A smile is also a beautiful way to say “thank you!” The receiving of a star quilt.

MARCH 2014 , (VOL . XIII , N O . I )

PO Box 438 Office: (605) 245-2685

Fort Thompson, SD 57339 Website: www.d-w-m.org

E-mail: info@d-w-m.org

“Serving one another in love” — Galatians 5:13

WOPIDA TANKA - THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

THANKS!

There are many ways to show one’s appreciation. A simple “thank you” is perhaps the simplest

method. In the Dakota language and culture, there are a few ways to express thanks. The phrase

“wopida tanka” is one common expression. Wopida translates to English as “thank, joy or

gladness”. Tanka is an often heard Dakota work which means “big”. So combined together,

wopida tanka signifies great gratitude.

Traditionally, within the culture, a buffalo robe was given as a gift of highest thanks or honor. In

the late 1800s, after the decimation of buffalo herds, the taking away of the horse for hunting, and

confinement to reservations, the Dakota and Lakota custom of giving a buffalo robe was replaced

by the giving of a star quilt.

These beautiful quilts, each unique in color, have in common the star, or diamond, pattern which

represents among other things the four directions. Upon giving a star quilt, the giver wraps the

quilt around the recipient. It is a beautiful and very tangible expression of thanks and love.

It is with this same feeling of gratitude, love and appreciation, that all of us here send a big

thank you, a “WOPIDA TANKA” to you! We wish we could wrap a star quilt around you right

now to show our appreciation. Thank you so very much for your support of Diamond Willow

Ministries. Your generosity and kindness is making a difference in many families here on the

reservation!

P AGE 2

A Full House

The ministry's main building, the Ikce Oyate Christian Center, is a very busy place. The

basement in particular is “the place to be”. This area is used as a dining area, for

community meetings, as an eating and visiting area during wakes and funerals, serves as a

safe “living room” for people to relax, and is the central hub for activities and events for the

Cantemawaste Youth Camps.

Meal time in the basement of the Ikce Oyate Christian Center.

Mato Family Center

The ever increasing usage of the current facility has us looking for space. What a great

“problem”, the need for more room for all those coming here for hope and for a place to be

part of the Family of God. To answer this need, beginning this month we will be

refurbishing the 1,961 square feet of the pole barn that housed the curly horses into the

Mato Family Center. It will be a multi-purpose area that will meet many demands

including serving as the primary activity area for the Cantemawaste Youth Camps. These

camps alone will be attended by over three hundred youth from the community just this

summer alone.

The modification construction will take

place in two phases. This spring the

radiant floor heating system will be

installed so that the concrete floor can then

be poured over top of it at the end of April.

Construction will also take place this

spring to get two functional bathrooms in

place prior to the start of camp. The

second phase will then start this fall after

camp and will involve finishing the walls,

installation of the ceiling, lighting and

insulation. So be the time winter arrives,

the project should be completed!

P AGE 3

Specific Need Update

In the last newsletter the need was made known that due to the growing number of people eating

onsite during the youth camps and throughout the year, there was a need to improve our ability to

store food. Most of those needs have been met! A walk-in freezer was donated, a commercial

upright freezer was purchased at a very good price, and a thousand dollars of donations have been

received toward the purchase of a commercial refrigerator! God’s people are so generous! Thank

you so very much.

Now, we are still “recruiting” for some cooks and kitchen assistants for this summer’s

Cantemawaste Youth Camps. So if you are possibly interested in assisting for a week or more of

camps, please contact us!

When you can drive on the frozen Missouri River it means it is time to have a youth ice fishing contest or just

grab a friend to hug; anything to get one’s mind off the cold and try to stay warm - More photos on the website.

Prayer Points

Praise that the weekly men’s support group attendance is increasing as we are making a more

concerted effort to reach the homeless men in the community.

The Cantemawaste Youth Camps: For many youth to attend this summer with open hearts.

Giving for the remaining $2,000.00 toward a commercial refrigerator

Safe and successful construction this spring on the Mato Family Center

Churches and families to regularly financially support the ministry due to the ever increasing

number of families and youth with needs coming to DWM.

Pray for community action groups, law enforcement, families, and others fighting the rising

drug problem

Simple Ways to Help while Searching Online, Shopping or Dining!

Here's an easy way to raise money for Diamond Willow Ministries. Just start using Yahoo!

powered Goodsearch.com as your search engine and they'll donate about a penny to Diamond

Willow Ministries every time you do a search! In addition, do all of your shopping through their

online shopping mall, Goodshop.com, where you can shop at more than 2,600 top online retailers

and a percentage of your purchases will also go to Diamond Willow Ministries. You pay the same

price as you normally would, but a donation goes to the ministry! You can also enroll in the Good-

dining program. Eat at over 10,000 participating restaurants nationwide and you can earn up to 6%

of every dollar spent on the meal as a donation for the ministry. Here's the web site — http://

www.goodsearch.com/. Just be sure to des-

ignate Diamond Willow Ministries as your

charity of choice when first registering.

CROW CREEK SIOUX RESERVATION

PO Box 438

Fort Thompson

South Dakota 57339

Office:

(605)245-2685

E-mail:

info@d-w-m.org

Website:

www.d-w-m.org

DIAMOND WILLOW MINISTRIES, PO Box 438, Fort Thompson, SD 57339

Before you move, please send the mailing label with a copy of your new address to

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Pierre, SD

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Seeking Comfort From the Cold

This has been one of the coldest winters that has hit the Dakotas

in recent history. Along with the cold comes challenges such as

heating bill increases. Basically all facets of living get much

more difficult. This is the case in particular within the impover-

ished communities of the reservation.

However, in this photo, two young boys, Roland and Evon,

enjoy themselves on a sunny, but cold winter day as they take a

walk on the frozen ice of the Missouri River. They remind us,

that even amidst the challenges of life, whether the harsh

coldness of winter, or the struggles that we all face at times, the

SON can shine and bring warmth and comfort. It is this message

of the hope and peace of Jesus Christ that is at the core of our

message.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” - Jesus Christ from

Matthew 11:28 Thank you, “wopida tanka” once again for your prayers, thoughts, and all the

many ways that you help bring the Son to a cold land.

May, “The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you.” Numbers 6:25