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MEXICO and Southern California - January 2011
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January is cold in Northern Canada, especially living in an RV as we do. So we made like the Canada goose and went south. Our goal is to visit every one of the 1000 First Nations communities and so January was perfect for a trip to the southwest and to Mexico.
We visited 12 communities among the Siletz, Cahuilla, Tongva and Kumyaay in the U.S. and the PaiPai in Mexico.
Our sons, Paul, Randall and Justice have developed quite a good musical presentation for youth, which they give for 15 minutes or so during our meetings (usually after Cheryl sings and before Randy preaches) and so we have noticed more young people attending our outhreaches.
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Merry CHRISTmas & prayers for peace & joy in 2011
We attended our denomination's annual gathering and were encouraged and refreshed. The Church (universal) is made up of many families, much like any community has its Smiths or Johnsons etc. The church family that we are members of is the "Foursquare" family. It's where we belong and who we are accountable to. For better or worse, it is our family and we love it!
But our area of specialty is First Nations evangelism and we are happy to serve along side of any "family" (denomination) that is serving a First Nations community.
This past year we had the privilege of strengthening the work of the Anglican, Pentecostal Assemblies, Baptist, Salvation Army, Christian Reformed, Mennonite, C & M Alliance, Methodist, Vineyard, Evangelical Free, Roman Catholic, United, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Nazarene, PAO Newfoundland, and Independant churches across the USA and Canada.
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May our Creator Father bless each and every Church group that proclaims the wonderful Good News of Jesus to the First Nations!
Jesus said that the world will know we are His disciples by our love for one another..
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October 2010. Africa.
Half the month was spent in Alberta visiting several First Nations communities and having concerts, singing and telling the Good News about Jesus. One highlight was Siksika First Nation where many people were blessed by the ministry.
The last half of October was spent in South Africa at the Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization. It was a privilege to meet together with 5000 leaders from all over the world and strategize on ways to reach the nations of the world- including the Indigenous peoples!
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September 2010. Pacific North West.
This month we ministered on several Reservations in Washington including Lummi and Muckleshoot. Then we went on an exteded tour of the Kwakiutl villages on the North west coast of BC. A week of heavy rains flooded one village and destroyed many homes. We were able to have timely concerts for people who were hurting from terrible losses. Christ is the comfort giver.
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.Summer 2010 Newsletter. Alaska to Oklahoma
.Our Summer was spent traveling from Alaska to Oklahoma and back up north again through 12 states, 3 provinces and 2 Territories visiting many First Nations communities and reservations. Our goal is to visit (eventually) every one of the 1000 places in Canada and the USA where the Indigenous peoples live.
We were able to visit the most isolated community of all- Old Crow, Yukon Territory, which is inaccessible by land or water. It was isolated from the outside world until the invention of the airplane.
Everywhere we go our message is the same- The Creator sent His Son, Jesus to show us the way to Creator, die as our cleansing sacrifice and to rise again from the dead to give new life to all who believe and trust in Him. It is the Good News.
This next month will see us go to many more communities on Vancouver Island, Washington, and in Alberta. .
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Spring Newsletter 2010
Winter Olympics Outreach
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The 4 First Nations Chiefs of the Vancouver area and the nation of Canada hosted the world for what many are saying was the best Winter Olympics ever.
We were kept quite busy with all of the outreach concert events organized by the inter-church program called "More Than Gold". In addition we also had the privilege of singing at the main First Nations Pavilion in the heart of all the Olympic activity! The Olympic Committee did not anticipate how much interest the First Nations would generate in the minds of the visitors from around the world as they built the seating area way too small- people were lined up for a couple of blocks trying to get in. This confirms what we have been saying for years- First Nations people who use their cultural songs and dances, regalia and drums have an unique ability to share Jesus through this medium to the people of the world! We have shared Christ, so far, with people in 34 countries around the world. Native American Indian missions teams are a great place to invest missions dollars...