By Tami Hubler -In September, New Day Baptist Church embarked on a 5-day mission trip to the Chanku Waste Ranch on the Oglala Lakota Reservation. Located in southwestern South Dakota, the reservation is home to the Oglala Lakota Nation and covers 2.1 million acres. The Chanku Waste Ranch is a designated Send Relief site, a collaboration between the International Mission Board and North American Mission Board. Send Relief serves as a Southern Baptist one-stop shop for compassion ministry, responding to crises and strengthening vulnerable communities worldwide by meeting physical and spiritual needs in Jesus' name.
The team consisted of 10 members from New Day's Alexandria and Pendleton campuses, with 8 of them going on their first mission trip. Their activities focused on light construction, including updates to the Foster Children's home (laundry, replacing interior doors, and painting the exterior), support for Creator's Fellowship Church (cleaning, tree cutting, playground repairs), dialysis meal packing (over 800 meals packed), deep cleaning of Ranch buildings, and construction of a workshop apartment and organization of tools/equipment in construction trailers.
While there were many God moments during the trip, a particular one stood out when the team heard the story of Mr. Coleman as shared by his wife Ella: Mr. Coleman was a leader in the American Indian Movement (AIM) in the 1970's until he encountered Jesus and devoted his life to Christ. This transformation had a profound impact, radically changing his views - including his involvement within AIM. In his later years. Mr. Coleman began receiving dialysis treatment, which left him tired and hungry after each visit. He felt called to take his food stamps and create small packed meals for the others who traveled long distances several times a week to receive the life-saving treatment. Mr. Coleman's church family planned to support this new church ministry, but shortly before the ministry began, the Lord called Mr. Coleman home. However, God opened doors and the Chanku Waste Ranch was a featured missions group for WMU's Christmas in August Campaign in 2022. Southern Baptists generously donated $20,000, which was directed to fund the Dialysis Meals ministry. Remarkably, New Day had chosen Chanku Waste Ranch as one of the mission groups to support during Christmas in August. Both Ms. Ella and New Day realized that this was a divine moment of connection. Unbeknownst to either party, God had orchestrated their paths to intersect even before the mission trip was planned!
The New Day team left South Dakota with a new appreciation of the Lakota nation, the ministries of the Chanku Waste Ranch and Creator's Fellowship Church, and with God Himself - each receiving a personal experience of God working in their lives.
Foster Children's Home Exterior Painting
Left to Right: New Friend Rusty, Dewayne & Nan Orr, Chris & Tami Hubler, Sherry Finley, Rich Galbreath, Sherri Hughey, Jody Bruce, Beth Weaver, Kim Smith
Ms. Ella Coleman
Dialysis Meal Packing
Morning Devotions
Construction Left to Right: New Friend Matt, Dewayne Orr, Rich Galbreath, New Friend Rusty, Chris Hubler
Foster Child painted rocks and gave as gifts to the ladies who painted the house to say "thank you."
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Tami serves as the East Central Baptist Association Church Health Team Leader and WMU Coordinator. She also serves as the newly-elected Indiana WMU President.
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