Lustre News

Today [Sept. 11] is Patriot Day, and LCHS honored the first responders of extended communities. The volleyball games at LCHS tonight were begun with a moment of silence in memory of the 3,000 of our countrymen who lost their lives on 9/11, 2001, and Randy Reddig prayed for families who lost loved ones in that attack on our country. It is a reminder that freedom must be defended. A total of 343 firefighters, 72 police officers, 55 military personal and 2,507 civilians perished on this day, 25 years ago.

Harvest was stopped by an 1.3 inches of rain on Monday, Labor Day, between 6 and 9:30 a.m. The roads have rough areas with washing. Rain came again on Friday morning. Road workers were called to repair the Frazer-Richland Road.

The MB Harvest Festival will be Oct. 4-6, starting with a 10:30 a.m. Sunday service. Former MB Pastor Jay Epp is the speaker. A 1:30 p.m. service follows lunch. Monday and Tuesday evening services begin at 7 p.m. All are welcome.

Evan Cummins, our new LCHS principal, grew up in Poplar. He gave his story at the opening program Aug. 30. He called it “His Prodigal Story.” He is the son of Pastor and Mrs. Jay Cummins of Poplar. He said, “PK’s are the worst at times. Keep them in your prayers.” He said, “I felt I was competing with ministry for attention, as my dad was away so often on ministry. By age 11, I wanted to rebel against my mom, my authority at home when dad was away.”

He said, “It’s stupid, but I chose to smoke and, by 12, took marijuana and started to steal from people to be able to do drugs. I started delivering drugs for the supplier because I couldn’t afford the drugs. But nothing gave me peace or was satisfying. One night, trying to celebrate a victory in sports over Plentywood, a friend and I got high on ‘the stuff’ we had been delivering, though we didn’t know what it was. Later we learned it was angel dust. I started hallucinating, scratching and had to make myself breathe. My dad was away. My mom stayed at my bedside all night. She said I stopped breathing twice and my cold skin went purple. She prayed all night for me to live. She believed God could help me. When I came to in the morning, the walls looked funny – out of proportion ... The next nine months were really bad. My concentration was too bad to pay attention and I had to have people repeat things. It was a dark time and I isolated myself.

“I was convinced that I was brain damaged. It was a dark, dark time. I kept thinking ‘I’m broken. I’m broken. Angel dust cause holes in the three-dimensional perception. Everything was the wrong size. I could no longer see in three dimensions and that affected my ability to play sports. A book looked bigger than the person holding it. All the walls in a room met in the same corner. I became depressed and suicidal. I was only 14-15 years old. How could I mess it up so bad? I had made it to divisional in cross country, winning fourth place with a high jump of 5 feet, 11 inches. But I didn’t want to go.

“The youth group at my church was going to a retreat in Canada. I felt pressure to go to the divisional, and less pressure to go to the church retreat. I chose the retreat because it was less pressure. In the lobby of the hotel we stayed in, children were playing with joy in simple shoes that lit up. I felt jealous of these kids. Have you ever felt like a prisoner in your own mind? That’s how I felt. These children were freer than I was.”

Turning to the students, Cummins advised, “Guard your innocence. It is precious.” Returning to his story, he said “I went to the meeting at the youth retreat, but couldn’t concentrate until the speaker asked, ‘Do you want another chance at life?’ Yes! I tried to go up to talk to him right then, but was asked to sit back down. I used to watch Bible stories, and here I am in complete total despair. I wasn’t at the retreat to play games. I wanted help. I knew if I didn’t find help soon I would give up. The ushers who had asked me to sit down before, now came to say it was ok to go forward now. When I got to the front I called on the name of Jesus in prayer, and confessed my sins. Before I finished praying, it felt like hot oil was pouring over my head. In a moment my mind was healed! When I needed God to show up for me and show me love, heal and restore me, He did! I know One Who can heal someone with brain problems. God is real to me. I’ve been writing songs ever since.”

He introduced his wife, Crystal, and two of his children who are attending LGS and LCHS.

Cummins went on to graduate from high school and Trinity Bible College in Ellendale, N.D., with a BA in Bible and BA in business administration. He obtained his masters in education and administration from Rocky Mountain College in Billings and his teacher’s certificate from University of Montana - Western at Dillon. He teaches the Bible classes, info technology and coaches the cross country team.

The LGS Junior High volleyball team hosted a triangular volleyball tournament with North Country and Frontier School on Saturday, Sept 5. It was great to watch the games and see the good effort on behalf of all the ages playing. Tuesday evening, the LGS junior high and LCHS varsity played Wolf Point JV. Both teams won their matches in three games each. The volleys were great and the teams worked hard for their points. Several times the Wolf Point team tied the LCHS varsity so the games were exciting. Then, on Friday, they played Nashua at home, winning their match 2-1. Starting players were Bryanna Allen, Brielle Keller, Aubrey Klatt, Maycie Fast, Nancy Schiller and Hannah Pankratz.