We just wanted to thank all of you who prayed and sent financial support for the trip to the Crow and Cheyenne Reservations in Montana. And give you a little report on how God moved during our trip. God’s hand was apparent on everything we did right from the beginning.
The first child to win the bicycle raffle at the first two places we held them were both boys who had recently been abandoned. It seemed to be a bright spot of hope in the dim times they found themselves in.
Let me tell you about one of them. Jonathan had been abandoned by his mother, left with his grandma a short time ago. He and Grandma came to the clothing giveaway and the moment he walked through the door he saw the bright red bike and ran to it. He jumped on and wanted to take a spin. Frank (one of our team) had to explain to him that they were being raffled off and could only be ridden by the winner.
It was suggested by our Native hosts that the bikes not be just given away like the clothes, but that they should be raffled because there wasn’t one for every child. So we decided to sell raffle tickets for $1 and designated all proceeds to go to the Guatemala volcano survivors. We also secretly agreed that if any child didn’t have a dollar we’d personally buy the ticket for them. Frank bought Jonathan’s ticket and helped him fill in his name and contact information.
Building some of the bikes |
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Jonathan went into the clothing giveaway with a big smile on his face and told Frank that he knew the bike was going to be his, “he just knew it.” While Grandma found some needed clothes for the young man, Jonathan found a Ninja Turtles backpack. He anxiously waited for the next two hours for the drawing.
Finally the time came and sure enough Jonathan’s name was the first one drawn! I’m not sure who was more excited, Jonathan or Frank (LOL). It was such a joy for us to see the smiles on the faces of the children, parents, and grandparents at each of the bicycle raffles. One grandfather told us that his granddaughter will use the bike to ride 1-1/2 miles to church on Sunday mornings. We thank God for allowing us (this includes you) to be a part of bringing this joy and hope to these families.
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Jonathan takes a ride on his new bike! |
Winners! |
One of the best parts of the clothing giveaway happened even before we opened it to the public. Through several generous donations we were able to supply a ministry on the Cheyenne reservation with 15 (or more) brand new men’s suits and Prom gowns for the ladies. The ministry said they were in dire need of these and the suits would come in handy not only for prom but also job interviews and such.
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The public clothing giveaway was a great success too. About 10% of the clothes there were new and the rest were “like new.” There was also lots of flea market type stuff such as radios, backpacks, gadgets and more. What didn’t get taken was donated to the ministerial alliance thrift store on the Crow Reservation. They were especially appreciative of the stack of new men’s pants.
Callie Bennett and her father Ellson ministered together and separately at multiple events during our outreach. First it was the Pastor’s Prayer Breakfast, and then the Mennonite church both on the Cheyenne Reservation. Next they split up and while Callie did a concert at one of the reservation schools Ellson spoke at a Camp Meeting being held at the Crow Nation days. Each event presented opportunities to share the love of God and pray with groups and individuals.
Prepping for Prayer Breakfast |
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Some of the pastors at Prayer Breakfast |
The Prayer Breakfast gang |
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Crow Nation Day Parade |
Prayer for the youth |
Callie and her sister China were invited to participate in the Crow Nation Days Parade that kicked off the official start of the celebration. Callie had an opportunity to perform and speak at several events during the weekend celebration.
Ellson, Callie, and China were well liked and accepted by the Crow and Cheyenne people. Callie’s concert series was titled “Igniting Hope” and I believe that is exactly what happened in every life they touched including mine. Hope that the spirit of suicide will be destroyed; Hope that tomorrow can be a better day; Hope that people of all races, cultures, economic status, levels of education, and all walks of life can come together in unity because that is where God commands the blessing.
Check out this little video
Finally, God blessed us by solidifying a relationship that He started many years ago between Ed Slonchka and I; and introduced us both to new friends and brothers and sisters in Christ and ministry. Ed and I met back in 2005 or 2006 when I was on a “Dancing Our Prayers “tour with Richard Twiss that brought us through Pittsburgh. PA. However this was the first chance that Ed and I have had to work together on a project or outreach and really get to know each other. I think we both walked away with a better understanding of each other’s heart, strengths, and calling. And an excitement about what God may lead us to work on together in the future.
I was so encouraged by the Bennett family. I had actually met Ellson briefly many years ago when I was on tour with another Native group that was passing through Phoenix, AZ. We were introduced, shook hands, went our separate ways and our paths didn’t cross again until June 16th, 2018. I was encouraged to hear Ellson’s approach to ministry on his reservation and the success that they are having with it. His ideas are fresh and practical putting feet to the gospel and making it real. He would like if I would come to do some training sessions for his daughters and other young adults teaching video production, editing, and digital graphics. I have prayed about it and feel it’s something I’d like to do. With the Canada trip being postponed until next year we have room in our schedule to go to AZ. this year, we’re looking at the end of October. “If God ordains it He will make a way.” Ed and I talked about combining my teaching with his work team and doing a two-fold trip. He would work on construction/maintenance projects while I held classes. Please pray for this trip.
Frank - Ed2 - and Ed 1 |
Sharone & Latona on left our Crow Leaders, Our Team From AZ.(minus Ellson) Ed & me |
We also talked with Ellson and Callie about them coming to Western Pennsylvania to “Ignite Hope.” They are interested in doing that. While here we could produce a couple quality things for them in our video studio. So if you think your church or a ministry you know may want to host a concert or have Ellson preach (he is an ordained Christian Minister) let us know. A little icing on the cake for Ellson is he has a brother who lives near Harrisburg.
We don’t believe any of this would have been possible without your prayers, Thanks again!
The Montana Team
It has been a long time coming but finally the Video Studio is completed. The construction was done just before we went on the Montana trip, and all the equipment was moved in and installed in the weeks following the trip. Everything has been checked out, hooked up, and tested, it works!
Last week we filmed the first little project for a local ministry and produced a promotional for a community event they are having. You can check it out here:
Also we edited and produced a promotional that we filmed in Montana for the Bennett’s Ministry event in AZ. You can check it out here:
To say we are excited to see what God is going to do with the Studio would be an understatement. We believe He has already given us the idea to host a series of brethren who will share the message or teaching that God has laid on their heart. We’ll start with that and see where it goes from there. Our You Tube channel is:
How2BeReal - Come check it out, there is some old and new stuff there. And while you're there subscribe to our channel. Thanks
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We want to sincerely thank each and every one of you who have participated in this project by donating your prayers, time, labor, and/or finances. If not for your help it still would not be done. God has a plan, and we’ve only seen the tip of the iceberg!
1. In October of 2018 we are hoping to go to the Navajo Reservation in Hidden Springs AZ. to teach Video production (filming, lighting, editing, etc.) to young adults. We will need to raise $1,500 for this trip.
2. In November of 2018 we will return to Oklahoma to continue with our Native American Legacy Video Series project. We have been collecting the stories of the Elders concerning their family history and what it was like growing up as a Native American in their community. And affects other programs like the relocation programs of the 50’s and 60’s had on their lives and family. Also many of them are able to share a rich history of the Christian church and missions in their tribe. And while we are there we will also sit down with ministry leaders and discuss the needs and future mission trips to the area.
We have a new way for you to help support our ministry every day just by searching and shopping online or dining out at your favorite restaurants. We’ve registered Agape Lane Ministry with GoodSearch.com, a company that helps non-profits like ours raise funds through the everyday actions of our supporters. Every time you use a Good Search service, they donate to the non-profit you’ve designated.
You can start using it now. Just go to www.goodsearch.com and click on the link in small letters under the search text bar that says “Choose your cause” That will open a small search window where you will type in “Agape Lane Ministry” You will be transported to another window where you can register as a supporter of our ministry/cause. Then anytime you use Good Search they will donate to our ministry.
We’d like to begin building our presence on GoodSearch.com. Please join our community on GoodSearch.com and help us raise money for our mission. Get started by clicking the
“Become a Supporter” button on our profile page here: http://www.goodsearch.com/nonprofit/agape-lane-ministry.aspx
Please join us and invite a friend.
Just wanted to let you know there is another easy way that you can support Agape Lane ministry just doing the things you normally do. When you make purchases at Amazon through the Amazon Smile project. There is no extra charge to you but Amazon will donate ½ % of your purchase price to our ministry. Just click on the link below to register us as the ministry you want to support.
http://smile.amazon.com/ch/43-1957219
You can also just go to the Amazon Smile website at http://smile.amazon.com then in the search box under the "Select a Charity" area type "Agape Lane Ministry" into the search box and click the search button, then choose our ministry in Lawton, Oklahoma as your charity. That's all there is to it. As long as your computer is set up to accept cookies every time you go to Amazon Smile it will automatically apply the donation to our account. If your computer doesn't except cookies then you will need to enter the information each time you shop.
Thanks so much,
Howard & Charlyne
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