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YWAMers welcomed by Hereditary Chief Big Swan in Canada

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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…

Native Messengers for Jesus

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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)

Neues Gebäude für YWAM Native Ministries?

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A new Ministry home for YWAM Native Ministries?
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

Some of our “wildlife”!

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We featured a picture of a large rattlesnake, reported to be over 9 feet long, weighing about 97 pounds, that supposedly was killed not far from Kamiah in Lawyers Canyon. The information was forwarded to us by what seemed to be a credible source and all the geographical descriptions appeared correct.

As long-time residents of this area, we are aware of the presence of rattlesnakes in our area, especially in Lawyers Canyon, however we are unable to verify that the pictured snake was really killed here.

We recently became aware that we might have fallen prey to a “hoax” or “urban legend,” as the large snake has been reported killed at other locations, such as Texas and North Dakota, with similar, detailed geographical descriptions. You can find further information at these websites:
Snopes.com
Urban Legends.com

We apologize for featuring this picture and for any inconvenience this may have caused!

Thank you for praying for the Wilson’s!

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rod-memorial1Rod White Eagle Wilson, our National Coordinator for all Youth With A Mission bases in North America went to be with Jesus on Resurrection Day, April 12, 2009 after a courageous battle resulting from the effects of bleeding on the brain.

A memorial service for Rod was held at YWAM’s  North American Leadership Conference (NALC 2009) in Estes Park, Colorado.  It was a moving evening, led by one of Rod’s friends and ministry associates, Richard Twiss, Lakota, and attended by many other friends.

We want to thank you again for standing in prayer with Rod, his dear wife Alexis and their children and grandchildren!

Happy New Year!

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The end of one year and the beginning of another is usually cause for reflection, but the happenings of the September 11, 2001 make these considerations take on a new dimension. The sense of security that was enjoyed before the ominous date has been replaced by one of vulnerability, insecurity and fear.

Leaders of this country have recognized this fact and called upon everyone to not let fear win, because this would mean that those who attacked this country and its people have won. Some suggested solutions to deal with that fear were, to continue flying in airplanes, travel to see relatives and friends, go about life as normal as possible and to spend money as a patriotic exercise to support the US economy.

Although these are practical suggestions with some merit, they fail to deal with the root of the problem! Just to wear a T-shirt or hat with the embroidered inscription “No Fear” is not an indication of the fact that the person wearing these items really is without fear. The famous quote of former President F.D. Roosevelt: “Fear nothing but fear itself”, is another example of a notable saying which does not give a clue how not to fear when you do.

As a follower of the Jesus Way, I am grateful that the “manual” written and delivered to me by my Creator and Redeemer is not short on real advice how to deal with my fears. First of all it shows that I’m not the only one who is or ever was afraid and that I don’t have to be ashamed of this fact. Then there is the wonderful part that helps me to practically deal with my fear. Listen to this instruction:

“Let him have all your worries and cares, for he is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you.” 1 Peter 5:7 (TLB)

Other translations express it this way: Cast all your anxieties upon him (God), because he cares for you. To experience this truth, we have to trust the One who made this statement and let go of, literally throw down our worries and fears at His feet. We have to admit, we can’t rid ourselves of our fears, that we need His help and that we trust Him to really take care of us.

Now, you may question whether it is that easy, whether you can take this great promise literally. Well, I offer you to read for yourself about the many people in God’s Word who were afraid, but then trusted God and were delivered of their fears.

In case you are wondering, I’m writing as one who has experienced first hand the debilitating and potentially paralyzing effects of fear and the glorious simplicity of God’s deliverance when I followed His advice.

How we handle and let God rid us of our fears will determine to a great deal the quality of our life. I want to invite you to trust God. Throw your anxieties at his feet and let him free you from your fear so the years before you can truly be happy ones.

© 2002 Volkhard Graf, YWAM Native Ministries

(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.)

Mission Adventures

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Tijuana, Mexico

Slowly our vans make their way down a steep grade, along the dusty road to one of Tijuana’s many “colonias”. The sights and smells are quite “different”. It is hard to believe that we are just a few miles south of the US border. What people call their home here is made up of a few pieces of scrap lumber, tin and whatever material they can find to make a shelter. Raw sewage runs down an open concrete channel filled with all sorts of litter. Our vans stop at a fenced in basketball court. We unload our gear and soon are surrounded by a bunch of kids. They want to see what these “brown Americans” have come for. A saintly elderly Mexican lady welcomes us personally, expressing how happy she is to see us. Some of us get out balls, Frisbee’s, balloons and other items to play with the local kids. They enjoy the attention and they like to beat us at a friendly game of soccer. Other members of our team make their way to some of the homes to invite young and old to our open-air service at the course

As we try to begin our service a few minutes later we discover that not all of our tapes with the background music for the skits have been packed-so we have to improvise. It amazed us how calm everybody stayed. After all, they worked hard on learning their skits and songs and now they can’t use them-at least not at this time. We are thankful for this experience, because it reflects what can happen when we desire to serve the Lord. Despite of our best efforts we often encounter circumstances beyond our control. We have the choice to belly ache about it or to continue to trust the Lord that He’ll come through nevertheless. Two of our team get to share a testimony. After a while someone shares a message about how our heavenly Father has created everyone in His image and that He, just like the father in the story of the lost son is looking out for us everyday to come back into his family. When the call is given, a young woman with child comes forward to accept God’s gift of salvation. Some of our young people get to pray and rejoice with this new member of God’s family. In the background, Angele, prayed for a mother and her little child with a cleft palate and tumor on his mouth. An older gentlemen comes forward to receive prayer for a health problem with the gentle prodding of a friend.

All of us leave this place with a renewed sense of God’s love for all people and his compassionate heart to reach out to them through us. It is our prayer that everyone on our team comes away with the insight that the Lord can and will use them if they make themselves available to Him.

Training in Los Angeles

After a day and night of driving we arrived in Los Angeles in time to take a trip to the ocean and the Santa Monica pier. We were grateful to find a rental company to make their van available to drive into Mexico. A big “Thank You” to all those who through their generous gifts made it possible to rent a van. At the YWAM base in L.A. we were welcomed by enthusiastic staff workers. In the following four days our schedule would be tight beginning with breakfast at 7 a.m., ending at 11 p.m. In between the time was filled with personal quiet times with the Lord, corporate worship, engaging testimonies and challenging teachings based on the theme of ONE (Truth, Life, Love, Desire, Purpose, Way). In the afternoons everybody practiced their drama’s, clown skits, worship dances and made preparations for a vacation Bible school program. There was of course enough time for some fun games and the occasional challenge of shooting hoops. After four days of intense training we were ready to make our way to Tijuana, a 3 hour drive south.

One of the last services we had in Los Angeles was also one of the most powerful. The speaker brought home the fact that Jesus, the Truth, the Way, the Life should be our Love, purpose and desire. If there was sin or anything that would distract us from following him, we needed to leave it behind. Everyone was encouraged to write down those things on a little card. All those cards were collected in a burlap bag. To visualize the sacrifice that Jesus made for the forgiveness of our sins, the staff had prepared a passion play, which took place in the outside court yard. It showed how Jesus was wrongly accused, flogged and nailed to the cross. After he had been taken down from the cross by his disciples, all that remained was the bag in which we had placed the cards with our sins written on them. All of us were powerfully impacted by the truth and reality that only by the sacrifice that Jesus brought were we able to go free.

Later as we again gathered inside we celebrated communion together, listened to songs of dedication and commitment to Jesus. Those who wanted to totally commit their lives to the Lord were encouraged to go forward and bring a signed commitment card to the front. All those who did received a simple necklace with a small cross, as a reminder of their solemn step of faith. It was quite a sight to see the Spirit of God move on the hearts of about 160 young people, who were assembled together. We were especially grateful, as any parent would, to observe, that all members of our team made a commitment to the Lord that night! Praise the LORD!

Gatherings

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mvc-406sThe first Gathering was a great experience and time of learning more about the freedom to praise the Creator and His Son Jesus with Native forms of worship. A new drum, created by Gerald Chapman of Longview, Washington, a wonderful Native brother, was introduced during the meeting and some of the young people had the opportunity to sing their praises, drumming with great joy and freedom.

Over 20 native and non-native people came to share a delicious meal, fellowship and the ministry of the Word. Pastor Ehud Garcia of the Nez Perce Presbyterian Churches spoke on the topic of worshiping in the Spirit and Truth– Staying true to God’s Word and our cultural heritage. His presentation was based on John chapter four, where Jesus opened the gates of worship to the nations and their different cultures when he told the Samaritan woman that the time had come when they would no longer worship the way they were accustomed to do. Instead, the true worshiper would worship in Spirit and in Truth.

This new approach to worship brought freedom to God’s people to express their faith in different ways, using different forms of instruments and worship. Pastor Garcia, who has a PhD in Intercultural Studies from Fuller Seminary, shared clearly that the use of different forms or instruments in worship is not a problem and not in contradiction to scriptural principles. The meaning behind any form is what is important. We are invited to give our forms of expression a new meaning, one that brings praise and glory to our Lord and Redeemer.