Jane

This was my first time going on the journey to South Dakota, and it was definitely one of the best experiences of my life! When I arrived at church last Thursday, I had no idea how life-changing this adventure would be. Within the first few hours of the trip, I was already having the best time. We traveled through West Virginia, and continued on to Missouri. We stopped in St. Louis to see the arch, where I sent my first postcard! The ride to the top of the arch was my favorite part, other than the amazing view. We continued on, seeing many beautiful views and watching the mountains slowly disappear. We eventually arrived in South Dakota, visiting Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse. Later on, we traveled through the Badlands and arrived at the reservation, which would be our new home for the next week. We were welcomed with all of the smiles of the Youthworks staff. We unpacked our things, and did some activities to get to know the other group from Minnesota. The next day, we were split into groups, and some were sent off to work projects, and others to Kids Club. I was in the Prairie Dog group, and we were with Kids Club the first two days. I had no idea what I was in for! The kids arrived running out of the bus with smiles on their faces. All the energy of the kids made two hour Kids Club fel like it could have been a day! I learned so much with those kids! I learned how to love. Some of those kids have nothing, but their smiles did not show it! I dropped them off to their neighborhoods and saw where they really came from. I'm not going to lie, it was sad for me, but it taught me to be thankful. We might get mad about not geting a pair of shoes, but som of these kids have to go through coming home to a house with no food, no place to go to the bathroom, and no loving family. We don't have to worry about where our next meal will be, but some of these kids do. Kids Club is a place for them to go and feel safe and be loved! The next two days my group worked on a man named Willard's house. Willard and his family had a lot to give. They told us many stories about the Lakota culture, and showed us the sweat lodge. The sweat lodge is a little round lodge that you go in to pray and cleanse yourself of sins. It gets very hot, but while you're suffering for 20 minutes in the hotness, you have to think about those who are suffering for their entire life. We finished painting Willard's house the second day. His family as well as many other people came to the cookout that night. We all ate together, and later on when the community members left, we all went to club. We sang together, and read a Bible verse. When the youth leaders washed our feet and gave us prayers in our ears, I began to think about how much closer I had become to God through devos, club, and the whole experience. We all cried through both happiness for being together and helping out, and sadness because it was ending. This has been an experience of a lifetime, and I am so thankful to have received such a special opportunity.

Anna

This was my third year going to South Dakota. I think that makes it evident that I can't get enough of this life-changing experience. I feel deeply blessed to be a part of such an incredible unity that was formed between the kids and the adults who went on this trip. It has been a blessing to get to go with my fellow travelers to South Dakota. The relationships formed on this trip will forever be held close to my heart. I would like to thank 2nd Presbyterian Church and Willy and Angela for opening their hearts and arms to me. Thank you for letting me be a part of your family. It has truly been an honor.

Caroline Nordt

As soon as I got back from South Dakota last year, I knew I wanted to come back. Little did I know it would be so different. Over the past year, I got closer to God after this trip. Last year coming back wasn't certain. The church wanted the youth to go someplace else. But to us South Dakota is the only place for us. This year we had more than ever before and still had a waiting list. So after we all packed onto the vehicles we set off on an amazing journey. We listen to awesome, wild, zany music and shared stories and laughs. Hotels were full of late nights and more laughs only to leave us more exhausted in the morning. Once we got to South Dakota we somehow managed to get all of our stuff off the bus. We stayed at Crazy Horse School the first two nights then later moved to the TNT center. We ate dinner and mainly stayed with our church instead of eating with the Minnesotans as I called them. That was one thing different from this year and last. This year I didn't get very close with the other church as last. We mainly kept to ourselves and talked when necessary. I was in the group named Rez Dogs. We had building clean up the first day which meant I had to clean the bathroom. After we had rientation for Kids Club. Kids Club has always been a favorite of mine. Seeing that thes kids only need simple thiings to be happy showed me that all these kids wanted was love and I gave it. After Kids Club we had free time. That afternoon we couldn't get to the showers due to a wake going on. After dinner we went to Club. After, we had church group time where we started doing the rose, bud, and thorn of our day. After we finally got to shower we walked over to the TNT Center for the coldest showers ever. Well, it wasn't that bad. But from others there were lots of screams. I calmly washed my hair and got out. Then we went to bed. The next day started by moving all of our stuff to the TNT Center. After that the day went on like the day before. Except instead of orientation we got to clean the boys and girls bathrooms. And the girls did both while the boys "mopped" the gym. The next day we went to paint houses. My group got Stan and Sandra's house. The best is the fact that we painted it pink! Stan wanted to paint his house pink for breast cancer. We didn't get the chance to really talk with either of them but it was still a lot of fun. We finished up and the day continued like normal. The next day was the last day of work. Oddly enough Stan thought we had finished and threw out the paint. We still had a good hour of work left. We found the paint and finished the house. We then went to Willard's with all of the other groups. Willard had the cutest puppies in the whole world. I put one in a somewhat of a sling at the bottom of my shirt and painted at the same time. Willard took us out to his sweat lodge and talked about the culture and traditions of the Lakota people.He talked about how sacred women were to them. I found it to be very interesting. After we rushed back to the TNT for dinner prep, because it was the night of the community picnic. We all ate then ran around acting crazy. That night in club was the footwashing. Ths night is one that last year and this year made me cry so hard. The only words to describe it is that it felt like you could almost se God. After we all went to bed. Then the next morning we packed, cleaned up, and left. I am writing this as we are in the van on the way home. This trip has bonded me with these people. Many people question the long drive and whether it is worth it. To me, that is what makes this trip so special. We bond with the others around us. We love each other and that's amazing. There is talk of this trip ending after this year. This is a mistake. This trip shows us how to love. Before this trip I felt self-conscious about talking with people about religion, but after God is my life. When you go out to the middle of nowhere you can see God in the fullest. You make friends with those you wouldn't have thought of before.

Joe

My trip this year can be summed up in a few words: service, unity, compassion, culture, and experiences. However, these terms mean so much more than their literal definitions. Each of them is backed by people or places that make them unforgettable. Service - the act of doing something for another. This trip, I had the pleasure of serving the community of Wanblee on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Between painting and playing/taking care of kids, the work felt great. Sure, it was hot and kids could be frustrating, but it was satisfying and the looks of gratitude and joy easily compensated for it. Unity - the state of being together. I never truly grasped the full connotation of that word until this trip. I felt so connected to my youth group friends, God, and the community in a way I hadn't before. Togetherness in service to God is stronger than any glue, tape, or even personal differences. Compassion - love and emotional connection to people and God. The amount of love that we, and God through us, poured into Wanblee was unmatched by anything in my life. Culture - the beliefs, customs, and way of life for a group of people. I felt so ignorant of these people that I couldn't even put words to my questions about their culture. Fortunately, they were willing to talk and just let me listen, so now I know more, but certainly not enough of their culture. By experiences, I mostly mean sights, both of people and places. Seeing as how roughly half of the trip is driving, we saw a lot of the country. We visited the St. Louis Arch, Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, the Badlands, Wall Drug, and nine states. Equally memorable though, was the look of delight on the children's faces at Kids Club. This trip was my first mission trip and it had been talked about, but nothing could have prepared me for the intensity of God's love that I felt in South Dakota.

Ali

My favorite experience of the trip was being able to play with the children at Kids Club. I went to pick up the kids for Kids Club on Wednesday with my friend Meg and it was a very memorable experience. We drove into a neighborhood and yelled "Kids Club" and kids came pouring out of houses screaming and chanting, "Yay it's Kids Club time!" We picked up many kids and drove them back to the school on the reservation. When we unloaded the kids, one little girl came up to me and asked me if she could have a piggyback ride. I ended up giving her one for an hour and a half! We also read books and played tag. The next day she came back and when she saw me she ran up to me and hugged me. I grew so close to her in those two short days. She did more for me than I could have ever done for her. She taught me that you can be happy in any situation and that you should be grateful for what you have. As the last day came and I had to say goodbye I started crying because I was going to miss her so much! She made such an impact on my life!

Katie

South Dakota is my favorite trip of the summer!! I love it there. This year I learned about the Lakota culture and I had deep conversations with the locals. This is my 3rd year going and was probably the most influential year as well. I met people from Minnesota that I connected with instantly. Also, the Youthworks staff was very active this year and I actually had a good conversation with each one which is rare. One Youthworks person was named Chad and another was Neil. Both these boys taught me and some girls in our group about love and not to give your heart away to the wrong people. It opened my eyes up and I was finally able to move on. The environment on this trip was AMAZING! Everything seemed to hit home this year. The last night we did the feet washing and this is the first year I cried! I have been through a lot this year and I feel like I got so close to God and he took the pain away from me! I feel relieved. I need to continue on my journey with Christ and let him take me where I need to be! I AM HERE!

Kate Robertson

This year, being my fourth year on the Pine Ridge reservation had many similarities and differences with the previous three. All four we did the classic, touristy sight seeing with the normal Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Wall Drug, and Badlands. One of the biggest differences and my favorite was the time we got to spend with the homeowner and family. This year we worked on Willard and Rachel's house, they have two sons, and Auntie Katherine who comes to visit frequently. This family will hold a special place in my heart due to their hospitality and their willingness to open up and share all that they had with us, whether it was sharing stories about the Lakota culture, or sharing homemade Elk Jerky. Rachel and Katherine would sit with a few of the girls and give us life advice and how they had grown up, Willard then also showed us around his property (which touched the Badlands). Willard also shared an experience with part of our group that is unforgettable. He took the group to his sweat lodge, and put the group through an "educational sweat" that showed the group a large part of Lakota traditions. Some of the girls were not supposed to go in, or chose to opt out due to our feminine strength and having been told a few stories that put a little fear in us. Through this experience we learned more about their beliefs as well and how although we may not believe in the exact same things, we have very similar views and how they are widely open to each other's personal beliefs. They compared their views frequently to our views which showed their respect. This was by far one of my favorite parts of the trip just getting to look up to them and learn more about the Lakota culture. I would like to thank everyone who had a part in allowing this trip to take place and allowing for me to go back to a place that I love! It was such an incredible trip, and such a great way to end my senior year!

Elwyn

My trip to Wanblee, South Dakota, was amazing! It was the first year that I was eligible to go, and I'm glad that I did. My sister went the year before and talked about how great it was. And now I have the opportunity to talk about it myself. It was a great experience. I really feel that I got closer to God and everyone that went on the trip. I also met some really cool people from the other church from Minnesota that came. I really enjoyed this week because it was a great opportunity to serve God, and the community that we visited. I really enjoyed meeting the people from the community as well. The owners of the house that I helped paint were awesome, and they were even generous enough to share some of their culture with my group. They showed us their sweat lodge, which is where some of their important spiritual ceremonies are held. I had the amazing opportunity to sweat with them and have a crash course on what goes on in such a ceremony. Part of the ceremony involves everyone praying one by one in the circle that is made in the lodge. And it was amazing to see how our Christian prayers were similar to their Lakota prayers. In addition to the ministry days, worship services and devotionals added to the experience. The kids at kids club were amazing as well, and it was great to play with them, and give them the love that some of them might not get at home. This week was an amazing experience and it really opened my eyes. I hope that I don't leave what I learned in Wanblee though. I want to continue to serve the Lord in my own community. It was a GREAT experience and I'd like to thank all of the adults that made it possible. I'd also like to thank Willy and Angela for all of their hard work.

Anne

This year was my 3rd mission trip to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Every year when the end of the week arrives I am not ready to leave. It's not that I don't feel like I'm done, it is just that I love what we do there. Having the opportunity to interact with the comunity and learn their culture is an amazing feeling. Every year that I have gone, I feel like our group builds an unbreakable bond. One of my most memorable moments of this week would have to be seeing the kids jump off of the vehicles and immediately become attached to one of the youth. Another memorable moment would be seeing the spectacular sunsets. Each year after the mission trip I feel like I look at life differently and what I have so easily available others do not. My advice to a youth (or adult) who is considering going on a mission trip is to go! It is a wild, crazy, zany adventure that I will never forget!!!

Meg

This mission trip was absolutely incredible and life-changing. This was my first mission trip, and I honestly had no idea of all the wonderful eye-opening things that were in the week to come. This week we painted Stan and Sandra's house in Wanblee, and their hospitality and kindness was more than I could have ever imagined. They cooked us hotdogs on the first day and pizza the second. It was such a rewarding experience seeing how grateful and happy they were. They also took us out on their property, which extended all the way out to the Badlands. When we got to the Badlands, I could truly feel God's presence and how beautiful His creation was. All over Wanblee, South Dakota I could feel God's presence. There were breathtaking sunsets, motivational sermons, and amazing people in the community. I especially loved hearing Jerome Highhorse, a member of the Wanblee community, talk about God and his experiences in life. The kids in this comunity made me realize all of the happiness that they had, even though they had so little. I got really atached to these kids through endless piggyback rides, storytelling, and crafts. It was really hard to say goodbye to them. I also loved the devotionals we did every morning and Club, which was a worship service, every night. Also, the Youthworks staff was amazing. I feel so blessed that I was able to go on this trip. It strengthened my faith, opened my eyes, and made a huge impact on my life. I feel that this community did more for me than I did for them, and I'm so thankful, glad, and blesses that I was able to go on this life-changing trip.

Last Day

Well, tonight our trip comes to a close, and what a week it has been. Over the next few days, we will post stories from the youth so that you can see the trip through what they've experienced here. We will also continue to add more photos to the Flickr site. The link for the photos is on the right sidebar of this page. Continue to pray for safe travels and we will see you all soon!

Headin' Home!

We have left camp and are now heading east to Bloomington, Illinois for the night. What a beautiful day for traveling! It looks a lot like the Windows logo with green fields, blue sky, and puffy white clouds. Hopefully we will get a chance to post when we arrive tonight. Pray for safe travels!

Camp so far...

Monday and Tuesday some of our youth worked on scraping, priming, and painting houses for some really great people. They came back with great stories of beautiful views of the Badlands and very kind homeowners who gave back to them selflessly by making them food and gifts. The rest of our youth worked at Kids Club. Monday we planned skits, songs, and crafts, and then ran Kids Club in the afternoon. Tuesday morning we helped out at the food distribution center by picking up trash, organizing the garage, cleaning bugs out of the light covers, and shredding documents (by hand because they don't have a shredder!). The other group cleaned and organized the comunity center where we are now staying. On Monday night, we were finally able to take really cold showers. The hot water heater isn't working in the community center so the showers ranged from "It wasn't that bad" to "That was the worst shower I've ever had in my life!" Last night we hiked through the Badlands at sunset which was absolutely beautiful. Today we switched assignments so those who had been painting are now doing Kids Club and those who had worked with the kids are now painting. Willard and Rachel's aunt Catherine came out and talked to our group at lunch about some of the culture and traditions, which was really interesting. On the way back to camp we were able to see a storm come across the prairie, which is a truly unique and beautiful sight. Hopefully it will be dry enough for us to travel to the 38-feet-tall metal cross sculpture this evening. I just want to say a word about how truly amazing our group is. Even at Crazy Horse Memorial we had several strangers stop our adults to comment on how polite our youth were and how lucky we were to have such a group. To watch them work in this community is absolutely inspirational. They all work without complaint, volunteer for whatever task needs to be done, keep each other laughing, and they do it all with such enthusiasm. I don't think you can truly understand unless you see them in action firsthand, but trust me, our youth are amazing and we are so lucky to be here with them. Thank you to all of the parents for allowing your youth to spend the week with us!

First Days of Camp

Saturday night we were able to visit the infamous Wall Drug before they closed and then had fabulous pizza from the Cactus Cafe across the street. On Sunday we headed to Mount Rushmore and then Crazy Horse Memorial. We also celebrated birthdays for Cathy and Anna, along with calling our dads for Fathers' Day. The camp had even made them a birthday cake! We drove through the Badlands on our way to camp, which was beautiful. We will go back to the Badlands for a hike tomorrow evening. When we arrived at camp, we found out that there had been a car accident in the community and two people were killed, including a 4-year-old. Since we are sharing our sleeping rooms with the school and community center, we will be changing some things around to accomodate the funerals. We are also waiting to hear when we can take showers! Today our groups were able to begin Kids Club and painting houses. Sarah, Jane, and Anna even volunteered to serve lunch, and totally rocked the hairnet fashion look! All in all it's been a good day so far and we are excited to see what God has in store for us over the next few days.

We're in South Dakota!

There's nothing quite like waking up to that scratchy sandpapery feel of a Super 8 towel! This morning we saw two girls ride horses down the road and through a McDonalds drive-thru - not something you see every day around our parts! We had a little rain today driving through Council Bluffs, Iowa (it always seems to be raining in Council Bluffs) but it wasn't anything major and now we are driving west across the beautiful prairie of South Dakota. Tomorrow we will do Crazy Horse and Mount Rushmore and then head to camp.

St. Louis Arch

We just left the Jefferson Memorial Gateway Arch in St. Louis and are heading to dinner and our hotel in western Missouri. Today we drove through 3 more states: Indiana, Illinois, and now Missouri. We have been blessed with beautiful travel weather so far, and everyone is bonding on the vehicles through music, games, and LOTS of talking! Tomorrow we head through Iowa and on to South Dakota.

3 States Down!

We have traveled through West Virginia, surviving the infamous Morton travel plaza, and have now arrived in Lexington, Kentucky for the night. Tomorrow we will head to the St. Louis Arch!

Almost Ready!

We have just a few short hours before we head out into the Midwest. Please pray that we will have safe travels and any storms will pass us by (or at least pass by quickly!). The weather in Wanblee, SD looks to be awesome while we're there. Head 'em up - move 'em out!

3 more days!

The countdown has officially begun. Yesterday we had our commissioning service at Second Pres, so now all we have to do is last-minute laundry, packing, form collecting, and other little things to prepare for what looks to be our best trip ever. We are taking our largest group with 20 youth and 7 adults, 1 bus, and 2 mini-vans across 3,000 miles and 9 states in 10 days. Woo hoo!Once again we are heading to South Dakota to work with the amazing Lakota people on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. About half of our group has been on this trip before, and the other half are excited to experience it for the first time. Please keep us in your prayers as we prepare for this awesome journey.