Category Archives: ministry

La Plant, SD

Many of you were praying for us last week as we traveled out to South Dakota to minister on the Cheyenne River Reservation alongside brothers and sisters from Oklahoma, Kansas, and South Dakota. Last year a missionary couple (Jed and Sally) from La Plant, SD, had invited us to sing at a Native family camp that they were helping run, and this year we were excited to return to work with the same group of believers, only this time at the church where Jed and Sally work.To get here we had to cross the Missouri River. The rolling hills surrounding it are beautiful anyway, but the golden evening sunlight was splashing on the hills and it was a sight to behold.Blue Baptist Church from OK was holding Vacation Bible School in the afternoons and revival meetings in the evenings. We arrived Monday night in time to join their first meeting. It was so exciting to see familiar faces again! Even though we walked in late, they made us feel right at home.That first night Brother Larry (above middle) had each person from the Oklahoma church stand up and say their name and why they love Jesus. Some of the responses were: “I love Jesus because He loved me first”; “I love Jesus because He saved me”; “I love Jesus because He resurrected”; and from a five-year-old, “I love Jesus because He makes me happy.”

In the mornings after breakfast there was a time of singing in the church and then John Morris would give a message from the Word and an update on the work at Haskell Indian Nations University where he is serving the Lord.

singin’

our family sang a few songs each morning

John Morris

Following the morning meeting was lunch…the cooks from Blue Baptist made some amazing meals. At 2:00 VBS (or “classes”–including one for adults) began. Jed and Sally drove around to different communities to pick up people, mostly children, to come.

youth class

reading Bible stories in 3rd and 4th grade class

more 3rd and 4th graders

younger children

a few of the many kids

We had so much fun with the children that came! God has had us working with kids on the Reservation near us for the last several years and it has prepared us to serve Him in other places He has opened the door to. And we love doing it! Yes, there are times when you really don’t want to play another game of tag…or you think your arm might be longer from being pulled around…or someone loves you one day and hardly talks to you the next…but God has given us opportunities and it’s worth it to be exhausted from loving on the kids.

Abby and friends

smiles

lots of tag!

Sara and Carlencia

After supper everyone gathered in the church building for more singing and a message from Jess French. The gospel went out every evening, and throughout the week God was working in people’s hearts, resulting in some who renewed their commitment to Christ and others who were saved!

the good ol’ “shake somebody’s hand”

singing praises

these brave ladies sang “Our God” two nights

we sang a few songs

lots of people in God’s house

Jess French preached the gospel

father and daughter put their trust in the Lord

Rochelle and Henry were added to the family of God

decisions being made

Please pray for these and other new believers who came to know Jesus here, for rapid growth and spiritual protection. Also pray that others who made commitments will be faithful.

Recently our family was talking about how we can so easily pray just because it’s the right thing to do. We hope God will answer our prayers, but we have little faith that He will. For those who had faith that God was going to save souls last week, look what He did! And for the rest of us who need encouragement to pray in faith, look what He did! He saved souls from an eternity without Him. And He also was moving in others’ hearts who may yet come to know Him–Sally would say things like, “So-and-so came out for the first time in years!” “She was here. That’s big.” Romans 8:31 says, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” May we allow His workings to strengthen our faith, so that if God is for us, we will believe that no one can prevail against us.

There was always some down time before and after meals. These times were filled with fellowship, playing games, and hanging out with kids. Sometimes during the earlier part of the day a few of the kids from Blue took it upon themselves become hairdressers for a few of us.

how many braids…?

somehow Dad got roped in

volleyball

boy fun

love those kids

Jed and Sally put us up in their home and were so gracious to us. Please pray as they labor in La Plant. The work is not easy, and they need strength to keep going. They love the Lord and want to see His work continue there.

Jed loves Jesus

the Blue Baptist group

Mom and Daniel

Dad and Edison

“I’ve never been this homesick before!”

“I will mention the lovingkindness of the LORD and the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD has bestowed on us…” Isaiah 63:7

Kids Club

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Laughing kids, a big white van to bring them, spontaneous games of tag in the church basement, lemonade spills…it’s kids club time! We always look forward to seeing everyone, but the last couple of weeks we’ve had to cancel it due to a few different reasons. This week, we were excited to see the kids again! Here are some pictures to give you an idea what a typical kids club looks like (some of the pictures are not great quality because a flash might have been too distracting).

Miss Kathy usually leads us in singing energetic songs

Mrs. Pollock taught the Bible story tonight. Sara, Mrs. Pollock and I rotate turns.

working on the memory verse

Mom and Abby dish out snacks

It was warm and dry enough to play our game outside!

kickball is the outdoor game

It is both fun and a blessing to be a part of the children’s ministry here on the Reservation. The Pollocks have been faithfully doing this for many years and now see some children coming whose parents attended when they were younger! Please pray for the Pollocks and the kids club ministry.

But Jesus called them to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” Luke 18:16-17

North to Pickle Lake

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Off we go, through the snow, up to Pickle Lake! Well, actually, off we went… we’re home now. Our missionary friends, the Rassmussens, invited us back up again to sing and share at a Christian workers conference and community outreach in this Northern Ontario community. It was our third time there, and such a blessing to go back!

the drive is gorgeous

We arrived late on Wednesday night. Thank you for your prayers–God kept us safe on the long, lonely road, on which we had to travel several hours in the dark. At one point there was a moose on the road in the other lane but thankfully he decided not run in front of us!

On Thursday morning there was a time of prayer for the conference and outreach, with the Rassmussens, our family, and Fred and Robin Crisco of Friendship Baptist Church.

The winter road conference began Thursday night, and continued Friday morning and evening and Saturday morning. Mr. Rassmussen, Mr. Crisco, Mr. Quequish, and Dad each shared a message.

Gary Quequish

We have been praying for Mr. Quequish. Back in November he was diagnosed with cancer and the doctor said he would be gone before Christmas. But PRAISE THE LORD he was in Pickle Lake in the middle of January, encouraging the believers with stories from his life of how he has found God to be faithful.

Please pray for him. The battle with his illness is not over. But we have a God who is sovereign and can work miracles!

Dad spoke on the love of God

It was encouraging to see familiar faces again coming out to the meetings. Since this is our third time going up to Pickle Lake, we are getting to know some of the people there and we always look forward to the fellowship.

singing around the piano

Abby and a new friend, Noa

Not only did this conference provide spiritual food, but the ladies worked so hard to make sure the attendees were well-fed too!

Mrs. Rassmussen, Mom, and Mrs. Crisco

making casseroles

On Saturday after the conference ended we went into town to hand out fliers for the outreach at the community hall. This was the first time Freedom Bible Mission (run by the Rassmussens) was holding these meetings, so we weren’t quite sure what the turnout would be.

going door-to-door

inviting some youngin’s

The outreach began on Sunday morning, and continued Sunday evening, Monday afternoon, and Monday evening. We arrived early on Sunday morning to set up all our gear, and then the small group that had gathered beforehand had a time of prayer for the meetings.

unloading

Sunday morning was the largest turnout

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,

and into His courts with praise.

Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. Psalm 100:4

visiting and helping kids try out instruments

visiting and helping kids try out the instruments

smiles!

the Sweat family sang several beautiful a capella numbers

the Rassmussens sang an encouraging song

Mr. Sweat gave one of the messages

prayer before one of the meetings

the teen group sang “How Deep the Father’s Love for Us”

tug-of-hat

we didn’t know two people jumped in the back

we still didn’t know…

we were glad to see Connie, the chief of Mishkeegogamang, again!

The outreach went very well, and it was good to see some of the people coming to multiple meetings. The crowd was a mix of believers and nonbelievers, but the gospel went out and now we need to pray for fruit.

In between meetings throughout the week, we found time for some outdoor activities.

snowshoeing

snowmobiling

sledding followed by a cookout

the hot dog juice… thawing out or freezing up?

One afternoon we went cross-country skiing with Deborah Rassmussen and Mrs. Caie. Abby, Deborah, and I had not done this before…needless to say, we went slower than Sara and Mrs. Caie.

they got way ahead of us

heading back, together again

It was so good to be able to sing in Pickle Lake again, and fellowship with part of our family in Christ that we don’t see very often! Please pray for the Rassmussens, the Criscos, the Sweats and the other believers there who minister in a rather isolated part of Canada.

On our last morning the Criscos came for a pancake breakfast, and then before we left we all sang a few songs and prayed. It was hard to say goodbye.

we always have a good time with the Rassmussens

we always enjoy staying with the Rassmussens

Daniel helped with the delicious breakfast

Jonathan had a blast with Bumper

God gave us a safe trip home, and we don’t say that lightly. There was a near-accident with a large truck on the lonesome highway. Dad wonders if any of us would have survived if we hit, but obviously God has plans for us still!

homeward bound

We’ve taken this road quite a few times, but we still marvel at the beauty.

Thank you to all of you who prayed for us. We know He is a God who hears.

thanks to the Rassmussens for the t-shirts – they say, “I survived the road to Pickle Lake”

“Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits:” Psalm 103:1-2