Visit today at the Detention Center

I know that I didn't update the end of PLYC...... I didn't have my camera along at the pool and right now I'm waiting for some pictures from Patti.   She took lots of pictures but it was an older camera that my computer would not read (or understand or whatever the term should be).  She will be sending some our way shortly and then I will post them.  The kids had a lot of fun and it was a beautiful day.

Today, our visit at the Detention Center made us rejoice.  The local kids that are in the JDC are all in MAX.......so we only visited with the North Dakota boys - or the ones from Lower Brule Reservation about 3 hours from here.

One young man  told us that he had lost his Wolakota standing --- highest rank they can attain......because of some bad choices they had made.  I guess one of the Officers made them upset and so they all decided to flood their cells.    Then another young man came in to visit us---- one that we had determined was a "leader".  He said that he knew what the guys were going to do and he didn't want to get involved.....it was very tempting but he didn't want to get into trouble.  So he cried out to God to help him resist this temptation and then he asked to be moved to a different cell. So we shared I Corinthians 10:13 with  him.....No temptation has seized you except what is common to man.  And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.  He sat back with a deep breath.  He recognized that that is just what happened for him.....God provided a way out so he could stand.  Then we went to I Peter 5:8   Be self-controlled and alert.  Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.     Again he sat back with a deep breath.  He told us that he was going to memorize those verses.

He told us that Psalm 25:1 was his favorite verse...To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul; in you I trust, O my God.   Do not let me be put to shame nor let my enemies triumph over me.
He also quoted Isaiah 40:8  The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever.   To be able to share such verses (memorized) tells us that he has been spending time in Gods Word - quality time.

He went on to share that back home he is the leader of his gang. We told him that he needed to lead his gang to Christ.  He named a young man that was in the JDC with him (we know who he was talking about)....."in the gang I lead him.....but now he is open to knowing more about God.  My little 13 year old brother is trying to join the gang....... "

We ask you to keep this young man in your prayers - Darian.  He will possibly be getting out in a short time.  When these young people get back out - things get tough.   But we talked too about the fact that he had seen God's hand in his life.  He said he had thought that God had forgotten about him --- but now he realized that He hasn't. 

Another boy that we visited with  will be leaving perhaps Monday or Tuesday for another facility closer to home --- North Dakota.  He said "if I don't see on Wednesday - then I'll see you up there (heaven)".   Just made us smile --- the Bible says that all we need is the faith of a child ------ We are humbled that God has chosen to use us in this place!!!  But we rejoice in these encouragements!!!!

Thank you for your prayers for the young people! 
Gary and Barb