…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 hereCreated 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.
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.”
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…
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.)
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.
(Ephesians 6:10-17; Revelation 19:11-15; Words & Music: Terry M. Wildman, (c) 2002 Firedrum Music)
The doctor entered the room, preparing to give me the exam required by US Immigration authorities. Quickly his questions turned personal. Why was I here, what was my job?
I briefly stated that I was working with a Christian non-profit organization seeking to walk with and work among Native people in the area. His reply dumbfounded me. He said something like this: “I don’t know what Native Americans want, we, (obviously referring to his Caucasian ancestors) won fair and square.” I was taken aback by his rather calloused and simplistic reply. Unfortunately, not being too quick-witted, it was only later that I could think of what I wanted to reply. “Maybe you won—but there was nothing “fair” and “square” about it!
Chief Joseph’s surrender at Bear Paw
On Monday, October 5, 2009, our Nez Perce neighbors commemorated the 132nd anniversary of the Battle at Bear Paw, Montana. Here, their fighting retreat ended with Chief Joseph’s heartrending surrender to Generals Miles and Howard. It marked the culmination of their almost four month long flight, fraught with many “unfair” battles, hardships and losses of warriors, children and elders. It all had started at White Bird Canyon on June 17, 1877, when a hothead civilian volunteer engaged the US Army and the Nez Perce, who had approached under a white flag of truce, in battle, by firing the first shot.
Is it not high time that we shed ignorant and simplistic attitudes about historic events and begin to deal with the reality of what happened, not by re-writing history, or by trying to “explain away” what happened, but by squarely facing the hard and difficult truth, warts and all?
Unfortunately, what has happened cannot be undone; however we can learn from history and commit to not let injustices go on or happen again. We can begin to identify with the loss and pain that our Nez Perce neighbors are reminded of on days like this. We can choose to treat them with the dignity and honor Creator has endowed them with. They are the First Americans and they are the Gate-keepers of this nation.
Chief Joseph (Nez Perce)
From Creators Word to us we know that transforming change begins with the recognition of wrong, and honest repentance, (change of mind and then of action). While it is impossible for me to even imagine the agony and suffering Nez Perce families are reminded of on this day, I want to express my sorrow over the injustice they suffered and identify with the sins of my forefathers. I know, it will not bring their ancestors back, restore the lives and land lost, but I commit myself to walk beside you, to speak up against unrighteousness and injustice and to add my small contribution to a better present and future for you. Most of all, I trust and pray that the Judge of all the earth, will do what is just! (Genesis 18:25)
The horrific events of 9-11-2001 have no doubt caused many to ask questions like this one. “Where you asleep God, or on vacation or did you just not pay attention?”
Interestingly enough, these questions seem to be asked mostly by people who may not think or care about God when things run smoothly in their lives. Some who ask may not even believe there is a God or that he can be known.
Others may have a notion of what God is like and events like the terrorist attacks of 9/11/2001 seem to rattle what little trust they may have had in him.
Somehow we feel that God, who is all-powerful has the obligation to protect us from evil. Many may ask: “Can the all-powerful God, let evil happen to our lives and at the same time claim to be the God of Love?”
Here are some answers, that Lee Strobel, an investigative reporter was given by Peter John Kreeft, a first rate philosophical thinker with a PhD. from Fordham University, who has been a philosophy professor at Boston College since 1965.
This question was posed by Rodney King (African-American), who had been severely beaten and mistreated by his arresting Police Officers (White), as was widely broadcast on the News. The failure of the courts to bring about justice by convicting the perpetrating officers later sparked the infamous Los Angeles Riots.
In a time, when racial tension is flaring up like never before, this question is an important one to ask. It is Black against White, White against Native American, Hispanic against Black, Asian against Black and Hispanic etc. The year 1995 has been declared the International Year of Tolerance.
Isn’t it interesting that those who proclaim the value of tolerance most fervently stop short of abiding by it? They announce: Intolerance is unacceptable!To everyone’s dismay, intolerance seems to be more prevalent then ever. Is tolerance the answer? Is there really a simple answer at all to the racial question?In my opinion, the answer is No, we can’t just get along! Yet a positive answer to the question of peaceful co-existence of people of all races and backgrounds is possible if we look beyond ourselves.
We first have to realize that we are all of equal value to God who created and therefore wanted different people groups with their own cultural traits. It seems that each culture has certain strength’s (gifts) and weaknesses. From a biblical perspective, all people, all human beings are not only created in God’s image, (Genesis 1: 26-27; Genesis 9:6) their lives are also all stained by sin. (Psalm 53:2-3; Romans 3:23;) We all fall short of God’s standard.
Any person can be changed by sincerely repenting and receiving forgiveness, granted by God, because His Son Jesus carried our sins and the just penalty for them on the cruel cross. (John 3:16-17; Romans 6:23) The one receiving this new life should also be aware of the tremendous value that God placed on every single human being. It is expressed in the fact how much God paid for us. He did not pay with riches measurable in Dollars and Cents, but by giving His only Son, Jesus. That is how valuable we are to Him. One who has received forgiveness is commanded to forgive others also, realizing that the forgiveness he has received is by far greater than what he might have to forgive his neighbor for.
As we realize this we need to make an effort to extend grace to others, even if their actions are less than desirable.
We need to make an effort in trying to understand why the other person is reacting in this way. We need to feel and share in carrying their pain. This includes looking at historical events, that are all to often brushed off as happened a long time ago. Do we really understand what it means to be held as a piece of property, being bought and sold at will by an arbitrary owner. Do we really understand the pain that a Native American might feel about massacred beloved ancestors, land stolen from them, broken promises, and crude and untrue stereotypes being applied to all of them. Their wounds are real, no amount of tolerance alone can take care of those. “Time heals all wounds” is not only a false but cruel figure of speech. A festering wound left alone will not heal by itself, it will only get worse.
When will we tend to our neighbors wounds and seek healing for them, instead of having only quick answers? When will we look beyond behavior that is often only the outflow of things gone wrong and touch the hurting soul underneath instead of adding to their insult and isolation by placing blame on them? Jesus himself gave us a perfect example. He showed us how we should live, by being completely “other’s-centered.” This “Jesus-Brand-Christianity” is lived out by considering others more than ourselves. Jesus told us that the most important things for us to remember and do are to:
Love God, because He first loved us and showed His love by giving Jesus.
Love our neighbors as we love ourselves.
If we follow these simple yet profound commands we will get along with each other and much more, we will start to appreciate one another, differences and all, and begin seeing that we all need and complement each other with our giftings and abilities.
Recently, (June 21, 2009) our local area newspaper, the Lewiston Morning Tribune published a great article on the Picard family (Nez Perce) from Lapwai. They share how Jesus helped them through the tragic events in which they lost two of their sons within a year, and how he continues to use them to bring wholeness to their sons friends. If you like to find out more about their journey see this document:
The Creator created the world – the mountains, trees, rivers, and seas. He created all the creatures on this fair land. The Creator also created man and woman from the land and put them in charge to take care of the Creator’s work.
Man and woman were placed on the path of life. They were given the choice of walking on the Creator’s Path or going another way.
The people did not listen to the voice of their Creator. They chose to go their own way and do what seemed right to them in their own spirits.
This caused the Creator much sadness. He loved His creation dearly and did not want them to go their own way. He decided that there was only one way to save man and woman from destroying themselves and all of His creation. He would send His Son to become like them and live on the land.
Creator sends His Son
The time came when the Creator’s Son came down to the earth and took on the form of a little baby. He came from a woman and grew as a child. Soon He became a man-a young warrior.
But this warrior was different. He did not choose to fight. He came to bring peace and to teach.
Not every one liked what the Creator’s Son was saying. They did not want to accept His message of forgiveness and salvation.
Some of the people who followed Him wanted to make Him their chief. Others wanted to kill Him.
One day, those who wanted to kill the Creator’s Son became more powerful. They were able to turn the hearts of their leaders against the Creator. They got permission to have him put to death.
This Man has done nothing wrong
They hung him on a tree and left him there to die. But the Creator’s Son was not the only one hanging there. They put two thieves on either side of him.
One of the men who was guilty of death hanging next to the Creator’s Son spoke harshly to Him. He said, “If You are the Chosen One of the Creator, save Yourself and us.” But the other man spoke sharp words to the other man. “Are you not afraid of God the Creator? You are also guilty and will be punished. We are suffering and we should, because of the wrong we have done. But this Man has done nothing wrong. He turned to the Creator’s Son and said, “Remember me when You come into Your holy nation.”
The Creator’s Son said to Him, “For sure, I tell you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
Those in charge placed guards around to make sure that followers of the Creator did not come to take His Son down from the tree.
Some believed, some didn’t
Many people stood around watching what was happening. The leaders were with them and some of them were making fun of the Creator’s Son. They said, “He saved others, let Him save Himself if He is the Chosen One of the Creator!”
There were women who cried and had sorrow for the Creator’s Son. He spoke to them and said, “Daughters, do not cry for Me. Cry for yourselves and your children. Listen! The days are coming when they will say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us.’ They will say to the hills, ‘Cover us.’
“If they do these things to a green tree, what will they do when it is dry?”
Then the Creator’s Son said “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
It was dark over all the land from mid-day until the afternoon. The sun did not shine. The ground shook.
Then the Creator’s Son cried with a loud voice, “Father, into Your hands I give my spirit.” When He said this, He died.
Many realized who He was
When the guards noticed that He was dead, one of them took his spear and pierced His side. Blood came flowing out.
At that moment, many of them realized who He was and why He came. The people standing around began to worship the Creator’s Son. Many thought that was the end of the story. But in many ways, it was only the beginning.
The Creator’s Son’s body was taken down from the tree and buried. But just three days later, the grave was empty. He had come alive again.
He appeared to many of His followers. There was much joy and excitement. Some time later, the Creator’s Son returned to the sky to be with His Father. Before He left the land, He told His followers that there would come a day when He would return and that they all would join Him. This made them all very happy.
The Creator’s Book, the Bible, tells us that He created all things to worship Him-including man and woman. It is His greatest desire that we have a personal relationship with Him. Even though man chose to go his own way and run from the Creator, the Creator desires that man walk with Him on the Path of Truth.
Through all time, people have tried to reach the Creator through other spirits, vision quests, living a moral life, religion, and through creation itself. The Creator’s book gives us His plan for how to get on the Creator’s Path to abundant living. Would you like to find that path?
Broken Walls, formed in 1995 by Jonathan Maracle, base their music on the ancient sounds of the First Nations People of North America. The Father’s Dance, which has been nominated in six categories for the 2008 Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards, is a call to freedom and a message of restoration for the family. Broken Walls combines the musical sounds of rattles, the powwow drum and Mohawk wind flute with contemporary instruments. The CD opens with “Sing to the Mountains,” which was nominated for single of the year. This fast-paced track describes how creation displays our God. The title track declares freedom for all mankind and restoration of dignity, trust and hope. “Surrendered” is a graceful and peaceful instrumental track highlighting the flute. The chorus on “Everything to Me” is especially beautiful and poignant: “You are the hand extended / The calm at the heart of the storm / The voice that calls in the darkness / I know that I am not alone / I see Your face in the stars / I hear Your voice in the silence / I feel Your breath in the wind / You’re everything to me.” For those who like to experience new genres of music, The Father’s Dance is the perfect introduction into Native music. But all listeners can enjoy the spirit in which Broken Walls sings and worships the Lord. —LEIGH DEVORE, Charisma Magazine
Check out Jonathan’s live performance of this song: