Bethlehem Lutheran Church

WHO: 8th-12th grade students
DATES: July 7-20/21 or July 14/27/28(FULL)
COST: $600/student, $100/adult

Pre-Trip Retreat Required for ALL Participants: March 16-17

(Registration Forms attached to article)

This summer, Bethlehem’s senior high will return to Lame Deer, Montana.  Five years ago, 75 of us made our way out west where we were guests on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation. The Northern Cheyenne Reservation is located in southeastern Montana, about 100 miles east of Billings. It covers 445,000 acres, bordered on the east by the Tongue River and on the west by the Crow Reservation. There are approximately 9,000 enrolled tribal members, half of whom reside on the reservation. Their history as nomadic buffalo hunters of the Great Plains has built their reputation as fearless warriors. But unemployment has hit this community hard. The Bureau of Indian Affairs estimates the unemployment rate on the reservation is nearly 60 percent. Only 30 percent of those over age 25 have a high school diploma. The median household income is $23,679, not enough to maintain their already poor housing structures. Despite the hardships of this community, the spirit of the Cheyenne people is strong.

Like this past summer, we will help with a variety of housing and community projects, as well as lead a local children’s ministry called “Kids Club”.  In between our service work, we will hear from local residents about Cheyenne culture, reservation challenges and witness historical and spiritual sites that hold deep meaning for the people of this small community. 

Following our mission week, we will trek a bit farther to the Wind River Range of Wyoming.  Working with Solid Rock Outdoor Ministries (SROM), we will embark on a 5-day summit ascent.  The Bible repeatedly reveals that individuals, families, and entire nations were transformed during time spent in a literal wilderness. Wilderness contexts are environments designed by God to be places of divine-human encounter that provide catalytic gateway experiences for personal spiritual, emotional, and physical growth.  SROM is a Christ-centered wilderness ministry and outdoor education organization.  SROM courses and trained guides specialize in providing a wilderness ministry experience that facilitates spiritual formation, leadership development, authentic community, character formation, and teaches wilderness skills. Our wilderness experience will create an opportunity to live beyond the comfort zones of normal lives as we push ourselves. Abstract concepts such as trust, faithfulness, and the fruits of the Spirit will become more tangible as God uses the wilderness to make Himself known to us.