The prayer covering was obvious from the very beginning. On my way there I stopped overnight in Effingham, IL. Early in the morning on my way back to the interstate I saw a coffee shop and decided to get one to take with me. Their parking lot was full so I parked across the street in another lot. I walked to the curb, looked both ways (like my mom taught me), then proceeded to walk across the street. About half way across I was struck by a car that pulled out of yet another parking lot. It just so happened that I had just shifted my weight to my left foot in my stride, the woman hit me with the soft part of her front bumper in my right foot that had just been lifted from the ground sending me in a 360 deg circle spinning on my left foot. I never fell but sure was shocked. After checking myself out I declined the woman’s offer to take me to the hospital but did get her name and contact information in case I felt differently after the shock wore off. That night when I reac
hed my destination I checked myself out, not even a bruise! Earlier I said, “it just so happened,” well I don’t believe in coincidence, “God so Happened” via your prayers.
Ed Slonchka and I met with two church leaders from different churches. Both were very excited about the prospect of us bringing work teams in 2019. Their churches are in need of multiple repairs and improvements. Ed meshed with these men right away and they quickly became friends. Of course how big of projects we can take on will depend on how many people will commit to go with us and the funds we can raise. We are looking at dates in May and/or August. If you or anyone you know may be interested in going let me know and I will make sure to keep you informed as plans get solidified.
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I was able to meet with six Elders for the Legacy Video Project. What an awesome and interesting time I had interviewing them and getting to know some of their family. Each of them have history with one of two different Native mission churches that were established in the late 1800’s, before Oklahoma was even admitted into the union.
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The highlight for me was talking with 97 year old Luke Toyebo. He had so many stories about the church, boarding school, his childhood, serving in the armed forces, raising and training race horses and on and on. I met with him three times and still didn’t get it all. He and I are hoping I can return in the Spring to get some more. His Adult grandson sat in at each of our sessions, I watched a change take place in him each day. He offered to be an advocate and help out when I return. On the last day after I had recorded Luke’s advice and prayer for the future generations, with tears in his eyes, he thanked me for doing what I’m doing. He told me that it was a great thing that I’m doing, not just for him but for all his descendants now and those to come, and for the Kingdom of God.
Luke’s words confirmed our calling to this project and encouraged me to continue. Then a friend shared a quote on the Agape Face Book page that said, “When the elderly die a library is lost and volumes of wisdom and knowledge are gone.” Makes me think about how important this Legacy Video Project is, and not just for Native Americans. Our next generations need to know who they are and where they came from.
Multiple people after seeing what we were doing with Luke and others became very interested in the project and expressed a desire to make arrangements to tell their family stories and get them recorded when I come back. We hope to return in the Spring to record some more. We’d like to combine it with a trip to the Navajo reservation in Arizona that would hopefully include recording stories of the Navajo elders.
Finally I had a great time visiting with old friends like Patti and Tony Hunting Horse, Cindie Logan (YWAM base director), Myron Beeson, and Jack Outhier. We talked about possible ministry opportunities in the near future. There were plenty of friends I didn’t get to see but it was awesome to spend what little free time I had with the ones I did.
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I was super blessed to spend an afternoon with Gerald and Janet Haunpo (both members of the Agape Lane 
Ministry board) and their family. We’ve known Janet and Gerald since long before we even moved to Oklahoma. Our relationship with them is beyond casual friendship and in the Kiowa way we are family. Their sons and daughter in laws call me uncle, and their grandchildren call me grandpa. What a great time we had watching the OU vs OSU football game and chowing down Oklahoma style. Thank you Lord!
Thanks to all of you who prayed and/or provided finances. We truly could not have gone without you. Lives were changed right now while we were there and I believe lives will be changed for generations to come. Relationships were made, others strengthened, opportunities for future ministry realized and encouragement all around. May God richly bless you for your faithfulness and generosity.
It is an awesome experience having Christmas at home with friends and family after spending so many years away from home on the mission field. Not that we never made it home for Christmas but it’s different when you know you won’t have to leave in a couple days without seeing everyone. (probably still won’t see everyone but it’s not as critical now)
Many of the traditions that were in play when we left in 1992 have disappeared along with family members, old friends, and our youth; though some still remain. But we are making new ones; like our annual trip to the Strip District in Pittsburgh.
For those of you who are unfamiliar with it, the Strip District is several blocks in the middle of the city where at one time most of the goods sold in Pittsburgh entered the area. The trains had docks there and so did the river boats. If you owned any type of retail business you were intimately familiar with the Strip District. Several locally famous restaurants sprung up there, someone had to feed all the workers on the docks and all the goods were right there. It is not really considered part of the cultural district, but it is definitely part of the culture of Pittsburgh.
So our new tradition is to go there a week or two before Christmas to watch all the people hustling around Christmas shopping. Plenty of smiles and some laughter to be seen and the Christmas spirit is bubbling out all 
over. We check out the Yinzer Store (Pittsburgh sports paraphernalia), the produce markets, and just look around at all there is being offered. Then we make sure we stop at Wholey’s Fish Market to get some things for our other new tradition, Christmas Eve Seafood Family Feast! At some point during our visit we will have lunch at one of the little, but excellent, restaurants on the strip. This year we went to Pho Van a Vietnamese noodle soup bar and grill. The food is excellent! We had soup and fresh spring rolls. They could be the best in Pittsburgh. It is a lot of fun!
God is so good and we have so much to be thankful for. Although our ministry is changing in some ways He has made it clear that He is not done with us yet. There is still so much to do, so many of His children yet to be reached. He continues to show us ways that we can join in His plans and purpose. Yet at the same time He has allowed us to be a part of our family’s lives in a way that doesn’t have to include phone calls and photos, where we can feel the warmth of a hug and share a spontaneous chuckle. The saying goes that “Absence makes the heart grow fonder,” we can attest to that. In a busy world where it’s so easy to take time with family and friends for granted we feel blessed to know the value of their company. We pray that God will bless you with sweet times with family and friends this Christmas and throughout the New Year.
1. In Spring of 2019 (possibly May)we are hoping to go to the Navajo Reservation in Hidden Springs AZ. to teach Video production (filming, lighting, editing, etc.) to young adults; and begin the Legacy Video Project there. We will need to raise $1,500 for this trip.
2. Also in the Spring of 2019 (May as well) 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. We also hope to begin some work projects with those we talked to in November 2018. We will need to raise $1,500 for this trip too plus funds to help with material if we do the work projects.
3. In June we will return to the Crow reservation in Montana to continue the outreach there in cooporation with Ed Slonchka and Global Reach Network. We have been communicating and expect to begin the Legacy Video Project there too.
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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