2010 Blackfeet Trip

Rain won't dampen our spirits!

2011-06-22T18:52:00.001-07:00

Hi everyone-

Today was another wonderful day! We split into our two groups again and went to the cemetery and the Catholic Worker House. It was drizzly this morning, so instead of heading out to the Catholic Worker House's "farm" we stayed and helped at the house. We cleaned their city chicken coup, picked peas and strawberries, laid hay in with their potatoes, weeded, and cleaned the house. While we were working, many of us talked with one of the main volunteers there and learned a lot about causes of poverty and justice issues.

We just worked in the morning today, because in the afternoon/evening we hit up Adventureland Theme Park. Not going to lie, it was WET! Everyone came back drenched, but had a blast! We even brought back two HUGE stuffed animals too!

The kids have been really great- they have been working hard and at the park all of them checked in one time and were on time when it was time to leave. They've all been getting along great! Tonight we're having a little free time back at our lodge- its nice to relax for a bit. In the morning we are heading out to location number two!!!

Hope all is well back home!

-Lindsey

Another great day

2010-07-28T14:45:00.000-07:00

Today was another great day! We switched rotations, so the work project people started Kids Club and us Kids Clubbers did work projects. We went 8 miles out on gravel "roads" into the mountains to a ranch and help haul out deadwood for them to burn for their sweats. The scenery was amazing! We also were invited into the home of the family we were helping, played with their puppies, picked wild strawberries and learned about their culture and life. It was truly amazing. Tonight we are headed to Glacier National Park, and we have to leave soon, so sorry for the short post today!

All are happy and healthy! Praise God!

-Lindsey

didn't see that coming

2010-07-27T20:59:00.003-07:00

I'm a little bit sick, was called the ugliest SOB ever born by a three year old twice, was hit by many plastic bats by small children, chased away mangy rabid dogs, Eric Olson gave me one of his birthday M&M's, and Marrissa Thorson and I were held at gun point ( with a real/ legit high powered BB-gun) by a six year old... did not see any of that coming. All in all, the best day of my life, not lying!!!

Ryan Rendall

unexpected...

2010-07-27T20:59:00.002-07:00

unexpected...

2010-07-27T20:59:00.001-07:00

Native Dancing

2010-07-27T20:35:00.000-07:00

Here are a few pics of Jolene and her grandkids. Jolene spoke to us about the Blackfeet culture and then her grandkids danced for us while the Blackfeet Singers drummed. We even got to dance!!! It was amazing!!!

Mountain Men!

2010-07-27T20:29:00.001-07:00

Here are some pictures of some mountain men who rode through Heart Butte today. They have been traveling from Texas to Canada and have been on the road since March 27th! They ride with a shotgun and have been living off the land. Even the Natives here were taking pictures and listening to their stories!

KIDS CLUBBBB!

2010-07-27T20:00:00.001-07:00

These first two days have been very exciting. Madeleine, Elena, my best friend Jake Simich and I were assigned to kids club. We spent our days entertaining our buddies...basically satisfying their every need. This always included pushing them on the swings-lots of underdogs, doing crafts, and LOTS of shoulder/piggyback rides. At the end of the day us big kids were in charge of dropping the kids off at their homes. As Madeleine and I were dropping off three siblings one of them gave us a big hug and kiss on the cheek good bye, it was hard to say goodbye to the three girls even though we'd only spent two days with them! We experienced many new things and learned lots about their culture and the many DOGS. Tomorrow we will be at a new work cite. I'm super excited and hope to learn lots more about the culture here on the Blackfeet Reservation.

The evening snack tonight is pudding I think...i'm exited. Logan Frank is pretty cool too.

-Ellie Augustine.

-Madeleine Schwinghammer.

-Elena Schneiderhan.

Our First Missions

2010-07-26T15:22:00.000-07:00

It was a busy day in Heart Butte and Family of Christ teamed up with Christ the King kids from Moorhead to make a difference way out here near Glacier Nat'l Park! Two groups went to two different homes to help clean. One group made a difference in a home by taking everything out,sorting, cleaning, dumping. Tomorrow, they will be actually able to clean and finish the yard work. 11 kids, 11 trips to the garbage with full bags. They organized and sorted and brought everything back into the home. The other group tackled a basement, emptied it of all of the junk, chopped wood and even washed those basement windows. I know you all just said EEEEWWWWWWWWWW" like I did!

A dip in the beautiful creek was a reward and well deserved for both groups. This morning's devotions helped everyone get in a mindset to let go of any fears they might have about going out into this community and were given permission to not only work very hard, but to build relationships with the Blackfeet natives they met.

The other group ran Kids Club and we a had record number of kids today - 81!!! The kids played games, did crafts, a skit and sang songs with the kids. This was a day of making new friends and our Family of Christ kids and the KTK kids came together to make a difference with the children of the Blackfeet reservation. Many hugs, piggy-back rides and laughs! It was hot and sticky, but the good-byes today were not "good-bye" but "See you tomorrow, FOR SURE!"

I think I can speak for all of the leaders when I say OUR KIDS ROCK! We are so proud of how hard they worked and look forward to hearing their thoughts about their days! I think sleep will not be a problem tonight!"

Couple of Pictures

2010-07-26T15:16:00.000-07:00

We have arrived!!

2010-07-25T16:58:00.000-07:00

We in Heart Butte at about 5:30pm Mountain time! It was a long drive, but we had great weather and got here safely! Not a ton to say since we were on the road most of the time, but we saw some great scenery and we definitely can see why they call it "Big Sky Country." Upon arriving in Heart Butte, we saw a random horse walking through town- that was something new!

American Lutheran Church in Billings was a great place to stay! They were very welcoming and the girl's room even had a shower-score! There was also a church from Brookings, SD staying there too, so we met some friends. They are going to spend the week backpacking.

That's all for now! I'm sure we'll have lots to say after our first day on the job tomorrow!

-Lindsey, Kayla, and Angela

5 Days!

2010-07-19T14:42:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone!

5 Days until we leave! We will post on this blog everyday we are at Blackfeet- starting on Sunday! Possibly sooner, depending on internet availability! Feel free to share this with family and friends!

-Lindsey