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AICM Smoke Signals Sept 2009, pt 9 of 10
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Tom Dierkes
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Nov 06, 2009 04:28 PST
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AICM - American Indian Christian Mission - September, 2009
http://www.dfamily.com/missions
http://www.fcctn.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=9908
http://www.aicm.org
http://www.aicm.org/PhotoAlbums.htm
http://www.aicm.org/newsletters/Sep09-SmokeSignals.pdf
924 Mission Lane #1 Show Low, AZ 85901 Phone 928-537-5912 Fax 928-537-5620
"EVANGELIZING & EQUIPPING NATIVE AMERICANS FOR CHRIST"
September, 2009
* * * * * * *
BRUISED REED...
I remember a situation that occurred last year within one of our families.
We had a young mother with two sons in our school; she is an alcoholic and
was involved with a very abusive man. The family was turned in to Child
Protective Services. The Mom was responsive to the help and sought out
resources within the community. The boys could not go home for about 6 weeks
and remained with families here on campus until Mom made some changes in her
life.
The staff at the AICM attended family meetings with CPS and spoke for the
boys and discussed how they were doing in this situation. Fortunately we had
staff members who took an active interest in the lives of these 2 young
boys and went beyond their regular service here to provide a safe place for
them to stay. These people allowed God to work through them providing
comfort, and an understanding ear as the children cried for their mom and
prayed for God to help them be able to go home again.
Thankfully we recognized the need these two boys had and ministered to them,
however we did not do the same for their Mom. We did nothing to help her.
This lady found help through the Church of the Latter Day Saints who had the
resources to help. They helped get her house in order; they provided
counseling in their offices and accountability in visiting her home and open
communication lines. This organization went out of their way to help as a
result she was baptized and joined their church.
It was this experience and a few others that began to open my eyes to a
greater need we must minister to the Native American communities, families,
and Children. So often we repair wounds over and over within a child yet
send the children back into less than ideal circumstances. We have families
struggling, with little resources to make their life better and looking for
hope and help. We must find the ways to offer this help.
The Mom in my story made significant progress, the boys were returned to her
and things seemed to go OK for a while. But we know the resources she
received were temporary without the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, without
the truth all our attempts at a better life are in vain. The boys were taken
from her this summer and are now staying with another family member and by
all sources we feel their situation is no better. We are still unsure about
all that has happened to them.
I wonder if we had been better prepared to help this family how things would
look, would the boys be living in a Christian home free of abuse, would I
have a new sister in Christ, would they have in turn impacted their family
and communities for Christ. I do not know, but I am positive that I will be
better prepared to help other struggling moms and strive to help families
live life in all its fullness.
It is a regular occurrence to hear children speak of the violence they see
at home, so regularly do they see hatred and anger acted out it that it is
expected. Rape and domestic violence is often not even reported, because
that is just part of life. Most see no way out, our young people have very
little to truly look forward too. They cannot imagine a different life.
We have had children stay on campus all but one weekend so far this school
year. In each case it is because the kids have had no safe place to stay. We
must provide a refuge for the hurting and be their strength and protection
until they can stand on their own. John 10:10 states “The thief’s purpose
is to steal and kill and destroy.
My purpose is to give life in all its fullness.” So many of our children
and their families know all too well the first part of this verse, it is
time to show the Native American People the second part through taking them
by the hand and showing what life in Christ looks like.
We want to give our families a chance to see change, to help them understand
what Love is, and that God truly has a plan and a purpose in their life
beyond meager existence. Please pray for the harvest that is in store for
us by submitting ourselves to His will. That we would implement God plans
exactly as He says, for the resources we need and most of all that hearts
will be opened up to receive truth.
You’ll notice that in our vision, the Nehemiah Project, God has laid on our
hearts the Bruised Reed Ministry. The story that you have just read is like
many others and we have to do something. God is and has been calling us to
minister more effectively to our Native parents. We would be remiss if we
weren’t obedient to God’s calling to offer this ministry. This story and
others like it might have a different outcome if we were more prepared and
more ready. God has given this vision for all of us to participate in, even
you. Would you be willing to help with this ministry? Would you be willing
to come alongside of us and support us in this endeavor? God is calling each
one of us to a higher calling. He is calling us to prepare for the harvest
that is about to come. Jump on with us as we Evangelize and Equip Native
Americans for Christ.
Brennae Lewing
Director of Student Life
* * * * * * *
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AICM - American Indian Christian Mission - September, 2009<br><a href="http://www.dfamily.com/missions" target="_blank">http://www.dfamily.com/missions</a><br><a href="http://www.fcctn.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=9908" target="_blank">http://www.fcctn.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=9908</a><br>
<a href="http://www.aicm.org" target="_blank">http://www.aicm.org</a><br><a href="http://www.aicm.org/PhotoAlbums.htm" target="_blank">http://www.aicm.org/PhotoAlbums.htm</a><br><a href="http://www.aicm.org/newsletters/Sep09-SmokeSignals.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.aicm.org/newsletters/Sep09-SmokeSignals.pdf</a><br>
<br><br>924 Mission Lane #1 Show Low, AZ 85901 Phone 928-537-5912 Fax 928-537-5620<br><br><br>"EVANGELIZING & EQUIPPING NATIVE AMERICANS FOR CHRIST"<br><br>September, 2009 <br>
<br>
<br>
* * * * * * * <br>
<br>
<br>
BRUISED REED...<br>
<br>
I remember a situation that occurred last year within one of our
families. We had a young mother with two sons in our school; she is an
alcoholic and was involved with a very abusive man. The family was
turned in to Child Protective Services. The Mom was responsive to the
help and sought out resources within the community. The boys could not
go home for about 6 weeks and remained with families here on campus
until Mom made some changes in her life.<br>
<br>
The staff at the AICM attended family meetings with CPS and spoke for
the boys and discussed how they were doing in this situation.
Fortunately we had staff members who took an active interest in the
lives of these 2 young boys and went beyond their regular service here
to provide a safe place for them to stay. These people allowed God to
work through them providing comfort, and an understanding ear as the
children cried for their mom and prayed for God to help them be able to
go home again.<br>
<br>
Thankfully we recognized the need these two boys had and ministered to
them, however we did not do the same for their Mom. We did nothing to
help her. This lady found help through the Church of the Latter Day
Saints who had the resources to help. They helped get her house in
order; they provided counseling in their offices and accountability in
visiting her home and open communication lines. This organization went
out of their way to help as a result she was baptized and joined their
church.<br>
<br>
It was this experience and a few others that began to open my eyes to a
greater need we must minister to the Native American communities,
families, and Children. So often we repair wounds over and over within
a child yet send the children back into less than ideal circumstances.
We have families struggling, with little resources to make their life
better and looking for hope and help. We must find the ways to offer
this help.<br>
<br>
The Mom in my story made significant progress, the boys were returned
to her and things seemed to go OK for a while. But we know the
resources she received were temporary without the indwelling of the
Holy Spirit, without the truth all our attempts at a better life are in
vain. The boys were taken from her this summer and are now staying with
another family member and by all sources we feel their situation is no
better. We are still unsure about all that has happened to them.<br>
<br>
I wonder if we had been better prepared to help this family how things
would look, would the boys be living in a Christian home free of abuse,
would I have a new sister in Christ, would they have in turn impacted
their family and communities for Christ. I do not know, but I am
positive that I will be better prepared to help other struggling moms
and strive to help families live life in all its fullness.<br>
<br>
It is a regular occurrence to hear children speak of the violence they
see at home, so regularly do they see hatred and anger acted out it
that it is expected. Rape and domestic violence is often not even
reported, because that is just part of life. Most see no way out, our
young people have very little to truly look forward too. They cannot
imagine a different life. <br>
<br>
We have had children stay on campus all but one weekend so far this
school year. In each case it is because the kids have had no safe place
to stay. We must provide a refuge for the hurting and be their strength
and protection until they can stand on their own. John 10:10 states
“The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. <br>
<br>
My purpose is to give life in all its fullness.” So many of our
children and their families know all too well the first part of this
verse, it is time to show the Native American People the second part
through taking them by the hand and showing what life in Christ looks
like.<br>
<br>
We want to give our families a chance to see change, to help them understand what Love is, and that God truly has a plan and a purpose in their life beyond meager existence. Please pray for the harvest that is in store for us by submitting ourselves to His will. That we would implement God plans exactly as He says, for the resources we need and most of all that hearts will be opened up to receive truth.<br>
<br>
You’ll notice that in our vision, the Nehemiah Project, God has laid on
our hearts the Bruised Reed Ministry. The story that you have just read
is like many others and we have to do something. God is and has been
calling us to minister more effectively to our Native parents. We would
be remiss if we weren’t obedient to God’s calling to offer this
ministry. This story and others like it might have a different outcome
if we were more prepared and more ready. God has given this vision for
all of us to participate in, even you. Would you be willing to help
with this ministry? Would you be willing to come alongside of us and
support us in this endeavor? God is calling each one of us to a higher
calling. He is calling us to prepare for the harvest that is about to
come. Jump on with us as we Evangelize and Equip Native Americans for
Christ.<br>
<br>
Brennae Lewing<br>
Director of Student Life<br>
<br>
<br>
* * * * * * *<br>
<br>
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