Moving forward that is the theme song for the Bible training with Hearts of Freedom Ministries, a women's ministry to the battered heart. Pastor Elizabeth has been sharing foundational teachings with the young ladies attending, and with each new day reminds them that they are moving forward! As the word becomes real in their lives there is no going back, only forward.
The song goes, "I'm not going back, I'm moving ahead, my past is over in Him all things are made new, I'm moving, moving forward. "
That's what we are doing at Agape Lane Ministries, we are moving forward. In Him all things are made new.
In the beginning of January of this year I had a dream, God was speaking He was saying, "2011 is a year of change, change in the way you talk, in the way you walk, in the way you see, in the way you hear, in your attitude, in all things, This is a year of change, change, change." I woke up shouting the words "CHANGE, CHANGE, CHANGE" and it was like thunder coming out of me. Now I include myself in the "you" but as I woke shouting those words, I had a real sense that that word change was for the body of Christ as a whole. So I share it with you! Change in God , by the Holy Spirit is always good for those who embrace it.
As the year has progressed God has brought some changes to our lives, so far it has been mostly in the way of attitude. Our attitude about our outlook on God at work in our own personal lives, God at work in Native America, and of course in Agape Lane Ministries. Sometimes it takes a very long time to see the fruit of your labors. But we are to be encouraged that God does not waste time or energy. As long as we stay focused and committed to Him, He will always be at work in our lives to bring Glory to His name. I love Him so, and I look forward to loving and knowing Him even more tomorrow!
As you all know part of what we believe we are called to as a mission ministry is to build bridges between the cultures. Some of those bridges come in the form of bringing in short term mission teams to work with the Native American people here in Oklahoma.
One of the teams that we have hosted for the past
two Summers, invited the Pastor from the church we linked them with to share at their Mission Conference in January of this year. It was exciting to have a church from Florida invite the Native Pastor and his wife to their mission conference.
They were asked to speak about what the barriers were that have held Native American people from entering the Kingdom.
For Howard and I this is very encouraging to hear the non Native people ask the questions "Why, and how can we help change it?" Rather than trying to take a package they have prepared, with their ideas and good intentions, and try and make it fit into another culture.
The Pastor and his wife were blessed by going, and God has ministered to them concerning their responsibility to share as Native people. We look forward to seeing how God will continue to use them in this area.
We believe that we are beginning to see some of the long term fruit of the labors from building bridges. Below are statements taken form Agape's website www.agapelane.org from our goals , vision, and strategies pages. We are encouraged that these are the things that God is at work doing and allowing us the honor of taking part in:
Native Americans have many God given gifts and talents to offer others in the body of Christ and a responsibility to share those things. They can make a difference in their own Tribe, their own communities, and the entire world.
To see Non-Indian churches and ministries educated so that the attitude of being the parent (non-Natives), or the children (Native Americans) can stop. So that they can come together as brothers in Christ, Non-Indian churches and the Native churches, to build the kingdom of God.
We know because God is at work there is much more on the horizon!
We have three possibly four mission teams coming between June through November. of this year. Please be in prayer with us as we strive to connect each team with a church here that is interested in building relationships and advancing the Kingdom of God. There is blessing and responsibility to be shared on both sides.
God has been stirring our hearts again about going out. We also would appreciate prayers for wisdom in taking some teams from here on another short term trip to a reservation, or other community. They have much to give. And even though reservation Native Americans have a little bit different culture than Urban Native Americans, we have found from past experience that they respond much more quickly to other Native Americans than non Natives.
We would like to show you a picture of what our Advocacy team made possible for us for Valentine Day. They sent us money so we thought of a yummy menu and made a wonderful dinner at home. Looks delicious doesn't it? Yes it was!
The weather cooperated with us it was a beautiful day so we were able to grill shrimp and scallops outside on the grill and serve it over rice, with asparagus. And for dessert we had cheese cake. Oh my mouth is watering all over again. We just want to let you all know we have an Advocacy Team who continues to make us feel so special.
They sent us reminders from home during the football season, Steeler plates, cups, bowls, and terrible towels that we saved for the big day, the Super Bowl . Okay so we put the rest away for next year, there is always next year.
A-Team: We just want to acknowledge you publicly and say
we appreciate everything you do for us. We love you all!
If you would like to be a part of our advocacy team contact Paulette Meyers or Karen Miller, they both are members of Cornerstone Church of Export, Pa. Phone # 724-733-0070
Because of a death in our family, Howard officiated a funeral
a few days before Thanksgiving which had us unexpectedly home for the holiday this year . As we thought back we realized that we had not been home for Thanksgiving since our transition time between the reservation in South Dakota and leaving for YWAM training in Canada, which was in 1998. We had a great time and lots of wonderful food.
We had already planned a trip to spend Christmas with our sons and grandson, so in December we headed home again. Our time with our guys was great! I loved that it snowed Christmas morning it was beautiful. And in spite of the cold weather I made it sled riding Christmas morning with Tyler who is now eleven years old. Those are memories to cherish.
Who said when Granma hit 50 years old she couldn't still act like a kid?
Some of you have been following along with Howard's eye health. In the last newsletter we shared that after his lens transplant Howard would receive his new prescription eye glasses and be back to full vision in both eyes. Unfortunately he still has some areas of blur in the eye. They will do laser surgery in May this time to remove what we call the little envelope that holds the lens from the front of his eye. The Doctor believes this may be why he still has areas of blurriness. Thank you to all who will continue to pray for complete eyesight restored.
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