The 2010 Indian Ministries of North America, Inc. youth discipleship and ministry training program,
RELEASE, was a success. We saw tremendous growth in many of the young people, and a desire of each to chase after God and His calling for their life. The financial investments made by our partners for this program, will have an eternal impact on the Kingdom of God. The following is an overview written by one of the participants of RELEASE, Shanel Tsosie, Navajo.
This summer’s trip with the RELEASE team was the best. God’s presence was on us the whole way. I learned new things and met nice, new people. At the beginning, I didn’t really want to go, I was thinking of getting a job and earning money to buy a car. At the middle, I really started to warm up and get into what God had planned. Now to the end, I am a changed person in my heart and my life. Little did I know that God had different plans in store for me.
After leaving New Mexico, the first stop we made was in North Carolina, at the Church of the Lamb’s Awaken Youth Retreat. It was all about taking off the mask and being who you really are. The last night, as I got into the worship, I took off the mask that was holding me back spiritually, and found who I was in God’s eyes, not through the eyes of others. I learned a lot from the Awaken camp, had loads of fun with different youth, and really understood to be myself.
After leaving North Carolina, we headed to Virginia. Fathers Day hit me really hard and I felt all alone even with the team around me. My dad died when I was younger, and I couldn’t get my mind off the fact that I couldn’t call my dad and tell him “Happy Father’s Day.” I cried a lot as I saw others calling their fathers with the warm wishes. As we continued to drive, I got my mind off of it, and soon we were meeting Chief Ann Richardson at the Rappahannock tribal center. I remember going upstairs to pray alone, and soon Lindsey and Elizabeth came up to pray with me. We were up there for a long time. I was crying and asking God, “why my dad?”, “why me?”, just all the why questions. I was soon exhausted and just laid there quietly and God spoke, “Why cry?, when I am here, I am your father, rejoice”. I started to cry more and ask to say something to my dad, and soon God gave me that connection. It was just like I could hear my dad say to me, “Don’t cry, I’m still with you, just know I am proud and happy you are doing this for God. I love you my daughter, I miss you too and I’m always with you, even when you feel so alone. Don’t cry for me, I will see you soon. Keep going and I’m here whenever you want to talk. I love you.”After experiencing this, I felt so much better and glad that my God talked to me and filled me with His love. This was the highlight of my life.
The next day our bus was having trouble again. We were going to Washington D.C. that day, but Chief Ann told us a story and a vision that her friend had. It really touched us and we decided to push aside the D.C. trip and stay to be a part of making history. Chief Ann planned for us to go into the Rappahannock River and gather 12 stones. It was the 12 stones to build an alter for God at her tribe’s celebration grounds. This was the time for God to reign over their tribe. They were “crossing over the Jordan.” It was so great to be apart of what God wanted, and I will always remember gathering the stones from the river. I personally wasn’t able to assist building the alter, because six of us had to leave for Kentucky.
The drive was long, the fellowship was great, and we soon arrived in Kentucky. We attended a prayer meeting at the Ark of Mercy, where I shared a short testimony. A man from India shared how hard it was to be a Christian in his native country and about the conditions there. My heart went out to the people. After all had spoken, we gathered in a circle and prayed. Pastor Janice Claypoole called us up and prayed for us individually. We were all knocked down by the Holy Spirit, and while I was laying there praying in tongues, God spoke and said, “You will be my missionary and go unto the world to bring the good news to others.” I cried and laid there saying, “yes Lord, for you.” I got up feeling great and very happy to finally get the answer for His calling on my life. It was then that I promised to devote my whole life, my heart, and my soul to God to answer His calling.
With the group united together again, we loaded the bus and headed to Roach, Missouri for Ron Hutchcraft’s Warrior Leadership Summit. WLS is a gathering of Native American young people. Over 500 Native youth from across the country unite together each summer to worship God and study His Word. The theme this year was “Who Am I?”, and I was thinking, “Wow, it is true that God wants me to know who I really am.” I took this time to really learn more about the Bible, about Jesus, and about my calling. They had a time where we could come up on stage and declare, “We belong to God.” I was so nervous, but the Spirit overcame me and I went on stage and said “I am a woman of God!” I was so proud and happy. It was amazing to overcome stage fright and actually declare that I am a woman of God. The verse that really gives me the thought of who I am is found in Ephesians 2:10, for we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. I was thinking “wow!, God you just have the best way to speak to me and I thank you for doing so.” Now I fully see myself as a disciple for Jesus.
Following WLS, we left on the long drive to the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. From what I had heard, it desperately needed God. I heard that suicide was the biggest thing hurting the youth and the state. Personally, I have dealt with suicide and because I thought of my life as worthless, I have seen the times of wanting to end my own life. So my heart went out to the youth of Pine Ridge and the community of Manderson. This is a small community on the “rez.” When I looked at their rez, compared to mine, it was beautiful. I was thinking, “this is the Rez!?, What?? ha-ha.” I saw God’s beauty there and I knew that God wanted to be there too.
One day, as we took turns praying, I felt like I should pray next, but I said no, it’s ok. And then, Johnny turned and asked if I’d pray next, so I did. The Spirit overcame me, and with tears running down my cheeks, I begin to feel what the youth were feeling. I suddenly felt the pain of being not loved, hopeless, alone, angry, and hurt. Just so many emotions flowed through me, and I couldn’t handle it, so I left in prayer and screamed to God, “We Need You!”
The next day we went out into the community and held a basketball tournament. Paradigm, a Navajo worship team from Shiprock, New Mexico came to sing and give their testimonies. I truly believe that we left seeds of God’s blessings there, and I hope to return and continue what was started. It was awesome to see our team meeting new people, talking to them and even getting a chance to pray with the elders. I’m still praying and trusting God for the best for the South Dakota people.
Wow, the trip was almost over now, and we headed back home. I was laying in the back of the bus and listening to worship music, and the song that I replayed over and over again was “Tears of the Saints” by Leeland. For almost six hours, I worshiped and prayed to God, with my arms raised toward Heaven. It was the most amazing thing I’ve done, even though I was tired. I determined in my mind to ask God everyday, “let me run on spirit and not on flesh.”
We arrived back in Gallup, NM and held the teen camp at the Southwest Indian Ministries. We had long worship hours, and great times in class learning and praying. The verses that really spoke out to me most is Luke 14:25-33, John 16:33, Jeremiah 29:11-13, James 9:9,10, Romans 12:12, and the story of Job. How that through every mountain we face in life, God can get us through. He is always there and He deserves the Glory and the Praise. For I know He will never leave me nor forsake me. Following the teen camp, I also got to help with the Children’s camp, and it was so precious to see the younger ones cry and love God to the fullest.
Now I’m at home, still reading, praying, worshiping and now witnessing, but still missing the team. It was July 26th, 2010, that I, Shanel, actually spoke to a lady on the streets, telling her that God loves her and will always be there, and to pronounce my life for God and pray with her. I was so happy, that I am still smiling now, and I know that God has a great plan for us all. I would like to give thanks to Johnny and Becky Hughes, and Indian Ministries of North America for giving me a chance to do this trip again and for me to grow more in Him. Thank you to all who supported the Indian Ministries of North America’s RELEASE 2010 through your prayers, finances and assistance on the road. To know I am loved by many is the best, and I’ve learned a lot and hope to make a difference in my town, the people, and my family. Thank you so much for everything..:) God Bless.
(Source: Indian Ministries of North America)