SUNDAY SCHOOL, CHURCH, AND AN ORGAN

Today was a very nice morning. The weather was a little cool, but much warmer than it has been. I felt that church was a refreshing time, and we all enjoyed it. Only a few came to worship with us, but our worship is not based on how many are attending. Ray gave a good message, and he spoke of the many miracles that God worked for the children of Israel when they were fleeing from Egypt; and he left us with the question, "How big is your God? Is He big enough to solve the problems of your life? The God of Israel is big enough, if we are serving Him." I left feeling challenged.

Ray and Esther went around and tried to get some children to get out of bed and come to Sunday School and they were successful. Esther had a few in the basement, and they had a good Sunday School. The children seemed happy when they left, and they promised to come next week. God has given her the ability to make relationships with young ones.

I was so happy when some friends donated an organ for the chapel. (Yes, it was an organ donation!) I love to play the organ, and it sometimes seems so much more worshipful to have organ music.

We are encouraged, and God is helping in Lower Brule!

REVIVAL CHALLENGE

It is an understatement to say that we felt overwhelmed this week when we were trying to do all that needed to be done to have revival services. So many things that looked impossible worked out easily, and the work was done on Thursday evening. Becky Yoder came and helped by playing the piano because the regular piano player could not be there, and it was such a lift to those who were there. We also appreciated the help that Ben and Lori and the boys gave us during that week. Ray got our old blue van running {a miracle in itself :)} and towed the camper out to Lower Brule and parked it beside the church. This made a comfortable spot for us to stay in during the day.
We appreciate Cecilia and Joe coming to Lower Brule--they were both an inspiration and comfort to us. She also spoke directly to the Native people about their own issues. The people accepted her message well. We also appreciate the people from Lower Brule and Fort Thompson who attended the services. The Fort Thompson church brought their people and came to our service on Sunday evening. Thank you to the Fort Thompson people for their support.

Different people from the community visited the services, and we were happy to see several new faces. Our children's services were very low key, and only a few children attended; but the mother of one girl attended the services, and another family came on Sunday night. We were so pleased with the new contacts. We are fairly certain that the children who came will be the beginning of our Sunday School.

I suppose the highlight of the services came on Saturday night when we could sense the Lord's working among us. At the end of the service, Cecelia asked those who would like us to pray for them to raise their hand. Every native person who was there raised his or her hand. This is a challenge to us, as we must be faithful to pray for each one of them. These are sincere people who want a relationship with God. Some of them are serving Him now, some have served Him and fallen away, and some have never known Him. We have a huge responsibility. Please pray for us that we will not fail them.

We have often been impressed with the potential among these people. Even the children seem bright and eager, and they are a joy to work among. It is a long road each week to come to the people, but it is worth every mile. :)

WORKING TOWARD REVIVAL

As the time for revival services with Cecelia Spotted Bear approaches, we are finding ourselves busier and busier. This weekend saw some accomplishments, and we appreciate the Lord's help in that. Ray has wanted to put up a new sign that would be set on an angle in the church yard so that it could be easily read from both directions. He and Esther dug the holes and set the sign Saturday. It made us happy when it was done.

The basement of the church has presented a challenge to us, and we did not know what to do to improve it. Some friends of the mission noticed the problem and bought and donated a dehumidifier for it. We thoroughly cleaned and bleached the basement and set up the dehumidifier. It has made a tremendous difference that can be noticed as soon as we enter the door of the church. Esther has been an inspiration to us, and she has some wonderful decorating ideas for the basement that will make it kid friendly. We hope to get a chance soon to put these ideas to work.

We had several men who gathered to worship with us this morning. These men are very interested in the things of God, and we appreciate them. We pray that this revival will prove a blessing to them and to the whole community of Lower Brule. Revival starts this Thursday, and we have some details still to work out. We would appreciate if you would pray that these would go easily into place.

WORSHIP AND WORK

It has been two weeks since I reported on the work at Lower Brule. We thank the Lord for helping us in the work there. Last Sunday the Kalovskys came and helped us again, and Ben preached. We appreciated Ben's willing help; as Ray had arrived home from Oklahoma City just the day before, and he was very tired. A little fellow came in during service. Lori took him and had a little Sunday School lesson with him and let him color a picture. He seemed to enjoy the personal time with her, and she enjoyed the time with him.

We are glad that Ray's mother is recuperating well from her surgery.

This Sunday was just Ray and I again, and we were happy for those who came to worship with us. The men who came to church spoke of a young man from the reservation who had been killed in an automobile accident. After the service, a neighbor called Ray over to talk to him. It was his nephew who had been killed. He was asking prayer for the family, and he took Ray's phone number, as he thought he might need him to assist in the wake or funeral services. We hope to be included, as this always helps us to become acquainted with the families. This young man's siblings had been attending children's services at the mission. Tragedy is so much a part of life on the reservation, but it doesn't make it any less painful for the families who suffer the loss of a loved one. Please help us pray for this family.

We are hoping to get lots of work done this week, in looking toward the revival campaign that is coming up. It is scheduled from October 1-4. We are hoping to have children's services in the earlier evening, and then a church service each evening. Our goal is to make many contacts in this series of services, and we would like the people to become acquainted with us. The work looks daunting, but we serve a big God.

THOUGHTS

This little girl comes to church with her grandpa quite frequently. He said she will ask, "Gampa can I go to church with you?" whenever he goes to church. She gets herself dressed up and is excited to go with him. She even asks her Grandma if she can go to Bible study with her during the week. She just likes to go to church. Wouldn't it be nice if everyone had this desire?

Blogging is a form of journaling, and my understanding is that journaling is for the purpose of putting our thoughts in writing. I have felt that this week would be a good week to be transparent and honest with those who care enough to follow our blog. The critical and curious will have become tired of my chattering and I would like to share my feelings with our caring friends.
Mission causes have been very close to Ray’s and my hearts since before we were married. When we were engaged to be married, we had an understanding that we would eventually become engaged in mission work, and Ray’s particular interest was the Native Americans. Though openings sometimes presented themselves, nothing was right until Bev Fay called and asked us to consider going to Ravinia, South Dakota. We spent seven years there, and we poured ourselves into the work believing that we would always be there. We sent Philip and then Lynn to Mitchell to Faith Bible School as they became older, and then we realized that Leah would have to also leave the reservation. We have always felt that our children were our first priority; and so we moved to Mitchell, South Dakota to be near the two older children. We were invited to work at the school; so that’s what we did for eight more years. The three older children moved out and went on with their lives, and we have tried to make a solid and safe home for Esther. She is now looking to graduate and leave home to go far away to Bible College. Ray and I expect to make changes again.
Near the end of our stay at Ravinia, our hearts were drawn to the little reservation where we are working today; even though we knew that it was not wise to move our children back to the reservation. We spoke to some friends who seemed to have an interest in the same reservation, and we began having services in one of the homes of the Native American people. We were involved in coming out for a couple of years helping with the music, having VBS, and helping however possible until the door closed for us to do that. Others tried to “keep the work going.” It saddened us when we began hearing the calls for help, and we felt we were not in a place to respond. Our hearts felt that they would break when we saw that some were considering closing the church. We have responded, though we do not feel that we can move out to the reservation until the time is right. We realize all too well that “long distance missionary work” is not as effective. We know that God is working in our lives, and He has a deep interest in the Lower Brule community and the church. We have responded to this position under the present organization for the duration of one year.
So…what are we doing now? I am not interested in just keeping church doors open, though that may be what we will be doing for the present. We are planning the aforementioned revival campaign in October. Though I have had a deep interest and have worked with Native American children for 14 years, the situation with the children in Lower Brule was ‘out of hand’ when we arrived, and it is impossible for us to continue with the same set-up that had formerly been practiced. We conducted a few children’s services, and I was given the opportunity to observe the present situation.

Our full intent is to work with the children here, although it will be a slow process to begin it again and get it headed in the right direction. I have been researching the education of Native American children, and have found some books helpful in understanding the challenges that these children face. I also have been honored to get acquainted with a Native American who is the third generation of educators of Native American children. She has been exceedingly helpful, and she has produced a research project that details behaviors and management in the education of Native children. She has put herself at my disposal, and this is an untold blessing. I have plans to meet with an effective missionary of many years for advice, also. I understand enough about the history of Native American education to recognize the danger of vigorous activity without knowledge and understanding. It will be a slow process, but we plan to continue with the challenge and the quest for the best way to manage. There will be those with little understanding who will criticize, but Jesus was belittled and ridiculed for His methods.
Hopefully, this will give you a better understanding of our feelings and our activities (or the seeming lack of them). At best, we do not have the capability to reach men and women and children and change their lives, but we serve One Who does. We are at His disposal, and we feel that it is required of us to be faithful. Part of that faithfulness is being patient, researching the best management methods, preparing ourselves, and trying to achieve an understanding and love that will win everyone we meet to Christ. Thank you for caring for us and the people and work of Lower Brule.

CALLING, COMFORT, AND CAMPAIGN

"Faithful is He who calleth you who also will do it." In this age of betrayed trusts and disappointed expectations, we can believe God who says He will do it. When it is God's leading, He will bring it to pass.

We felt that the service this morning was another special time of meeting with God and His people. We appreciate the people who gather in on a Sunday morning to worship with us. Those who come are so sincere in their worship. It was also a special boost to have the Kalovskys with us again this morning. They relate well to the people who come to church, and it is good to have them help in the service, also. Ben and Lori are personable to the people and show interest in them, and the people respond to their interest. Zak and Abraham also relate well, and they add a special facet to the morning. LizzieBeth has her own sweetness, of course; and she wins hearts quickly. Sometimes God sends special comfort to us in the form of His people. This morning the Kalovskys were that comfort.

We are excited that Sister Cecelia Spotted Bear from Wounded Knee, SD, has agreed to come and hold services for us in October. We are planning a children's thrust in the late afternoon, and revival services in the evenings. We get excited just thinking about it. I also get a little anxious, as we have much to do before that time, but God will help us to do what needs to be done. Please pray for us as we prepare for this special time.

Where Were All The Children??

Sunday School time and no children. Where are all the children? It didn’t take us long to find out. This weekend was the local festival for Lower Brule, and they had a powwow, a rodeo, and a parade. The parade went right past the church, giving us a prime opportunity to view culture in its finest form and dress. There were all the children, dressed in their Native American regalia and riding on, in, and around vehicles and kiddie trains. We enjoyed watching them go by, and they were often very friendly—smiling and waving. Well, they had a good time and we didn’t have Sunday School. One thing is certain—if the circumstance is exciting enough, kids will get up on Sunday mornings. Wonder what I could dream up that would be as fun as a parade??

Earl Adair is our district supervisor, and he came for service this morning. It was nice to have him and Wylie drop in. Earl has many years of experience working among the Native Americans, and he is great to work with. We had a couple of men show up for morning service this morning, and we appreciate their interest. They are both an inspiration to us, as they are so warm and friendly and interested in whatever is going on.

I have been working on decorating some areas in the church, as it sometimes feels a little drab to me. One area that has bothered me for many years is the large ‘shelf’ that goes over the steps that lead to the basement. Esther and I have thought and tried different thing, but we like what we have finally come up with. We have other areas we want to work on now for a few weeks.

We thank God for His help to us as we plan for future projects and services. We are planning a fall revival and children’s thrust, and we are finishing working out details of that. We are already planning the Christmas Service, and we have decided on our theme. Thank you for your prayers for the church and for us as we guide it.