Two “Happy Chefs” cooking pancakes on a recent Sunday morning.

NOVEMBER 2013 , (VOL . XII , NO . III)

PO Box 438 Office: (605) 245-2685

Fort Thompson, SD 57339 Website: www.d-w-m.org

E-mail: info@d-w-m.org

“Serving one another in love” — Galatians 5:13

Raising up Servant Leaders

Move Over IHOP

Well, perhaps Diamond Willow Ministries will never serve as many pancakes as IHOP or other

restaurants that specialize in serving breakfasts. However every Sunday morning prior to

worship service, the youth of Diamond Willow arrive hours early to begin preparing the weekly

community meal of pancakes, eggs, and sausage that is served at the Ikce Oyate Christian

Center. On a typical morning, about one hundred and twenty people are served.

It is often a surprise for those that haven’t experienced breakfast here, to see so many young

people enjoying working together to serve others. Oftentimes the kitchen is shoulder to

shoulder with youth crowding around the stoves and griddles. The kitchen is a buzz with

energy on these mornings; the Christian music is playing loud on the “boom box” on the kitchen

counter, someone is always jostling for a “taste test” of the sausage, there is much joking and

chatter, and it is a breakfast made with much fun and love.

Many folks are blessed with fond memories of their grandmother’s kitchen; the smells, smiles

and the sense of family and belonging that all seemed to emanate from this one room.

Undoubtedly this special time in the Diamond Willow kitchen will be a fond memory for these

youth. For many of them Diamond Willow is the safest, most “homey” place that they know.

It is heart-warming to see youth being filled with love, purpose, and joy as they have an

opportunity to serve others. Perhaps the kitchen is one of the most valuable “classrooms”.

If you have not had the opportunity to have a pancake here on a Sunday morning, hopefully you

will be able to sometime soon. The more the merrier. The youth will have one hot off the

griddle and waiting for you.

P AGE 2

Crow Creek Tribal School Chieftains

A majority of the youth of the reservation attend the Crow Creek Tribal School, which is

located on the reservation twelve miles north of the primary community of Fort Thompson.

The school is operated by the Tribe itself, and a feature of the school that is rather unique is

that students in seventh through twelfth grade may live right at the school in dormitories

during the school year. So many of the youth from here locally, stay in the dormitories

rather than living in their homes during the school year. There are also a large number of

Native American youth from other reservations across the Upper Midwest that stay in the

dorms.

This is now the third year that Diamond Willow has conducted a weekly Bible study onsite

at the school for the dorm students. The school administration and staff are very

accommodating and supportive of the study and any time that Diamond Willow staff can

spend with the students. Often these days one reads in the news that school administrators

are trying to limit Christian influence in schools. It is a blessing that DWM has such a

trusting relationship with the school, and the value of time spent with students is applauded.

Twenty five to thirty five students attend the weekly meeting. During the two hour

gathering there is a devotional, snacks, and then time for playing basketball and nine-

square. It is a fun and encouraging time for the youth to interact in a positive environment.

This semester’s devotional time is focusing specifically about who Jesus Christ is and how

he can transform and impact their lives. This past month two young men committed their

lives to Christ and were baptized in the very cool water of the Missouri River.

Ramsey, a teen who stays at the dorms Defond on a blustery afternoon preparing

and assists with the dorm Bible study. to take his horse named “Joc” for a ride.

History Remembered and in the Making

In mid-December, a small group of horsemen from this reservation will join others in an

arduous sixteen day, 330 mile horseback ride. This ride is not a protest, but a memorial ride

in remembrance of the 38 Dakota Sioux men executed by hanging in Mankato, MN in 1862.

One of these riders the past three years has been Defond who is a junior at Crow Creek

High School. Read an excerpt from a letter he wrote recently about the ride as he prepares

for this year, and see a documentary video on the DWM website, www.d-w-m.org.

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Specific Needs

With the growing number of people eating onsite during the youth camps and throughout the year,

there is a need to improve our ability to store food. We have a need for a commercial four-door

refrigerator. Additionally there is a need to purchase and install a walk-in freezer as well, prior to

the start of the camps next summer. If you have any “leads”, or can offer assistance in this area,

please contact us.

Many of the community members, and almost all of the youth, that come to DWM activities,

require transportation. The vans used to transport community members get LOTS of use. In

addition to many miles logged, the rough roads and harsh climate take a toll as well. There is a

need for a mechanic to come onsite for a minimum of two or three weeks to take the lead in vehicle

maintenance and repair. There is a heated garage onsite that can be used. If this is an area that you

have a talent in and feel you may be able to assist, please contact us for more information.

150th Annual Crow Creek Tribal Wacipi (Pow wow) - More photos on the website.

Prayer Points

Praise that the weekly Bible study at the Tribal school dorms is so well attended and that many

of the youth are eager to learn about the Bible and already two students have accepted Christ.

Methamphetamine use on the reservation continues to rise and is impacting many, many

families. Pray that those bringing drugs onto the reservation will be caught and brought to

justice and that those already addicted will seek help for their addictions.

The planning of the Cantemawaste Youth Camps: Pray that God will guide and direct

individuals, families, and churches to come work with the youth at the camps and even now

through the winter that the hearts of the youth will be opening.

Churches and families to regularly financially support the ministry due to the ever increasing

number of families and youth with needs coming to DWM.

Two Special Opportunities to Give

The Tokata Foundation, a permanent endowment fund to support Diamond Willow Ministries,

was formed in 2012. This foundation can eventually provide a stable source of funding for DWM’s

programs and projects. Contributions can be one-time or multi-year pledges; additional options

include gifts of assets such as stock, real estate, or life insurance. No matter the method, all income

generated from your gift will be used to make a difference in the lives of Native American people

through the ministry of Diamond Willow Ministries.

As the holidays approach, you may be considering gift options for those you care about. DWM

now has a Share A Gift program that allows you to give a gift to the ministry that will make

eternal impacts in honor of a special occasion such as Christmas or a birthday.

More information on both of these opportunities can be found on our website, www.d-w-m.org.

CROW CREEK SIOUX RESERVATION

PO Box 438

Fort Thompson

South Dakota 57339

Office:

(605)245-2685

E-mail:

info@d-w-m.org

Website:

www.d-w-m.org

DIAMOND WILLOW MINISTRIES, PO Box 438, Fort Thompson, SD 57339

Before you move, please send the mailing label with a copy of your new address to

U.S. POSTAGE

Pierre, SD

NON PROFIT ORG.

PAID

Return Service Requested

Permit No. 123

Toksa Ake

Larry Brink, a very dear friend of many and a Diamond Willow

Ministries’ Board of Director member, passed away recently after a

month and a half battle with leukemia. As one of the local communi-

ty members accurately stated, “If ever a good and Godly man set foot

on our reservation, it was Larry.” He will be missed as he was onsite

almost weekly helping with something and being an encouragement

to all. His legacy will live on here in many ways. Just one way is

that memorial funds given in his memory are being donated to

Diamond Willow Ministries for work on the horse barn, refurbishing

to make it usable for the youth. Our prayers and thanks go out to

Larry’s wife Mary and family. Thanks to all who have donated to

this project in Larry’s memory. Larry teaching about fishing.

“Toksa ake”, or simply “Toksa”, is a Dakota language word that means, “See you later.”, or

simply “later”, which is a common salutation here on the reservation, more common than “good

-bye”. Larry Brink loved this word and grasped the full implication of its meaning with his

Christian family. For as Christians, there are no good-byes; we have assurance through Christ

that we will always meet again.

So, until our paths cross again, TOKSA and thank you for your prayers and support.