2011 Lessons in love

Sisseton 2011 is now HIStory. Here is a lesson learned by one of the families who went on the trip:

One of the reasons we joined the Sisseton missions team this year was for the sake of our children. My husband and I believe that the most significant and lasting thing we can do with our lives is to share Jesus with the people around us, and we want that to become part of our family's identity. We want our kids to know that this is what our family does - we share the love of Jesus. And we wanted our children's eyes (and our own) to be opened a little bit more to the world around us.

When we first shared the idea of a family missions trip with our kids, they were totally on board. This will be fun! This will be like when we tell our friends at school about Jesus, or invite someone from our neighborhood to AWANA! We know how to do this! Let's go!

It didn't take long for them to realize that sharing the love of Jesus doesn't always fit into the predictable, neat, little box that they're used to here at home. Throughout the 5 days that we spent in Sisseton, our children started to come up to us in tears, sharing their broken little hearts:

"Mom, the kids are making fun of my name and being really mean to me, and I don't know why. It's hurting my feelings."

"Mom, that girl just insulted Dad and was really disrespectful. Why can these kids act like that?"

"Mom, that boy just hit me...hard!...and it's my birthday today. I thought my birthday was supposed to be fun."

"Mom, why are these little kids - just 4 or 5 years old - running all over town all day long? Where are their parents?"

"Mom, that little boy over there looks hungry. Can I go give him a banana for breakfast?"

Over and over again, my husband and I gently took our kids aside and explained to them that this...this...is what it means to show the love of Jesus to a dying world. Jesus forgives us, even when we don't deserve it. Jesus forgives us, even when we hurt Him deeply. When we extend that forgiveness to others around us, they get a taste (possibly their first) of God's unconditional love. And when we see the gaping needs in another's life (neglect, hunger, poverty...), we have an opportunity to respond in gratitude for the blessings that God has poured into our lives, and then to reach out and share those blessings with those in need.

This week, as a family, we saw the heart-breaking reality of emaciated lives, starved of love and hope - both young and old. And, in turn, we were given the chance to pour the love and hope we've been so richly blessed with back into those hungry souls. I pray we made an impact. I know that we were impacted. We came home with eyes that don't take our blessings for granted quite so easily, with hearts that beat a little more deeply with compassion, and with hands a little more willing to selflessly serve. And as we wrap these experiences up into our family identity, I pray that we will be able to more effectively serve our mighty God - no matter where He leads us.

(pseudo)-Extreme Makeover: Home Edition

Team 2 took on an extreme painting project this past week. We tackled the SAC parsonage in 1 afternoon. The pics pretty much say it all.

Before

After

CCC VBS Donations to Sisseton VBS kids

The CCC VBS encouraged kids that attended to donate a school supply to the kids in Sisseton. I have to say that the kids were not only excited about receiving these items but they even remembered this from last year. I had kids coming up to me on Tuesday asking me if they would be getting school supplies the next day.

Here are a few photos of the CCC kids that were in Sisseton helping put all the items in bags so they would be ready for the kids to pick up and take home. The kids worked very hard at this and did such an awesome job! We passed out over 50 "very full" bags of items to the kids in Sisseton.

The Finished Bags...ready for the kids!

Just a few pics...

Day 6 of VBS

We finished up VBS with 39 kids from Sisseton! Our leaders from CCC were kept on their toes yesterday morning and worked hard.

As we finished up our time in Sisseton we had a few projects left to finish up and then some cleaning and packing before we all got back on the road.

One of the most important things that we try to do in Sisseton is to build relationships with the people there. This year we didn't see as many of the adults in Sisseton (at least during the 2nd part of the trip) as we have in the past but the days that we did see them it was important to drop what I was doing and make sure that the time I had was spent talking with them. Sometimes being a "Type A" person requires me to step out a bit of my comfort zone and initiate that conversation rather than focus on the list and tasks that are waiting for me. One of our devotions that we had during our morning before we got started for the day was done by Joe in our group. He talked about how he wished he would have spent more time with one of his friends by actually talking about the things that are important in life rather than having some of the conversations that seem to be more on the surface of topics. Meaningful conversations require effort but are so worth it when you really think about how important we spend our time with those we come in contact with.

One opportunity that we had that just sort of came together was the campfire on Tuesday night. What a fun time this was! I learned some new games, riddles and jokes but also got to talk with some of the people that stopped in from Sisseton. We got to reconnect, talk about the kids and previous years that we had been in Sisseton and even got a few ideas from those in Sisseton for what they want from CCC in the future. It was great to be able to talk with them again and hear some of the things that they need or what they are thankful for. I also got to spend a few moments with some of the adults on Wednesday as they were sitting outside while the kids were in VBS.

Building relationships and connections was a focus for being in Sisseton and having a lasting connection with the kids is something that I have wanted to see happen since we started going to Sisseton. I have seen some of the kids grow up and follow in the steps of many that are being taken in this town and always wonder if we kept up a relationship through the year if this would have helped them at all. We did find a way this year to try to establish a lasting connection with the kids...pen pals. Not only are some of our CCC kids excited about this but some of the Sisseton kids are as well. We have a list and hopefully will have some great letters being sent back and forth from our kids to the kids in Sisseton!

Everyone from CCC is either now back in Rochester or off to their next adventure.

Friends and Fellowship

Saturday Night in downtown Sisseton. Free Concert-in-the-Park featuring Out Of Time. The band was kind enough to make the trip to South Dakota to perform for the community. They have a great message and they let kids know that its cool to spread the word via musical testimony! It was hot, and the bugs were biting, but the band was dedicated to their task and the community and volunteers were the better for it!! Thanks Guys!

Vbs day 4

Team 2 made it through day 4 of vbs in Sisseton! This is actually our first day of vbs as a group but day 4 for the Dakota Alliance Church with our CCC team. This was a new experience for about half of our CCC families.

We had over 20 kids from Sisseton and it went really well. We had a bit of rain and since our gym is the outdoors we just have to go with the flow. We got a few sprinkles on us but it felt good.

We had great songs for the kids, and great crafts, and tshirts to tie Dye for those that still needed to get a shirt and a drama of the story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal. The little kids had their own storyline too and did a great job adjusting to strangers. We ended our morning with lunch for everyone. (thanks to everyone making and planning the meals... Big job for all these people!)

A few things that stood out for me today were simple things but also observations of the lifestyle that the kids in this community have and are living.

First, the kids were welcomed today with fruit being held on a tray by one of the leaders. Some of the kids were pretty shy and timid when they were dropped off and just weren't too sure of us. Food is a great way to help kids to feel comfortable and there may have been a few that were hungry. This detail wasn't on any plan but was just done and was such a great idea.

Second was the attitude and lifestyle of some of the kids. I am not really sure if I can describe this well with words but you would recognize this distinct "attitude"that some of the kids have. Deep down I don't think that the kids that are acting up really want to be that waybut are truly craving attention. Example... Two girls who had already gotten their free shirt last week said they didn't get one and needed a shirt (although one was wearing hers). They went back and forth with me and then in the end was going to throw the nice clean shirt in the dirt rather than gently hand the shirt back. Not a big deal to me either way how I got the shirt back but I knew the girls were lying and couldn't let them get away with that. We had a brief and direct chat which indicated the expectations I had for them that day and then they listened and handed me the shirt. Now, I can't say that they listened to the rest of the leaders that morning because I know they didn't. I did find the girls trying to steal shirts just as they were getting picked up today and had another brief conversation with them. They knew what they did was wrong because if they thought it was right they wouldn't have run with the shirts in their hand. Once they saw that I knew what they did, and they handed the shirts over without much else to say to me. I did make a connection though because one of the of the girls did talk to me about how her moms car was almost stolen yesterday by a guy that was drunk who went into her car. I wasn't sure what my response was supposed to be to that but she felt comfortable telling me something that happened to her and her family.

Example 2 is of a 4 and 5 year old I met at the park on Saturday. The kids were having a tough time keeping away from the band as they were practicing and even spit on me a few times. I don't think they did it because they didn't like me but because they wanted to see what I would do. The kids hung around me for about 3 hours without being far from my side. I learned about where they lived, and where they were going to kindergarten or preschool, and what they did all day, who was in their family, and etc. While we chatted or played the kids were great! I turn my back to give my own kids some attention and the kids were back with the drummer messing around or trying to get into the rooms I said were off limits. No one came to check on these kids, see who these strangers were hanging around their kids, and who was giving them piggy back rides and pushes on the swings. Nobody! And these kids were 4& 5years old. One of the CCC kids said it best to summarize what she saw, "these kids are just out here by themselves? Don't they have rules? Even in my neighborhood I have boundaries. "

I reminded my kids today that during VBS on Tuesday they should find a new friend that lives in Sisseton. they can help show that Jesus loves them just by being their friend. The adults are doing the same thing... Just being available to listen to anything that the kids want to tell us along with some guided direction :)

JESSICA

Sunday Services Dakota Alliance and Sisseton Alliance July 31, 2011

Yesterday, Sunday July 31, Teams 1 and 2 from CCC attended church services at Sisseton Alliance church. A testimony was given from a church member from Sisseton Alliance and her journey from living in Columbia and having a child born with special needs and her journey in becoming a Christian and bringing her here to the United states so her son would be able to receive care that he required. Our children had opportunity to attend Sunday School.

At 12 noon, teams one and two attended the Dakota Alliance Church. Hannah and Darin provided us with beautiful worship music for the service. Pastor Richard message in brief for the blog version, God is the potter, we are the clay, and sometimes we begin again through difficulties and then remade again through the Lord Jesus. Our continued relationship with Jesus is very important.

After services both teams 1 and 2, church members and people from the community gathered for a pot luck lunch.

Team one then began preparations to make the journey home. Saying "See you next year" instead of good bye. I had opportunity to talk with a new person as she waited outside the church. I had not seen her all week, but she shared that she was going to a city in Nebraska, a city where the people are happy. A happy city, and then she told me about the last time she saw her sister and the events that happened. I listened, and rejoiced to God that she felt comfortable with me in sharing.

My favorite part of the trip was after the concert on Saturday, Tim and I went to the DQ and arriving at the same time were 5 children under the age of 5 with their caregivers. Enjoying ice cream together and seeing their smiles as I brought them over cones was priceless. Making friends with their caregivers, I hope will be a continued relationship.

Despite the illnesses, the hospital stay for Claudia, the Lord carried us through and gave me lots of great ministry ideas for next year.

For more information about Sisseton Alliance Church go to http://www.sissetonalliancechurch.org/

Joyfully,
Christine and Dan Jensen

Concert in the Park Saturday July 30th Sisseton, SD Kids with Band Members Out of Time Photo