A few weeks ago, 11 brave church members embarked on a journey to the wilds of Antarctica. Well, not exactly. We brave 11, actually took off on a road trip to Ethete, Wyoming on a service mission where we worked endlessly in the scorching heat of the Wyoming desert. Truthfully, that didn’t happen either. (although it was pretty hot there and a few unnamed people turned an alarming shade of fuchsia) We boarded the wagon train, (really a huge 15 passenger squeaky van) on Wednesday, June 19th and were on our way to adventure and excitement.

On the exciting (endless) drive, we decided on a few detours. We stopped at the exhilarating (not) Corn Palace and ate at (yummy) Perkins in South Dakota on Thursday, after spending all night in the (really hot) wonderful van. Certain unnamed people spent most of the trip sleeping comfortably on the luggage in the back (Alright, who packed bricks?) Another detour on the drive was the amazing (Goat-infested) Mt. Rushmore. We also spent a night at the spectacular (no pool) “Quality” Inn (where a certain youth director was quoted as saying, “I swear, this guy is on crack!”*) Our last night on the road to Ethete was spent at Christ the King Lutheran church in Cody, WY. We ordered pizza, had some caffeine, and spent the night playing sardines in the dark. The last day of our drive there, after a few pokey people (who are we waiting for?) got themselves ready, we headed to Yellowstone National Park where we were attacked by a pack of vicious bears. (Actually, all we saw were vicious, man-eating buffalo and a really cute chipmunk.)

When we at long last arrived at St. Michael’s mission on the Wind River reservation, we were exhausted. Another group of adventurers from Cedar Rapids, Iowa greeted us. When our 11 (Amanda, Ashley, Becky, Dean, Brandon, Diane, Nathaniel, Melanie, Missy, Rob and Sam) met their 7 we instantly bonded. We were led on our mission by counselors Rachel, Sarah, and Darin, Father Harold Eagle Bull and several residents of the reservation.

During our stay at St. Michael’s we were split into 3 work groups. One group worked on painting the (pumpkin-colored) walls and ceiling of the Coolidge House a clean off-white. Another group traveled to a woman named Laverne’s house to paint the outside of her house a vibrant fuchsia with pink trim. (Most of that group turned the same vibrant shade.) A third Group spent their time working on the Post Office, removing (and replacing) cracked mortar and repainting the window frames and sills.

We spent four days working on our projects and bonding into a close-knit community much like the people of the reservation. Nights in the Balcombe house were spent telling stories, attending impressive and educational Pow-Wows, making ever-popular string necklaces, praising God, and performing a few “makeovers”.

After four days of painting, chipping, laughing, singing, French braiding, mortaring and bonding, our groups were finally finished with their projects. The Coolidge House looked like a masterpiece, Laverne’s house was spectacular, and the Post Office looked pristine. We were all very proud of the work we put in and were touched by the gratitude that was shown to us. We received several compliments and heartfelt thanks for the Post Office and the Coolidge House, and Laverne was ecstatic about her beautiful house. (And her mysteriously pink dog).

We left St Michael’s with a newfound respect for the people who live at and around the Wind River reservation. Their amazing sense of community and the respect they showed each other was remarkable, touching each and every one of us, helping us to grow closer and form friendships and memories that we will never forget.