Spirit Lake Nation, ND -  Members of the Evergreen UMC in Wahpeton, ND fulfilled their pledge in the 10,000 Hour Miracle offering by volunteering hours at the Spirit Lake Ministry Center. The volunteers sorted Shoebox Christmas gifts and diapers, built a wall and spent time learning about the people at Spirit Lake.

Photo left: The volunteers sorted close to 1,000 Shoebox Christmas gifts and two pallets of diapers. Below: They also spent time while building a stud wall in a volunteer cabin. Photos courtesy of Mike Flowers.

The weekend began with supper and orientation. Pastor Mike and Libby Flowers, co-directors at Spirit Lake Ministry Center, shared stories of the Ministry Center, the worship opportunities afforded by the center and their vision of future improvements and programming.

Volunteers also learned some of the history of the Dakota peoples living on the reservation.

On Saturday, it was all hands on deck. The group of 11 volunteers split into three teams. Two teams sorted diapers and shoeboxes while the third team built the stud wall. After the diapers and shoeboxes were sorted, the two teams loaded up in the Ministry Center bus and toured the reservation.

“We are so thankful to this team of volunteers,” said Pastor Mike and Libby Flower. “They did in one day what would have taken us a week to do. Teams like this allow us to focus on our new worship service, family night activities and visitations. The team members of Evergreen UMC blessed us with the gift of time.”

Photo, left: Wahpeton volunteers sorting diapers at Spirit Lake Ministry Center. Photo, below: the framers took a moment to pose with their new wall.