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.
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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