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

Prairie Light - Day 4.....Trusting

Today we started with devotions and then had a speaker come and talk with the kids.  Ted Standing Soldier from the Pine Ridge associated with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.  Ted grew up on the Pine Ridge and his wife grew up on the Rosebud.  They have 5 children.    As Ted was speaking -- two of our boys were yakking  and laughing and being disrespectful.  Ted got right on them.....and then also his wife.  We've been having trouble with those two and others.  The sad thing was that the boys really didn't get it.....they continued with their bad actions.  But Ted did continue on with his testimony and when he finished a few of the kids had some questions for him.  It was a good event!!!   The kids need to hear from their own people that Jesus is the Way!!  And Ted did a great job of sharing that with them.

We all had lunch -- sloppy joes, tator tots and veggies --- very good!  And then we began with some of our "Trust" activities.  The first one was called "The flying carpet". 

 We got several of the kids way up in the air --- even Leader Ken Bing was willing to be lifted and we got him way up above our heads.

Logan clung to the pole - "I'm scared - I don't want to do it".

We want you to meet Landan and Shadow - his dog.  Landan was not registered for camp but he lives in the neighborhood and came walking over one day with his dog Shadow --- very aptly named because Shadow follows Landan around EVERYWHERE!!!  Shadow is a very well mannered - faithful - dog.  We have decided that Landan needs fear nothing when his dog is near.  So we have two more in our group.   Landan comes in for the Bible lesson and Shadow lays beside him.  We have invited Landan to come along for the Friday Swim day in Valentine.   Our cook Ethan went to his home and got a permission slip filled out so he could  come.

We went outside for the "Trust Fall".  Whisper was the first one to do it.  It is a VERY SCARY thing to do!!!  I can speak from experience because I did it again today.  Here's how it goes.   You hook your hands together in a way that you won't flail out and hit someone as you fall.   Then you call out "spotters ready" --- and the spotters call back "spotters ready".  Then you call out "falling" and spotters say "fall on".  Then staying stiff as a board you lean backwards and fall off (up there where Gary is standing) into their arms.  Thank goodness (in my eyes) - for Ken and Andee being catchers....because those 7th and 8th graders didn't seem very focused at all!!!  It's an exhilarating fall.  We got quite a few kids to do the trust fall - but it took a lot of talking for some of them.   I said "I'll do it"......and Faith comes back with "if you'll do it, Barb, then we'll ALL do it".   Faith finally did do it --- but not everyone was convinced.

Now I just want to share some neat photos of the kids in different activities or whatever......

We did all of our fun things on the warmest day of the week.    Then it was time for our Bible Lesson.  We got all the kids settled in and Patti started her lesson.  The two boys pictured here (on the outsides) were too busy talking and laughing and they were the same two that Ted Standing Soldier had trouble with --- so Gary jumped up and said "you two - outside"...... I knew I was also to go out with them....... and we told them we were taking them home.  "for real" - yes get in.    I don't think they thought we would go that far.  The boys got a very loving "sermon" all the way to Grass Mountain - not a short drive.  We hated ending their week in this way ----  but they have to know that we mean business and there are consequences to their actions.  Neither one will be allowed to go swimming tomorrow.  But so far tonight the one has called two times on the phone about other things so I don't think we have made enemies.   Another boy who would have been next in line to go home came and very nicely apologized "for being disrespectful".  We love them all.

Tomorrow we plan on going back to the Lutheran church in Rosebud and mop the floor and do a little extra clean up -----wanting to leave it better than we found it. 

Patti is doing our dessert dishes......It is Ken's birthday today - so we had angel food cake and blueberries.  YUM!! 

Thank you for your interest and prayers!!!

Gary and Barb --- Ken and Patti

What a Day 3 !!!

Let's see --- where do I begin. 

Patti still wasn't feeling real good --- so she stayed home and Gary planned on doing his lesson...... The Good Shepherd.

Our activity was decorating cookies and pretzels with frosting and sprinkles and then delivering them around the neighborhood in Rosebud.  Things started to go down hill at this point.  Most of the boys were into the decorating....but two of them weren't about to do that!   So one just sat there and another went out the door and we never saw him again until later in the day --- I think he came around for the Basketball part.  The girls, of course, enjoyed it very much.    Oh! and another bummer ------- about 6 of the girls in our group weren't in attendance ----they were at a basketball tournament at the Boy's and Girls Club.   We are pretty sure they will be back.

For some reason the boys were in a non-participation mode.  I even said they weren't going to get a permission slip to go swimming unless they joined in on the games.  "They would think about it".   Was their comment.   It told them "I would think about it!"      So guess what ---- no permission slips today for 4 boys.  But they were told that if they participated tomorrow----- they would get it.   We shall see what happens.

NOW ON THE GRAND SIDE    !!!!!!!!

Gary did his lesson and then gave an invitation - if anyone wanted to receive Jesus into their heart.  Mackenzie prayed to receive Christ today.  We praise God for His work in her heart.   She is such a sweet, quiet girl and Gary and Andee helped her understand what she was doing.  Gary said she was so sincere about it all.   WE PRAISE GOD!!    She received a very nice "Adventure Bible".  Please pray for Mackenzie.   Thank You!

We also thank God for Andee and Amber who are kind of "on the side line helpers".  Amber saw the need and took one of the boys out to talk with him.  She just visited with him (for quite some time) and asked questions about family and school and where he lived and so on.......but she also talked about participating and respecting and doing.   We couldn't have done it without those two today.  Andee goes with us each week to JDC and Amber is a Native American with a wonderful faith.

Prayer Request

Those of you who are faithful watchers of this blog,.............please pray for our co-leader, Patti......she started feeling somewhat rotten last night and it has carried on to this morning.  She  was scheduled to do the lesson today ....but we are able to have Gary do his instead.   Pray that Patti will be well again and able to come with us tomorrow to do the lesson on David and Goliath.

Thank you!!!
Barb

Prairie Light ---- Day 2

Today was a very good day.  The kids have begun to sing along --- not all of them but even a few boys!!!  And those rowdy ones were less rowdy.  Our project went super --- everyone EVERYONE  got theirs finished so they could take it home. 

We start each day with devotions which this year involves teaching the kids Proverbs 3:5-6.  Each morning one of us gives them our take on the verse.....define the hard words etc.  This morning it was Patti's turn.  She also shared the song "Open our eyes Lord....we want to see Jesus" ---- with the sign language that goes with it.   Thank you Patti!!

Then we played the "ring on a string" game ---- because two of the kids had requested it.......remembering playing it last year --- or this past year in Release Time.   Such a simple game but so much fun.

 After the game we got to our project.....making a plaque with the word "TRUST" on it.  It was a noisy project with all the hammer pounding -- but everyone really seemed to enjoy it.  We did have a panic attack.....running short of nails!!!  NO!!   So Gary and Ken made a run into Mission to the Hardware store....and those of us left behind kept things going.  If someone needed nails ---- at least they could start with the string ......so we never had a down time.    Here are a bunch of pictures .....everyone did such a nice job!

Isn't that pretty?!?!  I thought some of the girls were not going to get the project done - but all of a sudden they took off and look at that beautiful job!!

It was Ken's turn to do the lesson - which was on "Jesus heals the paralyzed man".  So he started with a stretcher and had a couple of kids carried out the door - up the steps and down and around to the side door.  Whisper wasn't so sure about it - kept looking up .....

......but it proved to be a great "visual" and was enjoyed by everyone. When Whisper was carried out the door - the whole group followed  --- they had to see how it would go. So as you can tell --- we've had good lessons for the kids. 

Today we missed 2 girls (one was sick).....but we gained two new ones.   So we've had 13 kids each day....a really nice number.

We also took our stilts along and the kids loved them.

Thank you for the prayers......we feel God's presence with us.    More tomorrow!

Gary and Barb --- Ken and Patti

Prairie Light Youth CAmp - Day 1

We did it.....day one is a done deal.  We had 13 kids which is a real nice number for the 1st day.  We usually get more on the second day - so we shall see.  The kids always need time to warm up.....and it was that way today too.  But even in one short day we saw changes.

Our crew this year is me and Gary and Ken and Patti Bing from Zeeland MI.  Good long time friends so we are having a fun time.  They have really taken time to put their lessons together - as all of our helpers have each year ---- and help out with the planning so we feel blessed.

Today we went on a Scavenger Hunt --- a photo scavenger hunt.   We had 4 teams.....one with the boys and three with the girls.  Yes the girls far outnumber the boys this year.   We wanted them to get some real creative shots.......some were (creative) some weren't....but it went good for the most part.  One of the cameras gave the group the fits and so their pictures were few in number.  Plus it didn't take nearly as long as we expected ---- so we played lots of games.....which is always fun.   Below are some photos of our day.

The kids couldn't get enough of this "table top game".  Really not a game - but more of a competition.   The boys just don't have it.....they can't hold their positions.  It started out with just our group doing it and then the 5th and 6th grade group came with their helpers.  These girls held the record for most of the day - until some of the volunteer kids  gave it a try..... they were older and bigger.   The whole basement was a cheering crowd.

One of our photos ----- Trust is our theme for the week.

 

A "jump for joy" photo.

This one is "look up photo"....   We had a beautiful day --- cool and party sunny. 

A photo of the steeple --- but more than that ----- it's a beautiful picture of the Lutheran Warrior's church that we are allowed to use in Rosebud.....thank you Pastor Utecht - we really appreciate it.

Patti Bing has a love for photography - so she was a great help with this project.

  Tomorrow will come soon and it's getting late.  Thank you for the prayers -- keep them coming!!!  The weather sounds good -- much cooler - however, that put's a klinker in the water games and those are ALWAYS fun.  We hope for a warm day on Thursday. 

Gary and Barb ---- Ken and Patti..................The Prairie Light Crew for the 7-8th graders 2014

100th Celebration preparations.........what a celebration!! And family visitors....

I am somewhat late with this PREPARATIONS update.   The event is past .....and it was absolutely delightful!!!   But it's kind of fun to tell about some of the happenings that happened in making our church look so nice.   And I really don't even have pictures of all of it.  

 Marlys Walkling and Debbie Markus did a LOT of work on the flower beds in front of church.   What a beautiful spot.  The trees might have been loved by some ------ but the flowers are such a pretty sight.......  Thank you Marlys and Debbie and anyone else who had a part in the flower beds.

Thank you to the Boersmas' for mowing the lawn and cemetery......they looked so nice.   Yes, the rain helped make it green - but that just meant more mowing.

The flag pole was an idea of Dan Tinant.  The pole was originally located at the Wells Fargo Bank in Valentine.  One of our wind storms took the pole and bent it over  and the pole snapped off about 6 feet above the ground.  Gary did some straightening on the pole and then the men put it up at church.  It will have a plaque at it's base honoring our veteran Bud Noteboom who gave his life (in Vietnam) for our country.

That's Dan in the bucket and Gary guiding the pole.   Don S. was in the tractor and he said Dan was risking his life because it was Don's first time in that type of tractor and he could have dumped him (Dan) at any moment!!  YIKES!!!    But it all went great!

Our church really needed a new front door ---(take a look at the post I made in May of the new church sign.....it shows you how bad the old door looked).   Well, of course, I don't have a picture of the new door.....it looks SO SO nice.  It's a double door with the top halves being window.  WOW.    I did get a shot of the old door on it's way out.

Yes, that's how bad it looked ......
This is the new basement door ---- that"s my sister Linda Nysse cleaning up the mess after the cement saw.  We didn't want anyone getting all that white powder all over their nice clothes.....

And this is Gary giving it a coat of white paint.  If left a dark color it would become too hot to touch when the sun beat down on it..

The ladies of church came and did a thorough cleaning of the Community Center and the church.   Dan said he decided he should just stay there and tell the newcomers (new workers) which windows were done.   He witnessed windows being cleaned over and over by several different ladies.  And it was all because of the sprinkler system leaving a spotty film on the windows on the south side of the Community Center.....they really aren't that fanatic about their cleaning.   But everything looked so nice --- lovely patriotic decorations. 

I didn't take my camera along to the celebration ---- others did ----- they should put their pictures on the blog here.  We had such a nice turnout.  The church was full to the brim.  You should have heard the singing.   Wyonne said she just stood there with tears in her eyes listening to the wonderful sound.  There were a lot of  tears shed at the program on Saturday......so many memories shared and songs sung and visitors to visit with.  God is indeed faithful.  Psalm 100:5 The Lord is good......his faithfulness continues through all generations.  .....was the theme verse.  I guess I should get a photo of the words I cut out of that verse (from the cedar trees that were cut down by church a year ago).  They really turned out nice and when they were put up on the Community Center wall - I (myself) was rather awed by how nice it looked.

Gary and I had a house full of company.  My two sisters, Linda (and Dave) and Ethel (and Jim), my brother Bill, and our daughter Holly and her boys (Clayton and Sawyer) were all here.  My cousin Neil (and Phyllis) Verduin came and parked their trailer on our yard.  What fun!!!....sort of a small Verduin reunion but with too many missing!

Our grandsons did a lot of 4 wheeler riding, shooting the 22, playing with the kitties.......we took them tubing down the Niobrara.....and kayaking with the cows...... and on White Lake.    YES! tubing with the cows....can't do that just anywhere!!!!

Toby thought it was the best thing he'd enjoyed in a long time......nice cool water.  He didn't have a care in the world. 

It didn't take US long to realize that the pond was an e-coli breeding ground.....and we departed. It was a good spot to see how the boys would do with the kayaks.....just a nice quiet spot out in the pasture but we were very thankful that no one tipped over in it!!!   White Lake was much more desirable.....a little windy ....but cleaner water.

Our company is all gone now and it's very quiet here again.  Time to mow the lawn, change the bedding for the next crew, vacuum, put the house in order........but mostly time to put those final thoughts to the plans for Camp.  Camp will begin July 14 and end on the 18th.  We pray for safe travel for all the volunteers.....good health for all of us......and a blessed camp for all the young kids attending.  We pray that God's gospel message will go out clearly.   Thank you for those prayers that you lift up on our (and camps) behalf!!!

Gary and Barb