Lower Brule

As most of you know, we began pastoring a church on the Lower Brule Indian Reservation 3 years ago. Last year when I became pregnant with the twins, we stopped pastoring because it was too much on me physically. Then at 28 weeks, I went into preterm labor and ended up on bedrest for the rest of the pregnancy (which ended at 37 weeks). When the twins were born, it was way too hard to even think about resuming my responsibilities. I have not felt able to until recently. Now that the babies are eating baby food, nursing less, able to be entertained with toys, and my life is slightly less hectic, we are going to try to pastor again. I know it will definitely be a challenge to balance everything. The twins are still quite demanding, as is my 3 year old (4 next month!), laundry is neverending, housework occasionally gets neglected, and the list could go on... but I feel like it's time to get back into the ministry. God will have to help. David will watch the kids while I study for preaching.

Today was our 1st Sunday back at Lower Brule. We have been attending a local Holiness church off of the reservation all this time. Lindell Howard has been filling in for us. This was his last Sunday and he wanted to do something special for us on our 1st Sunday back. We had a special time of prayer around the alter. An older Indian lady, whom I have come to love and respect, laid hands on us and prayed. After the service, they had a "welcome back meal" for us. Everyone brought food, including fry bread! One lady said that if we ate too much of it, we'd start turning dark. (It's a Native American food) It's really good! It would be similar to an unsweetened doughnut or funnel cake without the sugar. It's basically fried dough. Yum. Anyway, it was really great to fellowship with everyone. We've really missed them. Please pray for us as we try to minister once again. We want God to have his way! We'll be working on a newsletter soon.

Our church (Weslyan Sioux Chapel)

Driving on the interstate. The speed limit is 75. Look at how flat and open it is here. Now you can understand why I miss the Endless Mountains in Tunkhannock!

David's fry bread (we took some to have in the van on the way home):