We have landed at SFO, Praise God for safe travel.

All checked in at denver airport, southwest flight 473 arriving at SFO 11:35pm !

Lunch

We just stopped for lunch in Alliance, Nebraska

Last night

The foot washing and prayer time was completely blessed tonight! God has moved in a mighty and powerful way among us this week! As we prepare to come home please pray that we would have a safe trip and that the lessons that God has taught us would be eternal and life-changing! Help us to remember that while we have had a powerful experience here that God was here and working before we came here and will continue to be at work after we are gone. We are simply a conduit for His love and grace!

Sacred

Final Day

As we head in to our final day of ministry here in Manderson please pray for energy, strength, and perseverance. We have loved, lived, and learned a lot this week and the weight of that is beginning to take its toll. We need His spirit now more than ever so please remember us in your prayers today!

Ministry

Ministry

Buffalo

The feeding of the Buffalo!

Buffalo

We get to go see and feed BUFFALO tonight!

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Pictures from the Badlands

Pictures from the Badlands!

Pictures from the drive

Pictures from the drive!

Good Morning

Good Morning First Pres! We are up and at it and looking forward to another day of serving God in Manderson!

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Mission trip

We just heard an amazing talk from Chris Hawk Eagle about the role of ceremony and tradition in the Lakota people!

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Brad

Brad's phone is not working. He can be reached on 650-490-0204.

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We have arrived

We have arrived at the YouthWorks site! Hanging out with the staff finding out what's next!

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On our way to Manderson

On our way to Manderson

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Mount Rushmore

Mount Rushmore

Stopped at safeway for sandwiches and are heading to mt rushmore and crazy horse memorial

Had a great nights rest after a late night dominos pizza delivery last nightm

It has been a great day of travelling. We are here at crossroads church in rapid city, south dakota!

Blog

WE ARE HERE! WE FINALLY HERE! THANK YOU GOD!

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We are in Lusk, Wyoming

We are in Lusk, Wyoming

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Just left Fort Collins after lunch

Just left Fort Collins after lunch

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Lunch in Fort Collins back on the road now

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Landed in Denver

Landed in Denver

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SFO, 4:15am, Southwest Terminal!

Hope everyone is getting all their packing done today.  I also hope those of us who have been wearing their South Dakota shirts are washing them before the trip!  Please wear them at the airport so that we can recognize our group easily. If anyone needs the link to the packing list or flight information it can be accessed through fpcsm.org, go to youth, and then mission trips to find the link.

See you all at 4:15 am at the Southwest departures terminal at SFO.  We will be boarding flight 3953 to Denver.  In Denver we are renting 4 vans.  We will be driving from Denver to Rapid City, SD where we will be spending the night at Crossroads Church. 

Well, I better get packing and wash my South Dakota shirt!  I am able to send short updates to this blog from my cell phone and we will try to update when we can and when we have cell reception/ internet.

Thanks for everyone's support of this trip and prayers.

Blessings,
Brad

Isaiah 40

31	But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Shoes of Peace

Put on the shoes of peace!

In Ephesians 6:10-17 the Apostle Paul describes the Armor of God. One of the most misunderstood pieces of equipment are the shoes of peace. I heard a pastor say recently that the only way the gospel can be presented in an effective way is when it is placed on a "footing" of peace. So often, we hear the gospel being used as a blunt instrument to bludgeon those who are not following "God's Way". I submit to you that this is one of the main reasons why the message of salvation is not taken more seriously. If we were to make peace instead of war we would cease to be a stumbling block to others getting to know the true, authentic Jesus.

So, as we embark on God's latest mission for us among the Sioux people I pray that we would all put on the SHOES OF PEACE!

Blessings in Yeshua!
Rod

Prayer Requests:

These requests were compiled at our mission trip prayer time on Sunday, July 14.

Please pray for:

*    Airline safety

*    For the seniors especially-to have this last mission trip touch their hearts in a special way as to impact their adulthood

*    Wisdom for the people on the Pine Ridge Reservation to decide on the new alcohol laws

*    For receptiveness and open hearts to the gospel

*    Open hearts for the children specifically and to the new culture

*    Remain healthy and hydrated

*    Have a sense of compassion

*    To go in with an attitude of showing Christ's love and looking out for the needs of others

*    Listen and be able to hear what we can bring back home and share with others

*    Be welcoming to those whose first mission trip it is and to truly be immersed in this first trip

*    Go in without expectations and be open to whatever happens, open to change and be able to be flexible and not compare to other experiences

*    Be ready to get out of our comfort zone

*    For reconciliation and healing

*    To not worry about what we're leaving behind at home

*    Boldness and willingness to share the gospel in multiple ways

*    Prayer for leaders to have patience even though everyone will be low on sleep

1 Timothy 4:12  "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity."

Packing/ Flight/ Parent information:

Packing list, flight information, and a parent processing guide are available through the FPCSM website:http://fpcsm.org/YouthMissionTrips.html

Information:

About Pine Ridge Reservation

South Dakota’s Pine Ridge Reservation is surrounded by the panoramic beauty of the Badlands. Rolling hills, forests and river valleys extend throughout this area that is known for some of the state’s finest fishing and hunting. Despite the natural beauty of this community, residents of the reservation are struggling with poverty, unemployment, addiction, health problems and more. We will minister to the residents on the reservation through children’s programs and by painting and weatherizing homes.