Area Cabinets spend week in hands-on service
By Clay Oglesbee, River Valley District Superintendent, Minnesota UMC
Bishop Bruce R. Ough and the Cabinets from the Dakotas and Minnesota Conferences shared several days last month in hands-on mission service with the Native American community at Spirit Lake Ministry Center in Sheyenne, North Dakota.
They led a “church camp” experience with about 40 children and teens each day, repainted pow wow grounds and re-built bleachers for the annual pow wow, and built a deck and ramp for a Native American couple. The husband was a noted dancer at pow wows but now has health difficulties; the deck and ramp will allow him to enter and leave his home with more comfort and confidence.
Photo: Members of the Dakotas-Minnesota Cabinets stand on the deck that they built at Spirit Lake. Photo by Kevin Kloster.
The Spirit accompanied the Cabinets in their days of service. They held devotions every day and 
learned about Native American spirituality. There is substantial overlap between figures like Saint Francis in Christian traditions and the Native Americans’ understanding of their place upon the Earth.
Spirit Lake Ministry Center is a United Methodist mission-base for outreach to the Spirit Lake Nation, and church mission teams are welcome for hands-on service projects.
Photo: Members of the Dakotas-Minnesota Cabinet enjoyed cultural activites such as fancy dancing while doing service projects at Spirit Lake Ministry Center. Photo Kevin Kloster.
Consider taking a church group; sleeping is dormitory-style. Those interested can contact Mike and Libby Flowers by e-mail at Childharvest@msn.com or by phone at (701) 799-1174.
