SUNSHINE BIBLE ACADEMY - Mega Teen 2011

First thing ---- take note - I had the name wrong. I said we were going to the Sunshine Christian School.....well..... the proper name is Sunshine Bible Academy. This picture shows you the cafeteria. The food was GREAT!!! If you went away hungry --- it was your own fault!! Gary is sitting with Ethan Hammer -- a young man from our church who is in his 2nd year at Sunshine.




This was my bedroom for 2 nights. I'm sure you have all been there - done that. The good ole' air mattress on the floor. Not bad if they stay "aired". Well mine didn't! It lasted most of the night -- but by morning I was about 1/2 inch from totally touching the floor.

I shared the room with 3 other ladies and 4 teenage girls. They talked and giggled until a little after midnight the 1st night and then discovered that the basement had LOTS of Veggie Tale movies --- so they moved down there the 2nd night and we didn't hear a thing :).

Gary found his bed in the chapel....on a church pew --- kind of narrow and not the best place to lay your head. But I think it worked out about as good as mine did. He too shared it with several men and boys.....and of course, boys are just as yakky as girls!








The gal on the right is Rebecca - from Lakeview church. When we were asked where we were from - I said Lakeview...... The gal on the left of this picture - Erika - sat up and said "I was so sure I knew you from somewhere!" Our neighbors are her Grandpa and Grandma. What a small world. Erika and Rebecca and two other gals hit it off with a bang! Never a dull moment!!






We had 5 different sessions in the gym. The theme was "Media Talk 101". Discussed how the devil uses the media --- our cellphones, ipods, computers, etc -- to get us away from God. To mess with our minds.....with advertising on tv .... and so on. (You can check them out on www.mediatalk101.org). It was very well done and we hope and pray that the young people (as well as us "older folk") will see this and apply the message to our lives.

This is a photo of the Praise Team (Ethan in the dark shirt). First class music and musicians!!


After the "talk" we would break up into small groups to discuss a little bit more what the speaker had talked about.

We really don't know how many kids were there in attendance --- but groups came from all over the state. Rapid City ......Mobridge....... Platte - to name a few.

The Academy is located out in the middle of the prairies about 13 miles from the small town of Miller, South Dakota. The school has been there for many years. I didn't take note of just when it started - but did see pictures of classes from 1967....... It is a boarding school....with only a few kids who "drive in". There are young people from South Korea and Ethiopia (possibly 12-15). They aren't there for just a year ....or a couple of months..... but will spend their entire high school years at the Academy....going home maybe 2 times a year.
Justin is one of the young men from South Korea. We had been watching the Ping Pong Tournament --- which he was participating in......and then we watched as he "finished" the Rubix Cube (however you spell that) in no time flat. We were sitting there grinning at him and he came over --- pulled up a stool and began to tell us his "history". His grandparents were Buddists....but "my father would sneak out to go to Christian Church ( he would get spanked! )" And he is so glad that his father hung on to his Christian Faith. He grew up in Texas while his father attended a University there....and then moved back to South Korea. So he speaks very clear English and of course his own countries language. He is very proficient in Math ...hopes to become a missionary.

We also met another gal - Lavonne. She sat down by us for lunch and what a wonderful time we had visiting with her. She grew up and lives in Murdo, SD which is directly north of us - on Hwy I-90......her parents are ranchers and she is now married and has a ranch with her husband. A wonderful Christian Gal whose sister attends Sunshine.

Then --- it gets even better....we had seen a couple in the cafeteria.....and the gal had on a "Young Life" sweatshirt. So we knew that we had to touch base with them....just because we've been to a couple of Young Life Camps and think they are GREAT. ---- so questions came to our minds.......Where, when, what. Well get this!!! They worked at the Timberwolf camp in Northern Michigan. That is where Steve and Mendy Pate worked.....Steve and Mendy are from good ole' Overisel Reformed --- our Michigan church. "Oh Yes!!!!" they knew Steve and Mendy --- worked right beside them. This couple is now working at the Sunshine Bible Academy!!

It was such a wonderful, uplifting weekend. The discussions for the weekend were on the media......and we didn't see any televisions in the lounge area....the cellphones don't work very good out there on the prairies...... Many of the parents are doing without their "ranch helpers". Parents from across the world see this as the place they want their kids to spend 4 of their teenage years attending. The staff was wonderful. We see God at work there. :) :) Maybe we will have to see about getting our Grandkids to attend -- wouldn't THAT be something!!

We came home to about 2 inches of snow...and an inch more overnight. So winter is still trying to hang on....but we know Spring will WIN!!! As I write -- it is thawing out. :)

Gary and Barb

MEGA Teen - March 25-27

This late afternoon (Friday through Sunday morning) we will be heading to the Sunshine Christian School in Miller, South Dakota. We are taking 3 young people......2 from Lakeview Church and 1 from Valentine. Rebecca, Brayden, and Colby The students who attend the school are helpers......Brayden's brother Ethan attends Sunshine so we will get to spend time with him also.

They will be talking with the kids about how they use their electronics.......ipods, computers, cellphones....and etc. Hopefully we (Gary and Barb) will get something out of it too and perhaps be able to use it as we talk with the young people at JDC and Release Time.

We are having a dreary foggy day...with predictions of snow this evening. So we pray for safe travel.

Will report on this event when we get back.
Gary and Barb

WONDERFUL SPRING DAY ---- plus some prayer requests!!!

What a wonderful day today was!!! But it did have a disgusting start - for me that is.

Gary went out to the workshop and started working on the cart he was making......that left time for me to make a snack for JDC tonight - before we left to go work at church. WELL --- do NOT buy Hy-Vee marshmallows!!!! They DO NOT melt!! This is the 2nd time I've tried them - and I WILL NOT use them again! What a MESS!!! You have these big blobs of marshmallow and an "I don't have anything else to make for tonight" problem. Luckily the kids are just happy as a lark that you came with a treat and it's full of sugar -- so they love it no matter what :) :) So it passed the grade and the kids all said "Thank you". But back to the rest of the day.......

We left for church about 10:00 and got a lot done. We are about 2/3 of the way done with the "Library Room" ceiling. The ladies have plans to paint this next Wednesday.... So things are moving along nicely.

We quit about 1:00 ----- can't look up constantly for more than a couple of hours or else (at our age) you start feeling like your going to fall down for the rest of the day. It had looked like rain - but by that time the clouds were completely gone.....it was a little windy --- but a very nice day. So we decided to take a horse back ride. I had to go chase them in from the corn field - but they went quite willingly......we got the halters on them and then to the barn for the saddles. We decided to go out into the south quarter where beans had been harvested last fall. Now ------ Dan T. horses had found their way into the old stack yard -- they've been there for a month or two.......doing no harm - just grazing nice and peaceful. Well, they saw us in the field and it was open to them so they came on the run to see their buddies. However, the one got a little too excited and let off a good kick at Blaze (Gary was riding Blaze)........so --- enough of that !!! You are outta here!!! It was not in their plan to leave the place -- but we finally got them chased to the section line - which is home to them. The gate was no longer under snow so we could get it closed on them. They didn't look too happy but, oh well!

We then headed to Mission to get some items from Cherry Todd Electric and then on to the Buffalo Jump Restaurant. We hoped to catch Mario who is working there as a Cook. We met Mario at the Treatment Center a year or so ago. His brother and Mom told us that he was working there and it was his birthday this past Saturday. (Buffalo Jump was not open on Saturday - we found out the hard way....) As we walked in we met another young man we knew from his JDC days (it's so cool to run into the kids "on the outs"). We asked the owner if Mario was in and "yes" he was. So we had a short but sweet visit with a very nice young man....... When we first met Mario ---- we sang the song "When I am afraid" (I will trust in you, I will trust in you, I will trust in you. When I am afraid I will trust in you in God whose Word I praise). He said it made him cry. Mario seems to be doing quite well....he has been working at the restaurant for a year now. It was good to see his big smile!!!

We then headed out for the Detention Center. Gary gave the lesson on Feeding the 5,000 (and also included in that lesson was when the disciples tried to stop the little children from coming to Jesus) ---- our verse was Mark 10:14 Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

We did the lesson twice -- first the boys and then the girls. The girls just sang there hearts out---we must have sang 6 or more songs. We even did "Fear Not!" acapella!! I'm pretty sure some of those girls will be "singing thru the registers tonight (they told us they do that). And this is what makes it all worth while --------- Chelsie asked to stay after and she prayed the "sinners prayer" with us. She said she goes to church with her Grandma - in St. Francis. Turns out to be our neighbors church. Praise God!!!! When we hear that someone goes to church - that is so wonderful --- there is hope there!!!!!

NOW FOR THE PRAYER REQUESTS!!
Our little grandson Oliver is still not eating good. Guess I should back up. He has/had RSV and was hospitalized on Tuesday. He did not have pneumonia but was put on an antibiotic to be safe. Now Marti says that he is still not eating good and they don't really want to put in a feeding tube --- but he seems to have a sore throat - from coughing so much and just won't eat more than an ounce at a time. So that is our 1st prayer request.

2nd ----- Harvey Gunnink --- an elderly man --- a pillar of the community was hospitalized yesterday (Wednesday) in North Platte. He is 90 years old. He has shown some improvement...... the doctors are checking on all of his medications and there might just be a problem there..............

3rd ----- all the young people. We have several that asked to see us Sunday. We pray that we have the right words to say to them for encouragement or instruction in God's Word.

4th -- The Lakeview CRC --- we will be voting on the 20th. We have a duo of two very good men --- one to become our next pastor (hopefully). It will be hard to choose.

Thank you so much!

Spring is here (the birds told me so) .....just a little chilly once in a while is all.

With Love, Gary and Barb

One for the books (our books that is)......

Last night we headed out for JDC with our car.....bad idea. We went through some water on the road but it really wasn't too much to worry about. HOWEVER, when we came home in the dark --- the "little bit of water" had turned into what you see on the picture (which we took this morning). Well, seeing as how we had the car -- we didn't dare go bounding through the water - not knowing if there was a deep washout hiding in there or not. So- - - - we could go the 7 miles around -- but that road has some bad spots usually too...... But what other options did we have? NONE. We got through one bad area by keeping way to the right....the left side of the road had a washout about a foot deep. We got past Tinants corner --- lots of mud but not washouts. We topped the hill and "look out!!!" There was a washout cutting all the way across the road - Gar got out and took a look. "Can't do that one with the car - we'll bottom out." So now what?!??! No! I really DON'T want to go sleep in the community center!!! So we decided to go park the car by our neighbors (just 1 mile to the east of us) and walk home. I didn't have a coat along (it was a beautiful day but by now it had gotten a little bit chilly) -- however, we did have that "emergency blanket" in the car. .......... We drove up to the Vander Weys and it seemed that they were in bed --- didn't hear their dog bark and no one came by the door. So we got out --- me in my blanket --- and headed out thru the corrals. We kept looking back behind us to see if Jerry was looking out the window with his gun pointed at us..... :) :)

So much snow had melted that water or slush was EVERYWHERE ! Of course, we both had our good shoes on. We could see "lakes" (not really, of course - but LOTS of water, water, water) that we had to detour around. But no matter the route - ------ - it was wet! Every so often I would say -- I can't believe it but my feet feel dry. Gar would say "mine too". Sometimes I'm sure the water was 3 inches deep. When we got home --- our feet were dry - but our pants were wet about 4 inches up. Just felt totally like a "God thing". We love seeing God in all the different things we do!!!

This morning we went to Valentine in the truck and discovered that we really could have gone through the "lake" with the car --- but better safe than sorry. Our car is still at the neighbors --- but that's OK - we'll get it tomorrow.
Gar put the finishing touches on the auger today. This picture is of some round rod that he added to a real thin area. He wanted to make it stronger.












And then we loaded it on the hay wagon. As I write --- he is on the way delivering it back to Dwight. They will probably work at putting it back together on Saturday (tomorrow).










Another project finished (well --- once it's in place - then it's FINISHED).

JDC went very nicely last night. We had about 8-10 young men first. We handed out about 7 Bibles. And it was so good to have some who seemed to be uninterested - ask for a Bible. So you can pray for these guys --- Robert, Mike, Leon, Wicohpi (pronounced - we chop e), Trey, Kyle and Adam. If you would --- please pray for healing for Leon -- he was burned on his arm quite badly. "They held me down and burned me". We didn't get all the particulars -- but it was most likely gang related.

Then we had 4 girls come in after the boys. We had really spent too much time with the boys and so we only had a short time with the girls. Thursday is shower night.... and they start at 7:00 -- it was 7:15 when we finished. But the girls wanted to pray.....and so we all stood together - holding hands and 3 of the 4 girls prayed out loud and then we finished. (It's so cool when the guard patiently waits while we pray). It happens so seldom (the kids wanting to pray out loud) that we are just thrilled when it does.

When you look at the day as a whole --- walking home in the water.....is really nothing ----- just another adventure --- one for the books - our books anyway. And we Praise God for his Faithfulness to us and to the Ministry out here. It is such a grand privilege to share His Good News!!! Thank you ALL for the prayers that are lifted!!!

Gary and Barb

Another BIG repair.......ceiling on hold

The ceiling in the nursery room is complete except for some trim work. It looks fabulous! Soon a coat of paint and some new carpet will have the room looking grand.

However, unless Vern and Matthew have found the time to do more work in the "Library" room -- the church remodeling will be on hold for a time.





The new item to keep Gary busy is the feed truck. The auger is in great need of repair. Gar said it took a ladder to get in and out and in and out and in and out as he and Dwight worked at removing the auger. This is a picture of the truck so you have an idea of what we are talking about.









You get an idea of the size of the beast! I had no idea it was that big. They brought it over to Gar's workshop on the back of a hay wagon.











We have Release Time this afternoon so this too will get put on hold until later in the afternoon. Our lesson today is on Feeding the 5000.......put if you look that passage up you will see that this is also the time when the disciples tried to shoo the little children away and Jesus said "let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." So we have a little "craft" that declares JESUS LOVES ME and then the kids picture on it too.

It's a BEAUTIFUL sunny day and the temp says 48 degrees -- that might be a slight exaggeration....but it IS very nice outside.

Spring is on the way .....anyway that's what the calendar says....... :)

Gary and Barb

Classis Meeting on Tuesday ----- + basement ceiling

Gary - being on the Council now --- had to go to the Classis meeting on Tuesday - along with another Elder - Don S. We were also asked to give an update on the ministry out here....so I (Barb) went along too. Robbi, Gary and I gave a short presentation and we felt it went well. We were invited to stay with Robbi and Jerry --- so we had a nice visit with them and we also had supper with Aunt Melva. It was great to see her again. Her mind is still sharp and witty.

Our trip back was not in the best conditions. The snow had been drifting across the highway and it was very slippery. Don kept telling Gary that "west river" will be better. And sure enough - about 5 miles before we reached the Missouri the roads cleared and it was clear sailing all the rest of the way home. For those of you who don't understand the lingo ----- The Missouri is a dividing line...... you are either "west river" or "east river". :) :) west is best :)

We have been making headway with the church basement.

I can't ever get the pictures in the order I want ---- I get them right and then something happens. Anyway, below is a "before" picture of the nursery - and above is Gary and Matthew hard at work. The lighting wasn't the best for photo taking but you get the idea. Gary and Dakota finished the big part of the ceiling (would you believe we stayed straight the whole way across the room!!!! - now that in itself was an accomplishment!!!!) and now we will probably move to the Library Room. And then come back to finish enclosing the furnace duct work.


Today we will again have Religion Release Time with the 5-6 and 7-8th Graders. There will be one more lesson on Elisha and then we will move on to "The Life of Christ".

It's a beautiful sunny day but still cold!!! March has come in very cold -- so maybe it will go out very warm......we hope!

Stay warm -

Gary and Barb