Mission Trip Notes from Joyce Waugh

Just wanted you all to know that I'm back and have been trying to rest up and get back into the work groove. The trip went well, mosquitoes aside. There were about 60 or so of our total mission team, split between Cannon Ball (small community in rural area) and Fort Yates (more of a town with Native American Administrative Center, etc). Standing Rock Reservation is a huge land area located in South and North Dakota. Our work was done in North Dakota.

        We actually served over 100 different children (with occasional mothers) between the two sites, having about 30 at Cannonball and nearly 60 at Fort Yates on Wednesday. Several of the children said they had not eaten since the meal we had served them the day before. Alcoholism, suicide, diabetes, and domestic violence are common problems. I met the woman who is the landholder for Tipi Wakan in Cannonball. She said she agreed to provide the land for the church because, "the community needed a place of hope."

        The VBS kids loved the food, books, snacks, crafts, and recreation. The pastor, Rev. Buford "Boots" Marsh, really appreciated the strengthened screen doors for the church and the back deck provided to his mobile home, just behind the church. His wife is in TX, their home, facing surgery later this month. I know we caused him extra work, but as he said, "it's well worth it." He's only been the pastor for two full years and had a burden to do this work. His modest retirement from a private firm allows him to afford to be there.

        One experience I observed was a young lady literally fall into the church, barely getting into the front door. I thought she was a teen, but turned out she was mid to late 20s. She was drunk, but at least had a sense of where she might find some help. After about an hour of talking, the pastor was able to take her home.

        Another bright and colorful experience was spending a couple of hours at a Pow Wow for the Grand Entrance of natives from several states before heading for home. Their beautiful regalia and at time intense dance was inspiring. Standing Rock Reservation is host to eight distinct communities: Cannon Ball, Fort Yates, Bear Soldier, Little Eagle, Rock Creek, Kenel, Wakpala, and Porcupine. Beautiful handmade quilts with eight pointed stars (for the eight communities) are designed and given to the church for the pastor's preaching a funeral or other major events. However, there are unclear factions within the communities, lots of dislikes for one another. This adds to the despair of the people of Standing Rock.

        The medical mission had to be scrubbed due to federal requirements that couldn't be met before our arrival, so those of us assigned to that area chose other assignments. As a cook, it was extremely hot in the kitchen. We had to keep doors and a sliding serving window/curtain closed in the afternoon while the children were there in the afternoon to be able to keep the meals prepared. A constant stream of traffic to the girl's and boy's rooms kept kids coming and going through the kitchen. One day it was in the 70s outside and nearly 100 degrees in the kitchen. We fed both the children with VBS and our team.

        We know of four girls who accepted Christ during our time there. Two were at the Pow Wow and introduced us to her father.

        I'll share more with the WMU at their October meeting, but wanted to give you a quick update. It was both a heartwarming and heartbreaking experience. The people there need a lot of love, attention, hope and prayers. I won't soon forget.
                                                                
                                                                Joyce