Day 3 - June 18, 2013

Day three began in much the same way as day two, only just a little warmer. In fact the whole day was a little warmer reaching into the mid-eighties. It actually ended up being rather comfortable until mid afternoon when the light breeze we enjoyed seem to simply vanish. Anyway, the one thing different this morning is that the boys (assisted by one of the girls) cooked breakfast scrambling about 6 dozen eggs with ham. They did a great job and even cleaned up afterwards. The routine was more routine today, so after breakfast chores were completed, the trailer loaded, morning prayers offered and it was on the road to Rosebud.

We had a set of keys today, so there was no waiting for anyone to show up and let us in. After quickly unloading and finishing the prep we needed to do, Fr. Tom began shooting a series of short video clips of the kids saying and doing different things. The thought is that we will build a few short videos to highlight a typical day on the trip as well as offer insights into the work we do and the grace we experience that we can post on the Youth Outreach website for those interested in learning about our trip.

Before we knew it, it was time to go get the kids. We had their addresses today so it made pick up go much smoother and quicker. Funny thing, even though we picked up in the same location, we ended up with more kids. Why? Because the kids yesterday told friends and parents dropped the kids off to join us. We ended up with 32 kids and a little more chaos than yesterday. Nobody seemed bothered with the chaos and most felt the joy of more kids outweighed any of the worries we might have had. Lunch was a success and it was off to the chapel for worship. After the day’s story was shared, and a few songs were sung, the youth took off to the play field for some fun with a giant parachute and some other outdoor games.

As the temperature rose, we knew we needed to get everyone out of the sun and into a space with cover and cold water and lemonade. With their batteries recharged youth began to work on decorating their own prayer flags. Some of the designs were simple, while others showed great thought and a deep spiritual awareness. Most finished up a little quicker than anticipated, so for those who were done it was back out to the play field for some kickball. All were having a great time but as with all good things, they eventually come to an end and it was time to take the kids home. Those who walked home were escorted by members of our team and the rest hopped into the van for the short ride home.

By the time Fr. Tom returned, the place was all cleaned up and the team was ready to head back to Valentine and “Pool Time!!”Following one of the quickest unloads in Nebraska Youth Outreach history, the bins were sorted and swimsuits were on. Because the team did so well, Fr. Tom loaded everyone in the van and dropped them off at the pool. In fairness, he does this each day, but with the warmer temps, everyone was anxious to jump in the cool refreshing water. Most headed back a little earlier than expected, but that was okay. Some had a little down time, some walked down to Dollar General, while others got a head start on dinner preparations. Tonight’s chicken was a hit with everyone and the kids gave Sharon a round of applause.

One team baked some brownies and cupcakes before heading out for an hour on the town. Up and down Main street they go, visiting Dollar General and more importantly Frosty’s. Several team members just had to have a milkshake (of one flavor or another) and you know that once one has something, everyone wants one. So off they went to enjoy some nice cold ice cream. Back at St. John’s the team huddled together in groups and began a study of Luke 14:16-24 (The great banquet). As usual, some had very neat insights into the story, and its implications. Afterwards, we broke into teams to take on this piece or that in preparation for tomorrow’s program. Claire led us through some VBS prep for tomorrow and it was off to Compline, then bed, and finally lights out.

It was a long day. Despite the fact we had no service project, the work we did was practically exhausting and in the peace and quiet that followed, as the kids headed off to bed, the day drew to a close.

Pictures - Day 3

Day 4 - June 19, 2013

This morning is so quiet, both outside and inside. Not so sure about the outside, but the inside quiet is because we have a lot of sleepy youth. After two full days on the reservation we had some tired puppies last night. Add that we had one youth turn off her alarm (that went off at 6am) the rest were able to sleep in a little longer. Of course that meant we had more to wake up and Claire helped out today. As the girls came upstairs, one asked Claire, how could you help Fr. Tom with morning wake up, we thought you were one of us.

With a good night’s sleep under their belt, it was a great start to the day. Things just seemed to come together and quickly. We had time to kill before we could load and go and the kids used that time to spruce up the place for tonight’s dinner with the parish. By the time we gathered in the sanctuary for morning prayers the place looked really nice. When we arrived on the reservation there was still a bunch of prep needed for the day, because we had accidently left some supplies at the community center overnight. The kids built an assembly line and before we knew it the work was done and we still had an hour before we needed to pick up kids. During that time, Greg, Tom, and Claire went to check out a nearby museum for tomorrow; then it was out into the neighborhood to pick up our new friends.

The numbers swelled again today. Between pick-ups and drop offs, we had 40 kids today. It made the community center feel a little crowded, but in a good way. Lunch went well except for one thing, as we began serving, the city showed up to work on the street between the community center and the church. Not a big deal, but they laid a fresh patch of asphalt that offered us new smells and a new challenge, not tracking the tar and oil used into the church or center. As always, God is good and we were able to avoid tracking it into the buildings.

After the kids finished hearing the story of the great banquet, it was outside for some play time. While they were in the field, we had even more kids get dropped off as they saw what was happening. Fortunately, we had plenty of craft supplies and snacks for everyone; today’s story should have been the story of fishes and loaves because we even ended up with some left over. Our time together today was really great and in the evening our team noted how much more welcomed we were today. Friends introduced friends to our youth and it really seemed like a party. It looked like one too, the main craft was making and decorating party hats.

When everyone headed over to the church for the final skit, something happened none of our kids expected. There was an invitation for those sitting in the pews to join the skit crew at the front of the church for the final celebration. The team expected about 6-8 kids to come forward, instead almost all them came forward. The area in front of the altar was packed with kids and it looked like a real party. That night we just figured it was a God thing and gave thanks. When it came time to say good bye for the day, there were hugs and lots of waves, and numerous promises to see each other tomorrow. I wonder, tomorrow, what it will be like when we say good bye until next year.

When we arrived back at St. John’s, the team quickly got ready for the pool. Nobody wanted to miss out on some Pool Time knowing that we had to be back a little earlier to get ready for tonight’s dinner. It was then that Fr. Tom noted he could not find his phone. He began to worry he had left it on the bumper of the trailer when we left Rosebud and Sharon said she did see something fall about 20 miles back but just thought it was something on the road. So after dropping the team off at the pool, Fr. Tom took off in search of his phone. All he found was the camera, so tomorrow he is going to leave a little early and drive farther up the road.

As the folks of St. John’s began to arrive, the team finished their preparations, in the worship space and in the kitchen. Here’s another God thing, despite the turmoil we just went through, things came together effortlessly and everyone enjoyed worshipping together and visiting over dinner. Our youth did a great job mingling at the different tables and the folks of St. John’s really had a great chance to visit with some of them. After dinner was the usual clean up and evening schedule and the entire team spent a good bit of time working on a really big skit for tomorrow. After Compline, there was no delay as very tired kids headed off to bed and before we knew it, we were back to where we started this morning, resting in the silence of God’s house.

Pictures - Day 4

Day 5 - June 20, 2013

What a beautiful morning. Temperature of 72, light breeze and except for some rain clouds that threaten to dampen our day, all is good. As usual the adults were up and enjoying a morning cup of java long before the first youth member stirs. There was an anxiousness among us after watching the numbers of reservation kids joining us increase each day this week, each of us thought would this be even bigger today. While we hoped for it, we also worried, would we have enough; enough food, enough prizes for the games we had planned, enough back packs. Thanks to Greg’s organizing, we had just over 30 backpacks with school supplies ready to hand out. What if we had more kids than packs? As the kids woke and the morning prayers were offered, we learned that it was not just the adults who were worried. But everyone trusted God and off we went.

Fr. Tom left a little early. He went looking for the proverbial needle in a hay stack, his cell phone. Accompanied by a couple of youth, who claimed to have better eyesight then Fr. Tom, they left about 30 minutes early watching the side of the road for signs of a wandering phone. As they approached the bottom of the hill (less than ½ mile from Church of Jesus) there, lying just next to the center line, was a very tired and worn out looking phone. While the case was in excellent condition, the face glass had long since disappeared but the sim card was still in place (which meant some of the pictures from yesterday were saved), and the worry over a lost phone was avoided. A few calls later, Fr. Tom learned his replacement phone was only a day away.

Having just pulled into the parking lot, low and behold the rest of the team showed up, just in time to help unload. The team made quick work of it and began their daily prep. About an hour after our arrival, a parent showed up to drop off their child, only to learn that we had another hour to go until we began. Despite their disappointment, they returned later and the kids had a great time. At first it looked like we would exceed the previous day’s number, but alas we ended the day with 32 kids. However, even though the numbers went down this did not deter our team. We were grateful for the additional time we would get to spend with those who came.

We began with a story about a rich landowner who went around hiring day laborers. But instead of paying for only the hours worked, he paid everyone the same; and of course, this upset several of his workers. In the end, the landowner prevails, but it made us consider how much we complain about the unfairness in our own lives; and it reminded us God would sort it all out, so we had nothing to worry about. And you want to know something, Jesus was right. We didn’t have to worry about the food, we had plenty, we didn’t have to worry if we had enough prizes, we didn’t even have to worry about the number of backpacks. We had just enough of everything. During the nightly roundtable discussion we have, one of our team asked Fr. Tom if it was one of those God things he keeps talking about. His answer, sure why not.

Today was a grand day, games included sack races and other outdoor activities designed to get the blood moving and build relationship. I think we were successful, because when it came to part, the kids, and members of our team were truly sad to see the week come to an end for everyone. There were lots and lots of hugs and of course promises to see each other again next year. Instead of crafts today we held a carnival. We had all sorts of games for all age groups and it was a lot of fun. Guess what, we had more than enough prizes for everyone to receive at least one or more prizes at each of the games.

A couple of other things to note; not long before it was time to pick-up kids, the new priest (Rev. Lauren Stanley) stopped by for a visit. It was great to put a face to a name and we talked about all sorts of things, including next year’s trip. No need to worry, we are invited back again. The other thing to note is the visit of the Rev Joan Pritchard, our interim Dean of the Cathedral. She could only stay a few hours but it was so nice to have her visit. Another regular visitor was Kieran, a former Resurrection House Intern who has been living in an intentional community here on the reservation that focuses on young adult ministry. We didn’t get to spend much time with Don Eagle this trip. Schedules being what they are it was just tough for him to be there.

By the end of the day, there were a lot of tired youth (and adults too) all ready to get back to the pool. But Fr. Tom, Greg, and Claire had a surprise for everyone, the whole team headed up the road to the Lakota museum at the St. Francis Misson. The kids were amazed at the variety of artifacts and the number of costumes.

They hung in there for about 30 minutes, but what they really wanted, was to get back to Valentine and the pool (it had gotten much warmer than originally forecast). So that is what we did, back to Valentine and the pool. Pool time was finished with a BBQ under the pool pavilion, a little free time, a short trip wrap up meeting, and finally, we began to pack up. The team got a pretty good head start before Compline, the morning should go pretty quick. Before we knew it, it was time to crash and that is what we did. This lowly journalist is going to do the same, got to get a good night’s sleep with the river ride tomorrow morning.

Pictures - Day 5