“When You Did It to the Least of These”
Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me! (Matthew 25:37-40)
As winter approaches and temperatures begin to drop, the need for warm clothing becomes especially urgent for families living on or near the reservation. This year, Pierre Wesleyan Lakota Chapel, together with Crossroads Wesleyan Church in Rapid City, hosted a coat giveaway on the reservation—an outreach meant to offer warmth, comfort, and a reminder that God sees and cares for every person.
God has blessed us with partners who help us meet the unique needs in these communities. Indian Bike Week in Wisconsin our donates backpacks, school supplies, and funds that allow us to purchase coats and other essential items. Throughout the year, I keep an eye on clearance racks for coats, hats, gloves, and other needs. Crossroads Wesleyan Church partnered with us this year to allowed us to serve the community in an even greater way.
In our second visit to the Black Kettle and Corn Creek communities this August, we enjoyed a community meal where every child excitedly picked out a new backpack filled with school supplies, baskets of personal care items, and household necessities. Early in the morning, we loaded our pickup and trailer. We arrived around 10:30 a.m., the prairie glowing amber under the warm fall sun. Four eagles circled above—a sign of goodwill to the Lakota people. The community center finally appeared in the distance, where a few young men and girls were already waiting to help us unload.
Families began arriving as soon as we began carrying things inside. The hall quickly filled with energy and gratitude. Parents and grandparents picked out coats, hats, and gloves for their children while volunteers prepared chili dogs, chips, fruit, and cookies. Before the meal, my husband Tito made the dinner call. The room fell quiet as we introduced the volunteers and gave thanks to the Lord for His abundant grace and provision. Everyone stood, hats came off, and heads bowed. It was a sacred moment of unity. When we finished praying, the room erupted again with laughter and conversation as everyone lined up to eat.
During the meal, we held drawings for door prizes, which brought smiles from both young and old. Afterward, we took the cake walk outside, and the joy on everyone’s faces—children and elders alike—made the whole day feel like a celebration of community and care.
As the event wound down, people gathered their coats and belongings, and I felt the familiar tug to slow down and listen. An elderly woman approached me and shared that she was facing serious health challenges. When I asked if I could pray for her, she immediately said yes. She was deeply grateful for the prayers.
Before leaving, I noticed an older man sitting by himself near the door. I sat down beside him, thanked him for being with us, and asked about his life. When I offered prayer, he removed his hat and agreed. I asked if he had a specific request. He said softly, “I would like you to pray for me—for forgiveness.” I reminded him that this is exactly why Jesus came, so that we could be forgiven and restored. My husband joined us as we prayed together. When we finished, the man said something that broke my heart: “All my life, no one has ever prayed for me that I know of.”
That moment reminded me that beyond coats, food, and activities, what people long for most is connection—someone to see them, listen to them, and remind them that God has not forgotten them. That day, coats found new homes, stomachs were filled, children laughed, and hearts were touched. But more importantly, the community experienced love, dignity, and the presence of God.
Our coat giveaway is just one small step toward building a warmer, more supportive community. We are already planning future events and praying about how to address ongoing needs such as food insecurity and furniture. We welcome others to join us, knowing that every act of kindness—big or small—can change a life.
With God’s help, together we can continue bringing hope, comfort, and connection to the reservation—one coat, backpack, gift, or prayer at a time.
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Rev. Cheryl Arguello pastors with her husband, Tito, at Lakota Chapel in Pierre, SD. An enrolled member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, she came to Christ at 16 and has spent her life ministering in Native communities, including co-founding the Cornerstone Rescue Mission in 1982. Cheryl pursued ministry training through FLAME and online courses and was ordained in 2016. She carries a calling to share God’s hope and love. Cheryl cherishes time with her large family and enjoys making traditional Star Quilts. Her Lakota name is Woape Waste Win—“Woman Who Gives Hope.”
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