Danach’e’a (Hello in Sekani)! – Mission Trip Update
It’s been a busy month since our team of 9 went on a mission trip to the remote native villages of Kwadacha and Tsay Keh Dene in northern British Columbia. I’ve wanted share some stories from our trip, and let you know how much we appreciated your prayers covering us.
Our 7 day trip to the villages could be described as surprising, amazing, tiring, powerful, emotional, encouraging, humbling, faith stretching, inspirational, and did I mention tiring? We went with anticipation that the Lord had called, was sending us out (Luke 10:1-11), and knew what He had in store for us. This call was to a precious people who have historically experienced various traumas through displacement when their land was flooded for a Hydro electric dam, survival in harsh winter conditions and near starvation, having their children forcibly removed to attend Residential Schools, and the effects of alcoholism, addictions, and poor parenting that remain. Historically, this pain was inflicted on the people by white government officials, churches, and missionaries. Knowing this history, we sensed we were to come humbly, to serve, and to share the Immanuel Approach to all who were open to receive. Surprisingly we were told “We’ve been praying for someone to come and teach us about Jesus, and not only does He send one, but He sends NINE people-wow!”. This sending involved two vehicles and a trailer travelling a total of 13 hours one way in, which included some close calls with gravel roads, logging trucks, and hours along the side of the road with 3 flat tires. Thanks to God’s grace, intercessors prayer covering, and creative mechanical work from the men on our team, we always seemed to get back on the road safely. As many on the team commented, it was like we were in a bubble of protection and favour the entire trip, and that a spirit of unity was so thick and present that kept us positive and praising God through every struggle.
Our days followed a basic pattern of team meeting first thing with devotion and prayer to discern what direction the Lord was leading us for the day. We then went out two by two to homes praying with individuals, and quickly discovered one person was to run interference with the kids, the dogs, and the distractions so the other could focus on Immanuel prayer. A quick team lunch was shared along with stories and tears of how Jesus revealed Himself, and then it was time for the afternoon gatherings, one with children (group sizes ranged from 20-35) and another with adults. In the evenings we held open meetings in the church, that included all from children to elders. Our evenings ended with amazed and weary team members sharing their most significant encounters of the day, and praying in thanksgiving. We felt like “pioneers” blessed to be amid such beautiful land and people, with so much of what we were walking in uncharted territory unlike any we had experienced before.
For example, the children’s groups, which we named Immanuel Practicum Kids (IP Kids) ranged in age from 4 yrs-teenagers, although younger babes did come with their mothers or caregivers. Many of these children have witnessed/experienced deep trauma, are affect by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), have behavioural problems and later we suspected were probably hungry when they arrived. Yet they fully participated in song led by Becky, the first 4 steps of the Immanuel Approach (Remember, Appreciate, Locate and Connect with Jesus), crafts, and games outside. Children who were “triggered” by memories or experiences were quietly directed to team member Valerie who at times was leading several children through negative memories to a positive connection and healing with Jesus so they could happily return to play with the other children. The adult gatherings followed a pattern of worship, teaching, and experiencing steps 1-4 of the Immanuel process. The hunger and openness of the people to receive and participate was refreshing and inspiring, with young and old readily seeing Jesus in their midst, and hearing what He wanted them to know.
Highlights:
-Open welcome in the land and the communities.
-Comments from participants about a whole new way of knowing Jesus, knowing my prayers are heard and answered,
-Elder in one community freed from a lifetime of shame experienced in Residential Schools when abused at 7 years old.
-A child whose mother had died when she was young seeing her mother with Jesus in heaven.
-Numerous positive memories shared that included supernatural “Immanuel experiences” long before they learned of the Immanuel Approach (i.e. protection during road accidents, babes and adults brought back to life, provision of game when hunting to feed hungry families, heavenly experience of meeting God and called to return home and share the gospel).
-25 Baptisms in Sucker Lake, mainly children/youth/young adults and a family of 4.
-We give thanks for our bridge to the communities, Jeannie and Henry, who have persevered in faith as they have visited and worked in these villages for over 10 years. Their testimony was they have never seen God move so among the people.
Such an amazing time of blessings and evidence of Immanuel-God With Us. We witnessed the fruit of many prophetic words that have been spoken over the First Nations Peoples of Canada, and of the North, and expect this is only the beginning. We thank you for your faithful prayer and partnership with our IP-Missions team, and ask for your continued prayer covering. I’ve had a sense that it is important to follow up with what was begun during our initial visit. I will be returning to the villages with Jeannie and Henry next week for 7 days, where I expect to have individual Immanuel sessions and lead meetings in the evening as people are interested. I may fly up with Jeannie (she travels as a Community Health Nurse) once more before Christmas. We expect to return with a full team in January when the roads are frozen and better for travel. There is so much to learn, to share, to pray with our faith family in the villages. Here’s a glimpse of some who we shared with.