's house and then drive to school in Florida for the year. Ray and I will have to 'keep on our toes' to keep order and still teach the children. This Sunday went very well, as the children were relatively quiet and listened to the Bible story. They were mostly very interested in their little project that we gave them to do after the lesson. They are such good children.I have been working on preparing the English 101 and 102 classes that I will be teaching at Lower Brule Community College starting August 30. This will be another change, as it will neccessitate our staying in Lower Brule area on Sunday nights to be there on Mondays. I will teach both classes on Mondays, and then we will return to Mitchell on Monday nights.

We have been assessing 'progress' at Lower Brule Wesley Chapel, and we feel that the Lord might be pleased for some other changes to be made that might help the mission to grow to be a more healthy mission. It has been close to 10 years since the church was reopened under the present organization, and we are interested in fanning the flame of potential that we see burning in the mission and in the Lower Brule area. Please pray for guidance for Ray and I as we seek to further the work.

BEAUTY

We usually enjoy our car ride out to Lower Brule, maybe even more than the ride back home. Maybe we're more tired, or maybe we're more awake and have more to talk about. Anyway, I ignored the clock and stopped a couple of times on the ride in to take a couple of pictures to share with you. I believe that Chamberlain, Fort Thompson, and Lower Brule are some of the most beautiful spots in South Dakota. Our number of children has been climbing with the nice weather, and today peaked our attendance for the Sunday morning service since we started working at Lower Brule. Esther and I had our hands full. They were bursting with energy, but so precious. We had several new ones that we hadn't had for Sunday School, and these guys seemed interested.

When one of the children comes for four Sundays, he or she gets to choose from a box of special prizes that we have prepared for them. Molly decided on a recorder. She 'tried it out' all the way home, and we were happy to let her out at home. Several hours later, Esther thought about it and said, "I bet Molly's mother hates us right now!" :)

Upstairs, Ray had an extra when a mother of one of the children stopped in for service. She occasionally comes, and we are always happy when she does. Thank you for your interest in Lower Brule.

AN INVITATION

How I love to receive invitations!! Well, usually. :) I like an invitation to come and visit, an invitation to go out to coffee, to dinner. I like an invitation that is offered because someone enjoys spending time with me or my family. I especially like invitations that don't include a list of "ideas" of what to buy and bring with me { :) }--as in, no strings attached--spoken pure and simple, "I just want your companionship." Jesus invited us to "Come unto Me, and learn of Me." He invites us to be His friend, and He invites us to fellowship with Him. We extended this invitation to the community of Lower Brule this morning. It was a beautiful morning with not too much heat, and a little sun. The river reflected the brilliant blue sky as we drove over.

We love when they are ready and impatiently waiting for us!

We took our minivan out to pick up children this morning and just about filled it.

They get all dressed up in their good clothes to come. :)


We feel rewarded when we see the children coming to church with anticipation.

We had an interesting and uninvited visitor in church this morning. When we were ready to start church, I noticed a very large grasshopper seated primly on the unlit candle in front of the pulpit desk. When the music started, I expected him to 'make good his escape,' but he seemed to be absorbed in the goings-on, and he stayed. I thought I heard him add a little talent to the singing once, but maybe it was my imagination. He sat up with his antennae bent toward Ray as he prayed and preached. Part way through the message, he must have felt bored, and he lay down a little while. Soon he sat back up and resumed his diligent attention in the message. After the service, we went to the back to converse with the attendees. After everyone left, we went back up front to dispense with Mr. Grasshopper. He was nowhere in sight, and we did not find him again, though we searched. Wonder if he'll come next week without an invitation?? I got a very poor picture of the fellow.

My apologies to you and to Mr. Grasshopper for the poor photography

Speaking of invitations, one of the church families offered us a piece of property (2 1/2 acres) to use to live on so we can move out to be with the people. We are very touched by the offer. Please pray that we would stay in step with the Great Planner. We have long felt that it is necessary for the survival of the church for the people to have someone who cares enough to live with them.

Thank you for your interest in Lower Brule.