William

My second trip to Pine Ridge Reservation consisted of many similarities and differences with my first trip. Many of the same faces, like my sister and my very old friend, Katie, and many new, like the rising freshmen and my best friend Joe. Part of what made this trip special was the fact that I thought I knew what to expect. Since I went last year, I thought that all last year's surprises would not surprise me anymore but I was wrong. This year brought just as many new surprises as last year. It was much more hectic at the camp due to wakes taking place where we were supposed to eat and sleep. There were only two church groups at the camp as opposed to four last year, and our church group was also much bigger than it was last year. Aside from the differences it was very refreshing to experience the thrill of Kids Club and the satisfaction of painting a house once more. As always, the highlight of the week was the foot washing ceremony on Thursday night. Though I have been to ceremonies like this on other occasions, there is always something about this particular one that continually gets to me. Being with people who have seen the same things and felt the same things as I have completely changes the mood and has now twice brought me to tears. There was one point where I was hugging my two oldest friends, Katie and Joe, that I realized that this was where I was meant to be. God was so potent in that room that you could just about reach out and touch Him. To amplify the sadness ofthe situation, I also then realized this was the last trip I would experience with our fabulous youth leaders, Willy and Angela, who have become so much more than just advisors. Yet amidst all the tears and crying, there was pure untainted joy. We weren't crying because we were sad, but because we felt God's presence in ways that we had never felt it before. We realized that being Christian is not just going to church and staying awake through the sermon, but serving others. In the Gospel ofLuke, it says that the Kingdom of God is in all men, not just ones who live in our town or next to us, but all the people who live on the earth. It was during this embrace with my two best friends that I realized that I had been blessed. I had been blessed with a home, food, water, a family that loves and cares for me, and friends that do the same. On the reservation, there are people who have none of these, and I felt, and still feel, that it is my duty to spread God's love to them through service. So as I sit on the bus, writing this by the light of my cell phone while speeding home, I wonder what it is that I truly want to share with whoever is reading this. I suppose that it is that this mission trip to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation is extremely close to my heart and I pray that it can continue for many years to come so that others can experience what I have experienced and feel what I have felt.

Sidney

It felt like a home last year, but returning magnified that. This week in South Dakota we served physically by painting, scraping, and playing soccer with kids; emotionally by being listening ears and loving arms; and spiritually by living for and loving for God in every moment. Second Presbyterian's youth group is one of the most God-filled places I've ever witnessed. I'm truly blessed to be a part of it. No matter how far my family goes from Roanoke, I will always feel like I belong with and love this group of God's children. They truly reflect the unity Christ wanted int he church. Going on this trip brought me back to reality (God), but more like forward. I felt God again like I did in the past but at the same time discovered Him in a new hope. Being plucked from this group of people and being thrown into a sea of new faces with no geographically near safety net was overwhelming. I blocked God out a lot this year and was hurting. This trip reaffirmed that love and hope exist and that these things aren't just some distant memory in a far away place. Being on this trip gave me hope in reality. I'm not scared anymore and I don't dread the future and long for the past. No longer will a cover up smile be what I show the world. No longer will I pretend to be happy because now it's true joy from God and I thank Him and the 2PC youth group for reminding me that exists and that it's mine. You have made me stronger to return to Purcellville, God, and showed me home is where You are.

Emily

This was my third year going to the reservation on the same trip, but this year proved to be much different. There were many obstacles that took place at our site. There was moving, lack of kitchen supplies, a varying form of the daily schedule, and lastly a makeshift evening activity after going to the cross was not an option. This makeshift evening activity was called the game of "Life." At first it seemed like the basic game we all knew and loved using money to pay for housing, taxes, food, and hospital services. However the money had to be rationed and my group had to actually refuse to take hospital services for some food. The game seemed playful at first, but quickly turned to a very serious and eye-opening discussion. Poverty became the main topic. We discussed how this game for us was actually reality for over 95% on the reservation. The statistic was shocking. After two previous years of making trips to the rez I had noticed widespread poverty but over 95% under the poverty line that is not what I expected. I could not imagine having to choose between food and housing. Poverty quickly revealed itself to be one of those facts that when it doesn't affect you, you choose to believe it doesn't exist. The most eye-opening part of the conversation was the definition of poverty which is generally associated with monetary standing. However one of the leaders for the week, Neil, ended the stereotype and expanded the definition to being purely a lack of something , psychologically, physically, emotionally, or monetarily. This discussion ended up playing into the theme of unity for the day, showing how God gives every person a different asset that can help the group of humanity as a whole and by coming together everyone's lack can be filled by another's asset. What I just described was just one of many fantastic experiences that I have had the privilege of having on my trips to South Dakota. I would not trade these experiences for anything else in the world. I am going to miss the group this year so much and our adult leaders more so. I have and will continue to change through my experiences on this trip. I pray for the future of everyone that was on this trip and hope they get to go on another one of these Youthworks trips that have been absolutely amazing for myself.

Alex

This was my second year venturing out with the Second Pres Youth Group/Senior High trip to South Dakota, and the trip was just as amazing this year as it was the last.Once again, our journey to the Pine Ridge Reservation was a jam-packed bus/van ride filled with plenty of incredible sights and stops (St. Louis Arch, Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse...to name a few). However, while the ride out there was an awesome way to spend time with my fellow youth, the real fun didn't begin until we arrived at the Crazy Horse School in Wanblee, South Dakota. Just like last year, we met youth from elsewhere in the country (Minnesota this time), divided into diffrent crews, and were led by four college students spending their entire summer at the site. In short, the week was filled with brown and pink paint, crazy (yet loving) kids, FREEZING showers, adorable puppies, incredible sunsets, jagged Badlands, hot (yet sometimes bipolar) weather, moving songs, plenty of laughs, and, of course, little sleep. And, while all of this was fun (lots and lots of fun) there were two events that stood out to me above the rest. The first was getting the chance to learn about the Lakota culture from Willard, whose house we were painting (and who had all the puppies!). Thursday afternoon, he took my group (the Rez Dogs)aside and explained to us the similarities and differences between his way of life and our Christian religion. He learned at a young age that we were all from one Creator (who their culture calls Thunkasila, excuse my possible misspelling). He told us how women were sacred to them as the nurturers of the sickly, and why the eagle was sacred to them because of the Great Flood, when instead of an ark, his people fled to peaks and muntains. We learned about sweat lodges and their way of prayer, and so much more that my quick summary is not near enough to do it justice. In short, it was incredibly wonderful to get the chance to learn of a culture so often misunderstood yet so similar to ours in many ways, despite the apparent differences. Second was the foot washing on Thursday. Although I knew what to expect because of last year, it didn't lessen the impact I felt. Our leaders have their feet washed by the counselors, and have a prayer said to them. Then the leaders do the same to us. It is not easy to describe the swell of emotion and how incredibly humbled you feel. But it brought almost every single one of us to a cascade of tears. The trip in itself brings us close to God, renewing and strengthening faith, but the foot washing is powerful, and helps to wash away doubts and fears. I'm sure we could all feel God's presence in that small, crowded room. Following the foot washing (which is still something that requires experience rather than explanation to fully understand) our church group gathered together to share our "roses, buds, and thorns" of the day and the week. Our highlights, what we were looking forward to, and what gave us difficulty. As it had been for the earlier part of the week, and last year, this was one of my favorite times as it draws all of us closer together as a group. By the end of the week, I was once again in awe of all we could accomplish. The bonds with the children were incredibly strong, and it means so much to me to know that we've helped to make a difference in their lives simply by showing love and compassion. The smiling faces of the homeowners as we place the last bruh strokes on their house are humbling, as you realize how thankful they are for the little things. Both years I've been, I've left feeling like a changed person. The things that I've touched on in writing this can't compare to the actual experience. The amazing sense of togetherness and the knowledge that I can actually make a difference in someone's life, no matter how small. Now, riding in a van after departing the Reservation for possibly the last time, I can look out the window and see God's beauty everywhere, and feel God's love for all people stirring in each of my 2nd Pres companions. Though I know that change is coming to our youth group, no matter what happens, these two summers in South Dakota will remain as some of my best high school memories, and thinking of the summers spent here will help me keep my faith strong and full.

Madison

This was my first ever mission trip and it was such an amazing experience. This trip really opened my eyes and made me so grateful for everything I've been blessed with. The drive to South Dakota was long but so much fun. On the trip there I really bonded with everyone from 2PC, and I got to know everyone a lot better. I loved getting to see a lot of the country, and go to all the fun places we went to. Once we got to the reservation I was excited for the week, but had no idea what to expect. We were divided into different groups, and told where we would be working and when. The first two days my group worked at Kids Club, which is kind of like a day care. Playing with the kids was so much fun. I felt like I really bonded with them, especially through the countless piggy-back rides. Seeing them happy was a great feeling, since they have so lottle. The second two days my group painted Willard and Rachel's house. At first I thought I wouldn't like painting, but it was actually really enjoyable. It is an awesome feeling knowing that you are helping people out, especially when they really need it. I really enjoyed hearing Willard's Aunt Katherine's stories. I learned a lot about the Lakota culture from her stories. Willard and Rachel were so kind and appreciative, it made the experience at their house more enjoyable. I also really enjoyed getting to play with their 10 puppies who were only a few weeks old. This was such an eye-opening trip, and I feel like my relationship with God was really strengthened. The Youthworks staff was amazing, and they made the experience so enjoyable. The last night was very emotional. During Club we had the washing of the feet ceremony. Everyone in our church was crying at some point. I feel like we grew so much as individuals, and as a church, this week. I loved every second of it, and I am so grateful I got to go!

Kyra

This past Thursday I showed up at 2PC for my first mission trip. To be completely honest, I didn't know what to expect and was definitely not excited for the excruciating 3 and a half day drive to the all-exciting South Dakota. Everyone had said how fun the trip would be so I tried to stay optimistic with a smile on my face. As we drove along stopping for potty, food breaks, and sleeping in the extravagant Super 8s we slowly but surely made our way to South Dakota. We made some cool detours in St. Louis, Missouri to see the Gateway Arch and Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse in South Dakota, which otherwise I may have never seen. A little before we arrived in Wanblee to the reservation our electronics were taken, which as a teenager I was less than thrilled about, but finally we arrived at the school we were staying at and saw our Minnesotan counterparts. It took us a while to warm up to them and introduce ourselves. Right off the bat, we saw and got to play with some young children from the reservation at the school playground. After that first afternoon, I had more hope for the rest of the trip, but wasn't totally convinced ofits amazing standards to live up to. As the week went on and I grew closer to God, the Lakota, the Minnesotans, and my fellow 2PC peers I realized that it was a great trip. I looked forward to painting or playing with young kids at Kids Club each day. By the end of the week I wanted to stay much longer. It was a really spectacular experience and I hope to be blessed with another mission trip next year.

Caroline

Trying to describe this mission trip in words is nearly impossible. I had heard stories from people who have gone on this trip and I was looking frward to a fun trip across the country to help people in need. Never did I imagine being changed by this trip. I arrived at Second Presbyterian on the 14th of June knowing about 5 of the Senior Highs. Needless to say, I was nervous to walk on a bus of 15 acquaintances and only 5 friends. But after a few hours, I was closer to so many different people. We drove for 24 hours, but it really only felt like 7 or so, stopping at tourist places like the St. Louis Arch, Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, and finally arriving in South Dakota. I stepped off our church bus into what almost felt like a different world. It's not really describable, the feelings that rushed through my body when seeing the homes in Wanblee. Sunday afternoon my week-long journey with God began. There are so many stories I'd love to share and things I'd like to describe...for me, the most important thing to discuss is how the amazing people in Wanblee changed me. Kids Club was my project for the first two days. I got to meet the wonderful kids in the community. Giving endless piggy-back rides and seeing all the love in the kids' hearts. However, it was particularly hard for me to see kids younger than my 3-year-old brother in the care of a 5-year-old cousin, or watching 6-year-olds scream curse words. But, it opened my eyes to the hurt and pain in Wanblee. Some of the kids have been through way more obstacles in 5 years than my 3 times that. But despite all else God is still present in their lives, and they're still wonderful loving kids, and let me tell you...you get attached to every beautiful smile. The other project I got to be a part of was painting Willard's home. If painting and helping out wasn't enough fn, the family had 10 precious puppies and 2 little boys. I was lucky enough to hear Katherine's stories about Lakota culture. One other task I was given was cleaning every dead bug out of the lights at the food bank...it wasn't the most enjoyable experience getting up close and personal with a bunch of dead bugs, but if it helped those workers, I'm glad I did it. On this trip I realized just how blessed I am to have 3 meals, loving parents, and a roof over my head...not every kid in Wanblee can say that. Despite the struggles there's always a smile on their faces, even though they have a ton of reasons not to. One thing we discussed was physical poverty and emotional poverty. Most of the people in Wanblee regardless of their living conditions have a loving and positive attitude. The people ofWanblee taught me so much. They did so much more for me than I did for them. Lastly, being in Wanblee, South Dakota surrounded by all the beauty, along with the wonderful people, I felt closer to God than ever. This trip has strengthened my relationship with God in so many ways. It's easy to get distanced from God by the hectic activities and days called "reality" but just taking this week and focusing on the most important thing in my life...God, I can honestly say I'm a different person and I have Second Presbyterian to thank for that. So, thank you to everyone who made this possible. It opened my eyes, my mind, and most importantly my heart. I will never forget this amazing, life-changing mission trip.