And just like that, we are saying goodbye to Pine Ridge and our week of service and fellowship. It’s hard to believe our time here has come to an end, but we leave clinging to the knowledge that God has done amazing things this week.
Enjoy the video from day six!
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMoSyBpnvb4
(Click here to watch the video)
And again, if you have any knowledge of the whereabouts of Tom and/or Jake, please call the number provided. Thank you.
It is hard to believe that we only have one day left in Pine Ridge. Our group of youth and adult servants have been blessed to serve this week, and we know that the Holy Spirit is doing good and redemptive things through us.
As we enter into our last hours in this place, we ask that you continue to pray with and for us. Your prayers sustain us and connect us with the larger body of Christ.
Please enjoy the day five video, and don’t forget to leave comments! We’re loving them!
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmFTbGV8MNs
(Click here to watch video on YouTube)
Despite the excessive heat, our group of students and adults continue to pour their hearts and souls into the community in and around Wanblee on the Pine Ridge Reservation.
We have been so blessed by all of the prayers and encouraging comments from our friends, family, and congregation members back home… Don’t stop now!
We hope you enjoy the video update from day four!
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAVknKsI9C4
We have settled into the small town of Kadoka at our respective churches — guys at Kadoka Presbyterian and girls at the local Catholic church — and have begun our week of ministry in the community. Some of us are doing work projects (fixing/painting houses, miscellaneous yard work) and others are putting on Kids’ Club at the school in Wanblee. We also had the opportunity to hike a section in Badlands National Park, which is an experience I don’t think any of us will soon forget!
It is incredible to watch students (and adults!) come out of their shells and to see how God is working through the people of Faith and in the community in and around Pine Ridge. God is good!
Here is the video from Monday:
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0YXarKhHag
(Click here to watch on YouTube)
We loved reading your comments last night! Keep em’ coming! 
We have our major travel and “fun” days under our belt and are eagerly anticipating getting into the community in Pine Ridge beginning tomorrow (Monday) morning!
Enjoy the video below from our first two days:
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfWBieGlGuI
(CLICK HERE to watch the video on YouTube)
Be sure to leave a comment on this blog post so we can share it with our group during evening devotions tomorrow. God bless!
11
How to share in our Pine Ridge mission trip experience
0 Comments | Posted by Jake Bouma in Mission Trip
It’s just under a week until over 60 youth and adults from Faith depart for Pine Ridge, South Dakota for our 2011 mission trip! Although you may not be physically with us during our time in Pine Ridge, we want to provide ways for you to share in our experiences. Here’s how you can:
Scripture and prayer
All of our youth and adults have been provided with journals to help us digest and reflect upon our time on the Reservation. We’re given a small piece of scripture every day to use as a springboard for our thoughts and reflections. You’ll find the scripture schedule below; I heartily encourage you to join in our scripture reading AND to pray with and for our students and leaders.
Blog updates
If you’re reading this, you’re in the right spot! Depending on the availability and speed of internet, there will be a new post here every day of our journey, beginning either Sunday (July 17) or Monday (July 18) with quick, written updates and videos. Just one thing you need to know:
At the top of every post, there’s a link with the phrase “[Insert # here] comments”. Click this link to leave the group a message. We gather as a group every evening to read all of the previous days’ comments out loud. You have no idea how much they’re appreciated!
We’ll be using the service Twitter to post real-time updates from Pine Ridge.
Jake will be sending updates to Twitter, which you can follow in addition to the blog. The URL for our Twitter account is: http://twitter.com/FaithLCYouth You don’t have to have a Twitter account to see the updates, so be sure to follow along!
31
The Dead Theologians Society
0 Comments | Posted by Jake Bouma in Dead Theologians Society, Senior High
Starting Tuesday, June 7, Faith’s youth ministry will be offering a new summer group called the Dead Theologians Society.
This group exists to read and discuss short, accessible books written by some of the most celebrated theologians who ever lived, beginning with Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s famous book Life Together.
From the book description: “This story of a unique fellowship in an underground seminary during the Nazi years reads like one of Paul’s letters. It gives practical advice on how life together in Christ can be sustained in families and groups. The role of personal prayer, worship in common, everyday work, and Christian service is treated in simple, almost biblical, words.”
Jake has ordered several copies of the book – If you’d like one, simply write a check (made out to Faith Lutheran Church) or pay $10 cash.
We will have two meeting times per week so that students can come to one or the other, depending on their schedules. We’ll meet on Tuesday evenings from 7-8pm at Panera Bread in West Des Moines and on Thursday afternoons from 2-3pm at the Jordan Creek mall food court.
Another exciting thing is that this is a joint endeavor between Faith Lutheran’s youth ministry and the youth ministry at Windsor Heights Lutheran Church. Even if Jake is gone, the meetings will continue with Windsor Height’s awesome youth director, Erik Ullestad (and vice versa).
Frequently Asked Question
Q: Will this be boring?
A: Most certainly not! Both Jake and Erik are passionate about theology and have carefully chosen texts which are not only accessible but are actually fun and engaging! Studying and discussing these ideas among friends will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the faith lives of the participating students.
If you have any questions or comments, don’t hesitate to contact Jake at jakebouma@faithlc.org!
3
2011 Spaghetti Dinner & Silent Auction
0 Comments | Posted by Jake Bouma in Fundraising, Mission Trip
*Already know what you’re doing? Skip to Making A Donation
Supporting the mission trip
Faith Lutheran Church will be holding a silent auction on Sunday, February 27, 2011. The goal of the Silent Auction is to raise funds for our mission trip to Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, July 16-23, 2011. The congregation will be able to bid on items for the Silent Auction beginning on Saturday evening (before/after worship) and all Sunday morning and afternoon; bidding will close at 6:15pm on Sunday. Faith currently has a membership of over 2,000 people.
The Pine Ridge Reservation is located in southwestern South Dakota on the Nebraska state line and about 50 miles east of the Wyoming border. Pine Ridge is home to the Oglala Lakota Sioux, which has a total tribal membership of 17,775. Sadly, the unemployment rate at Pine Ridge hovers near 85 percent. Pine Ridge is one of the poorest communities in the country, with 97 percent living below the federal poverty level and an average family income of just $3,700 per year. Further struggles in this community include an adolescent suicide rate that is four times the national average, and high rates of alcoholism, heart disease, cancer and diabetes.
Ministries that our youth may participate in are Kid’s Club and Work Projects. Kid’s Club is a hands-on program led by youth offering high-energy games, crafts, skits, songs and interactive lessons all designed to help kids learn about Jesus. Whether we’re painting houses, performing minor home repair, cleaning up debris, volunteering in community gardens or other projects in the community, the projects we work on will serve as our way of blessing people in need.
Making A Donation
Your gift to the Pine Ridge Mission Trip Silent Auction is tax deductible and very much appreciated. If you plan on making a donation, you must print and fill out the following form, then return your form and donated good(s) to the church office:
Silent Auction Donation Form 2011 (.pdf)
You may obtain a recepit for your donation one of two ways: You can either photocopy your filled-out Donation Form (from above) or print and fill out the following form:
Silent Auction Donation Receipt 2011 (.pdf)
If you have any questions about your donation please call Jake Bouma at 225-8334 or e-mail him at jakebouma@faithlc.org.
On behalf of the entire Pine Ridge Mission Trip Team, thank you.
Blessings,
Jake Bouma
Director of Youth Ministries
Dear members and friends of Faith,
I would like to personally invite you to join the Faith Lutheran youth group, SHYG, on a trip to the slopes in Minnesota, February 19–20, 2011. If you’re currently in high school, securing your spot is simple: Carefully read all of the information in the brochure (downloadable below), fill out the Registration Form on the right-hand side page two of the brochure, and return both the form and a $50 deposit to me by February 2.
Click here to download the Ski Trip brochure (1.1mb PDF)
The ski trip is an awesome opportunity to ski and/or snowboard with friends and to enjoy fun and fellowship in a snow-packed environment, so make it an annual trip that you’ll look forward to!
As always, if you have any questions, you’re welcome to contact me. My information can be found on the “Registration Form” section of the brochure.
Blessings,
Jake Bouma
Director of Youth and Family Ministries
