YWAM Native American First Nations DTS

Volunteer champions making a real difference

admin — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 00:49:22 +0000

“Do you ever have need for adult volunteers” the short message sent via our website asked!

Responding to the request, we listed a few areas where our ministry can make use of volunteer workers. We also asked about particular our responders areas of interest . During our email exchange we found out that Marc is a professional photographer and his wife Jill a nurse. This gave rise to a few more ideas how they could contribute and led to their first visit in Kamiah during the annual Looking Glass Pow-Wow. Marc began to take pictures, listened to suggestions and thought deeper about what could be done.

Several weeks later he contacted us again, to see if he could come with all his equipment and cameras to do a professional photo shoot for any Nez Perce Tribal members who might be interested. We began contacting the local tribal Community Center and they graciously entered into partnership with us to provide the place for shooting the pictures and helping promote the event. Emails were sent, calls where made, facebook announcements posted, and on Nov. 5 and 6, Marc and Jill took 374 different images of a a number of Nez Perce people, some dressed casually, some in regalia. One re-known Choctaw artist, Roger Amerman, had his beadwork photographed, which had just recently been returned to him from the Smithsonian

As part of Marc’s service, he offered a free print to each person or family and all his images will be made available to individual participants on a CD, making it possible for them to have them printed for Christmas cards, sent in emails or posted on facebook and webpages by their owners, without the expenses and restrictions of a regular commercial shoot.

All in all a great blessing to all participants, who expressed their gratefulness to Marc at the photo shoot.

Take a look at Marc’s great work and “like” his facebook page. (Check back soon for a link to some of the images taken here)

We hope Marc and Jill’s generous example encourages or reminds you of something you can contribute to make a real difference in the lives of people. What could you contribute? Consider your gifts, interests, talents, or simply the willingness to give some of your time or resources. Whether it is through our ministry or the many other possible avenues of involvement, you can make a difference with what you have been given for others!

If you have a question, how you can possibly assist our local work, feel free to contact us with your suggestions. There are things that can be done even without being physically present at our location.

(Photograph, Courtesy of Marc Walters Photography)

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50 Years Later-YWAM is still innovating

admin — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 00:37:00 +0000

YWAM Still Innovating Mission Work

Loren Cunningham’s vision first took shape in 1960. Fifty years later, nearly 4.5 million people have been involved in Youth With A Mission.

“God called us tor break some norms, and change the paradigm of missions. Although we didn’t know what all that meant, we were used to do the radical. When YWAM was founded, people didn’t think missionaries were anything but westerners speaking to non-westerners under a shade tree, often with a pith helmet. That was never what God thought!” (Loren Cunningham)

“We have always recognized that it takes everyone and that God has uniquely made different people. We are called to release young people into their destiny. Our focus is to develop potential in others.” (Darlene Cunningham)

“God is willing to use ordinary people of all backgrounds! He is no respecter of nationalities, color of skin, or background. He is willing to use anyone.”

“All Nations are sending Nations, they all have the Great Commission in their Bible, no matter what language they read it in. We need each other desperately. At this point, YWAM is a majority non-western mission! It is an incredible experience to see the riches of Jesus revealed through the human creation, blended together in this adventure that we have experienced in these last 50 years.” (John Dawson)

At the final 50th Anniversary celebration in Hawaii, one participant described her feeling like being at a United Nations event because of the over 100 nationalities present.

“It has been an enormous privilege of blowing the bugle and we have been honored and humbled by what God has done. Her certainly is the “wave maker.”

This video segment about YWAM’s 50 anniversary was shown on CBN. We trust it will encourage and challenge you to get involved. He wants you, He loves you, He likes you!

You can find much more information, pictures, videos and a sampling of the international music from and by YWAMers: YWAM Music (Check out “Warriors come home,” ”I’m calling you home,” and “Shout it out loud” by June Mataia for sounds of the Pacific Islands.

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Maverick Flying Car

admin — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 06:30:46 +0000

October 13, 2010 – Steve Saint (Son of Nate Saint) of I-TEC drove his road-legal flying car from Florida to Oshkosh, probably the largest Air-show in the world to exhibit its capabilities. Since then the FAA has also issued the Maverick a S-LSA aircraft airworthiness certificate. I-TEC hopes to be in production by EAA Oshkosh 2011.

As Steve shares in the short video, the Maverick Flying Car was developed to primarily serve humanitarian and mission applications.

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Natives captivate German Hearts

admin — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 22:12:24 +0000

…When the wind of the Spirit blows, Warrior, come on and ride the wind…”

Robert Soto, Lipan-Apache, protocols the Mayor of Altensteig

The words sung by Broken Walls and accompanied by a powerful drumbeat are thundering from the massive speakers in the horse arena serving as concert venue. Colorful Traditional, Fancy, and Feather dancer’s busts into the arena, as hundreds of German’s give rousing applause. This scene was repeated at several other major venues, often with hundreds of visitors each, coming from near and far to see the “Indianer” from North America. The team performed at churches in Herborn and Altensteig, at City Halls, at a well-known area restaurant, at a “House of Blues,” music pub, a water castle, and various other locations.

Visitors anticipated seeing Native people in their colorful regalia, hearing music that included pow-wow style drumming and the

A very interested crowd in Haiterbach

more contemporary sounds and music of “Broken Walls.” They were not disappointed. It was evident again that there is great interest in Native people from North America in Germany and all over Europe. But cultural exchange was not the only purpose of the team’s trip to Germany. They also came to share parts of their history, including the often horrendous results of abuse, mistreatment by the majority culture, neglect, alcoholism and drug abuse and the healing that they experienced by coming to know Jesus their Creator in a personal way, helping them overcome devastation and hardships.

Klaus-Peter with Broken Walls

Dancing for Creator from YWAM Native Ministries on Vimeo. A native person having experienced so many hardships but having found freedom in Christ is a powerful and believable witness to European people while sharing their beautiful and varied cultures. Is this possibly part of their destiny in the Lord? We believe that the words first spoken by the Prophet Isaiah to Israel also apply to Native people: “…their descendants shall be known among the nations.” Isaiah 61:9 Jonathan Maracle, widely traveled leader of Broken Walls stated that the country that printed the first Bible is especially on his heart. He said:

“We came here to remind Germans of the message of God’s love they helped bring to us in the first place

Interview by German ERF TV

and have largely forgotten themselves.”

“In the past, First Nations people were either completely assimilated into European culture, or they reacted against it and it’s religion,” said Maracle. “But God didn’t make a mistake when he created our native cultures. Jesus came to conquer sin, not culture. We were made ashamed of our culture.

But now, as native people we reach out for restoration, to all European peoples with the message of Jesus.”

“We love the responses we previously enjoyed in Europe and the enthusiastic reception the music of our native culture has received and we look forward to make new friends.”

Here are a few reactions the team received.

A young lady was moved by the music and dance of the team. Members of the German organizing team are working with her, introducing her to life in fellowship with Jesus and other Followers of Christ.

Native team members keep receiving encouraging news via email and facebook about how their lives were changed by the words they shared and the gospel of Jesus Christ.

A young couple has begun their journey to know and grow closer to Jesus

Several other concert participants are taking part in the basic discipleship courses of the church

One mother wrote that her son listens to the CD’s the teams brought,…”he listens to the songs up and down…and dances to the music, making the whole house shake.”

The Team

Broken Walls (Jonathan Maracle – Mohawk, Vocals, Guitar, Mohawk Wind flute, Bill Pagaran – Tlingit, Drums, Kris DeLorenzi – Bass, Vocals) For more information about Broken Walls, their music CD’s and DVD and other products here Created to Dance (Robert Soto - Lipan Apache, Fancy Dancer, Homer Hinojosa - Lipan Apache/Cherokee/Blackfoot, Fancy Dancer, Trey Adams - Lipan Apache, Southern Traditional Dancer, Orena Monahan - Quechan, Jingle/Fancy Shawl Dancer, Erika Monaham Quechan, Fancy Shawl Dancer, Chelsea Flores – Lipan Apache, Southern Traditional Dancer) More information about Created to Dance, their music CD’s etc. here This tour was made possible by a very dedicated, generous, and hardworking team of organizers in Germany. We are all very thankful for their vision and tireless work to make it possible for the team to share their culture and faith in Jesus.

Warrior, Ride the Wind from YWAM Native Ministries on Vimeo.

Jingle, Fancy Shawl, Southern Traditional, Traditional, Feather Dancers (Created to Dance) enter the arena at Altensteig, Germany to Broken Walls singing “Warrior, Ride the Wind.”

Dancing for Creator from YWAM Native Ministries on Vimeo.

Broken Walls and Created to Dance share their beautiful culture through song and dance with the German people in Haitersbach and Nagold

Beautiful Feet from YWAM Native Ministries on Vimeo.

Created to Dance members joining the Music of Broken Walls. “Beautiful are the feet of those who proclaim Good News.”

Indianweek 2010 Deutschland from YWAM Native Ministries on Vimeo.

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YWAMers welcomed by Hereditary Chief Big Swan in Canada

admin — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 23:57:06 +0000

September 12 – 14, 2010

Gathered from across Western Canada and Northwestern USA in the foothills of Alberta, 200 YWAMers were welcomed by hereditary Chief Big Swan of the Peigan Tribe of the Blackfoot Nation to his tribal lands. In the opening session of YWAM’s 50th anniversary celebration, Chief Big Swan and his wife, Delores, shared the story of their people, singing, drumming and blowing the shofar as an invitation to the Spirit of God to be with us during our gathering. We came together united under the greatest Chief of all, Jesus.

“Chiefs” Loren & Darlene Cunningham were honored with gifts and welcomed to the Blackfoot Nation. They responded with thanks and appreciation to the First Nations people of this land. Read more…

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Native Messengers for Jesus

admin — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 21:18:29 +0000

A small group of wonderful German friends have diligently and competently organized an outreach for a Native and First Nations Dance Team to Germany. Not only that, they have raised the funds for the airline tickets for the team of ten members and will also provide all housing, meals and transportation while in Germany.

Their intent is to offer an opportunity for cultural exchange and the sharing of the Good News of God’s kingdom through their beautiful dances, music, and art. From July 16 through August 2, 2010 we (Volkhard & Marianne) are privileged to accompany the team in our home country, with the great hope that our Native friends will be able to reach many Germans with their unique gifts and talents.

The team is made up of “Broken Walls,” a professional Native group, led by Jonathan Maracle (Mohawk) that is well known throughout Canada and the United States. They have performed at many different locations in North America and Europe, such as URBANA, published a number of CD’s, a DVD and won “Aboriginal Peoples Choice Awards for their recordings. Besides Broken Walls, a colorful team of Hoop, Fancy, Traditional, and Shawl Dancers from the Southwestern US, led by Robert Soto, (Lipan Apache) will be part of the team.

They will perform at three large open-air venues to which the organizers expect hundreds of people each, as well as several church services and other venues. You will be able to find updated information about the team at www.indianweek.de For those who might be in the area, we would like to extend our invitation to join us for colorful, exciting performances. If you you know others who might be interested, please forward this information to them.

Indianweek Program, German (PDF, 6.7 MB)

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Let The Walls Fall Down

admin — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 02:40:46 +0000

The piece of concrete in front of me, smudged with paint of different colors, is nothing valuable at all! One might wonder, why I keep it in a prominent place in my house. It is because it represents something very special to me.

I am talking about a piece of the Berlin Wall that I chiseled off that infamous structure of separation in my home country of Germany in the summer of 1990. Less than a year ago the 29-mile long wall of wire and concrete, which had been erected in 1961 by socialist East German authorities to halt the exodus of refugees to the West still seemed to stand strong. But by November 1989 the wall had been breached and millions of people watched on the news how flag-waving, joyful Easterners jumped the wall and entered into the western part of Berlin without being shot at by the ever watchful and merciless Volkspolizei. To this day watching these scenes makes me choke up with tears!

Not long ago even the most conservative politicians had wanted to strike a provision out of West Germany’s constitution that strongly called for a reunified Germany, because there didn’t seem to be any hope left for it ever to occur. What brought about a change like this? I realize there probably is no single right answer to this question. Certainly, growing disillusionment with the “blessings” of socialism, the breaking up of the stronghold of communism further east in the Soviet Union, Poland and Hungary and the overwhelming desire for true freedom played an important role. Yet, I believe one of the most important reasons why this radical change occurred without a bloodbath is a spiritual one!

Since 1983, Pastor Christian Führer had held the Friedensgebete or “Prayers for Peace” every Monday at the Nikolaikirche in Leipzig. First here, later throughout East Germany, groups met under the roof of the church as the one safe haven where they could voice criticism of the regime and seek a way to change it. Of course, soon the nervous regime infiltrated the meetings at the churches. October 9, 1989, Pastor Führer was warned, that if he continued to hold the Friedensgebete he would provoke civil war. Yet as history proves, an attitude of non-violence prevailed even while the demonstrators saw the light glinting off the weapons and looked at the shields, helmets and armored vehicles of a powerful police force. No shot was fired and the forces of peaceful change had won.

Over the following four weeks the streets would swell with more demonstrators. The socialist leaders would have to acknowledge that they had lost control and realized, that in a moral, political and spiritual earthquake, communism and the entire Eastern bloc was brought tumbling down.

Remarkably, in this un-Christian country the spirit of Jesus, the spirit of peace had descended on the masses and brought about peaceful, positive change.

Why am I telling you about this? I trust, that these events will both remind you that history is first and foremost HIS-story, God actively working in the affairs of mankind, and that it will instill you and me with new faith and fervor to pray and work toward the breakdown of walls of separation and racism which are so dominant in our society and sad to say often even inside the church’s walls. Last but not least, as this event shows, it is first and foremost the power of God, marshaled by unified prayer, not gun-power, that brings about lasting change!

Here’s a song that encourages us on our way:

Let the walls fall down,

Let the walls fall down,

By His love let the walls fall down!

One by one we’re drawn together,

One by one to Jesus’ side;

One in Him we’ll live forever;

Strangers He has reconciled.

In His love no walls between us,

In His love a common ground;

Kneeling at the Cross of Jesus,

All our pride comes tumbling down.

Fall, all fall down!

“Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.” Philippians 4:6-7 (The Message)

(Permission to reproduce this material is automatically granted on the condition it will be used for non-commercial purposes, will not be sold, and will be distributed for the sole purpose of expanding the Gospel.)

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Sacred Warrior

admin — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:30:04 +0000

In this powerful video, Tom Bee performs “Sacred Warrior”, a song written by Terry Wildman of Rain Ministries on location at Pine Ridge and Wounded Knee, South Dakota.

It calls all warriors to stand firm, to stand strong, by putting on the armor of light to stand against the night! By following the most “Sacred Warrior” of all, the One who is called the “Word of God”, whose vest is dipped in blood and whose eyes are blazing fire and who will go before them in war, the warriors will take their stand and never be left on their own.

You can purchase their music online at Worshipmusic.com

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Neues Gebäude für YWAM Native Ministries?

admin — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 06:56:45 +0000

A new Ministry home for YWAM Native Ministries?

Für die vergangenen 16 Jahre unserer Präsenz hier im Land der Nez Perce haben wir unsere Arbeit als Jugend mit einer Mission (JmeM) gemacht, ohne eigene Dienstgebäude zur Verfügung zu haben.

Wir glauben, dass der Herr uns jetzt „grünes Licht“ gegeben hat, Ihm zu vertrauen, dass wir uns eine eigene „Domäne“ geben will, damit wir unseren Dienst erweitern können. Damit wir mehrmonatige Jüngerschaftsschulen (DTS), Beherbergungsmöglichkeiten für Einsatzteams, Schüler und einen wachsenden Mitarbeiterkries hier anbieten können, benötigen wir eine entsprechende Immobilie/Grundstück.

Wir hatten bereits ein Haus und Grundstück identifiziert, das unsere Ansprüche erfüllte. Leider wurde diese Immobilie im April 2009 verkauft, bevor wir die benötigten Finanzen zum Erwerb zur Verfügung hatten.

Obwohl es in unserer Umgebung nicht zu viele Angebote gibt, die unseren Kriterien entsprechen, ist in der Zwischenzeit ein anderes Gebäude zum Verkauf angeboten worden, das unseren Vorstellungen nahe kommt. (Webseite des Maklers)

Dieses Haus wäre sofort als Wohnraum für Mitarbeiter und Studenten nutzbar und kommt mit einem Grundstück, das für zukünftigen Wachstum viel Raum hat.
Es liegt strategisch gut, nur eine kleine Distanz von der Schule entfernt, aber gerade ausserhalb der Stadtgrenze, was bedeutet, dass es keinerlei Bebauungsvorschriften oder Beschränkungen gibt.
Das Grundstück ist ca. 4 hektar gross und liegt gegenüber von Land, das von mehreren Nez Perce Familien bewohnt wird.

Da das Gebäude und Grundstück schon für eine Weile zum Verkauf steht, dürfte der Preis verhandelbar sein. Wir haben bereits einige Spenden zum Erwerb erhalten, die auch Beiträge unserer eigenen Mitarbeiter beinhalten. Z.Zt. haben wir ca. Euro 17.500.00 zur Verfügung um eine Anzahlung zu machen.Weitere Informationen und Bilder des Grundstückes sind hier einzusehen.

Natürlich bewegen wir diese ganze Angelegenheit im Gebet vor dem Herrn und wir möchten Euch einladen uns besonders dabei zu unterstützen. Durch Eure Gebete und finanzielle Unterstützung könnt Ihr an der Erweiterung des Königreichs Gottes unter Indianern teilhaben. Möglicherweise könnt Ihr auch unter Freunden, Missionsgesellschaften und Gemeinden Fürsprecher für die Arbeit sein, damit Indianer ermutigt und ausgebildet werden können, um ihre Gott gegebenes Erbteil einzunehmen.

Steuerlich absetzbare Spenden können mit dem Vermerk „JmeM Dienstgebäude“ hier gemacht werden:

Arbeitsgemeinschaft Mission e.V.

Konto: 31 22 02 03,

BLZ: 516 900 00, Volksbank Dill eG

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Über uns

admin — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 18:31:53 +0000

Der Dienst von YWAM Native Ministries, Kamiah, Idaho begann im Sommer 1993.

Der Herr gab uns ein Wort aus 1. Mose 26, 12-22, besonders Vers 18, …”Dort hatten die Philister nach Abrahams Tod alle Brunnen zugeschüttet. Isaak ließ die Brunnen wieder ausgraben und gab ihnen dieselben Namen, die sein Vater ihnen damals gegeben hatte.” Wir sehen unsere geistliche Aufgabe darin, mitzuhelfen, die Brunnen, die ehemals frisches, lebendiges Lebenswasser hergaben, aber über Jahre hinweg verschüttet wurden, wieder aufzugraben.

Praktisch bedeutete das, daß wir die bereits bestehende Arbeit unter den Indianern unterstützen und ermutigen. Als Mitarbeiter besuchten wir regelmäßig die Gottesdienste der indianischen Gemeinden am Ort und daraus entwickelten sich gute Beziehungen zu den Nez Perce.

Gott segnete uns mit offenen Türen zum Dienst. Wir wurden eingeladen Jugendprogramme zu unterstützen, bei Bauprojekten zu helfen und kleinere Einsatzteams zu beherbergen, die zur Hilfe und Ermutigung der Gemeinden nach Kamiah gekommen waren

Eine Älteste der Gemeinde am Ort sagte uns später, dass wir die “Gesandten” seien, für die sie so lange gebetet hatten.

Auch zukünftig bleiben wir verbunden mit dem Dienst der Gemeinden am Ort, indem wir das Wort Gottes predigen, junge Leute ermutigen an Kurzzeit Missionseinsätzen teilzunehmen und bei Bauprojekten und anderen Aktivitäten helfend zur Seite stehen.

Wir bieten Einsatzteams von anderen Gemeinden und Jugendgruppen schlichte Unterkunft und veranstalten gemeinsame Jugendabende, und Open-Air-Treffen. In 2008 hatten waren wir Gastgeber für drei verschiedene Gruppen, die im Ort Dienste ausführt haben. Im Jahr 2001 begleiteten wir eine Gruppe meist junger Indianer zu einem Missionseinsatz nach Tijuana Mexico.

Unser Gebet ist, dass mehr Indianer Ihre Berufung in die Mission zu erkennen. Wir glauben, dass Gott sie in besonderer Weise begabt hat und ihnen offene Türen gegeben hat, um auf ihre Art das Evangelium von Jesus Christus überall auf der Welt zu verkündigen.