Many Americans don't know that our country still has Native tribes living within it's borders. Most can't even imagine life outside of our own Americanized civilization. We are not only blessed to know, but to also have the opportunity to experience these beautiful people and their great culture first hand! The villages here in Alaska are not like the villages we've visited in other countries. The villagers speak their own Native languages as well as English, have electricity and even resources to live somewhat comfortably. Some of the villages even have access to financially well standing careers that supply them with up to date equipment. However many, if not all villages have something to live with that we don't necessarily have to. Their forefathers and great forefathers lived here long before our type of civilization. They have to deal with a constant struggle between their native culture, beliefs, religions and the Americanized life that we bring. Today we have found many cases of people who needed no convincing about the reality of the Supernatural. They just wanted to know why they see spirits and demons lurking in their house. Some wanted to know how to get their house clean and free from them. Some of the people wanted to know the truth about Jesus aside from cultural religion - and they all wanted to be free.
I woke up bright and early to start getting myself and the family ready. I had a lot to think about when packing today. It was my first time bringing our baby to a village where a "Walmart" wouldn't be found for hours. I needed to not forget anything because if I did there was a good chance I either wouldn't be able to find it anywhere else or if I did, the price of whatever I would need would be inflated ridiculously. After cooking breakfast and packing everything I could possibly remember to pack, we jumped in the van and headed for the dirt roads.
As a Missionary I can say that it is a great advantage to be able to have your own vehicle on the field! We waited in our van to meet our contact where the paved roads meet the dirt road - and when she arrived we followed her into the first village. There we prepared to do a children's outreach. Our contact, Crystal, had been working with this village already for some time, and today we were going to minister to the village and even the visiting children with a program including music, a lesson, games and speaking and ministry time. At the end, Rob was to share about Jesus and pray and impart the Holy Spirit to them. When asked the question "What is sin?" the children shouted back some shocking answers. One would say "Cursing", and another would shout, "Stealing". What took me by surprise was when the children would yell "Hitting girls!", and another would yell "Smoking Dope!" We were shocked to hear such young children (ages 4-10) even aware of such things but we had been previously warned that some of the biggest issues in the villages are things like abuse, suicide, drugs and alcoholism. In fact, suicide is an epidemic in Native Alaskan villages - and that is only the tip of the iceberg. Needless to say, the children joyfully interacted and participated in the program. It was amazing to see such young hearts touched by Jesus. Some of them had already given their lives to Jesus and some who previously hadn't wanted to receive Jesus for the first time! God is so good to us, giving us the honor of seeing such miracles! One young man could not see very far and needed to stand very close to a sign just to read it. After prayer, he testified to us that he began to see clear from farther and farther away! The other children witnessed this miracle and all wanted prayer and began to display an interest in the supernatural. Many of them had a broad understanding if witchcraft and the occult because it was in their family history, and at some point along the line, they had been introduced to it. We prayed and broke the ties of witchcraft, and the joy of the Holy Spirit fell on those young guys!
After leaving the church, Titus fell asleep in the car so I needed to stay with him. (Some villages have pretty alarming crime rates.) Meanwhile Rob, Crystal and the rest of the team went door to door in the village offering to pray for people and getting words of knowledge for them. This was incredibly fruitful as they got to pray for many sick, and one lady even invited them in saying "There is evil spirits in my house and I want it clean!". God did amazing things there and many were touched. Next it was time to go to the next village named "Tetlin".
The next village was over an hour off the highway down a narrow, winding dirt road. Upon approaching the entrance, there was a sign that read "You are now entering Tetlin tribal land - enter at your own risk" I wasn't quite sure what exactly the sign was meant, but we thanked the Lord for protection and trekked on. We arrived at the Village Tribal Center where there was a planned Tribal dinner and meeting where Rob would preach for the village. Unfortunately, without notice they cancelled on us because there was a death in the village and when there is a death most of the village takes the time out to mourn and feast together. Rob, Crystal and the team went out praying and ministering to people anyway. One young man went for a walk with Rob, a walk that would change his life. There he asked to receive Jesus into his life. They also prayed for a crippled man and some others on their way. As they were ministering someone came to ask about the meeting. Apparently, they didn't know it was cancelled and Rob, Crystal and the team decided to hold the meeting anyway for the few people that still wanted to come!
No, it wasn't a revival gathering of a bazillion people and Hillsong wasn't leading worship. It was just us, and a few villagers who were hungry for the presence of God. Rob preached his heart out like he was leading a crusade and prayed for them. We know that when God sends us, He expects us to do as He would do. He would leave the 99 for the 1. He would leave behind a whole schedule of activities to come to a village and minister to just one person! We consider it a great honor to see all that God has done changing lives today!
We didn't get back to our cabin until about midnight. After cooking dinner and laying the baby in his portable crib, it is 1:30AM and I am ready to hit the pillow. I'm so thankful for this opportunity and I realize that tomorrow is only getting closer as I continue to write. So goodnight all. Pray for our journeys tomorrow!
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