How many of you have ever thought of going on a mission trip to North and South Dakota?
When we think of missions, that might not be the first place on our list of where to go. Just like anywhere else, though, there are many needs in the Dakotas.
For four summers, churches in the Roanoke area have joined together in reaching out to the Sioux Indians who live on the Standing Rock Reservation. Like many Native Americans, those at Standing Rock live in poverty and face daily struggles of alcoholism, domestic abuse, racism, and high rates of suicide.
Five different communities on the reservation (2 in ND and 3 in SD) are selected by the Roanoke Valley Baptist Association to focus on throughout the week. Ministries at each site included preparing meals, woodworking, scrapbooking, crafts, recreation, Bible lessons, Book Net, and sports camps. A medical team traveled to all 5 sites during the week to perform health screenings and provide eyeglasses. Many children also received a dress or shorts sewed by Virginia Baptists.
There are folks from the RVBA who have returned year after year to the same site and have developed a great relationship with the people who live there.
Oh, and one of the best parts - this great mission involvement is done by people of ALL ages!
So where do you fit in to this picture?
The ministry that Roanoke does at Standing Rock each summer is wonderful. Yet there is plenty of room for other Christians in Virginia to join in! Here’s what you can do:
- Talk with your pastor and others in your church about this ministry. Begin praying about how you can be involved.
- Get a team together who could commit to going on a mission trip to Standing Rock for a week next summer.
- Contact WMUV or RVBA to learn more about Standing Rock and how you can serve.
- Consider the Venturer program - adults who serve as missionaries for 1-3 years - pray about filling this role yourself at Standing Rock and pray for others God may be calling to serve.
- Pray for the people at Standing Rock - for their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
- Pray for Pastor Boots and Pastor Alex - both are doing a fantastic job, but could really use partners in ministry.
Pictures of the Standing Rock 2008 trip can be found by clicking on “Pics” on the right sidebar. Let us know if you have questions or want more information.
