“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” 

-Mark 10:45

Loving and serving strangers comes easier as we mature in lives of discipleship, but as youth, it can feel new and uncomfortable, certainly not something easily joyful. This month, a group of youth from rural churches in eastern South Dakota traveled across the state to the Black Hills, with many experiencing their first mission trip. Eyes were opened to the struggles and the joys of neighbors as the youth took that first step boldly and learned to serve joyfully. The group from three Dakotas UMC congregations– Alexandria, Beresford Zion, and Clark– traveled west across South Dakota to the Black Hills and Rapid City to meet and serve.

Group activity at Storm Mtn. Center.

The whirlwind week began at Storm Mountain Center, a welcome refuge after a long day of travelling. The group packed fun activities, meaningful learning, and serving others into each day, building trust and faith as the week progressed. The adults, Revs. Tara Bush and Kim Hastings, and Clark laywoman Karen, helped the middle- and high schoolers to get up early, share devotions, worship, and share early meals at the camp and sack lunches around Rapid City. Youth and adults worked hard, engaged fully, and shared experiences with each other, building an understanding of faith in action.

The first full day, the campers traveled to Black Hills Works, a Rapid City non-profit organization that is “helping adults with disabilities by providing homes, employment, recreation, and social outlets.” The youth and adults interacted with residents and slowly became more comfortable socializing.” Learn more about this wonderful organization at Black Hills Works.

Painting nails at Black Hills Works

“Ultimately, the way that people learn and grow best is through experience, said Pastor John Schomberg, of Beresford Zion UMC, lead organizer. “And so the idea is that the places that we go, we have the opportunity to serve alongside, and then we have the opportunity to hear from those who are serving to learn why they are here. What is their call, what is their purpose? Why are they serving in a place like Black Hills works?”

According to Schomberg, the youth were naturally slow to ease into socializing with people who were different. The progression, however, toward a shared comfort was palpable. Later they discussed their experiences and feelings in that environment.

“On the first day, we were just coloring. And there was this lady named Heather, and she helped us communicate with a deaf person,” Hailey later shared with her congregation.

“I thought it was really cool to see how Allie responds with everyone else, and to see how they’re comfortable, especially Kevin, because Kevin is deaf and he had an iPad and she made sure someone was there to help him sing the songs,” said Keziah.

The group also visited a Native American church, Woyatan Lutheran, and worked hard to organize a massive clothing donation that had recently arrived. They folded and sifted and sorted the clothing by type and size so the donation could actually help people.

Making sleeping mats at Knollwood Heights UMC.

“I liked seeing the difference in the clothing room between when we walked in and when we left,” said Ojala.

The group also worked on a project to create “plarn” (plastic yarn) from donated plastic bags and then weave that plarn into sleeping mats for unhoused folks to sleep on, a project organized by Midwest Mission. A loom had been set up at Rapid City Knollwood Heights UMC, not far from the Woyatan church, and volunteers at Knollwood helped the youth weave the sleeping mats. The interaction also gave the volunteers a chance to model their faith with the youth.

“I really liked the cause behind making the mats,” Zooey shared afterward with her congregation.

Petting Fluffy the alligator at Reptile Gardens.

Of course, the week offered lots of fun outlets for youthful exuberance (including the pastors) at karaoke night, Putz n Glo blacklight mini-golf, petting Fluffy, the baby alligator, and Harriet the giant tortoise at Reptile Gardens, a visit to the Crazy Horse Memorial, and a stop in Badlands National Park. It was truly a non-stop week.

“I really liked watching the alligator show and going to the Badlands and taking pictures,” said Mark, from Beresford Zion UMC.

“I got to pet Fluffy and George [a python],” said Zooey.

On Wednesday morning, the group worked on a service project at Storm Mountain Center, and then met up with Circle of Friends at Open Heart UMC in Rapid City. Circle of Friends is a group of people with intellectual disabilities who are growing in their faith and inviting others to spread the love of God. They welcomed the youth to their activities and games, which benefited everyone.

“I met this girl named Ally. She was really fun,” Ojala said with a smile. “She noticed she had the same watchband as me, and she was, like, ‘Oh my gosh, we’re twins!’ I really liked that.”

A Facebook "Thank You" from Black Hills Works.

Pastor Schomberg was pleased with the impact the trip had on the youth. “Black Hills Works wants to normalize that all people deserve to be treated well, and as United Methodists, it couldn't fit more perfectly, because that is what we try to share, and try to embody through our theology and through our practice, is that all deserve to be treated well.”

The group also served Black Hills Works by setting up a buffet for a donor-appreciation evening, and got to attend the dress rehearsal for a theater production. Flutter Productions, a group from Black Hills Works, presented The Little Prince, based on the book of the same name by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. They were impressed with the residents’ abilities on stage.

“I really liked seeing Ally play her part, because she did such an amazing job,” said Hailey.

The youth returned to Black Hills Works on their last day and “hung out” with the residents. They all made paintings, and some residents had their nails painted. Some youth even had their nails painted, too. Mark hung out with another resident and watched “garbage truck POV videos” together, a favorite pastime of that resident.

After that second day of “hanging” with the residents, Pastor Schomberg could see the progress. “This is our second day here at this building, for example, and our youth are already far more comfortable. Yeah. They're doing far better, and for youth, that can be really uncomfortable, but they're doing much, much better. Similarly, serving with the Native American group, that was a transformative experience for them, as well.”

Sack lunches with a view at Dinosaur Park.

“It's just to give these kids opportunities to serve, and the reason “Immersion” is part of our title is because we want them to immerse in the ministries– to grow in that way, not just hear about or see.”

“I didn’t know what a good listener I was until I started listening to all of the residents at Black Hills Works,” said Ojala.

“I learned that seeing, firsthand, the impact of you helping someone else is really cool to see,” Keziah shared later with her church.

Rev. Schomberg is excited about the next mission trip, as he’s hoping to take a group to the Rosebud reservation next summer, possibly supporting Tree of Life Ministry and other activities in the area.

Paintings by youth and residents laid out to dry.

“This was the youngest group I’ve ever taken, and they did a tremendous job. They definitely made us proud. They did such a good job caring for the residents. They worked so, so hard at that Lutheran church and at the United Methodist Church. I never had to worry about them being respectful, doing the right things, making the right choices, so that was awesome to see.”

He also had a special word of thanks to the adults whose help was instrumental: Pastor Kim Hastings of Watertown and Clark UMCs, Pastor Tara Bush of Alexandria & Ethan UMCs, and Karen, a lay member from Clark UMC.

The mission trip was made possible, in part, by each of the congregations through donations and fundraising, but also with a rural ministry grant from the Dakotas Methodist Foundation. The Dakotas Methodist Foundation will be sharing more grant information later this week.