American Indian Missions, Inc. Southwest

"Did you know..."(According to local historian & author Ernie Bulow),... that not all Zuni fetishes are religious in nature? Some are prayed over by a religious figure for religious reasons, but most are just carvings done by the people to sell around the world to support their families. Traditionally, fetishes are of predatory animals representing Zuni clans, but now they carve African lions, Killer Whales, cowboys, dancing bears...you name it, just for fun. Some Zuni artists are now world famous. The Zuni word for the carvings doesn't mean "fetishes" which conjures up bad images, but is more like the word "carving", like your ol' Grandpa's wood whittling.. Unlike Kachina carvings, they may not represent spiritual images. Check with the artist before purchasing any carvings for significance of the images and if they have been "blessed", but don't be afraid if is not so, because times are tough in the Pueblo too, and they are doing work to make ends meet.
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"And One To Grow On..."
 
"Finally Brethren, pray for us, that the Word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified..."   2nd Thess. 3:1
 
"If you are ever inclined to pray for a missionary, do it at once, wherever you are. Perhaps she may be in great peril at that moment."   Amy Carmichael, Late Missionary
 
    I have heard this time and again that it is true. Even some of my family have said they pray due to the Spirit laying it their heart to do so...only to find that at that exact moment we were experiencing a trial of some kind. As you think of the rest of the AIMI staff, the AIMI board, and AIMI supporters, practice doing what Amy quoted above. You might be led by the Lord to be the difference at that particular moment.
 
Have a blessed week,
Roger

Whether it is right to call our friends Native Americans, or American Indians? It depends, according to the book, 'Do All Indians Live In Teepees?", put out by several Native leaders in association with the Smithsonian. The book answers many questions most visitors to "Indian Country" usually ask.
 
Columbus first called them Indians in 1492. It is not because he thought he was in India, but the Europeans called everyone in the South Pacific "the Indios", for they lived in the East and Polynesian "Indies" island groups. where he actually thought he had landed. Thus, any indigenous people Europeans ran into in the new world thereafter got called "Indios" or "Indians". In order to distinguish them from people in the Indies or India, they were over the centuries eventually called "American Indians".
 
Early "Euro" pioneers called them by many derogatory names, such as "savages", and worse. In the 1970s with a rise in Native activism by such groups as the American Indian Movement (AIM), Natives in the USA began to call themselves Native Americans, just as blacks wanted to be called Afro-Americans rather than the old word "Negroes".
 
Tribes in Canada used to be called "Aboriginal Peoples" (just as Australia did) but Canadian Natives began to call themselves First Nations People in recent decades. 
 
In Mexico, Central America, and South America, both the words Native and Indian are offensive to the tribal peoples. They prefer the word "indigenous peoples", which is slowly growing in Canada as well (North American Indian Mission (NAIM) has changed their name to North American Indigenous Mission).
 
Here in the SW," Native American" is used most often to classify Native people as a whole. Some Christian Natives still use the term "American Indian" because of the possible unwanted association with the pago-Christian peyote movement, called the Native American Church (NAC). But in reality, the Apaches, Pueblos, Navajos, and others would much rather be called by their own names for themselves. And not by the names laid on them by their enemies but by their own names that usually can be interpreted as "The People". Some examples are the Navajo and Apache both call themselves "Dine' " and Zunis call themselves "A'Shiwi". Though most Navajos and Zunis I know still call themselves by "Navajo" and "Zuni" too, mostly because everyone else does.
 
When being used as an adjective, both "Indian" and "Native" are acceptable here in the SW. For example; "That guy is driving an "Indian" car. Or, "I like listening to hymns in Native languages". And of course, it's okay to say "I looooove "Indian" fry bread!" (I only use the adjective "Rez" when referring to a "Rez dog" mutt hanging around the trading post, which is okay). But whenever possible, use the name that the people you are ministering to would call themselves. It is courteous, respectful, and a good missionary practice.
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"And One To Grow On..."
 
"Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord of hosts."      Zech. 4:6
 
"We have given too much attention to methods, and to machinery, and to resources, but too little to the Source of Power, the filling with the Holy Ghost."     the late J. Hudson Tayor, Missionary to China
 
      Books are good. So is formal training and seminars. I use them all, and encourage their use. We must do our best to study, prepare, equip, and resource ourselves for the mission work we are called to do. But if the Holy Spirit is not in it...then we are "dead in the water". Pray for God's leading, gifting, and protection. We are on His team, not Him on our's.
 
Have a good week,
Roger

Many of our staff are working hard to raise their full support, but it is tough. Most churches in America are cutting way back on their mission support. main reasons given include their being involved in building programs to build bigger buildings, or cutting back to support only their own denomination, or often, they only support missions to the 10/40 Window.
 
The 10/40 Window covers an area across N. Africa, across the Middle East, India, China, and S.E. Asia into Micronesia. yes, it is indeed needy and where most of the world's lost people live. I support missions to them.
 
But few want to hear about the I-40 Window. What's that you ask? Along Interstate 40 across the SW live some of the most unreached people in North America. Dozens of tribes are within a few hours drive of I-40 all across the SW. Several Tribes of New Mexico are many of them, but there are more, from OK. to AZ. & CA, UT., CO>, and NV.. Some of the NM. tribes have seen some folks get saved, but those few are often threatened and persecuted, even cast out of the tribe and their own families. Some of our AIMI staff are working with a few of these tribes. We have to even be careful of what we write in our e-mails, websites, or blogs, for our staff has been warned by some of these tribes that they are being watched. Some of these tribes have few, if any true believers. they too need to be represented before the Throne of Grace.
 
Pray for the I-40 Window and a Spiritual awakening. Pray that our nation's Christians recognize the very, very lost and ignored people groups right here within their own borders, even on our own backdoor steps. Reach supporting team-mates who can pray and support this effort. Let's not ignore the 10/40 Window, but lets get the word out about our own I-40 Window as well!
 
"As long as there are millions destitute of the Word of God & knowledge of Jesus Christ, it will be impossible for me to devote my time & energy to those who have both".   Missionary J.L. Ewen
 
"But He said to them, 'Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth."   Mark 1:38
 
Have a blessed weekend,
Roger

Will Rogers was a great comedian and political pundit. His quotes were humorous and zinged right to the point. He was also a Native American, of the Oklahoma Cherokees. One of his many quotes he's known for is;"Don't let yesterday use up too much of today".

Let's remember to tell our Native American friends that their past is only the past when Jesus comes into their life and makes all things new. Yesterday will then be put in its proper perspective. As the old saying goes, "Whatever didn't kill us just made us stronger". Today, and especially tomorrow, can only be brighter when we have Jesus in our lives. He is the "difference maker". That is a message Native peoples, and all people can get encouragement from.
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!".  2nd Cor. 5:17
 
Later,
Roger

As we approach this coming year, I am looking at a support raising mountain. At least it looks like it to me. Funds for an office building, funds to run it, insurance, etc, etc. Daunting! On top of that I need to push the staff to get their support up to 100%, or encourage those at 100% to do the maintenance required to retain that support. As I plan and pray these words from founding "faith missions" pioneer to China, J. Hudson Taylor keep coming to my mind;

"God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supply".
 
As a matter of fact,  that quote comes to my mind so often lately that I have to stop and consider that maybe it's the Holy Spirit bringing it to my remembrance. Not a bad theme for all of us in AIMI for 2010, eh?
And even better, a Bible verse that the quote reminds us of...'
 
"And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus..." 
                                                                                                                                                    Phil. 4:19
 
Let's do God's work in 2010. Let's trust God and see how He will supply. It will be amazing, that's for sure!!
 
Have a good week,
Roger

I was looking for something to share with you all to encourage you today. I opened my Bible to look at a passage but the Book fell open to 1st Chronicles 29 first. I don't believe that is the best method for doing devotions, but something caught my eye there before I "moved on".
 
The passage that caught my eye had the title "Gifts for Building the Temple" above it. We had been studying stories about David from the Bible at Native Bible Fellowship on Sundays, and at the Zuni Mission on Thursdays, so I thought to myself, "gifts...that's what we need right now", so I looked at 29:1-10.
 
David wanted to prepare the way for his son to build a temple. Where would the resources of materials and labor come from? The people! Why? Becuase, it is for the Lord's work! Davis was not afraid to ask, because he knew it was a way of worshipping and thanking his God.
 
"...Now, who is willing to consecrate himself to the Lord?" Then the leaders of families, the officers of the tribes of Israel, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, and the officials in charge of the king's work gave willingly."   1st Chron. 29:5b-6
 
It seems that the Lord is teaching this mission director lately to teach his staff and board that it isn't a shame to ask others to give and build towards the Lord's work. We are instead blessing people by giving them opportunities to be a willing blessing to others and to the Lord's work. This AIMI mission, our churches, our AIMI ministries, and the AIMI facilities and resources to do them...are consecrated to the Lord for His commission to reach the Indian nations. As David did...let people know!
 
We appreciate your prayers! We pray for you!
later,
Roger

    If you are like me, raising mission support can be intimidating at times. I cannot shake off the feeling that it seems as if we are begging for funds. By the way, did you know that this has been a facet of missions ever since the first missionary team led by Paul? Yup!
 
Philippians 4:18b; "...having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God".
 
Yes, Paul depended on help from friends for housing, meals, etc., but a church in Philippi also sent him support. We can see a couple of encouragements in this:
1) Having supporting churches and friends IS Scriptural!
2) Paul depended on support from "back home" that wasn't necessarily his "sending church (Antioch)".
3) Paul reminds us that supporting missionaries like him is a service that pleases God. Thus, we do churches and friends a favor to have them support us.
4) Biblical support giving is VERTICAL, unto God, as well as horizontal, to the missionary.
5) Paul was a "tent-maker" to make ends meet, but didn't spend all his time on that. he did "missions" full time, and supporters helped him not to have to "make tents" full time, but build the church cross-culturally instead.
6) Paul was careful and diligent to show his immense appreciation for their support. Make sure you do likewise.
 
Let's take encouragement from the Word and Paul's example. We aren't begging, but are following a good example of allowing others to serve God and the cross-cultural church in this particular way, allowing them to be a pleasing aroma to God! Don't rob folks of this way to serve their God by being afraid to ask. Be a blessing. Be blessed!
 
Have a safe and God-pleasing holiday weekend!
Roger

       The early missionaries had it rougher in many ways than we do on the Rez today. One way it was tougher is that very few Navajos spoke any English, so translation was key, or taking on the difficult task on of learning the Dine' language was seriously required. Because of this and other cultural clashes in communication, other difficulties in understanding arose. I heard the following was a true story from (I believe) out at the Hardrock, AZ. area of the Rez.
 
    The story goes that some early missionaries were telling the First Christmas story to a group they were trying to reach with the gospel; the story of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus. They told how God came to earth to save all mankind, including the Navajo. The Navajos were a little confused as to why we worshiped a tree, for the Navajo word for cedar tree was Gaad. When the missionaries realized the confusion, they quickly pointed out that the Creator became a human, not a tree. Just a little confusion in linguistics they said.
 
   The missionaries thought the problem was resolved, that is until a Navajo said they were still confused. The reason for the further confusion is because some Navajos visited the missionaries' home. And what did they see in the living room?; A cedar tree, all front and center, with decorations all over it and presents stacked around the foot of the tree as if in offering to this gaad of the Whiteman! Can anyone say "Eee-Yah!!!? What a misunderstanding to clear up!
 
   Well, I believe most Navajos these days understand that we don't worship the Christmas tree itself, but do they hear from us what we truly do worship this time of year? With our busy-ness and focus on material giving and getting it wouldn't be surprising to see that there is still a need for better communication as to what we do worship, especially at this time of the year.
 
   May we take the time to communicate in a relevant way the true reason God became flesh for the Navajos, Apaches. Zunis, and others we are here to minister to.
 
Have a blessed week,
Roger

     Are you still excited about your ministry? Oh, I didn't ask if it was hard, or if it's frustrating at times. Anything worthwhile is, right? But are you just as excited about your work today as you were when you first started it?
 
     A minister named Howard Foltz once commented on his work by saying,
" I am absolutely convinced that missions represent the most potentially satisfying and triumphant aspect of the Chrsitian life."
 
Luke also recorded in Acts 13:14, 52 what he was seeing in missions as part of one of Paul's early mission teams;
" And the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region....and the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit."
 
Pretty cool!  Well, today, we have the same calling, the same message, and the same Holy Spirit. I caught my self earlier today when telling a good friend and fellow missionary about the things that are going on in Zuni. Hard? Usually. Frustrating? Pretty often. Exciting? You betcha!!! I heard it in my own voice as I was sharing with my friend about the ministry at Zuni. May God constantly remind us how exciting it is what we are doing, and to realize that the same things that the early disciples felt is the same things we are experiencing as well! We are so blessed to be called to these Native people of the great Southwest!
 
One final thought...a wise friend once told me when I asked him "How do you know if it's God's will or not?". He said, "If you can imagine yourself doing anything else instead, then go do that instead".   Well, I listened to his advice, and here I am!
 
Have a blessed weekend!
Roger

     It gives me a blessing when I am attending a missions conference or visiting churches and give a report on how our staff is ministering at AIMI. Oh, it's not perfect, but God uses us anyway. Kids, teens, and adults being saved; being discipled; Apaches, Navajos, Zunis, and other tribes; God has seen fit to use us to lead His Native people to be with Him in Glory!
     Tonight I was asked by ANAM < www.anamissions.org > to share a testimony of God's work through all of you and AIMI. I was like the Apostle Paul, when he wrote this to the Roman believers...;
     "First, I thank God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world."   Romans 1:8
     Amen, and amen! And keep up your faith and Gospel work!

Have a blessed weekend!
Roger