Wednesday, June 4, 2008

updates

Hey
I thought i'd start posting my updates and photo's on here... feel free to check it out whenever!
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This was originally writen
April 26
Just decided to send a little update on whats going on with me...I'm living back on Manitoulin Island for the summer, working with an organization called Daystar Native Outreach, on a First Nation Called Wikwemikong (aka Wiky) theres about 1000 Aboriginals here... If you knew me for a long time you would know that living on a reservation would be one of the last things i would have done, because i hated the native stereotype and just saw a lot of Natives falling into it... and it seemed like anyone wanted to make a change for their future...

but a few years ago God had to really break my heart for the things that break his and gave me a loving heart toward my people... Instead of choosing to just see the stereotype, God really opened my eyes to see what was going on, opened my my eyes to generational trauma, oppressions and depression and the effects of residential schools, etc... God really placed a passion to see Native Americans come to God in a really way, and truly search His Character...

almost all the youth i work with have come from broken homes, have lost someone close to them, and for many of the girls have been sexually abused somehow, they have all felt the effects of substance abuse, and are falling into the same pattern...

the churches here are for the most part really dry... last summer, the Daystar team and Myself, were here building a relationships with the Kids, letting them know that they could come to us and trust us.. it was such a blessing to hear the kids ask questions wondering who God really was, and i've never felt so blessed to see a few of the youth come to Christ...

This year, we are starting bible studies that are more indepth, and really searching out Gods Character, and trying to show them that he's very real.... which can be a little hard, the organization i'm with is brethern/baptist... and sometimes it feels like some of the full year team still has God in a box an limits on him...

So basically i'm writing this for support, just pray that this summer would be a break through, that God's spirit will pour out over the community of wiky, and that the people here will be able to experience God in such a real and powerful way....

also, i'm here completely on volenteer terms, so please pray that God will provide finacially for me these next few months... that food will be provided and my bills back at home can be looked after...

thanks so much
God Bless
Melissa Williams

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