Through their “Dakota Sonshine” ministry, South Carolinians Don and Teena Lykins are answering a call to take the gospel to Native Americans in South Dakota.
Originally from Rock Hill, the Lykins took a mission trip to the Lake Traverse Indian Reservation in Sisseton, S.D., and were moved by the spiritual and physical poverty of the people on the reservation. After they returned home, Don said they could think of nothing but the people’s needs. “God just really pricked our hearts for the people,” he said.
After several more trips to South Dakota, the family decided to leave their home and move to the reservation. Lykins took a voluntary furlough from US Airways, where he had worked for 15 years. The Lykinses received cross-cultural missionary training. They acquired a secondhand Airstream travel trailer and moved to a South Dakota village named Enemy Swim.
Their first year was spent building relationships and trust with the people. Lykins said they had to battle racism and said that many of the people in the neighboring towns still don’t appreciate their attempts to reach those living on the reservation.
Nonetheless, Lykins sought to bring Native American and white children together. It was then that he had the idea to start a camp. Dakota Sonshine was born.
Lykins bought an old unfinished building. The upstairs was converted into the family’s living quarters. The downstairs was fashioned into a dining hall and chapel. A parcel of land located in front of the building became available, which added 27 acres of land to the property. Bunkhouses have been built on the additional acreage.
The ministry’s property now features hiking trails, a ropes course, an archery range, and a zip line named the “Leap of Faith.” The zip line was built by members of the Camp McCall staff. Camp McCall, a South Carolina Baptist Convention camp for RAs located in Sunset, has sent interns to the reservation to assist in the camp’s development and will send more in the future. Also, members of Rock Springs Baptist Church in Easley volunteered to work on two buildings this past summer.
The Lykinses have been able to start a church plant on the reservation. Dakota Sonshine Christian Fellowship holds services on Sunday mornings and evenings and has youth group on Wednesday evenings. The church averages about 40 in attendance.
VBS-style day camps have been held, with 30-40 children attending. Three-day camps are in the works for next summer. When all the buildings are completed, full-week camps will be offered.
Since the beginning, discipleship has been at the heart of the Lykinses’ ministry. Lykins said the family has taken a special interest in showing people their true identities in Christ. A main focus is relationship evangelism.
Lykins hopes a shower house will be completed in time for next summer’s camps. Reliable transportation is another need. Because many children live a great distance from the camp, he wants to bring the church to them. As funds allow, he is working to convert a used school bus into a mobile Sunday school classroom.
He said his family requests prayer for spiritual protection and for the continued advancement of the gospel.
It is “amazing how God uses nobodies to do great things,” Lykins said.
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