Tammy’s Smoke Signals – October Updates and Prayer Requests
The Carriage Lane teen monthly Bible study follow up ministry is going well. The number of youth continues to grow each month they come to Cherokee. Please pray for them as they continue with this much-needed ministry.
My trip to the Lummi Reservation was such a blessing. Jackie, Lisa and I had a great time of fellowship with the Lummi. The weather was beautiful and it was good to see Paul Jefferson and his family. Paul is currently investigating colleges that he would like to attend next year and Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC is one he is highly considering. He is still not attending church so please continue to pray that God would put Christian people in his pathway to disciple and pray for him. Pray for God to open opportunities for ministry for Christ Church Bellingham, (PCA) and Terra Nova Church who would like to go to Lummi to host various programs in the fall and winter months. If this happens Paul has agreed to assist them and these relationships will be a great encouragement for him. He has also expressed an interest in returning Cherokee again next summer.
This month I also attended an Apologetics Conference hosted by Pastor Rich Sneed and Christ Fellowship Church. A seminary out of Charlotte, NC led the conference with various speakers addressing various topics on how to defend you faith. I thoroughly enjoyed this conference and each speaker. Because this was something new to the Cherokee community not many Cherokee attended but I encouraged the leadership to pray about hosting another one next year. Introducing new things takes time and now that some of us have attended we know what the conference is about and we can help promote it in the community. Pray that God would open the door for more conferences like these to be hosted in our area.
Praise Report:
In September Michael & Lindie Wadhams completed MTW’s Interview & Orientation process to become two-year missionaries to the Lummi Nation. They have five girls ranging in ages 4 – 14. Please pray for them as they begin the task of raising support and transitioning into this new field. Pastor Nate Walker and Christ Church Bellingham (PCA) are very excited that the Wadhams will be joining them on the field. Michael served as the pastor of Acquoni Baptist Church in Cherokee, NC for two years before moving to Charlotte, NC to pastor a church there.
** Don’t forget to continue praying for the development of a missionary team here in Cherokee.
The Living In Grace seminar that we hosted September 15 – 17th went very well. We had seven Cherokee attend and everyone enjoyed the materials presented and learned a great deal about God’s wonderful grace. Ron Shaw did an excellent job in condensing and presenting the materials. Thanks to Ron, Scott & Ruth Hill and Rita Wilcat for assisting with hosting this program. Pray as we discuss and plan future seminars like these.
Prayer needs:
Mike Peifer, John Carter and myself will be visiting the Chippewa Reservation in Red Lake, Minnesota this weekend. As most of you know I usually visit Red Lake each year to follow up on the women I have met over the previous years. I didn’t think I would be able to go due to my trip to the Lummi Nation but God was good and provided an opportunity for me to go. Please pray for us as we travel October 21 – 24. This trip will give both Mike and John an opportunity to meet Tom & Becky Pollock and see the ministry that they currently oversee, hear how MTW teams are assisting with this ministry, and discuss what other opportunities we can provide to reach the Chippewa people with the Gospel.
As I stated in my previous prayer letter the ministry here in Cherokee is going through an evaluation process to determine what ministries to continue with, what ministries need to change, and what new ministries to add. At this time, I am also going through the same process. With only a few mission conferences to speak at this fall & winter these past three months have been a time for me to be still before the Lord and seek His face on what I should be doing. I have been busy but not so busy that I have not had time to pray, study and learn more about God and myself. Difficult at times but a blessing as I go through this process. It has been a process of healing for me physically, emotionally and spiritually. Please continue to pray for me as God takes me through this journey. A journey that is hard to look at, at times, but a journey that is much needed. I do see how God will and is using this time of growth to better equip me for ministry and I must remember that God does not call the equipped. He equips the called. And that is what I believe he doing with me at this time in my life equipping for a new ministry. What that will look like only he knows but as I learn to trust him more I know whatever it will be it will be good and for His glory.
God is also opening up opportunities for me to present MTW’s Native ministry work to various churches surrounding our reservation. This I believe is the beginning of the reconciliation process that will encourage and draw these churches to want to reach out to their Cherokee neighbors. Please pray for these congregations and me as I prepare and speak to them.
As I continue to grow in my relationship with the Lord one thing that I have come to appreciate more and more is the body of Christ. How much we need each other and what a blessing it is to have brothers and sisters like you who pray for me and support me in this ministry.
For His Glory,
Tammy Jackson
