South Dakota Mission

A little known secret in our country is that we have a third-world living environment right here the United States…the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Many of the Oglala/Lakota people live without running water, indoor plumbing, which means outhouses are still being used. In some areas there is only one well that is used by up to four households. Water then must be carried from the well to each house. The winters in South Dakota can be very harsh. And heating is a REAL problem. Many of these families either go without heat or use unsafe methods to simply keep warm.

Only after visiting the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation can you truly understand these living conditions.

For more information about the Oglala/Lakota click here.

It is our heart to reach the Oglala/Lakota people that live within this reservation with the hope of Jesus Christ.

Over the last 15 years Ireena & Scott Keeslar have been ministering to these people by assisting them with their physical needs first; such as clothing, food, household items, building projects, and home repairs. It has been the Keeslar’s vision to apply Matthew 25:32-40 as they reach out to the Oglala/Lakota people.

32All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats.
33And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.
34Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in;
36I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’
37“Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink?
38When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You?
39Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’
40And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’

Because of the failed and unbiblical attempts by other organizations to share the Gospel with the Oglala/Lakota people, they are extrememly apprehensive of the “white man” and the “white man’s god”. You and I would feel the same if we were beaten for speaking our own language and forced to leave our families at a young age to go to boarding schools. At these boarding schools children were raped and killed at the hands of those who claimed to know God.This is the single reason that God has lead us to apply Matthew 25:32-40 as we minister to the Oglala/Lakota people. As James said…If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? It would be easy for us to go to the reservation, as many others have, and simply “tell” the people about Jesus. Our desire is to SHOW them the love of God tangibly. We have found that by meeting the Oglala/Lakota people’s physical needs, a trust is established that in turn allows us to share Jesus with them.

Since 1992 the Keeslar’s have been making trips to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in an effort to establish a lasting relationship with the Oglala/Lakota people. During these trips the Keeslar’s made contacts in many areas of the reservation as well as brought needed supplies. Some doors were closed while our Father opened others to lead us to where we are today.

In 1998 Messiah Fellowship joined the Keeslar’s for the first time on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. A few familes, along with Ireena & Scott, planned a day of eating and activities for the community of Manderson. A deck was also built for a family.

From 1999 to 2006 there were a number of trips made to the reservation that made it possible for the next organized mission from Messiah Fellowship.

Then in 2006 the Keeslar’s accompanied by eight other families from Messiah Fellowship went to the Pine Ridge Reservation. During this trip many needed home repairs were made. New floors, skirting for a mobile home, plumbing, heating, a porch with entryway, and outhouses were just some of the work that was done. Each day a vacation Bible school was provided for the children in the community. Worship services were also a focal part of this mission. During this trip we became aware of MANY other needs throughout the Pine Ridge Reservation that we couldn’t help with due to lack of equipment, finances, and time. Also we became keenly aware of the extreme spiritual warfare that takes place on the Pine Ridge Reservation.

Most recently, in June of 2007, a smaller group from Messiah Fellowship went and finished projects that had been started the year before. Carpeting was the main project that we focused on.

There are a number of pictures available of the Land, the People, and the Mission.

The Future…

Ultimately, the LORD has given us vision for a church to be planted on the Pine Ridge Reservation. We have already been offered a piece of property for this to take place. Thankfully, the LORD has provided a family with the same vision. This has allowed us to make great progress to see the reality of this vision.

We are currently planning a trip this coming Spring, 2008. There are many needs for this trip.

  • First and foremost…please be praying for the Lakota people and for those of us who will be going on this trip.
  • We have a goal to take 2 freezers of meat. (Venison, beef, chicken, or fish.)
  • Canned vegetables and fruit, rice, potatoes, WHOLE wheat flour, raw honey, lentils, dried beans, and fruit juices.
    • We will only accept healthy foods. The government issued food that they receive is extremely unhealthy and diabetes is VERY high because of this.
  • Shampoo, soap, deodorant, lotion, toilet paper, paper towels, garbage bags, feminine products, and diapers.
    • Monetary donations are appreciated for these items as it’s easier to simply purchase them on location.
  • A large tandem axle trailer with brakess
  • The cost to drive to the reservation is $1000 in fuel ALONE and there are numerous other expenses as well.
    • Any and all financial donations are appreciated and are 100% tax deductible.