2008 TRIP
**WEBguy note- If you have had trouble finding pictures try again, I have recoded the links and they should work now . .Neal **
This year the playground group will
be finishing up the work at Our Lady of Lourdes and help with a
fence. The computer folks will be at Manderson again providing
computer help to who ever walks in. New this year is seeing how we
can help Karen, at her new job, with projects. Avery and Barb donated
a sewing machine and cabinet for this project and we will deliver it
during the week. Neal had some problems setting up the computer we
were going to bring along and decided to work with some more this
next year before bringing it out.
Part of the assignment this year is to work out the details on the project for next year. Keep us all in your prayers as we travel and serve in your name. Thank you for the donations to help us provide this wonderful equipment to the children. See the links below for the summary of daily activity.
2007 TRIP
Once again a group is headed to the Pine Ridge Rez. Again this year we will try to keep up a travel log so you can keep track of us from back in Wisconsin (well from anywhere you want, that has internet connection, actually)! This year is a big build on the playground and we are fortunate to have more people along on the trip. Avery will head up a group, including area volunteers, to help restore a grotto on a hill behind Our Lady of Lourdes. We are taking three donated computers along (filling the middle row of Neal and Ellen's van). Two will be placed by Sister Susan and one will go to a family we will be working with this year. We are also taking five guitars for the music program at the grade school in Manderson. There are basketballs for the school too. We also have a set of encyclopedias that will find a home once we get there.
We usually write the days activities at Re-member in the evening, then post it to the WEB site when we get to the college center the next morning. Thursday's notes will have to be posted when Neal and Ellen get to their first stop on their trip South. Thank you to so many who have made these trips possible by donations, helping and supporting and giving items to take with us. Keep us all in your prayers that we have a safe and inspiring journey (and that all cars make it out and back this year).
2006 TRIP
Some changes right away on this trip – the school dorm we have stayed in the past two years is not available but our friends in Pine Ridge have connected us with a group that has a place to stay on the reservation. It is call Re-Member and you can read about them on the WEB at http://www.re-member.org/ this is located closer to Wounded Knee.
We will be keeping a WEB journal of the trip so you can keep up to date – Come check out how we are doing.
We will all leave on Saturday and meet up for the evening at Oacoma, then continue Sunday to Pine Ridge Reservation and the Re-Member house. Some of us will be returning early with the Roder's setting out Wednesday evening and the Sieglaff's with Nancy setting out Thursday morning. The rest will be there the whole week, leaving Saturday morning. So although the WEB journal will reflect Neal and Ellen's stay there will be members still on site through Saturday morning.
Pine Ridge is in the poorest county of any state in the U.S. It presently has a 90% unemployment rate. The children of the community need play ground equipment and our group installed two pieces and started fixing up the playground in 2004. In 2005 a tree house unit was erected (plans are for a second tree house and connecting bridge in 2007) This years group will be erecting a swing set and fixing up a wooded platform/ fort. Others in the group will once again provide computer help, while yet others will return to the grade school in Manderson. In addition Dr. Weber will be providing medical assistance at the hospital again this year..
We are thankful for the continued support of the Pilgrim Church family. Gifts of money, food, supplies, tools etc. are welcomed and will especially needed for the larger playground project in 2007. We ask you to hold the group close in prayer as we make friendships with our neighbors in Wounded Knee.
2005 TRIP
During Mission trip 2005 we are took two computers with us to be given to two students recommended by school staff and Sister Susan. Once again a journal of our trip was posted on this WEB site each day check it out.
During the 2004 trip we were able to post a journal each day get the news.
There is also a slide presentation available on line from 2004.