Second Presbyterian Church Youth Ministry

Finally More Stories from the Youth

2011-07-23T11:06:00.002-04:00

Wow, I am SO sorry it has taken this long to post the rest of the stories. The summer has flown by. But, here they are. We hope you enjoy reading them and that you can see how important and meaningful this trip truly was.

The mission trip to South Dakota was a really life-changing experience. I became closer with my youth group as well as a stronger relationship with God. We were able to meet a lot of the natives there, especially at Kids Club. Seeing how little these kids had and how bad their family lives were, but how they could still be so happy was so eye-opening. I really enjoyed getting to meet them and becoming close to all the people there. We also painted a man’s house there. It was a lot of hard work, but seeing the finished product made it all worth it. Overall it was an awesome trip.
~ Carrie

The trip this year was awesome! The group this year definitely made the experience that much better. Everyone got along extremely well and the people who did not know each other before got to know each other really well. The trip to South Dakota was fun and I liked seeing the monuments before going to the work site. The group for this trip felt like a second family for sure. When we arrived at the work site I wasn’t sure how it was going to go because most of the girls were quiet and kept to themselves but as soon as the night activities started everyone was really cool and the staff was extremely chill and easy to talk to. The first thing that made me feel at home was Club the first night when everyone started singing together. The feeling in the room was unbelievable. I felt connected by a higher power. When I got to meet my work crew for the week at breakfast clean-up we really hit it off; it was awesome. The second night we went on a hike to the Badlands which was amazing. Before the hike I was scared of snakes but I decided just to go with it and the guys in my work crew definitely helped push me past my comfort zone. I was climbing like a pro by the end of the hike. The first two days, Kids Club was awesome and the smiles that were on their faces were absolutely priceless! The feeling I received while playing with the kids was indescribable. The second two days I had to paint a man named Tony’s house, who would lose insurance if we did not help him. The work was quite repetitive but the feeling was worth it! One of my favorite parts of each day was Devos in the morning, a time of calm and relaxation and connection with God. Another favorite part by far was Club, a reflection of the day. I loved the “hewoahs” and the “yea Gods” but my favorite part was the singing and group time. Our group time every night was the perfect way to end the night, considering the closeness of our group. On the last night I knew what was coming but I forgot how powerful the moment truly was last year. This year though I felt a significant amount closer to God and our group. When Angela washed my feet and what she said to me in her prayer was exactly what I needed at this moment in my life. Not to mention the emotion in the room, I completely broke down and began to cry. The group time after the feet washing was absolutely amazing and will be something I will never forget. I will also never forget what Cathy said to me that night. It completely changed my outlook on God and my life. This trip was extremely powerful and something I will never forget. I urge you to go to South Dakota because it is absolutely beautiful and an extremely different and fulfilling experience. You also have to see the 30 some feet cross made out of scrap metal. The cross was amazing even though we got stuck in the mud. You have to go on a Youthworks trip if you have never been on one without a doubt. The youth leaders definitely made the difference in the trip. They are all amazing role models and I would not change a thing about who came. I had one of the best times of my life. If I had a choice to return to South Dakota for a third time I would say yes in a heartbeat.
~ Emily

The phrase I would use to sum up this trip is life changing. This being my first mission trip, I had no idea what to expect. This week I feel like even the little things we did had a big impact. This week was overall just amazing. I feel like I grew closer to God and closer to this youth group, which were two of my goals for the week. When we helped out with Kids Club, I felt a special bond with the kids from the reservation. Just seeing how happy they were and the smiles on their faces was so rewarding. I’m really going to miss that. Also another rewarding thing was seeing how appreciative Tony was, about us painting his house. Just knowing that was helping him get insurance coverage made it that much more special that we were helping him. Youthworks is an amazing program. The staff was incredible. They were so enthusiastic and into the work they were doing. The memories and friends made on this trip will never be forgotten! I’m so grateful to have been able to join 2PC for this trip. I will always remember this mission trip. It has been so inspirational and has brought me closer to the Lord. I truly believe mission work is the way God wants me to serve. I thank the Lord for this week and everything that happened. I couldn’t be happier with the outcome of this week!
~ Kirby

Man, what a trip! Like last year the trip was very moving and there was never a dull moment. On the trip there, we went to the St. Louis Arch, Mt. Rushmore, and Crazy Horse. But even though those monuments were cool the trip really started when we got on the reservation. The first half of the week I was on work crew which was awesome because we got to bond with the other youth that we did not know. Plus the best thing was that we got to help the people in the community, which was fun to do and extremely rewarding. At open point on the trip we visited the Badlands which were absolutely beautiful, and when hiking through them you were overwhelmed with the beauty of God’s creation. This part of the trip was one of my favorites. Then I switched from work crew to Kids Club. Originally I was nervous about doing it because I did not do it on my previous South Dakota trip. But once we made ready for the kids at the Crazy Horse School we were using we headed out to pick up the kids. It was when we entered the children’s neighborhood that came to a revelation. I did not need to worry about my discomfort but totally concentrate on loving the children with all my heart. So during Kids Club I would not refuse piggy-back rides and did whatever I could to make Kids Club joyful and full of love. Thursday morning all of 2PC got up early (5:00 am instead of 7:00 am) to look at the Iron Cross. To get there it took roughly half an hour. I originally did not think getting up early would be worth it. That thought turned out to be totally false. On the trip there the sun rose and spread a pinkish hue through the hills and a fog partially obscured the landscape. This scenery alone was worth getting up. When we got on the road right in front of the cross, both the bus and the van got stuck in the mud. But, this turned out to be a good thing because it gave everyone a chance to bond even further and admire the great Iron Cross and God’s wondrous works. But the thing that will stick with me more than anything was on the last night in Kadoka. What happened was that the Youthworks staff washed the adult leaders’ feet. After this, the adult leaders washed the feet of the youth and prayed over them. When it came to me Willy washed my feet and prayed over me. When this happened I started crying and could not stop. Then I went over to give a hug to Cathy and she said some very kind words and I started bawling. This trip was amazing and I can truly say I love everyone who came on the trip. I grew closer to God and my faith has grown over the length of the trip. I will definitely go on whatever Mission Trip we do next year.
~ Ben

South Dakota this year was amazing! From working with the children to the scavenger hunt at Wall Drug to meeting some of the greatest friends I could imagine, I grew closer to God in so many aspects. The location in South Dakota this year was very different from the location last year and provided a different experience as well. By sleeping with people other than solely our church group, I was able to grow even closer to many of the girls from different areas on the trip. I was able to see and experience God’s love through the children’s excitement to be loved by us, the extreme appreciation of the people whose houses we painted and worked on, and the ability to relate and grow closer to everyone on the trip. Like many trips, the fun happens when things don’t go as planned. When our church went to visit an absolutely beautiful, man-made steel cross made from the simplest things in life to create something so gorgeous, we got the bus stuck in the mud. Through this experience, we really got to see the cross in its absolute beauty, along with meeting the man who made the cross, who ended up being an exceptional, interesting person. This whole trip would not have been so amazing without such wonderful leaders. They are all exceptional role models and were a big part in strengthening my relationship with God. To anyone that is debating on whether or not to attend one of these trips, I would highly urge everyone to go because it is truly a life-changing experience.
~ Sarah

The trip to South Dakota was extremely eye-opening. I had heard a lot about it, but it took actually going to understand. I saw poverty and distress, but I also saw hope and strength. Not only was the trip spiritually satisfying, but it was also a ton of fun. The people were all outgoing and overall fun to be with. The trip for me was a life-changing experience.
~ William

This trip is truly a life-changing experience. You make long-lasting friends and grow closer to God. I’m already looking forward to next year.
~ Anna

This was my second year going to South Dakota. I thought this year made a bigger impact then the last year. This year I easily related to the theme “Be Different!” I related to this theme because being different is something I try to do; therefore I used personal life experiences to relate to the theme. Also everyone really bonded this year. I made life-long friends that I will never forget about and they made a huge impact in my faith of God. I felt that everyday my faith and understanding of God grew. The experience in a whole was life-changing and definitely changed my perspective on everything. In the end, I have become extremely thankful for everything and I’m trying to turn my life around.
~ Katherine (Katie)

This trip to South Dakota was my first mission trip ever and one of the most special, unforgettable, and fun weeks of my life. Not only did we do physical labor and see the tangible difference we made, but also we grew in our relationship with Jesus and with each other. To me, the latter two were the most impactful elements of the trip. We learned about being different within our communities just like Jesus was. We learned that though forgiveness is hard, with God’s help it can be done. Singing praise songs was another way we grew as Christians and as friends. Personally, I grew from this trip because I realized how blessed I was when I went through the neighborhoods of my new friends in Kids Club on the Lakota reservation. I don’t think I’ll complain much at all now. I took much for granted like food and family. Seeing how these children live without these things I consider normal and necessary, opened my eyes and made me reconsider how much I really do love my family. All in all, God’s presence could be felt every moment of the week. This is really what made it so beautiful for all of us. It showed me when you take time to talk and listen to Him and to notice He’s everywhere, life is fuller.
~ Sidney

On Thursday, June 16th, I and nineteen other people arrived at the church at 3:00 in the afternoon. After standing around in the heat of the sun, crunching on ice from the kitchen, waving goodbye to our parents, and of course a quick prayer, we all piled into the church bus and van, and departed for 10 days of travel, work, worship, and loads of fun. Our first day of travel wasn’t terribly long, and, with the coupled factors of me having traveled long distances in the car and already being thoroughly excited, the approximately 7 hours of travel seemed even shorter. We arrived at the hotel a tad late, got our room assignments, and (most of us being tired) went to bed. I was roomed with Sarah, Emily, and Kate Rob, and I can assure you it was a rather interesting experience in itself just to room with them. The Super 8 we stayed in was … well, not the most luxurious hotel ever, but at least it was memorable (our shower spit black gunk when I turned it on!). Waking up the next morning, albeit a little sleepy, we grabbed some breakfast, and hopped in the vehicles to once again hit the road. Our main event of that particular day was the St. Louis Arch, which towered magnificently before the flooded Mississippi River. Riding tiny, “Willy Wonka-like” pod elevators, we reached the top, getting a great view of the city, looking around for a bit, and eventually, piling back into the bus once more. The rest of the day was filled with trivia games in the bus/car, a huge thunderstorm and plenty of the typical music played on our youth group trips. We stayed the night in Missouri, got a bit more sleep, and then hit the road again the following morning. Even now, after only a few days of travel, the group was already starting to bond. I’ve since learned, after being with this youth group since 6th grade (I’m a rising Junior now!), that all sense of different schools, different backgrounds, personalities, and just all around things that normal set up a boundary between people always seem to dissolve when we all get together to do God’s work. Simply put, it’s a pretty amazing thing, how we can all bond so quickly. After our longest day of travel yet (roughly 12 hours)we reached Keystone, South Dakota, for our last hotel (and nicest hotel, surprisingly still being a Super 8!) before we reached our site in Kadoka. As usual, we got up the next morning, grabbed some breakfast, and hurried to the road. Now, the rugged, pine-dotted peaks of the Black Hills covered the landscape (so much different from the endless fields of corn found in Nebraska; Nick particularly detested the corn.). We stopped for a bit of site-seeing at Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse (both of which I’d seen last summer on my family road trip, and both of which hadn’t changed much since I last viewed them), and did a little shopping at Wall Drug (if you’ve ever driven to Myrtle Beach, think of South of the Border!). A short drive across the grasslands later and we finally pulled into the tiny little town of Kadoka, SD. Despite its small size, the town had its own charm, with green trees, a children’s park, and an array of small houses. 2nd Pres wasn’t the only group coming on this mission trip, of course! Churches from Iowa, Colorado, and Illinois all showed up for this amazing experience. We all gathered together in the Presbyterian Church of Kadoka, where we spent most of our time as an entire group. Bonds of friendship were quickly forged, and we could all be assured that this was going to be well worth the 4 days of travel! Thinking back on it, I could probably write ten pages just about my time there with everyone, but Angela advised me to “not write a novel” so I’ll have to do my best to be as concise as possible. Everyone was divided up into six different crews, each of which would get separate assignments as the week progressed (I’m speaking as a proud member of the “Wicked” crew here!). My first two days were spent working with Kids Club. This basically consisted of keeping a large group of the Lakota children entertained and out of trouble for a few hours each day. At 12:30, we went to go pick up the kids and bring them over to the school gym that was posing as our “headquarters.” This was one of the harder parts of the trip. We made our way through the scores of dilapidated houses. Graffiti covered the walls and various objects littered the yards; not to mention, the dreary weather didn’t help the atmosphere much either. However, at least you could see the smiles of excitement as the kids piled into the bus; that was certainly a spirit lifter. During the actual Kids Club portion, children raced across the gym, colored, and pleaded for piggy-back after piggy-back (I took a rather painful face plant giving one of those piggy-backs!). Although a few tense moments broke out, and some of the kids got into fights, by the end of the two days, you could tell you had really made an impact on these kids’ lives. They clung to us when we had to leave, and begged for us to stay with them. It really is amazing how God’s love can work through us to uplift these kids. Saying goodbye after becoming so close with them after only two days was heart-wrenching. Although it was sad to wave bye, and I wished I could have stayed longer, at least I helped to make a difference in these kids’ lives. The next two days, my crew spent working on painting one of the locals’ house. Perhaps we got paint all over our clothing, exhausted ourselves in the heated sunshine, but it was fun. We scaled the ladders to reach higher points on the wall, and made sure to cover every inch of that house. At the ends of it all, we could all stand back and proudly say that we had completely changed the house for the better, finishing two coats of paint and trim. The feeling was so rewarding, it’s hard to describe. The only thing I can say is that you should find out for yourself, and really live the experience. Being able to serve someone in a way so basic as painting their house… it’s pretty spectacular. Now, aside from chasing kids and painting houses, we did loads of other things as well. In the mornings, we did devotionals (“Devos” for short) where we spent time exploring the theme “be different” by ourselves in silence. At night we had Club, where we all gave each other “hewoahs” (to acknowledge each other’s good deeds), presented “yay Gods”, sang together, and almost a sort of sermon. One morning, we even visited a nursing home, and took some time to get to know the elderly who lived there. In the evenings, we did everything from a magnificent hike in the Badlands, a scavenger hunt in Wall Drug, a cookout in the park, and listened to two locals (Marvin and Abel) share a bit of their lives with us. All of these activities in a way, bonded us closer as a group, and brought us close to God. Seeing the cross that was constructed of metal parts was an adventure in itself, which I haven’t got the time to delve into (all I’ll say is that it involved one sticky situation!). Each night, we gathered as Church groups to discuss our own personal experience of the day (one of my favorite things we did, actually!). But, by far, the most memorable experience of the entire trip was the feet washing on the final night. The experience of it all is extremely difficult to describe in full, but it was so moving, and brought me (all of us, really) so close together and to God that it brought me to tears. The adult leaders of our church wash our feet, and say a prayer just for us. Very humbling, very moving. It may sound simple as I write, but it’s far beyond that. After a final, tear-filled church gathering, we went to bed and rose the next morning to bid our goodbyes to the friends we would be leaving behind. But even if we are leaving so much behind, the memories and experience will be something I will cherish forever. This trip was perfectly eye-opening to the world, and brought me not only close to each other, but so very close to God. I really hope to carry the experience and lessons I got from this trip into my everyday life, and can’t wait for next summer (New York is our current plan!). Now, we travel home, and once again jump into our normal lives. But if anything, this trip would have made our lives a little less normal, and hopefully it has given us a change for the better.
~ Alex

This year’s trip to South Dakota was yet another phenomenal experience. This was my second year at this site, so I had a rare opportunity to return and serve in Kadoka and Wanblee, South Dakota. This provided for an even more meaningful trip for me. I had the gift of seeing kids I met two years ago and seeing the finished house that I had originally helped work on. I also was blessed with reliving incredible memories and seeing breathtaking sites I only dreamed I could see again. For the fourth year in a row we saw the normal touristy locations such as Mt. Rushmore, St. Louis Arch, Crazy Horse, etc. but also places my friends had never explored like the Badlands, Wall Drug scavenger hunt, and a breathtaking 38-foot-tall man-made cross. This year like all the others, God had His way of showing His plans for us along with His beauty. He definitely had a reason for everything that happened. Even when the kids at Kids Club acted up, it was an opportunity for us youth to grow together and show the kids Christ’s unconditional love. Another way was seeing the cross. We woke up at 4:45 to go and see it. At first I was skeptical because we were not waking up in time to see the sunrise. It turned out that the sun was rising while we were driving out. In every sunrise or sunset, you could see the absolute beauty of God and His creations. We also got stuck in the mud at the top of the hill. At first we were frustrated and worrying about the rest of the day. We then reevaluated the situation, stopped worrying about the past and future, and lived in the current moment. This gave us the chance to take in the glory of the cross. We also had a rare chance to meet the creator of the cross who helped get us back on schedule. This year for my work group I worked with Phillip (third time in a row), a few youth from our church, and others on scraping, painting, and doing minor repairs on a man’s house to help him keep adequate insurance. This gave me the chance again to face fears of ladders, or to do tedious tasks like scraping and have a few moments out of a hectic day to think about stuff on my heart. This trip helped me grow with Christ in unspeakable ways, and grow with my brothers and sisters in the youth group. I would like to thank the church for allowing me to go on this trip once again. I also would like to thank Phillip, John, Cathy, and especially Willy and Angela for their strong leadership and the time they give up.
~ Kate Rob

Stories From the Youth

2011-06-28T08:07:00.002-04:00

This trip to South Dakota will be unforgettable! I really enjoyed painting the pastor's shed and getting to know him and his wife. This being my second mission trip to South Dakota was very special to me. I met lots of new people and built better relationships with my church group. I can't wait for my next mission trip!!
~ Anne J.

This was my first time going on a mission trip with the church, and let me tell you, it was one of the greatest times I have had in my entire life! Everybody instantly made me feel like I belonged here. Working with the kids at Kids Club was inspirational to me. To see those kids light up the moment you started playing with them was amazing. Also, working with my crew to help beautify a house was spectacular. Seeing how much they appreciated it really meant a lot to me. And bonding with kids from my group and from other churches was really special and I absolutely can't wait for next year's mission trip!! I'm so happy I was able to come.
~ Kate Riv.

This week in Kadoka was one of, if not the, most meaningful and spiritual weeks of my life. As the week went on I felt not only myself but everyone there grow closer to God. This trip opened my eyes to God's love for everyone. I saw this when in Kids Club kids from rough neighborhoods were able to just be themselves and have fun wothout having to worry about their safety and image. I also saw God's love when I painted Pastor Gary's house. His love for the community and his sincere thankfulness for us being there showed me that every little thing counts. From the friendships all the way to Kids Club, I saw God's love in this world and it made me be thankful for my ability to help these people.
~ Nicholas

This was my first mission trip and it was just amazing. From the trip to the reservation to being there. At first I was nervous because I was the youngest person going. I soon learned that didn't matter. This group was like a second family. Once we got to Kadoka I was worried about making friends with strangers in just a few days. I'm not that good at talking to people so it has always been a problem. But everyone there was there for the same reason so it wasn't that hard. Working at Kids Club was so much fun. We got to tun around with these amazing kids. The kids were shy at first but once you began to talk to them they changed. They were crazy but loveable. Working on Tony's house was great. I really bonded with the people on my crew. I loved helping Tony with his house though the scraping was annoying. But none of this compares to the last night we spent in Kadoka. We had a foot washing. Our adult leaders washed our feet and prayed for us. It doesn't sound like much but it was really touching. Even I cried. And those that are very close to me know that it takes a lot to make me cry. I can't explain the feeling but it was strong. I didn't want to leave. I want to do more mission trips. Not only because of the people I met but because ofhow close I felt to God. Just seeing what the Lakota people went through makes me so thankful of what I have. This trip made me feel better. The best I ever have and I can't wait for the next trip. I hope I get to go to New York next year for the next one.
~Caroline

These are just a few of the stories from the youth. We will add more soon so check back often!

We're Home!

2011-06-26T12:38:00.005-04:00

After a fantastic week, we made it back to Roanoke last night around 11:00. Everyone stayed around to help unload, clean up, and have one last prayer and round of good-bye hugs. The weather did clear up on Wednesday and Thursday. Since the camp staff decided not to reschedule our visit to the 38-feet tall cross sculpture, our group decided that it was worth it to make our own trip. The entire group quietly left at 5:00 (yes, that is a.m.) Thursday morning, which was an achievement in itself since we were sharing sleeping quarters with all of the other youth groups. We made the beautiful drive just after sunrise to the cross. The last part of the trail was not clearly marked so we ended up going too far and got the bus stuck in the mud (there always seems to be a mishap story on these trips!). Much good came out of this story, though. First, we had to walk up to the cross, which one of the youth said felt like we were actually getting closer to God as we walked. Second, the kind person who came to tow us out with his tractor happened to be the artist who created the sculpture. Many thanks to Brett and his dog, Highway! Third, we did make it back to camp in time for breakfast. Throughout this entire experience, there was not one complaint. Everyone just enjoyed the experience and we all agreed later in our back home meeting that it was worth it.
The cross sculpture is made of old metal parts and scraps, and one of the youth pointed out how it was neat that those things could be put together to create something so beautiful. It reminds me of 2 Corinthians 5:17, which says: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
In the next day or so, we will be adding stories from the youth so that you can read firsthand what this trip meant to them.

We're Here!

2011-06-21T21:46:00.006-04:00

On Sunday morning, we were able to tour Crazy Horse Memorial and Mt. Rushmore, and even had time to stop by Wall Drug before arriving at camp late Sunday afternoon. From the time we arrived, our youth have been completely and fully involved in all of the activities. We are so proud of them! It has rained here the past two days so some adjustments have had to be made with work crew sites, and Kids Club has been inside in the rec center beside the school. But even with all of that, things are going really well. It is so neat to see our youth giving piggyback rides, reading to a child, or making friendship bracelets with their Kids Club buddies. Today we also visited the nursing home in Kadoka and sang songs for the residents there, had a devotional time, and were able to visit with them. Other groups have helped with Vacation Bible School here at the Presbyterian Church or have been painting (inside). All of these things have been done without complaint or hesitation from the youth. Our trip to the 38 feet tall cross had to be cancelled tonight due to the rain, but it did clear up enough last night for us to do our hike in the Badlands. Absolutely amazing! We can't wait to see what the rest of the week will be like. Please pray for nice weather!

Floods, Friends, and Fun

2011-06-19T02:13:00.007-04:00

Heading out of Missouri this morning, parts of the highway were closed due to the flooding they've had in this area. So while that was some not-so-good news that required us to detour, our new route took us through a scenic route in Nebraska. Ahhh Nebraska! It really was a beautiful drive. The youth have been entertaining themselves on the bus with energizers, trivia contests (thanks to Phillip), Scrabble, Pictionary Telephone (a new game Cathy taught us), and lots of talking and sleeping. Once we hit South Dakota we were literally heading west into this beautiful sunset. Tomorrow we see Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse Memorial, and then head into camp in Kadoka. I'm not sure what the internet access will be once we're there, but will try to post when we can.

St. Louis Arch

2011-06-18T01:13:00.003-04:00

We made it to Lexington, Kentucky last night then headed to St. Louis, Missouri today to visit the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, otherwise known as the St. Louis Arch. We had to drive through a pretty intense storm, but everything cleared up just as we arrived in St. Louis. We rode the "pods" to the top of the 630 feet high arch and were able to look out at the city and the Mississippi River. Tomorrow we will drive up through Iowa and cut across South Dakota. We've been through 6 states so far already!

Ready to Roll!

2011-06-15T00:26:00.003-04:00

Once again, the youth of Second Pres are heading out to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. 15 youth and 5 adults will leave this Thursday, June 16th to begin our journey. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers, as well as the people we will meet along the way. It probably wouldn't hurt to also pray that the fuel pumps will be well-marked, the deer will stay in the woods, the storms will be calmed, and the floodwaters will subside! Between now and our next post you can check out what participants had to say about the trip last year, and view pictures from the past 2 trips on our Flickr site. Stay tuned for more!

Stories From The Youth

2010-07-03T23:29:00.003-04:00

Here are a few of the stories that the youth wrote about their personal experiences on the Rez. (Also, the settings have been fixed so that you should be able to leave comments now without registering. We'd love to know what you're thinking!)

This trip to South Dakota was my second and this year was just as life changing as last year's trip. This year was slightly different than last year's trip, in that I had an opportunity to actually sit down and tutor the children that are not where they should be educationally. I also enjoyed how we took two "classrooms" that looked more like prison cells with boring white walls and turned them into a kindergarten and first grade classroom with the alphabet, numbers, shapes, flowers, and colors on the walls. Another great experience was actually, believe it or not, waking up at 4:30 in the morning to go up on a hill to watch the sun rise. It was beautiful and very peaceful. I also love the bonding we do with our fellow youth. This is a fabulous experience and I highly recommend it.
~ Maggie ~

I really loved going on this trip. It was a very eye-opening event in my life. I was able to learn about the Lakota culture as well as how bad off the people are there. It was amazing to be able to share one's love with all the people and watch them grow. I made a lot of friends and learned a lot about how to have more of God and less me! My favorite thing about the trip was playing with the little kids and having a good influence on their lives. I look forward to keeping in touch with everyone and building strong relationships. This was an amazing trip despite the long car ride!! God bless!
~ Chloe ~

At first, I was unsure about going to SD, but in the end I am 100% glad I went! Everyone there was so nice and willing to help. It was so neat to meet the people of the community. Helping put a smile on the kids' faces would give you a great and positive feeling inside. If you are unsure whether to go, just do because you will have a blast! This trip changed my perspective on other people.
~ Anne ~

This trip to SD was very enlightening. Last year's trip was very fun, but I think I learned and grew more this past week. I made many new friends and learned a lot in a spiritual sense. The Lakota people helped me progress mentally and spiritually, and I thank them for that. I also thank the many adults who helped us on this great expedition. I also was able to bond with the landscape of SD and with the people who ran the whole camp. Thank you 2PC for the experience.
~ Preston ~

This trip was an eye-opening experience for me, and not in just one way. Seeing the living conditions and lifestyle of these people made me realize just how fortunate I am and makes me want to do more to help people in need. Also, it strengthened my faith and gave me an opportunity to bond with my church family. I am so thankful that I was able to go on this trip.
~ Ema ~

This trip was amazing. It was a great experience and I'm so glad I went. I am so much closer to God now too. Seeing the living conditions made me appreciate the things I have. I met so many new people too. It was an overall great experience when we tutored kids and painted. I loved this trip!
~ Caitlin ~

I am so glad I went to South Dakota. It was a fun experience. It made me really be thankful for everything I have. Some of the kids on the reservation don't even have parents. This whole experience was fun and it brought me closer to God. I really enjoyed meeting new people and strengthening old friendships at the same time. I would recommend it to all of my friends.
~ Virginia ~

South Dakota changed me! It taught me to always be grateful for what you have. Also, God is always with you and you need to have more God and less you. I'm glad I went because if I didn't I would still be selfish. In the end, South Dakota was a great all-around experience.
~ Katie ~

I had the most fun I have ever had on a church trip. I love the drive up and back. There was a lot of funny moments. Then it was so much fun up there helping people who don't have as much as we do. I wish we could have more time up there working. Best road trip/ mission trip I have ever been on.
~ Conly ~

The mission trip was an indescribable experience. I had so much fun. It brought me so much closer to God. While working in SD I knew that I was doing what God wanted me to do. I felt so at peace. I also met so many new people, and became closer to everyone from my church. I loved every part of the mission trip.
~ Devin ~

I really like the mission trip. It was scary when we got in the Arch but it was fun. Those kids we worked with were awesome. It was so cool to help the community. Some of the kids really liked coming and having fun with us.
~ Ricketa ~

I really enjoyed my trip to South Dakota. Can't wait to go again.
~ Anna ~

Well I had a good time at the mission trip. I am so glad that I went. I learned more about God and I made new friends and my favorite thing was kissing the buffalo. And I love riding in the cars because we didn't stay in one van. But I had so much fun.
~ Christina ~

This year's trip to South Dakota was very different from the past. We stayed on the Reservation this year which allowed closer bonds with everyone: leaders, students, and the community. Also, staying in a different location allowed for various activities. This year we got to visit Wounded Knee, a buffalo feed, a beautiful sunrise hike, and a community cookout. We got to see and experience God's works and love through myriad ways. From morning devotions (devos) to nighttime Club and bonding, it was amazing. On this trip I personally noticed many changes, spiritually and how they acted, in myself, the other campers, and even the kids that we helped. I would like to thank everyone who helped make this trip happen and also those who helped me grow.
~ Kate ~

South Dakota was an overall life-changing experience. When I arrived at Pine Ridge, the living conditions astounded me. I had never imagined how bad some of the natives' conditions were, and much less had I imagined living in conditions almost as horrid as theirs are. When I saw how happy the kids were with their poor living conditions, it made me more thankful for what I had. This realization caused my faith in God to sky-rocket, along with my gratefulness on what He has praised me with. While working with the kids and painting one lady's house that was elderly and in a wheelchair, my relationship with God strengthened immensely. By spreading His love throughout the community, I became closer to Him in so many ways. Not only did I get closer with God, but I also got closer to many people from different churches and the kids on the reservation.
~ Sarah ~

I loved this trip. More the begining than ending. But I liked the worship. Thank you God. I loved saying that. I liked the acceptance from everyone and everyone was everyone's friend. I loved God's creation. I loved singing His songs. I learned that I can always be a better friend and where my priorities lie. And how I can listen to ministers and holy people all I want but that is only half of learning from God. I have to read the Bible, too. All of it. I loved fellowship. I loved the ups and downs. I love everyone I went with. We have all grown closer. Thank you, God.
~ Katie Marie ~

This trip provided a great opportunity not only to make friends but to experience God in whole new ways. Getting to help the Lakota people was awesome, and the fellowship and friendships made were wonderful. It was also a sobering experience to see what we have done to them as a people as well as how they are forced to live. The most influential part for me was the time spent with God outside the norm and having more time to be a relational person. Overall it was an awesome trip and definitely worth doing.
~ Clay ~

Buffalo Kiss

2010-07-01T08:52:00.002-04:00

Here is a video taken by Cathy, a leader of one of the Wisconsin groups, of a "buffalo kiss" for anyone who is out there wondering what it would be like to feed a buffalo with your mouth. Hopefully we will have the stories from the youth posted later today or tomorrow.

We made it!

2010-06-28T12:20:00.003-04:00

After an exciting, eventful week, we were all sad to leave the Youthworks camp, the Lakota people, and our new friends from Wisconsin. We cleaned the camp, took group photos, said goodbyes, had one last big group hug, and headed out. Little did we know that our trip home would be exciting and eventful as well!
While driving up to the Crazy Horse Memorial, we rounded a bend in Wind Cave National Park to see an entire herd of buffalo crossing the street. While feeding the buffalo at Poker Joe's was exciting on Monday, this was an even more amazing experience to see them in the wild. We did get to see Crazy Horse, Mount Rushmore, and spent some time shopping for souvenirs at the world famous Wall Drug.
Unlike last year, while making our trek across South Dakota, we did not run into any major storm systems. One of our vans did, however, run into a deer! Luckily no one was hurt (except the deer and the Dark Knight rental van) and we were able to make it to Sioux Falls for the night. We picked up another van in Omaha Saturday morning (everyone was SO excited to visit Nebraska again!) and continued our journey home. We were almost back at the church (literally had just gotten onto 581) when a car merged over a lane directly into the side of the big, white bus. Once again, we were fortunate that no one was hurt, but it did delay us getting back to the church. Several of the youth said that it just meant that God wanted them to be able to hang out together just a little while longer. Overall, even with the accidents, this was still the best trip we've had so far. Over the next few days, we will be adding more photos as well as stories from the youth and adults about their experiences this week. Stay tuned!

Our Week

2010-06-24T21:58:00.002-04:00

Internet service has been down lately so it's taken a while to update. We did not get to hike Camel's Back on Tuesday after all, due to severe thunderstorm warnings (not tornados!), so they allowed us to get up at 4:30 this morning (Thursday) to take a sunrise hike and watch the morning begin over the bluffs. Every single person in our group got up and participated in the hike, and it was well worth it. What a great way to visualize God's presence!

Last night we went to the site of the Wounded Knee Massacre and heard Emerson Elk, a Lakota descendant of Black Elk, speak about what happened there. It was interesting to hear about this historical event from a Native perspective. We were able to walk up the hill to visit the mass grave.

We have spent the rest of this week tutoring, painting, playing with children, and bonding with new friends. We are sad to be leaving the children and friends we have formed relationships with, but are excited about our journey home. Tomorrow we will see the Crazy Horse Memorial, Mount Rushmore, and stop at Wall Drug, which is officially the tackiest, cheesiest place in the country!

Buffalo Feed

2010-06-22T11:12:00.004-04:00

Last night, we took a trip to Poker Joe's where Darren told us the Lakota story of the White Buffalo Calf Woman. We were able to see a white buffalo that was actually born here on the reservation, one of only four born in this century. We also rode the buffalo bus out to the field where Darren showed us how to feed the buffalo with our mouths (otherwise known as kissing the bufalo)! The picture on this post is of those who made it into the Buffalo Kiss Club. Most of us preferred to feed them the old-fashioned (and less gross!) way with our hands, and some of us prefrred to just watch. It was so much fun!

Yesterday we had our first day of work projects and everything went very well. Some of us painted houses and the school, some of us worked with Children's Club, and some of us tutored the children in reading and vocabulary. It is amazing to watch our youth work with the children here on the rez. They are so caring and patient with them.

This evening, we will take hike to the top of Camel's Back.

Photos!

2010-06-21T10:18:00.002-04:00

We were finally able to upload some photos of our trip so far. I am not sure if they are showing up in the slide show on the right, but if you click on the link to our Flickr site, there is a folder of photos for SD 2010. Hope you enjoy them!

We are having a great time so far. We all slept well last night and are ready to get to our work sites this morning. We will have groups tutoring children from the school this morning, painting houses, and working at Children's Club this afternoon. Pray for us as we begin this exciting time.

We're Here

2010-06-20T19:39:00.004-04:00

Yesterday we made it to St. Louis and went all 630 feet to the top of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, more commonly known as the St. Louis Arch. We also drove through 3 more states, which brings our total to 8 so far.

We drove past the MANY cow pastures and cornfields of Nebraska today and made it to the camp around 5:00 mountain time (7:00 Roanoke time!). So far internet access is slow, and free time is hard to find, but we will try to update when we can. Just remember we are very busy! Thanks for thinking of us and praying for us often.

And We're Off!

2010-06-19T09:40:00.002-04:00

24 Youth
8 Adults
4 Vehicles
5 States (so far!)

What a day! We had a great day traveling yesterday, a scrumptious dinner at a Steak and Shake, and beautiful scenery. Everything was fantastic until we ran into some extensive road construction in Kentucky. We did make it to Grayville, Illinois though, and a Super 8 has never looked so good!

Today we will cross the Mississippi River, go to the top of the St. Louis Arch, and begin our journey through the cornfields of Nebraska. We have not had time to add pictures yet, but will do that as soon as we are able. Thanks for thinking of us!

Here We Go Again!

2010-06-13T18:29:00.002-04:00

This Friday the youth from Second Pres, along with Northminster Pres, will once again head out west to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Check out the comments and pictures from last year to see what this trip is like, and keep us in your prayers as we prepare for this amazing journey.

Stories from the Youth

2009-07-02T22:32:00.000-04:00

One of the best parts of work camp for me were the people I met. From the kids at Kids Club to the new friends I met, they were all incredible in their own way and changed my views. The kids at Kids Club were all different, but amazing. The first day we walked into a place not knowing much of what to expect and having to eat lunch with complete strangers. I met this girl named Lorraine where in the end we had a connection and didn’t want to leave each other. Even my most stressed out times, if I saw Lorraine running like the wind just to hug me, it put a huge smile on my face. Also the friends I met at Work Camp were all different and helped whenever they could. The staff always had smiles on their faces and the youth and adults were ready to share their love for God. Although this is only one meaningful thing to me, there were multiple more that changed me and my views towards life overall, and the way I view God.
~Kate Robertson~

Morning devotions were one of my favorite parts of the trip. Between chasing after kids in Kids Club, scraping paint off of an old church, and singing songs in Club, you didn’t have that much time to reflect and think about what you were learning through those experiences. That’s why I loved devotions so much. At around 8:15 every morning we headed out to our spots around the church with our Bibles and our devotional booklets. It was there where we could really think about our theme for the week: Freedom. That 30 minutes every morning that I spent reading the devotions and praying made the most impact on me because it helped me remember why I was doing what I was doing, and who loved me so that I can love others. It was a great trip altogether, and I hope I can remember what I learned so that I can apply it at home.
~Clare Robinson~

In the meeting for South Dakota Willy told us that we would have to be talkative. When I heard this I became a little nervous. I am usually shy and quite. Through the whole bus ride I was wondering if I would be able to come out of my shell and talk to people that I don’t know from the reservation, or from other churches. I thought if I started to talk to a stranger they would think I was weird. I only talked to the people in my church youth group until I heard a speaker talk about “fitting in”. He told us that we should be free to be ourselves and not care whether we “fit in” or not. After that I started talking to people out of the youth group, having the chance to meet new people who want to serve God just like I do. I hope I will be able to take this lesson and many others I learned from the camp and apply them to my life at home.
~Virginia Anderson~

The mission trip to South Dakota was a very meaningful and fun experience. I was glad to be able to meet kids and families and be able to serve them under God. Another great experience was the wonderful people I got to meet and all the awesome bonds formed. I hope to go next year!
~Bob Hughes~

The mission trip was a really great experience. Getting to play with the children and painting houses really makes you feel like you made a difference in someone’s life!
~Annie Watts~

This mission trip has been very inspiring for me. It was full of laughter, hard work, and inspirational moments. I especially enjoyed working with the kids at Kids Club. It was great to be able to play with them and make some very special bonds. I learned a lot on this trip and I look forward to the possibility of going next year.
~Sam Prescott~

This was my first mission trip and it was amazing. It made me feel amazing to be helping others who may not be able to help themselves. My favorite part was working with the kids during Kids Club and just hopefully brightening up their day. I also really enjoyed working on the church, putting a fresh coat of paint on a very vandalized church. I have met some new and great people through this trip. Overall this was a great experience and I thank everyone who helped make it a success!
~Maggie Futrell~

The mission trip to South Dakota has been an awesome experience. Working with the kids and giving them care and love was an honor. It was also an honor to work on the exterior of an old church which had a lot of meaning. This trip was a lot of fun interacting with other youth and building friendships. I truly saw God in the members of the community and each of our helping hands in Kadoka, SD.
~Annie Miller~

As 22 people climbed on a tiny white bus and an old blue mini-van – the journey began! The giggles, the junk food, the jokes, the travel lodge, the fun, the friendships, it all became a wonderful opportunity to carry hope and Christ’s love to strangers in South Dakota. The beautiful countryside was just an added bonus. Thank you to Willy & Angela for organizing a great trip and memories that will last forever. Thank you to our Youth, who are hard working and dedicated to our church, their spiritual path, and each other. Thanks to my son for letting me join him on this adventure and thank you to the other adult chaperones who made me feel welcome and helped me find coffee!
~Cheryl Martin (adult chaperone)~

One could tell that, through the smiles on the children’s faces and the stories of the proud owners of the newly painted homes, that we were called to be nowhere other than Pine Ridge. Meaningful to me was that we were not called to help out those from our own way of life, but to help out the Oglala Indians from a completely different culture. Before this venture, I knew next to nothing about modern Native American culture. Though they live in modern housing and dress similar to our culture, they still cling to their sacred land and their heroes. All this new information made me realize how fortunate I was to be able to out there and experience history first hand from these people while at the same time giving them a few more comforting smiles, a new coat of paint, and hopefully, love that they can latch onto and reuse in their community. Thank you Willy and Angela for accepting me onto this trip two days before we left and giving me the chance to get a little peace of mind through acting as Jesus’ hands and feet.
~Wilson Kuhnel~

This trip is always an eye opening experience for me. It strengthens my faith in God by showing me his hands working through my peers. I see the need for us in Pine Ridge. Many of the children you meet at Kids Club have not been shown God’s love as I have, and I feel it is our duty as Christians to show them that love. This trip also helped me become a stronger person by helping me understand the feeling of being a minority and being put outside of your comfort zone. During one of our evening activities we went on a hike in the Badlands. This was one of the most beautiful sites I have been to, evidence of God’s wonderful creation.
~Derek Sheehan~

This work camp experience was, as always, a blast. I thoroughly enjoyed the change of scenery and culture. I felt like I really had an impact on the Kadoka/Pine Ridge community. I am extremely thankful for this chance to serve others and serve God.
~Tyler Anderson~

As soon as we realized that the bus had been filled with diesel, I realized that we would be spending the day in a travel plaza a short 3 hours away from home. However, I think this was probably one of the best things to happen to our group; we had 7 hours to bond in the Morton Travel Plaza. I got to know my fellow senior highs much better, something I had really been looking forward to. Once we got on the Rez, I knew this week would go fast, almost too fast. I spent two days playing with the kids at Kids Club. Though we got beat up a bit, I had a feeling of hope for these kids, who are mostly unsupervised. I felt like we were really making a difference in their lives. I didn’t want to leave, but my heart was lighter knowing that Youthworks will be there all summer and for many years to come. I heartily thank everyone that made this trip possible. You not only helped those on the Pine Ridge Rez in need, but also provided your youth group with the experience of a lifetime. Thank you so much!
~Taylor Robinson~

This trip changed my life. It helped me understand the importance of living to serve others. This was my first mission trip and I would like to thank the people who enabled us to be able to help the impoverished people on the Pine Ridge Reservation. I will certainly come back if the trip is offered again.
~Preston Martin~

Playing with the children and serving the people on the Pine Ridge Reservation was a very inspirational experience for me. This trip helped me get in touch with my faith and strengthen my faith as well. I would like to thank anyone who helped make this trip possible and I would definitely like to come back next year.
~Blake Anderson~

The mission trip to South Dakota was an amazing experience. Working on the reservation, painting houses and churches, and playing with the children on the reservation really made me feel like we made a difference in the community. I also really enjoyed getting to know people from other churches and I also enjoyed forming a closer bond with our youth group. It was a great experience and I can’t wait to do it again!
~Abby Moomaw~

This was a great experience and I would highly recommend it to both youth and adults at the church. It truly is life altering.
~Jay Vaughan~

What came to mind when I thought about how our youth treated each other and those we assisted in our mission were two words: Tolerance & Respect. No matter what came their way they were tolerant to delays, long hours of riding, and cramped van rides. I was proud to be a part of such a grand group of youth. There were countless times when we had shown respect for each other’s ideals and feelings on our S Dakota trip. From the school playground where we were abused by the kids (physically and verbally), to the adult leaders who gave direction and received full cooperation in corralling and the directives given. The evening youth ministry was very moving and to see the morphing from the first night to the last, it was astounding. It shows how the Love of God can work through each other and break down barriers. We all hope that we have touched and made life a little bit better for the people living on the Reservation. Prayer is powerful. Mission experiences transform this power into moving work that walks the walk. It would be an honor to be a part of Second Pres's Mission work again in the future. The youth are truly growing in God's Light and it warms me to think these folks are God's Disciples.
~Gary Sheehan (adult chaperone)~

We're Back!!

2009-06-29T21:12:00.003-04:00

Yesterday we had a tour of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which was pretty cool. We all got to kiss the bricks on the finish line (as it is an Indy tradition), stand on the victory podium, pose at the press conference table, and see the media rooms, private suites, garages, and the hospital. There is even a golf course inside the track!

We had lunch in Ohio which was our 9th state in 10 days, and we made it back to the church in Roanoke around 10:00 last night (Sunday). But wait... it's not over yet! In the next few days we will be adding stories from the youth about their experiences this week, and uploading many more photos. Please check back often and see what's new!

A big thank you to our church, our families, and everyone else who has supported us and prayed for us throughout this amazing journey.

Saturday Update

2009-06-28T00:36:00.003-04:00

We are now in Indianapolis where we had a great meal at the Hard Rock Cafe. We drove through some pretty intense storms yesterday in South Dakota, but we did make it to Iowa safe and sound thanks to our awesome drivers. Luckily the storms did not start until after we had visited Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, and Wall Drug.

Tomorrow morning we will tour the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and then head HOME!

Thursday Update

2009-06-25T21:45:00.003-04:00

Last night we had an amazing hike in the Badlands. Check out the photos on our Flickr site (see the link on the side of this page). Today we finished up our last day at work sites. Two of our groups have been painting a church on the Rez that was originally a one-room schoolhouse here in Kadoka in 1915. It was moved to Wanblee on the reservation in 1969 to be used as a Methodist Church and has been there for 40 years. We met the pastor's wife who helped the church get started, and she and her husband are now leading that church again.

Tonight we had a cookout in the park with several members of the Kadoka community and played some volleyball, frisbee, and on the playground. Tomorrow as we leave camp, we will head to Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, possibly Wall Drug and Sioux Falls, and finally sleep in real beds with warm showers in Sioux City,Iowa.

We're here!

2009-06-23T18:44:00.003-04:00

We made it to Kadoka, South Dakota on Sunday just in time to unload and have dinner. The drive was very cool even though we didn't get to stop at two our scheduled visits. At one point we were driving in Iowa and could see Nebraska on the other side of the river!
All of the Second Pres folks have been working at Kids Club the past two days where we play with the kids at a school on the reservation. This morning we also got to visit a nursing home here in Kadoka where Wilson and Bob led the scripture and devotion time, Tyler played the guitar, Sam played the piano, and we all played Bingo with the residents. Several of our guys also led the residents in singing several songs. It was great!
Last night we also went to the famous Wall Drug in Wall, South Dakota where we had a scavenger hunt. We are hoping to hit it again on the way back so we have more time to shop. If you haven't heard of Wall Drug, look it up - it's really something! Tonight we will have a local native speaker talk about his faith and how it has impacted his life here on the Rez. Tomorrow, as long as the weather holds out, we will get to hike in the Badlands. We have driven by part of the Badlands on our way to Kids Club and it is amazing! Also tomorrow, our groups will be sent to work sites where we will paint houses and do small repairs.
We are all having a great time so far, even with the shower system which is at the pool showers in the park across the street, where there are two stalls in each that shoot out REALLY cold water! Internet access is rare and precious here so we may not be able to add photos or more updates until Friday, but we will keep trying!

Day 2 Update

2009-06-20T12:46:00.002-04:00

Well, the bus has been fixed and is on its way back to the hotel to pick us up so we can hit the road. We will not be able to make it to the Arch, and we will more than likely have to change our hotel arrangements for tonight as well as we readjust our travel schedule, so we might not get to the Ice Cream Capital of the World either. BUT everyone is safe and rested and excited about being back on the road and we WILL make it to South Dakota tomorrow. We have a great group and have received several compliments from strangers about our kids' behavior, patience, and positive attitudes. Onward!

Departures and Delays (Day 1)

2009-06-19T23:20:00.004-04:00

Soooo.... West Virginia was so nice (especially the Morton Travel Plaza) that we decided to stay a little longer! Actually we had a little setback and had to have the bus towed and repaired, so instead of sleeping in Mt. Vernon, Illinois tonight we are staying in Charleston, West Virginia. Fortunately, Cheryl and Bob pointed out that there were some pretty bad storms in Illinois that we missed, so at least that's a little bright spot.

We're not sure what tomorrow will look like, or if we will be able to get to the Arch or not, but we will be on our way somehow to get to South Dakota by Sunday. Please keep us (and the bus!) in your thoughts and prayers, and hopefully we will be able to update sometime tomorrow and let you know what's going on.