One Church, One Tribe

The Arctic Hunt — September 2009

Kelly Kronicle Nov 2009

Dig out your 2010 Calendars and boldly mark September 23-25, 2010!!  That’s the date for our “Talking Circle” in Billings, MT.

We are keenly aware that finding a date that pleases everyone is nigh near impossible, but working closely with our host church, Rocky Mountain Community Church, this seemed to be the best choice to fit into their schedule.  We hope that God will make a way for you to join us.  Please begin now praying to that end.

We will be providing details for you as the planning and preparation takes shape, but for right now we want to be sure you give this high priority and set aside that time on your 2010 calendar.

We were blessed beyond all expectation at our first Talking Circle this past September in Minneapolis, and encouraged by the unanimous response that we need to do this again in 2010.  It is our hope to have a number of Native leaders present to share their wisdom, stories and insights with us.  More than anything we want it to be a time of networking, prayer, bonding with one another in Christ to encourage and uplift each other.

Please begin planning now to be a part of the Talking Circle.

We finally made it up into the north country this September when we formed our “Talking Circle” and attended the Native American Awareness Conference in Minneapolis. We seized this opportunity to visit with friends from Trinity PC in Rochester, MN.  You may remember the article in our ’09 Spring update: The Dakota-Hunkpati Connection, where we reproduced Wes Petersen’s journal of how over the last two years the folks at Trinity have been reaching out in love and reconciliation to the Dakota Sioux of the Crow Creek Indian Reservation.  We were eager to meet these friends face-to-face and hear first hand the stories of their journey.  Helen Laack graciously put us up for a couple of nights and created a place for another “talking circle” on her deck on Sunday evening; there we shared out stories, our visions, our hopes.  We were encouraged by the keen insights of this group and their deep love and passion for developing long-term relationships and offering the “good news” of God’s grace to the Dakota-Hunkpati people.

Something that we don’t always think about is the fact that when we visit these tribes, we are visiting Wes Petersen addressing Soverignty of Native Nations.  It is so important that we respect their rights as a sovereign nation and secure permission and acceptance for our presence there.  Please take time to read Wes Petersen’s update and his eloquent explanation of the importance of respecting tribal sovereignty as it was fleshed out in their mission:

We’re catching up!  We know there is no way we can go back and fill in all the blanks of the past 2 ½ months, but we want to loop back with pictures so you can have a better understanding of where we have been and where we are going.

We hope you’ll take time to visit our blog at www.onechurchonetribe.com and the connecting http://www.flickr.com/photos/onechurchonetribe/sets/ where you can enjoy the pictures.  If you can “chat” with us for a few minutes, read the paragraphs below and the link in each text will take you to the pictures or you can visit the blog.

We were sitting at a table at the Yakama Indian Museum on the Yakama reservation in Washington State.  Our friend and tribal elder, Wendell Hannigan, had arranged for us to meet there with Clifford Casseseka, Cultural Specialist for the Yakama Nation.  Conversation took us back to the boarding schools as Clifford shared some of his personal stories with us, and his rejection of Christianity.  Boarding schools were an attempt to rid the children of all things Indian—their language, their dress, their social life, their family, their religion, their culture.  “Christianity” was presented as a set of laws to be obeyed, not salvation by grace through faith.  Bruce interjected into the conversation, “What those pictures represent–that was not the gospel.”  Wendell got up from the table and wandered to the pictures of the boarding school and began to examine them closely.  When he came back to the table he said, “It wasn’t the gospel, was it?” See the pictures:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/onechurchonetribe/sets/72157622446598130/

On our way to Lethbridge, Alberta in Canada, we stopped at Head-smashed-in Buffalo Jump near Fort McCloud.  It was a drizzly day that limited our photo ops, but it was a fascinating piece of history and Indian culture.  In upper Montana next to Glacier National Park is the Blackfeet Reservation and once you cross into Canada it is the Blackfoot Reserve.  On the edge of this large reserve, Rohan Crown and his family are planting Amazing Grace Community Mission Church, Lethbridge.  There is a large representation of First Nations people in the city, and already God has given them friendships in the native community and connections in the town of Standoff on the Reserve.  There are a couple of interviews with Rohan on our You Tube site.

Montana Visits…

Had a refreshing time with Mike and Julie Kelly and their church family at Gallatin Valley Presbyterian Church in Bozeman, MT.  Mike heads up Campus Crusades NATIONS ministry, encouraging and equipping Native students and leaders on college campuses.  Over a wonderful homecooked meal at the Kelly’s, we swapped stories of what we are learning and the wonder of what God is doing.  We would encourage you to keep up with this budding ministry to Native students: www.nationsmovement.com and www.everynative.com

From Bozeman we drove through impressive Big Sky Country over to Billings, MT, where we were spoiled by the gracious hospitality of Bob and Connie Charette. Their son Josh (“Two Hawks”) and his wife Katie and kids are completing their final year at Covenant Seminary and plan to return to Billings to begin work on a Native church plant to reach the thousands of American Indians in that city.  Bob, whose heritage is Turtle Mountain Chippewa/Lakota Sioux, patiently schooled us in Indian culture/history and delighted us with a wealth of stories.  We took in the Canyon Creek Battlefield where Chief Joseph fought off the U.S. Army after the massacre at Big Hole and at sunset explored the Pictograph caves near their home overlooking the vast Crow Reservation.  They wrapped us in love and in a stunning Pendleton blanket that expresses protection, warmth, safety, health and honor.  They showered us with gifts and kindness and keen insights into Lakota, Chippewa and Crow culture.  We left with full hearts, yet wanting more!

While in Billings, we had the opportunity to meet with part of the session and family of Rocky Mountain Community Church, where Josh and Katie Charette are members.  Our hearts were encouraged by their enthusiastic support of the vision God has given the Charettes to reach the Native population of their city.  We explored possibilities of how that might vision might become a reality over the long-haul.  We pray it is a vision that will catch fire throughout that Presbytery and across the west in the PCA.

Still pressing toward the east, we moved on to Rapid City, SD to visit with Ron and Sue Jensen and their ministry, Life Initiatives: www.lifeinitiativesinc.org .  Bruce had the opportunity to preach at the Lakota He Sepa church.  It was a great joy for him and the interaction with folks after church was very affirming and meaningful.  We always look forward to our time with Ron and Sue—God has us very much “on the same page” and we are uplifted and challenged by their insights and blessed beyond measure by their friendship.  We would encourage you to keep up with this expanding ministry to the large Lakota population in Rapid City.

It’s a long way to pedal from South Dakota to Tennessee, but we had a brief reprieve on the way home, stopping over in St. Louis, MO. We enjoyed time with Josh and Katie Charette and family as they debriefed their summer internship with Rocky Mountain Community Church in Billings, MT.  Josh graduates from Covenant Seminary in 2010 and is eager to return Billings to begin a native-focused church plant/outreach in his hometown. There are 12 reservations in Montana and a large Native population in Billings.  It was exciting to hear the many ways that God is already opening doors, giving them contacts in the area, encouraging their hearts and stirring great hope.  This is a groundbreaking opportunity for Rocky Mountain Presbytery and Rocky Mountain Community Church to support Josh as he faces enormous challenges in the years ahead.  We hope that you will follow them also with your prayers and your giving for this long-haul ministry.

Seems we no sooner got our bags unpacked than it was time to pack again—this time to head to Minneapolis, MN for a Native American Awareness Conference, hosted by Bethlehem Baptist Church.  It was good to see and hear from our long-time friend Huron Claus with CHIEF (http://www.chief.org/). The church graciously allowed us to host a “Talking Circle” at the church before the conference began.  We were thrilled at how many were able to come on short notice for this time of sharing and brainstorming.  A group of us were able to meet for dinner on Thursday evening and the circle grew on Friday morning, as more were able to join us—even Huron Claus was able to come for a while.  We formed a large circle and began our time of sharing with a devotional brought by Josh Charette (Turtle Mountain Chippewa/Lakota Sioux).  Josh challenged us with questions like: Why did so much injustice coincide with mission effort through the centuries?  Why are there so few professing believers today (2-5%) after 500 years of the gospel on this continent? God used Josh to give us many insights into the complicated answers to these burning questions and much to think about as we press on to carry the gospel of grace into Native communities.

We went around the circle giving each person an opportunity to share some of their stories about how God has connected them to the Native community.  I think it’s an understatement to say that all of us were given much to think about.  We were challenged, encouraged, uplifted and nourished by the fellowship and prayer.  When we talked about doing it again, the response was immediate and unanimous!   So….plans are “in the makings” for a gathering in Billings, MT in the fall of 2010.  We will keep you posted!

2009 Native American Awareness Conference Hosted by Bethlehem Baptist Church (Minneapolis, MN)

September 11 – 12,2009

Speakers

John Piper

Huron Claus

Greg Mott

Cost per person is $30.00

(includes conference materials, beverages, evening snack, breakfast, and lunch)

For further information go to,  http://www.hopeingod.org/resources/images/114529.pdf

Mission to North America is hosting a pre-conference dinner and meeting on Thursday and Friday, September 10 – 11.  We would love to see you at this conference and encourage you to come a day earlier, so we could spend some time praying and brainstorming about Native American Ministry.  Please note that the PCA gathering requires a completely separate from Bethlehem Baptist’s conference; the information and response below pertains only to the PCA gathering. 

·      We’ll begin with dinner Thursday evening at 8^th Street Grill at 6:00 p.m.  The restaurant is located two blocks from the Normandy Inn-Best Western .

·      We’ll meet 9:00 – 3:00 Friday, at Bethlehem Baptist, the church is graciously making a meeting room available.

·      Notify both Bruce (bfarrant@pcanet.org) and Tracy (thall@pcanet.org) if you plan to attend (response form attached); indicate your attendance plans for both the dinner and the Thursday meeting.

·      Participants will need to cover their own expenses, including the Thursday dinner and Friday meals. 

 Below you will find a response form to let us know if you will attend the 2009 PCA Pre Conference Gathering.  Complete this form and return to Bruce Farrant (bfarrant@pcanet.org) and Tracy Lane-Hall (thall@pcanet.org) so we can keep track of who is coming.  Participants will need to cover their own expenses, including the Thursday dinner and Friday meals.

Blessings, 

Bruce and Linda

Meeting Date:                                                Thursday, September 10 – Dinner 6:00 p.m.

(612) 349-5717

Meeting Date:                                                Friday, September 11 – Meeting (9 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.)

                                                                        Bethlehem Baptist Church

720 13th Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55415
(612) 338-7653

Participants will need to cover their own expenses,

including the Thursday dinner and Friday meals.

Meeting RSVP: 

            Yes, I plan to participate in 2009 PCA Gathering at Native American Conference

            dinner meeting on Thursday, September 10

No, I am not able to participate in 2009 PCA Gathering at Native American Conference dinner meeting on Thursday, September 10

            Yes, I plan to participate in 2009 PCA meeting at Native American Conference on

            Friday, September 11.  The meeting will begin at 9:00 a.m. and end at 3:00 p.m.  

            No, I am not able to participate in 2009 PCA meeting at Native American Conference

            on Friday,             September 11. 

Name: ________________________  Email: ________________________  Date: _________

Office Phone:  _____________________            Cell Phone:  ___________________________

We would love to see you at this conference:

 “Native American Awareness Conference” hosted by Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, MN.  Here is the link for further details:

http://www.hopeingod.org/resources/images/114529.pdf

We would like to encourage you to come a day earlier, so we could spend some time praying and brainstorming about Native American Ministry.  More information will follow.  Betty Dodge, local contact is out of town until 8-17-09, however we would recommend you sign up right away.  We are still on the road, but if you are coming PLEASE contact us to let us know and also copy Tracy Lane-Hall thall@pcanet.org so we can keep track of who is coming.

Blessings,  Bruce and Linda

 Looking back over July ’09…

“What my people need is spirituality; they need faith!”

 “We don’t have the resources to do this kind of crafts with our children that you are doing, and it means so much for you to do this…they love it!” 

 “No greater love than this, that a man should share his huckleberries with you…J”  (Gladys after making huckleberry shakes for the team)

“Will you take me back with you?”

“Usually, when folks come to the rez, that’s how they are (reference to Bruce’s sermon)…they never look at us, never find out who we are.  You’re not like that, you are different.”

“When you come back next summer…”

“I miss my friend!  It’s a long time to wait for summer before I’ll see her again…” 

The feedback we’ve been given makes the “coming back” a high priority.  Whether on the Pine Ridge Reservation, the Yakama Reservation, or the Warm Springs Reservation, the thoughts they share with us are much the same.  Look at us.  See us.  Listen to us.  Find out who we are.  Come back….

Already, just a few days away from the rez, that is the tug of our hearts.  Jaw-dropping experiences affirmed over and over that our Heavenly Papa is at work and He has a plan.  We have the joy of getting in on what He is doing.  That is the joy we ache to share with you.  We long for you to hear what we are hearing, see what we are seeing, have your hearts break, too, with what breaks our Savior’s heart.

We are learning so much.  Our Native friends are willing to teach when we are willing to listen.  They humble us by their gracious hospitality, their generous giving, often in the midst of extreme poverty.  We want them to know that we come this time not to take something away from them, but because we want something for them. 

We’ve been on the road a little over a month now, about a month to go.  We’ve had precious little time or opportunity to blog this trip or even to email you.  But we deeply appreciate that you “go with” us even when we’re silent.  We fall back on the truth that “a picture is worth a thousand words.”  Until we can shape the words, we encourage you to watch a couple of DVD’s that Bruce put together for Sacred Road Ministries of our two weeks on the Warm Springs reservation.  Both of these are on facebook, if you’re a facebook user (we’d love to be “friends”).  There is a link from our site:  www.onechurchonetribe.com to the video of week 1 on Utube.  There are also pictures from our site for you to enjoy.  And anytime you want us to share our stories, we’d love to come visit you!

We also encourage you to visit Sacred Road’s site: www.sacredroadministries.com

We’ve made a turn toward the east and will be stopping in Lethbridge, Alberta; Bozeman, MT; Billings, MT; Rapid City, SD; and St. Louis, MO along the journey home.  Should be back in TN the first week of September. We will try to keep you updated as we travel, but please continue to pray even when we can’t update you.  Along the way, we will have opportunities to brainstorm future ministry possibilities and hopefully, encourage folks already involved in outreach to Native communities.  Pray that God will expand the avenues of sharing His grace and love, to encourage Native discipleship and leadership, to bring where HOPE has often been so scarce.  Pray that we will listen, learn, and love well.

It is always worth it….always,  Bruce and Linda

Praying Ones–how we thank you!  How how I long to bring you along with us to “see,” really see what God is doing in response to your prayers!  There were so many challenges this past week and we were so helpless to “fix” them, but God’s fingerprints were all over the place as we simply did each next thing.  When I say “we” I mean the amazing team we were able to serve alongside in Warm Springs.  I tell you, it gives old timers like us much hope for what God is doing in and through the upcoming generation in His Body!!  They were pure joy and worked so tirelessly and unselfishly and so lovingly.  We had around 50 kids each day at Kid’s Club–all crammed into one large room that heated up quickly in the nearly 100 degree weather each afternoon.  They put together some fascinating crafts for the kids and they loved it–even the staff at the community center and with the Boy’s and Girl’s Club of the rez participated!  It was “organized” chaos filled with laughter and love.  There is extreme poverty on the rez and patterns of tragic fallout from the past, but our focus was on fleshing out God’s love and hope.  He is the One who will bring transformation in hearts and lives.  Our host church, First Baptist of Madras, was so gracious–the facility was wonderful, even though the showers weren’t working (one of many challenges!).  The pastor and his wife, Richard and Josie Burnson, even opened their home and showers to a parade of “ripe” team members…:)!  On our closing evening, Aurolyn Stweyer-Pinkham, the Vice Chairwoman for the Warm Springs Tribe, came to dinner and graciously shared some of her culture and passion for her people with us.  It was an honor and a very special time.  She also brought gifts for every member of the team!!  We are continually stunned and humbled at the generosity of our Native friends.  They have much to teach us about giving!  There is so much for us to process, so many stories we want to share, so much to thank our King for–but short notes will have to do for now.  Little by little all we are learning will seep out as we have opportunities to share with you in the coming days.  We just want you to know that even when you are not getting feedback from us, God is hearing and answering your prayers beyond all expectation!!  Please continue your faithfulness.  It makes ALL the difference.  We feel it, we see it, we depend on those prayers!  I wish you could meet the wonderful folks we get to meet!!  We are so blessed.  One day we will all meet and marvel eternally at what our God has done…and all for His glory.  Words fail.  From full hearts we thank you and we love you….always,   Bruce and Linda