Sisseton Day 5 / Sunday / Dakota Hymn "Many and Great, O God, Are Your Works"

Isaiah 6:8 “Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.”

Church Family
 Sisseton, South Dakota 

Photo by Elizabeth Nida Obert

Sunday Church Services

For our last day in Sisseton, we woke up to a very cool, misty and cloudy day. At 10:30 we attended Sisseton Alliance Church and heard a message about prayer. After service at Sisseton Alliance, we headed over for the service at the Dakota Alliance Church and pot luck. The time seemed to go by very quickly and then it was time to pack up, say our good byes and head home. Our time in Sisseton is treasured. The bonds and the commitment to build relationships through the love of Christ are strong. We are honored to serve the Lord with such an extraordinary team from Christ Community Church. 

Thank you to our faithful and dedicated prayer partners who have surrounded us with love before, during and after our mission trip.

Thank you to our church family in Sisseton for your love and receiving us this week.

The Dakota Hymn "Many and Great, O God, Are Your Works" was composed by Joseph R. Renville before 1846, the song is Dakota. 

The words are based on Jeremiah 10:12-13.The hymn was translated into English by Philip Frazier.

Listen to piano music of the hymn

Isaiah 43:6, 7 “I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth; Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.

Sisseton Day 4 / Applying God's Word

Isaiah 12:2

Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.

Our morning began with prayer and devotions for the day and reflection of the week. After breakfast and devotions, many of the team members climbed Nicollet Tower before the days activities began. We all had lunch at the church. The ladies held a bible lesson spa as we learned about caring for one another and the lesson from John 13 (See Spa photo below).

In the evening, many children and families arrived at Anderson Park for a wonderful picnic and a movie. The movie, "The Lost Medallion" along with popcorn provided needed time for fellowship and time to get to know new friends.

      

Tomorrow, we will be attending services at Sisseton Alliance and Dakota Alliance Churches followed by a potluck afterword. Goodbyes will be difficult as we head back to Rochester, Mn during the early afternoon. 

Thank you for your continued prayers for the community of Sisseton. Also, thank you for your prayers for safe travels for all our team members tomorrow. 

Praises that all remained healthy this week including the VBS children and all team members. Praises for all the lovely children and parents who attended our community lunches, VBS, and activities this week. Praises for the opportunity to spend time here in Sisseton with our church family.

Nicollet Tower 

John 13 1-17

12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.

Day of Pampering/Spa 

Picnic and Movie Night at Anderson Park

Sisseton Photos by Elizabeth Nida Obert

Another great day!  Thank you, Jesus.

Sisseton Day 3 / VBS / Abundant Blessings

  Isaiah 40:31

Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.

Where is God? How do I know God? These are questions that a child asked me today as we sat down together before the beginning of our final day at VBS. One of the greatest joys that I have experienced here in this life is sharing the love of the Lord.

During our bible lesson today, Sherman wrote, and performed  a skit about the parable of the sower. Children loved the parable and learned about the importance of  nurturing our faith. After songs, and lessons, all the children were invited to participate in creating beautiful masterpieces of sand art!

The weather remained sunny, but cool providing the perfect time for everyone to be outside.
Outdoor games and fun for the children included Wiffle ball, bubbles, balloons and for the girls, manicures.

When Christ Community Church, Rochester held VBS this summer, children collected and then donated school supplies for the children here in Sisseton, South Dakota. Thank you to everyone who donated and helped provide the supplies. Children here in Sisseton begin school mid-August. The children were very excited today to receive school supplies to begin their school year.

As the evening begins with the campfire, all are engaged and laughing, enjoying each other's company as the sun sets across the South Dakota sky.Ending the day with a campfire and Dunkel donuts, Jiffy Pop and smores while fellowshipping with our church family provided a great deal of peace and joy for me personally.

Fellowship-To come together as Christians and worship God, in an environment which mimics what we will be doing in Heaven!

 I hope this is what heaven is like, I think to myself as I sit by the fire.

I feel honored to serve with such a wonderful team from Christ Community. Our youth accompanying us have been willing to step in and participate fervently. 

Love abounds greatly here this week.

Love, Christine

Sisseton Day 2 / VBS

Philippians 

Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

                                                =

Children arrived with smiles and anticipation of another beautiful day of VBS.  We had an amazing group of children, parents and grandparents who participated in our VBS, lunch afterword and campfire in the evening. 

Today, after VBS, our group had the opportunity to attend an afternoon worship service at a nursing home here in Sisseton. 

     

Our days here have been full and tremendously blessed. Thank you to everyone who has been praying for our team, the children and for the community of Sisseton.  One of the VBS songs is entitled "Stand Strong" and seeing all the children singing songs, participating in activities while making new friends, I prayed that they would all know the love of the Lord for a lifetime. Please join me in this prayer this week.

Praising the Lord for the bonds of friendship and fellowship this precious time together here in Sisseton provides.

Sisseton 2013 Photos by Elizabeth Nida Obert

Enjoy!