Serving others through mission work is an established, integral part of the Barrington community. Several area churches and school organizations, including Barrington United Methodist Church, Willow Creek and Hope’s In have participated in mission work to help the needy, locally, nationally and globally. One such effort has taken the youth and adult volunteers of Lutheran Church of the Atonement to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota to serve the Lakota Native Americans there.
Led by Pastor Paul VandeBerg, the group served the residents of Kyle, S.D., for the past four years, and they are returning in June for a week.
According to the church’s website:
“We go to the community of Kyle every year because we have begun to form genuine friendships with the Lakota people there and we hope to continue to build on that friendship into the future. Our mission is to show everyone on the Pine Ridge reservation the heart of Jesus as we serve, laugh, and grow in love toward our ‘neighbors.'”
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Major work projects over the years have included building crucial items such as fences, sheds, doors, sidewalks; implementing vital gardening projects, such as planting, raking, mowing; installing irrigation systems; building a root cellar; and running a day camp for the Lakota children. A key goal is to teach the residents to be self-sufficient.
This mission team experiences cultural and spiritual growth while serving as well. Students are expected to work to earn the funds necessary to attend through service projects and fundraisers. The youth camp at the Lakota Family Ranch.
“Students and chaperones can expect to be stretched physically and relationally as they participate in various community outreach and building projects,” states the website. “Participants are also stretched spiritually through biblical study and reflection, worship and prayer, and in deepening spiritual friendships with other participants. One day during the week is spent in the majestic beauty of the Black Hills of South Dakota to experience breathtaking sites and hike a few trails.”
At Atonement’s April 17 morning worship services, led by the JAM youth group and Pastor Paul, Steve Hernandez from the reservation spoke to the congregations about the difference the youth mission trips makes for his residents. He said the reservation was the size of Connecticut, with a strong cultural background, but that the many economic and social problems, and the “situations we live with make it hard to survive.
“We are looking to improving our situation,” Hernandez said. He added that having the youth of Atonement come there, “really lifts us up … brings the spirit out to us. It feeds the soul and feeds the spirit.”
He also praised the youths’ parents, saying: “You have to be proud of your youth, and it’s something we want our youth to emulate.”
This summer, the group will again journey to serve in South Dakota. Besides financial donations, which are always welcome, household goods are also sought, with collection starting May 15. Items requested for the Lakota mission trip include: sporting goods, bicycles, bed and bath linens, beds, mattresses, any kitchen items – appliances, small appliances, dishes, pots, pans, utensils, silverware, etc.; furniture – sofas, chairs, tables, etc., lamps, children’s clothing and shoes; Baby items – cribs, high chairs, swings, pack n plays, etc., no adult clothing, except size 2X and 3X. For more information, please visit: www.churchofatonement.org.
Kimberly Albrecht is a freelance columnist for Pioneer Press.