Newsletters

This years team photo at our 7th annual traditional American Thanksgiving dinner hosted at our friends restaurant. in TJ. I know photos look the same each year but we do have a faithful and consistent team.

Happy: Hanukkah – Christmas – New Year

This Christmas Season as we gather with our families we believe it is important to remember those who are alone and possibly struggling with the loss of family. The testimony below, of our good friend who lost her adult son last year, shares how she finds peace identifying with others in their suffering. This was her experience traveling down with us one day.

“Two days ago, I traveled to Mexico with my friend Wayne from Voice of the Bride Ministries. We packed his flatbed truck with all the food and hygiene items we possibly could, and headed south into Tijuana. We journeyed into some remote little neighborhoods, to greet the hidden saints who have given their lives to serve the desperate and vulnerable. We pulled up to three different homes to give what we could; a home for women that have disabilities, a men’s home for those suffering with addiction and disabilities, and a home for the mentally ill and elderly. It was a privilege and honor, to be with those who are suffering and those who serve them. It was difficult, but at the same time, I felt connection and peace. They are the poor, serving the poorest of the poor, in extreme poverty. Only thirty minutes from my home, we witnessed such harsh conditions, that were troubling to see and smell. Yet, in those places, and in our darkest hours, God’s love and care is there. He doesn’t leave. He stays with us in the valley of the shadow of death, but doesn’t keep us from it.

There is a excellent book written by a father who lost his mother, wife and daughter in a car accident. It’s called, “A Grace Disguised” by Jerry Sittser. That title resonates with me, now that my son is gone. I feel connected to those who suffer, in a way I never did before. I feel community with the broken, because I am broken. I feel understanding when I look into eyes that appear grey, and searching. I feel joy when I can hug or touch the hand of a fellow traveler whose heart aches. I feel hope when I see a person continue to stay and believe, while living in a dark and seemingly hopeless situation. This may sound depressing or very sad, but for me, it is not. It is comforting. Beautiful. Jesus.” [Sheri Briggs – BridgeOfHopeSD.org]

p.s. watch for our Top 10 Highlights of 2016 next month!

Carol and team at the Muckleshoot Reservation conference.

Wow, this sure has been a busy 6 weeks! Soboba reservation, Arise youth camp; Tahlequah, OK, ANNA Call; Alltribes DC worship & prayer gathering at the Washington Monument; Healing conference at Muckleshoot reservation in Auburn, WA; and lastly, P.lace o.f W.orship, last gathering for 2016. Phew! Time to catch our breath, yes?

Let me say, first of all, for any one of you who prayed, THANK YOU! There is so much organizing and planning in these type of trips. Each one of these trips had it’s own challenges, but overall, everything went so smoothly. We are so grateful to the Lord for giving us praying friends & partners.

Next, let me just reiterate, that all of this really is a dream come true, for me, Carol. My heart for Native American people, has been strong for many years. Being given the opportunities to lead worship and be a part of what GOD is doing among First Nations people, is truly humbling and brings such joy to my heart. It’s hard to describe. I just know I’m so thankful.

And to just kind of share with you a few of the ‘suddenlies’ that have gone on: I didn’t even know I would be going to Washington DC until just a few days before. Someone graciously got in touch with me and helped provide a way for me to go, less than 5 days before! What an honor to be present, as men and women from tribes all across the nation, gathered in DC, to speak forgiveness over the USA, and pray for blessing upon our land. This was a historic gathering. Really, just being in DC is very sobering. I told my friend, I think everyone who lives in this country, should be required to go to Washington DC at least once in their life, just to see the gravity and magnitude of some of the monuments that portray the amazing history of this great nation. I so appreciated being able to go.

jonathan-walden-photo — Photographer Jonathan Walden captured this photo at the All Tribes DC event.

While I was in VA, visiting my family after Alltribes DC, I received a request from Grand Chief Lynda Prince, from Carrier-Sekani nation in Canada, to come to Auburn, WA, to lead worship on the Muckleshoot reservation for a conference the tribe was putting on. So I strapped on my ‘traveling boots’ once again, and headed up to Washington state, just last weekend, for a major gathering of the tribes to participate in a first of it’s kind, healing conference. Our worship team was able to blend the beautiful ancient sounds of the tribes, with modern songs and music, as we all worshiped together, “in spirit and in truth” (John 4). It was profound to see the believers from the reservation find freedom in worshiping GOD in this way. Due to a Veterans Day dinner being held in the church, on the first night of the conference, many who did not know the Lord came into worship during the conference. Several people came to know the Lord that night. Oh, what joy!!! [An interesting article, regarding DC event, published in Charisma Magazine – “Why Prophetic Voices Say the Nation Shifted on October 21st” ]

This has been an amazing year, with many doors opening. I stand amazed. Please continue to ask the Lord to open the doors and make a way for us to continue to minister to the First Nations peoples….thank you!!! Love, Wayne & Carol

p.s. We are so grateful to you, our monthly supporters. Without your help we could not do what we are so honored to do, in worship and compassion for the nations. We have had some added expenses, with the recent travels, and travel to come. We will also have some extra holiday expense, with paying customs fees for Christmas toys to Tijuana. Crossing the food each day has been very smooth with customs the past couple months. But the new way of doing things, means we will pay a pretty good price for the couple of truck loads of toys we expect to be donated. We appreciate any extra end of year help you may be able to provide. Many blessings on each of you and much gratitude from us this Thanksgiving season!