Short Term Mission Trip to South Dakota

From Concordia, Kingsport, TN a short-term mission team went to Rosebud Indian Reservation in South Dakota     June 5-13. Inspired by Mrs. Laverne Morris, who purchased and organized our crafts for VBS and found our cabins to stay in, the team included Pastor Paul and Mary Becker, Frauke Darnell, Linda Morawetz and Rob McElhinny.  We stayed at Risen Christ Lutheran in Davenport, Iowa on the way out and back.  Mary purchased and prepared our meals and Frauke took charge of the crafts while Laverne (sadly!) stayed home with a sick pet.
While in Rosebud, we helped with VBS every afternoon, providing the crafts and helping out wherever needed.  We also assisted with several work projects including a Habitat for Humanity house, a private home that had been vandalized and a sewing factory where native women are working on beautiful Indian star quilts.  We had 20-30 native children in VBS each day, and enjoyed getting to know Pastor Andrew Utecht, along with his wife Lori and their boys.

Pastor Becker led the team in daily morning and evening prayers.  The team worked very well together and grew close to one another.  We enjoyed having Sunday meals at both mission stations, getting to know folks who have dedicated their lives to serving these communities (Rosebud and Parmelee), and inviting a local doctor and the head of Habitat to join us for dinner at our cabin.  We could have used more skilled folk to help with the construction/repair projects, and hope to return next year, Lord willing.

Contributed by – Pastor Paul Becker