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Youth Mission Trip 2004
Rosebud Indian Reservation
South Dakota
July 17-23, 2004
About Rosebud
With an average of ten to twelve people in a single home, the houses on the Rosebud Reservation experience excessive wear and tear, both inside and out. Working on dilapidated homes and loving local children will provide a rewarding week of service. Youth will learn not only about the Lakota Sioux culture, but also about how to serve like Jesus served.
The Rosebud Indian Reservation is in the South-central corner of South Dakota, directly North of the Nebraska border and Southeast of the Badlands and Black Hills. It is located approximately 200 miles southeast of the Rapid City Airport. The reservation is home to the Sicangu Lakota Oyate Band of the Teton Sioux covering an area of approximately 950,000 miles, with an
approximate population of 7,200. The ancestors of the Rosebud Sioux were descendants of the Sicangu tribe in Minnesota who were pushed west in the 1700s. An act of congress established the Rosebud Reservation in 1889. The shortage of suitable housing is widespread and severe. As a result of government housing policies in effect today, there are approximately 800 families struggling to find adequate housing on the reservation. 29% of the reservation's population is homeless, and 59% live in sub-standard housing. A majority of homes are in great need of repair; many people live in houses that are wooden shacks, without even the basic amenities of electricity, running water or insulation to protect against winter weather. With an average annual income on the reservation of $3,244, Rosebud's residents lack the funding to do even simple repairs. Youth will have ample
opportunity to serve and love those on the Rosebud Reservation.
We will focus on two primary areas of ministry:
- children
- and home improvement.
Our work with children consists of a wonderful hands-on afternoon program, known as Kids Club. In the morning, youth will create and prepare for the fun ministry they will lead. Kids Club offers high-energy games, crafts, skits, songs and interactive lessons all designed to help kids learn about Jesus. Also during the week, youth will have the opportunity to do home improvement.
Oftentimes families experience poverty through the struggle to provide bare necessities of life. Maintaining a home takes a back seat when it is difficult to put food on the table. Your willingness to refresh a worn out exterior of a house with a new coat of paint brings real hope and an opportunity to share
the love of Christ. Participants will do two days of house painting, and two days of ministry with children, so that everyone has the opportunity to do both. Adult leaders will separate youth into ministry groups, and the youth in your group will be mixed with the youth from other groups for their week of service.
Our goal with evening activities is to provide an exposure to the unique offering of the week and community. A list of evening/cultural activities we have done in the past include:
- YouthWorks! Olympics games
- Participate in a scavenger hunt in town
- Listen to a local speaker - learn about Lakota history, culture and tradition
- Cookout at Ghost Hawk Park
- We might even be able to sleep in real teepees for a night!
These are examples of what we might partake in during our mission week on the Reservation.
Who Can Go?
Students entering 9th grade next fall through completion of their 12th grade year. We will be bringing 8 youth and 3 adults.
What's Expected of You?
If you sign up for this mission trip experience you will be committing to it on many levels. You will commit to pray for the trip, the participants, the leaders, and the people on the Rosebud Reservation beginning immediately. You then will commit to attending four monthly mission trip meetings to help us all prepare as a team for the experience. You will commit to keep a positive and a servant attitude throughout all of the pre-planning and mission trip experience. And you should commit to trusting in God and allowing him to change you as a result of this mission trip experience.
How Much does it cost? $400
This cost breaks down as follows:
- Mission Trip Site $250
- Transportation $100
- Fun Event $50
The Payment Schedule is:
- $50 due at signup (no refund)
- $175 due March 1st
- $175 due May 1st
Youth are responsible for their own spending money for souvenirs and snacks/meals during travel there and back.
There will be an information meeting on Sunday, February 1, 2004 at 11:30am in the sanctuary.
Students must sign up by Sunday, February 8, 2004
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