Week of July 27-31

Gary has been helping my cousin with some ranch work lately. He enjoys getting dirty again! He helped take some of Dwights corrals down --- they are wanting to put in railroad ties as posts and then the new fencing. It's hot work and they have plenty of time to get it done so it gets put aside for more important work. He has also been helping Rob (Dwights son) tinker on some mechanical problems.

You heard (via prayer chain)about my problems with the long distance service out here. It has not been resolved as of today. If you aren't up to date on that problem......it has to do with having a South Dakota phone and a Nebraska address. The other problem is that we are keeping my Aunts phone service (keeping the old number) and so we are not on the account and can NOT make any changes to it. Robbi and her husband don't know the password either so that makes for more time consumed resolving that...... I tried to get a "reservation phone" but you have to have proof that you are living on the reservation and we really don't have that. That would get us a cell phone that can call any South Dakota number for free but nothing outside the state....which would really solve our dilema....... So keep that in your prayers. Every kid we want to call is long distance and it is costing us about $.26 a minute.

On Wednesday we had 2 girls over to do some scrapbooking. We had hoped for 4 but ended up with only two. But we had a real good time. They were here at our home from 2:00 until after supper. We had burgers and homemade potato salad and zucchini from our garden. They had never had zucchini but were willing to try it -- and they said it was good. They are both real sweet girls...very polite and well mannered. They were Miki Colombe and Diondra Bordeaux. They asked when they could do it again.....I think next time we will go to the Community Center at church and hopefully have more girls next time. I wasn't sure how it would work and wanted to keep the first time small......but it went great so we will move on to bigger numbers. Oh! and by the way if you want to make potato salad the Native way you only put potatoes, eggs, and chopped pickles in it - dressing is mayo, mustard, sugar and a little pickle juice.

We will be heading to Colorado this Friday. Bruce and Glenda are "babysitting" Jamie and Amy Peters children ----- and they need LOTS of help :-) so Ken and Sally Krueze went with them and we will be joining them until next Thurs.

That's all for now. Thank you for prayers and support!

Gary and Barb

The week of July 21-26

We have decided to up-date once a week now unless things really get to hopn' around here.

Wednesday evening we went with Pastor Leiter (of Lakeview CRC) to St. Francis. He has been visiting some of the Native families in the area and he asked us if we would go along. He is concerned with the fact that he is leaving (retiring as of Sept.) and the contacts he has made might get lost. We stopped in at 5 different homes. We were invited into John Swifts' home - Pastor had never been there before......... At another place we visited with Anthony. He was a Vietnam veteran and had just had shoulder surgery. He was very friendly and Pastor Leiter said he and his wife had a lot of questions about God. We also stopped in at Lynelle Hairy Shirts home. Her grandson Jon Knox lives with her and he was one of our campers. They go to church in St. Francis but have expressed an interest in a Bible Study. Lynelle's sister wants to come also but she has a very busy schedule working at the hospital.

On Saturday evening we took 10 young people to a "Rap Concert" in Mission. It was put on by "Life Light" - a Christian organization out of Sioux Falls. The message the rapper gave was really good and 5 people answered his invitation to receive Christ into their lives. I guess we really aren't "rappers"!!! but the kids really like to get out and this was a good place to take them. We had the 4 Lakeview girls stay overnight and then we all went to church this morning. They are all members of LCRC and also my cousins girls.

Some of you probably still have your "kids pictures" from last year. The ones we took with us to the concert were: Mark and Tyler Left Hand Bull, Jesse and Timothy Cordier, and Jon Knox. We are hoping to have a scrapbooking party with some of the girls but that date hasn't been set up yet. We do hope to get a new set of photos sent out to you ......I just have to get busy and do it!!!! It is a wonderful way for you to be involved in the lives of these kids and we hope you will continue praying for all of them!!!! So if I fail to do this REMIND ME!!!

Thank you for your continued support and prayers!!
Love. Gary and Barb

A try at posting some photos...

A storm was headed our way. This is taken from our back porch. We never had rain during the two weeks of camp. And it was a very good thing because it doesn't take much rain for the roads to get just terrible. As Gary says "like driving on snot".

Joe really didn't want to make the picture frame....but once he got started he did about the nicest job of anyone. Actually there were 3 boys who did an awesome job!! This was a frame that stated "Jesus Loves Me"



Captain Nemo -- when you see Kirk ask him about it.....everyone was in stitches!!



















Kids all lined up for the bag races. Seemed like Kirk kept coming up with more instructions :-)















Gary, Barb and Chris had their faces covered with shaving cream and then the kids (teams) got 10 shots each with a squirt gun to see which team could wash our faces the fastest. Barb's team won..










David Marshall, Lakota Pastor of a little church in Horse Creek - just south of White River. He spoke to our 7-8th graders. What a powerful message he had for everyone!!! Pray for him and his church.









Rocket Launchers......It was a very windy day but they were able to hit a target several times and really had a "blast".












"suck hard and run"......relay game





















Sue helping Jailyn with her belt. The kids really did a nice job on the belts and were able to take them home the same day.

S D Mud

A Thunderstorm rolled in this morning just before we were planning to leave for school to help paint. We waited for the worst to blow over then started out for school. Slipping and sliding I put the truck into 4 wheel right away. A quarter mile down the road we had to climb a small hill, churning my way up at about 5 miles per hour I decided this is no good must turn around. There's much bigger and steeper hills coming. Continued on to the corner a mile away turned around and went home. I guess we had our first experience with South Dakota roads. Sure am glad this didn't happen during Bible School weeks. We talked to Barbs cousin and were asured the first mile was the worst, the hills had more stone and were usually pretty good. Off to the school we go 6 miles alway slipping and sliding the first mile after that pretty good. It took about three hours for the roads to dry out enough for 2 wheel drive. til later Gary

Thursday - Family Night and More

Lots of thoughts in my head right now......too much to write it in full so I will shorten it to a "list".......
1. Lou-Ann (camper from last year who I have kept in contact with) didn't want to talk a few days ago-----she called me yesterday and we had a real nice chat.
2. Family Night was very well attended by the Native People. We got to meet several of the kids parents and talk a bit with them. Those who attend are really nice people.
3. David Marshall spoke once again....not well attended but that could have been because he got a late start. He is a very powerful speaker and really on fire for the Lord. He is Lakota and he wants to reach his people for Christ so very badly. He has asked for prayers for his little church in Horse Creek. If you look on the map you will see White River just north of where we are - Horse Creek is just a little "overisel" 3 miles south of White River.
4. Jon Knox (camper) was there with his Gramma and her sister - Winifred Hairy Shirt. Winifred has been looking for someone to do a Bible Study with. I told her we would be looking her up. They live approximately 6 miles away.

The Timmers and Sue will be leaving us in just a few minutes.....the van is packed. My Aunt and everyone else will be leaving today also. Quiet might be nice for a while but we will miss everyone. Please keep all the travelers in your thoughts and prayers.

Thanks for all the love and support.
Gary and Barb

TUBING - a beautiful day

We had a grand day for tubing. It was about 91 degrees......the Niobrara's setting is just beautiful and the water was refreshing. We had a total of 69 people. We got a good start from the Lakeview School.....got to the "put-in" point....had lunch and then set off down the river. We told the kids they had to keep their life jackets on and we didn't have any problems with them on that point. Gary and I were in a canoe so we would paddle around and check on everyone and hand out water.

We didn't lose anyone so I guess you would say it was a successful trip. Thanks for the prayers for safety! We're all pooped!!!!!
Gary and Barb and the crew :-)

PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSING FLOW

Sue just received an e-mail from Jon with words of encouragement for all of us. He was sitting with a woman from California (at a LOVE, INC meeting) and she told him he was to just praise God "right now". You have been praying for us all this time.........God has answered so many prayers. LET'S JUST PRAISE THE LORD, PRAISE THE LORD, LET'S JUST LIFT OUR HANDS IN WORSHIP AND PRAISE THE LORD........... The woman went on to say we are not called to be fixers..... We all want to fix all the problems in this world but that is not for us to do. We just need to reach out to these people in love. So we ask you to Praise the Lord for what He has done and pray that we will continue to go out in LOVE!!
Thanks!! Gary and Barb and Sue

Tubing down the Niobrara

We had a pretty good Tuesday.....kids were more settled down and all went well. Today we go tubing down the beautiful Niobrara River in Nebraska. It's about a 45 minute bus trip to where we will put in.....then we will have approximately 2 hours on the river. The kids really love the tubing but hate the life jackets (as we all do). However, we are insisting on wearing the life jackets because of the responsibility factor. We have about 70-75 total people going down the river....many of those are Sr. High helpers and other leaders....kids number around 50.

We appreciate all the prayers you have been lifting for Prairie Light Youth Camp. Today will end our time with these kids. On Thursday there will be a Family Night supper and games for the kids.....but no camp time during the day. Sue and the Timmers will be leaving us early Friday morning. And all the other volunteers will also be on the road to their homes. Pray for travel mercies for them.

Love from the PLYC crew.

Monday, July 14

Today was a rather tough day. The kids were pretty rowdy....not just our group but everyone. Must be the weather or the water or something.......... We even had kids hiding in the bushes and in the basement rooms of the church. BUT when we finally got them into the Bible Lesson room - all eyes and ears were attentive. We know that God's word is going out and that is all we can do -- plant seeds.
Tomorrow will be a "usual" day..... and then on Wednesday a very large group of kids.....5th - 8th graders will be going tubing. Pray for safety on the river and as we travel from church to the river ( 30 miles or so).
We so appreciate all the support you are giving us!
God Bless! Gary, Barb, Sue, Mark, Michelle and Chris

Friday - One Week of Camp done

We had another fun day at camp on Friday. We were planning on showing the Jesus Film but after reviewing the video some felt that it was really for younger children so we changed our plans for the day. And we know that God was in on it all. We had asked a Native American Lay Minister (David Marshall) to speak to our group. His testimony is just amazing. He could speak to the kids in a way that none of us could. Being native himself - we feel that what he said to the group hit home in a much closer way than coming from us "white" folks.

Everyone is tired and looking forward to a break. But we must not get to relaxed because there is more for us to do next week.

We ask for prayers for those traveling back home.....some to Michigan .....some to Sioux Falls....some to Montana........some traveling out for the second week of camp.
Also pray for these young people who have asked Jesus into there hearts:
Kelsey......JaeLynn......Tyler.......Joe......Diondra.......Miki......Jon.....Kathleen......
Karen
It really hits us that we have a huge responsibility now to keep in touch with these kids but in the same token....it feels good that maybe we will be able to
continue on with them in a way that they will become closer in their walk with
their Savior.
---------------
On a totally different note.......the last few evenings and mornings we have heard the native drums and singing right out our back door (approximately a mile and a half away). Yes, we are on the Reservation and it is all around us. The wind today is blowing very hard and right now it is actually cool out. We are wondering what is blowing in .....??

Keep praying for us :-) you are doing an awesome job!!!
Love to one and all,
Gary and Barb

Thursday at Camp

Oh boy!! the wind was just blowing a good one and it was Artillery Day. Gary made 6 (2) liter bottle launchers and we really didn't want it to be windy. However, the owner of the fields by the church had said "why don't you go to the field by the cemetery that I just mowed". And that was our answer. We had to bus the kids over there but it was just a load of fun. Everyone got wet (it felt really good on this 95 degree day) and no one got a blast of water in their eyes (Thanks for the safety glasses)......nor a bottle on their heads. Lots of fun!!!
We then went back to camp and worked on our "life bowls" and belts and then had some water balloon games. Lunch was ham and cheese on buns, baked beans, potato salad, and watermelon. Good stuff! Then on to our Bible Lesson. Once again we are able to Praise God for His Awesome Goodness. A new girl - Diondra - prayed with me to receive Christ. We gave her a Bible and talked about "growing" in her faith. She said her parents take her to a Catholic Church.
We are tired but blessed, worn out but ready to keep on going, ........ Tomorrow we will be watching the children's version of the Jesus Film. We have also asked a Lakota Lay minister from White River to speak to our group. He has been coming to camp all week and his 2 oldest sons have been playing in the band....drums and keyboard. (White River is about 30 miles north of Lakeview.) He is Pentecostal and very much on fire for the Lord.....should be an interesting day!! We are looking forward to it.
Please pray for the end of our first week.....and pray also that we don't just loaf all weekend but realize that we still have Monday and Tuesday to witness to these kids and then have a fun day of tubing on the Niobrara.
Gary and Barb

God is so Awesome!

We made leather belts from a blank leather strip on Wednesday. Some of the kids did just beautiful work with all the tools and such....really sharp belts in the end. But once again the most awesome part of the day was after Laura Vander Molen had finished with the Lesson about the blood of Christ that one more camper (Jon Knox) prayed to receive Christ. Jon was a camper last year also and he's such a fun kid!!
We are in awe of the way God is at work. Some of these kids have been coming ever since camp started-----5 years ago. So they have been hearing the message for a while...
Thank you so much for all the prayers!!
Love. Gary and Barb

Tuesday at Prairie Light Youth Camp

We had another awesome day today. It was overcast for a while and that provided coolness but it was short lived......but a very nice day for outdoor activities. We had 3 new campers join us today ......lost 2 gals who decided to join in with the 6th graders.
We talked about when sin entered our lives with Adam and Eve and what that has meant to all of us.....but that through Jesus we can have salvation. We had two more young people pray to receive Christ. The kids are all very attentive during our Bible Lesson and it is so wonderful to see.
We also are working with a craft with the 3rd and 4th grade girls and boys in the afternoon. They are really cute kids.....the craft is rather difficult for them but they are enjoying themselves.
Thank you again for all the support and prayers.
Gary and Barb
p.s. Could be my brain is doing just a little bit better :-)

Our first day at camp (July 7)

Thank you for all the prayers that have been lifted. We had a wonderful first day. The kids participated wonderfully with the songs we sang and also with the Memory Verse repetition. Out of 18 kids only two weren't doing our "memory motions".
The best news of all is that 5 young people prayed to receive Christ as their Savior. PRAISE GOD
We have a real nice bunch of kids this year. We do expect to get a few more tomorrow ----will wait and see. Tomorrow our craft is paper mache and we have a huge tent to work in that so that should go well unless the wind would pick up terribly. Today was a real nice day!! Our "team" --- Kirk and Laura, Sue, Chris Timmer, and Gary and I are working together really well......all helping with the planning and taking part in everything that happens during the camp time. We praise God for that!
Thank you to those who have sent comments. I had hopes of replying to all of them but perhaps after these first 2 weeks....and when we get internet hook-up on our own computer. I am now typing at my cousins house.
We can't say thank you enough for all the prayers that are being lifted. KEEP IT UP!!!
Love, Gary and Barb
p.s. :-) Pray for my brain....I keep losing things!!! :-) Barb

This is not going good.....I need Holly to help me because I'm not up to date on this posting stuff!!!!! So I hope this goes through in the right fashion finally!

We had a POWERFUL sermon this morning from a young man who is considering becoming the new pastor our here at Lakeview. His sermon was about Moses saying "I can't do it Lord - send someone else". We have been feeling that way too and now that we are here it becomes more "scary". But we know that the Lord is in charge and we just need to rely on Him!

Kirk and Laura and family arrived yesterday afternoon in fine fashion - having enjoyed the Black Hill and Mount Rushmore area for the past week. We are having a fun visit with them.

Camp will be starting tomorrow morning at 10:00. Keep us in your prayers ------ and as I write this I KNOW that you are praying all the time. Our trip out was wonderful! Thank you for praying us along the way.

I tend to ramble as I write so forgive me. I should be "up the hill" getting ready for a supper at church and then a short service. So I am going to try to get this posted.

Love to everyone!!! (I did not take the time to proof read this so don't be too critical :-) :-)
Barb

Unpacking & Having Fun

Doesn’t sound like mom and dad have too busy of a schedule….at least not yet! Mom and Sue have been busy unpacking and figuring out where to put things! Dad and Chris are having fun hunting jackrabbits…there must be an overabundance so they are trying to help reduce the population! They didn’t make it to the 4th of July picnic but will have plenty of chances to see everyone over the next few days/weeks!
Please keep them all in your prayers as they prepare for the upcoming Youth Camp and also please keep Aunt Melva in your prayers. She was able to go to the picnic but still needs our prayers for continued health and strength!
(Holly)

On the Road

Last night was a difficult but expected evening of tears and laughter as we all said our goodbyes and best wishes. We all know that Mom and Dad are going away for a while to do wonderful things and spread God’s word so that is a comfort. But they will still be missed!
Mom, Dad and Chris Timmer (a boy scout) headed out this morning (07/02/08) shortly after 5:00am for the wonderful lands of South Dakota!
Mom called me (Holly) this morning and said that travel was going well. They were really only able to drive about 65mph…that was easier for the truck and trailer. They picked up Sue Phinister around 8:00am and stopped for breakfast.
Around 6:45pm Mom called Grandma to give her a progress update. Travel was going really well and they were already about 50 miles from Norfolk, Nebraska which is north-west of Omaha, Nebraska and just south-west of Sioux City, Nebraska. Wow! Maybe the easier speed of 65 makes travel go better!
They could continue and make it to Valentine, Nebraska (190 more miles) by dark but a rest was needed. Besides, who wants to arrive at a destination late at night and tired?! And that, I assume, was why they were heading into Norfolk.
Valentine is where they will stop to pick up groceries before heading onto Lakeview, South Dakota, their new home. That drive is only about a half hour.
Grandma and I were concerned that they got caught up in the nasty storms. But it sounded like they only had to deal with the rains for about 15 minutes or so.
I will do my best to keep this updated until Mom and Dad get the internet up and running at Aunt Melva’s house. I don’t expect that to be until after Prairie Light Youth Camp is done since they will be pretty busy!