My Personal Adventure Leaving Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Reservation: Day #3-Sunday, December 4th 2016

Good morning (Sunday, December 4th 2017) from Rosebud Camp! I had a great 8+ hours of sleep as I slept much better compared the night before due to various factors (e.g. didn't use a blanket that I forgot I had in my storage tote, 1st night, getting used to cold weather, etc..) . As I was taking pics of the camp before leaving, there was the daily morning prayer along Canon River across from me at Oceti ..

Standing Rock: Day #3 -Leaving Rosebud Camp (Sun. Dec. 4th 16')

As I was leaving, I met a college student (lady) that was just arriving. She goes to college in New York, but is originally from Florida. This was a common thing here as people come and go. As I drove off, I was a little happy to go home, but also sad to leave this place that became a temporary home for me.

*see more pics from the camps at Standing Rock on North Dakota: Standing Rock or https://www.facebook.com/SalPhotoVideography/

As I left Rosebud Camp...I saw flocks of people and cars coming north to Oceti..

I drove back to the area close to Sacred Heart Camp to drop some "extra stuff" (e.g. clothing, food, etc..) at the church I was trying to connect with prior to the trip. I wanted to bless the folks of this reservation through them whether or not they were for or against this #IStandforStandingRock . Here is the video I took as I left to South Dakota from here (Canon Falls, North Dakota)..

Road Trip Vlog Pt. 3: Driving from Standing Rock Sioux Reservation's Cannon Ball to SE Region ND

As I was getting close to the ND border, I saw a pick-up truck off the side of the highway from the opposite direction. I decided to stop and be a "good" Samaritan to help this young "Native" man. A lady (Caucasian) who stopped by also tried to help and offered her phone, so he can contact his friend to help him. Unfortunately, his friend didn't answer. Thus, we decided to help him. A guy (Caucasian) from Tennessee happen to be driving by, which he offered his help to pull this young man's truck that was stuck in the snow off the highway. The young man had a tow rope, but broke off during our 1st attempt. I ran back to my car and got my tow rope and tried again. I somewhat helped by pushing his truck as it was being pulled. Praise the Lord! We were all able to help this young man and he drove by me to say thank you as we all departed our own ways (see video above as I explained).

"Border between North & South Dakota"

South Dakota

It was a beautiful drive through Standing Rock Sioux Tribal Reservation this early Sunday morning (December 4th 2017), which I enjoyed the scenery and quiet time with God (listened to Christian radio).

Road Trip Vlog Pt. 4: Driving from NE Region SD to SE Mobridge SD

As I was leaving the reservation and getting close to Mobridge, South Dakota. I was listening intently to NPR (National Public Radio) on one of the tribal leaders' interview on the situation on Standing Rock. Feel free to listen to it on the video above.

*see more pics of South Dakota: Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Reservation or

It was 10:30ish in the morning and I decided to find a "local church" to attend Sunday morning service in Mobridge..

I found Family Life Church as I was drawn by the name and found it via "google search" GPS app on my phone. When I came in, the people were very friendly. I then went to the bathroom to wash up, which was the first time in 3 days to do so..hehe! It felt great using "warm" water! As I chatted with some people there, they seem to back off every time I told them I was visiting Standing Rock. It seem like it was a controversial topic, which I expected it'll be prior to this trip and anticipating the same feedback when I go "home" (Morris, MN). Thanks for reading and feel free to check my facebook pics above for updated "edited" posts and your welcome to see my other album -> Road Trip: Morris MN to Standing Rock SD & other blogs on the many topics from this trip-ongoing movement!

Please continue to lift all these local, domestic/national, and global events (#standingrock #nodapl #nosabal) related to the growing number of pipeline construction and global events (e.g. Middle East, Syria, Russia, etc..) overall. God bless! Good News Ministry
https://www.facebook.com/groups/313230752154108/

My Personal Adventure Visit to Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Reservation: Day #1 -Friday, December 2nd 2016

I was contemplating whether or not on going to Standing Rock Sioux Indian Reservation for over a week. I made a blog early August called- Neutral Perspective: Dakota Access pipeline project’s Pros & Cons goodnewseverybodycom.wordpress.com , which the number of "views" was the largest (130 at the time before I left on my road trip). After the unfortunate "Civil-rights" like abuse that friends on facebook was posting, I felt the "need" to want to see this historical event going "next door" myself in person. Also, I had many other reasons (e.g. dream of two "W's" in a cloud formation in a bright blue sky, which I feel like I saw the interpretation after my trip. I'll be sharing this in Part #3 of this continuous blog). I decided to just "step in faith" on Friday, December 2nd 2016. After watching and reading about this movement, I wanted to see myself with my own eyes after getting so much traffic on my blog ( Neutral Perspective: Dakota Access pipeline project’s Pros & Cons goodnewseverybodycom.wordpress.com).

Friday, December 2nd 2016: I left a little after 9ish in the morning after packing my car with all my "necessities". The driving conditions between the eastern SD-MN border and the town of was a little slick

, which slowed my travel destination time. I didn't arrive in Mobridge, SD (southeastern border town of Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Reservation) till 2:15ish (an hour or so later than expected). Other factors was due to some breaks, such as getting meals at Walmart in Aberdeen, South Dakota.

When I got to Mobridge, I took my time driving through as I was curious about the town. I even drove off from main street to check out the neighborhoods..

I then stopped at the Burger King parking lot to get out and take pictures of the Missouri River..

Road Trip Vlog: Mobridge to Standing Rock Sioux Reservation

It was a beautiful view!

I didn't get to the actual reservation until I went on the Highway 12 overpass bridge across the Missouri River..

I did some reading prior to my trip and wanted to visit the Sitting Bull Memorial..

I couldn't stay long as I marveled the scenery as the winter days are short, so I went back on the road to travel north to Cannon Ball. Along the way, I gained an hour as I drove through the daylights saving time zone. When I went a little back east again from McLaughlin ..

While stopping here at a gas station, I ran into this elderly native. He tried to speak to me, but it wasn't in English. I thought it was cool to hear his "tribal" language. I just smiled and walked to the restroom. I notice the price of gas ($2.45) was the highest along this road trip. I would later find out that it might've been raised to prevent outsiders traveling to the "protest" site.

I continued the beautiful scenic drive up north on Highway 24 towards Fort Yates and accidentally took a detour drive around the town. I realized I was going the wrong way, so I went back to 24 and continued north to Cannon Ball.

Before reaching the campsite, I saw the church that I found online that I contacted prior to my trip...

I met one of the caretakers (Peter) and would chat about my trip. He shared how the pastor wasn't feeling well, so I ended up asking if I can pray together with him for the pastor. He accepted and we prayed. I brought extra food, so I decided to donate some to the church before heading to the camp to see if they need some more there too.

I finally arrived at the campsite around 4:20ish. The first camp was Sacred Camp..

When I got there, I was met by a gatekeeper telling me rules of the camp, which I then drove in and found a spot. However, I didn't feel it was a great spot as there were no nearby bathrooms or community . I then drove out and decided to look for another camp, which I read about the others. However, the sun was getting close to setting, so I went back. As I was driving to the camp entrance, a new gatekeeper told me that the roads are going to get icy and might be slipper to get up the hill by tomorrow morning if I leave. I decided to look for another camp, so I drove further north on 24 towards Cannon Ball River..

I arrived at Sicangu Camp or Rosebud according to the locals I camped with there..

This was going to be my home for the weekend :)

As I drove through Rosebud, I was looking for a place to "camp". I found one just across a couple of porta potties along the river. I parked next to this car, but never had the chance to meet my neighbor as he drove off the following morning. This would become a regular pattern as people came and go. I took a pic from where I set up "camp" and marveled the beauty as the sun started to set..

.. I decided to walk around and bring a bag of snacks to hand out to people. I didn't walk too far and some young lady offered me one as she too was carrying a bag of snacks. I felt welcomed immediately as people would greet me and many would even say "welcome brother". I walked towards the entrance of the camp to the highway entrance and then veered along the pedestrian path on the bridge towards Oceti Sakowin Camp. As I entered the camp, I started chatting with a group of young Natives (teens or older?). I greeted them and they welcomed by saying "your Native" now! I then walked towards the big tent (a.k.a. largest sweat lodge) where they reportedly had a schedule of events (e.g. meetings for non violent protest).I then walked around and saw a group of people around this "stage" area...

There was someone on a mic most of the time making announcements or someone doing a performance. Across them, there was some people sitting around a fire and praying. Adjacent to the stage was a place to get hot drinks and some food ("kitchen"). I would hang out there and I wasn't sure what else to do. Awhile later, they announced they needed volunteer at the "carpentry shop" to help build tents for the incoming 2,000+/- expected U.S. Veterans. I heard about them coming this weekend, which I read in numerous social media reports and articles. I decided to go there and join to "do something"....

When I got there, a young man gave us instructions and we just started building these 4'x4' floor sections to be used. We had plenty of volunteers and we worked so fast that they told us to slow down and ended up stopping for awhile.

I decided to go and check out the "stage" for any updates in the evening. While watching-listening to the various speakers, I chatted with some young ladies besides me. They drove all the way from Ohio. They told me they are staying at a tent that their friend left for them as he left to go home after being at the camp for awhile. I would later learned that these camps had people come and go and people would take turns "fortifying" each other's camp. We would all walk back together to our camp as we were just a short distance from each other at Rosebud. I ate a late supper that evening (around 9ish) in my car and would try to go to bed. I had so much "stuff" in my back seat that I wasn't able to sit back comfortably. I ended up having a long night as I just didn't sleep well from 10ish to 8ish. I was hoping to get up at 6ish to attend a prayer along the Cannon Ball River on the other side (Oceti Sakowin Camp), but just didn't. I was awaken throughout the night and early morning. Around 6ish, a helicopter would hover both camp sites back and forth. I learned this from social media, so I turned off my smartphone to avoid of being tracked.

To be continued (as time permits for me to write)...Part 2!

Good News Circle of Tribes
https://www.facebook.com/groups/535034003207122/

July 2016

My July started with a 1 1/2 week vacation, which I started my 1st full day off by going to an evening concert (Johnny Holm) with friends..

I deliver papers with clients in my regular ft-job, so we decided to do it on Saturday since Monday was a holiday. Unfortunately, the door to the local paper was closed, so I decided to ride my bike at the local park after dropping off the work vehicle. I took a lot of video and pics of various birds along the bike trails.

Later on, I would drive to Albertville Outlet shopping mall with a couple of friends. On our way, we stopped at Starbuck to check out some planes during a fly-in breakfast at their airport. On our way back from Albertville, we drove to Lake Maria State Park along I-94, which I 've always wanted to check it out after passing the sign of this state park many times. We timed it to head back and stop at Starbuck again for their annual fireworks show.

I would take advantage of our week vacation by going to the cities to spend time with family-friends in St. Paul. I would watch the fireworks through my parent's backyard patio screen as I watched other firework show "live" on t.v. My nephew had baseball practice at Battle Creek Elementary School, so I joined him, my brother, and his teammates. I ended up playing soccer with this young boy (Somali) playing nearby as his mom watched.

It was the annual big summer "Prairie Pioneer Days" in our town (Morris), which I went with some friends to a a rock concert in town. They had fireworks in the background, which made the venue more interesting. I got a free drum stick when the drummer threw several at the crowd towards the end. It capped the evening for me!

The following day, I would attend my favorite pancake feed and watched a little of the parade from my house during the afternoon. It was a great weekend before I had to go back to work the next day after a 1 1/2 week vacation.

One of the karaoke songs I did this month was Annie's Tomorrow, along with many theme parody songs from church worship-praise music: Come & Let your "peace" (parody from "presence" & NO longer a slave to...."anger" (parody from "fear"). I ended up sharing a short 10 minute message at church (Sunday, July 17th) about these parodies, which we can change the wording and fit/declare (in Jesus' name as spiritual warfare) our own personal life challenges or circumstance in life.

"Lord give us a New Song..."

I took advantage of the nice "hot" summer weather by going swimming at Glacial Lake with a couple of co-workers after work on Tuesday, July 26th. I was able to build enough confidence to swim past the swimming area and go as far deep out shore. I was hoping to do it more as "fresh" water is a lot better than "indoor" chlorinated water!-> see Health: Be more safe in Swimming Pools? goodnewshealthandfitness.wordpress.com

On Thursday, July 28th-we had the first of many weekly soccer/futbol pick-up games in Morris. We met for the first time at the UMM soccer field and it was fairly hot (80's)!

My friends who had the last weekend off from work, joined me on a road-trip up the North Shore on Saturday, July 30th ..

Gooseberry Falls State Park Visit (July 30th 2016)

and the South Shore-Wisconsin- side & Michigan: Upper Peninsula the following day (Sunday, July 31st 2016)