Mission Trip to South Dakota

The church I attend has a huge heart for mission works and missionaries. Because of this, I was blessed in being able to travel to the Philippines earlier this year and help out at an orphanage. I was also able to be a part of this trip to South Dakota.

One of the couples that we support are Bro. Ken and Mrs. Sherry Trivette. They are currently serving on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. This area is the poorest county in the United States, and this wonderful couple is there to help love those people and show them the love of Christ. This particular mission trip was to take Christmas to the Lakota Sioux, and it was such a blessing!

The day we arrived at Pine Ridge, we met the couple at their church.

We helped Mrs. Sherry package up some cookies, and we talked about the game plan for the rest of the week.

The next morning we met at the church and loaded up cookies, hot chocolate, and a few supplies, and we also finished loading "The Heaven Train" (the bus that the Trivette's use to take toys to the children). Then we took about a two hour car ride out to Potato Creek! We were able to help about 90 kids and adults that day! Kids twelve and under got a blanket, a toboggan, gloves, a stuffed animal, a big toy, and a small toy. Anyone over twelve got to pick out a comforter/ big, warm blanket. While they waited outside in the cold, we passed out hot chocolate and cookies. We were so excited to be able to show these people the love of Christ through these small acts of kindness.

The second day we reloaded the bus and headed to #4. This area was a little closer and a bit smaller, but we were still able to help over 30 people!

Our last day on Heaven Train, we went to the community of Wounded Knee Creek. There we got to help about 100 people! After we finished up there we actually got to go and visit the Wounded Knee Massacre site, and if you do not know about it, I encourage you to look it up. It was very humbling to walk through the graveyard. The Indian people have suffered great loss, and they continue to suffer today. Going there, and seeing these precious people allows you to see history in a new light regarding these people. Keep the people of Pine Ridge in your prayers and the missionaries that serve there.

We were able to help about 220 people total, and meeting each one was a blessing. I was so thankful to be able to go and be a part of this trip. These trips always serve as a reminder to be thankful for what you have, but to also be mindful to always love others. Your love could be what leads them to Christ.