BY BEVERLY HADLAND,
Our various Crossroads teams travelled across three provinces in ten days for an amazing example of First Peoples Voices: Media and Mission.
Project Hope Youth Empowerment Weekend, Saskatoon
Over fifty youth gave their hearts to Jesus at ‘Project Hope’ in Saskatoon September 28-30. What a weekend of fun and skits, workshops and teaching, sports, dancing, preaching with worship and lots of prayer! Pastors Marvin and Deloris Netmaker will continue to follow up with these youth throughout the year and, with your help, we will be there behind the scenes with support and encouragement. Crossroads (which is YOU) and many other churches and organizations partnered to help make this an incredible weekend.
Crystal mentioned that a young girl at the conference was planning to take her life that weekend. Praise God that she attended the conference. As a result, she shared on Saturday that she feels truly ‘born again’. She is going home with hope in a loving God and a promising future. Gathering these youth for a life changing weekend is only the beginning. Now the real work begins.
Watch this video to be encouraged!
Waskaganish, Quebec
Crystal Lavallee, Rebecca Cowboy and Greg Howes, names you are familiar with, spent the first week in October gathering seven personal stories from residential school survivors in Waskaganish, Quebec. Rebecca, having grown up in Waskaganish, was an immense help to the team and to her community. Stay tuned for when these stories, including the ‘Residential School Survivors’ documentary, air on 100 Huntley Street. As you view these stories please remember that Crystal and her team felt your prayers and the ‘divine’ moments they experienced throughout the week.
Steve Stephen is a residential school survivor sharing his story with Crystal
Alaska Highway, northern B.C
One blown engine, a flat tire on a car rental with no spare, and Lana having to stay in Alberta was how our trip to northern BC on the Alaska Highway started. Our five-member team was down to four. Still, after a day of orientation and prayer, we were ready. We prayed for individuals at Doig and Blueberry River First Nations, our third visit in one year. Last June, our team prayed for Gerry Hunter, Halfway River First Nation council member, in his hospital room in Fort St. John. He had suffered a severe heart attack and was immediately sent to Vancouver for treatment. Praise God! Gerry is healthy again and back to work. He invited us to minister in the community center. God’s Holy Spirit fell upon everyone as we worshiped, shared, and prayed for one another, Indigenous and Non-Indigenous in the circle of friendship. We prayed for individuals as well as the future and destiny of Halfway First Nation. The photo says it all as we joined hands in the air.
Rick Apsassin felt a kinship with Peter and Lydia Litchfield from Saskatchewan who hope to spend a month next year with Rick. They will be discipling him throughout the winter.
I have noticed a greater number of women believers than men in these communities. Please join me in praying for God to change that.
The first snow-storm of the season hit the morning of our three-hour drive north on the Alaska Highway to Prophet River First Nation. It was a slow drive with several vehicles in the ditch. One slippery moment saw us slide into the oncoming lane but Rick brought us safely back on course. The moment we slid, we prayed. Boom! The next moment we were safe. Praise God again. After a powerful time of prayer with Chief Bigfoot’s granddaughter, Mary McKanacha, we drove to the band office.
We had permission to pray throughout the building and specifically for, Beverly Stager, a band council member. We prayed for several others but the most exciting was Larissa who prayed the ‘sinner’s prayer’ with us. We knew the angels were dancing in heaven. Another name had been added to the Lamb’s Book of Life.
Steve Stephen is a residential school survivor sharing his story with Crystal
Mary McKanacha, grand-daughter of Chief McKanacha, also known in the history books as, Chief Bigfoot, who signed Treaty 8 in 1914.
Please keep praying for revival to happen in Indigenous communities across the Subarctic. Pray that ALL the people, having been touched on these trips, continue in their healing journeys and fulfill their God appointed destinies. Pray for Crystal and her production team to put together the stories in the most healing and honoring way possible. Pray for our finances as we continue to move across this land in love with truth and reconciliation for all.
Thank you once again for your strong partnership. We are one in the Spirit!
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Call 1-800-265-3100and give to First Peoples Voices
Blessed are the Peacemakers