Our middle school team’s last day in South Dakota yesterday brought together teamwork, adventure and lessons that will stay with them long after they leave.
They kicked off the morning serving at Custer Lutheran Fellowship – mulching a play area and moving pavers to help with drainage. “We finished everything in just 90 minutes!” one team member remarked and it felt good to know theirr efforts would make a difference for others.
Because they wrapped up quickly, they had time for the Custer State Park Wildlife Loop. Bison crossed right in front of them – so close they could hardly believe it. “It felt like they were letting us into their world,” one of them said. They also spotted pronghorns, burros, prairie dogs and stunning scenery. The group agreed that seeing all this wildlife was the highlight of their day.
At Wind Cave National Park, they learned about how the bison herds were decimated by western expansion forcing the Native American to adopt more “americanized” culture. Once nearly extinct in the region, bison were reintroduced to the land when herds from the Bronx Zoo in NYC and Yellowstone National Park were brought to the reserve. Today, bison are now thriving on the land once again. Watching the visitor center video, they talked about how connected and dependent we are on each other to care for creation. “We truly do need each other – to share what we’ve been given for the good of all,” one leader reflected.
That evening, they wrapped up with worship, reflecting on being light in the world. “You ARE the light,” they were told – an encouragement to shine even when the way isn’t clear.
Looking back as they head home today, they are grateful for all the unexpected moments and the reminder that they are part of something bigger – connected to each other, to creation and to God’s call to shine our light.
