A New Winter Coat

It was a busy time as we unloaded the big rig on the Yakama Reservation in White Swan, Washington.  Not only did we have lots of men and women who were helping us and Babe, the manager of the new Thrifty Store, but there were kids, “here, there and everywhere!”  It was exciting as adults and children alike all asked how they could help with the big 48’ long trailer.  Greg Kennedy and I had driven in that morning from Troutdale, Oregon with a full load of groceries, mattresses, clothes and  lots of household items. 

About half way through the load we put our pallet-jack under one of the big totes that was full of winter coats.  An Indian girl, about 11 years old, looked  in  the big cardboard box and said, “Look at all the coats in there!”  I said, “Yeah, dig in  and see if  one of those coats has your name on it.”   

Later, having forgotten about my invitation for her to dig in, she stood in front of me with a beautiful black winter coat with a white collar.  Her smile seemed bigger than her face!

“Do you like it?” she beamed.  “Oh, my,”  I said, “you look absolutely beautiful!”  Without another word she skipped away.

For many in our world today, a new winter coat is only a shopping trip to the mall, away.  But to  that eleven year old, her new winter coat  made her world, at least for the moment, happy again.  And to this Indian missionary,  it reminded me  why we do, what we do.  We work  “hand-in-hand with Native Americans!” 

In my devotional time early this morning I read these words:

                “Fear God and obey His commands, for this is the duty of every person.”    

                                                                                             Ecclesiastes 12:13 (NLT)    

One of those commands is to love one another.  The word He used for love is a verb.  It’s what we do, not just how we feel.  And, the action is very practical indeed.   Jesus said,:

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat,  I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink,  I was a stranger and you invited me in,  I needed clothes and you clothed me,  I was sick and you looked after me,  I was in prison and you came to visit me.”  

                                                                                                     Matthew 25:35 (NLT)

And his followers wanted to know when any of that ever happened to Jesus.

And He said:

“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these  brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

                                                                                                     Matthew 25:40 (NLT)

With those words ringing in our ears and hearts, we press on.  The work is great.  The time is short.  The workers are few.  The harvest is ready.  The rewards are eternal.  Your prayer and financial support have never been as important, as right now.  Thank you for all you do to help with the work of Frontier Missions. 

Our schedule is full.  We’ll be at Heritage Christian School in Hillsboro, OR and Chemawa Indian School in Salem this month and then loading our trailers for trips to the Nez Perce reservation in Lapwai, ID;  the Yakama Reservation in White Swan, WA, and Celilo, OR and the Lakota-Sioux in Pine Ridge, SD.  With God’s help we want to take the following items to the Reservations:

                                *GROCERIES

                                *WINTER CLOTHES, COATS AND JACKETS

                                *BLANKETS

                                *MATTRESSES

                                *FURNITURE

                                *BIBLES AND CHRISTIAN LITERATURE

Thanks again for helping us!  Your financial gift at this time is greatly appreciated.  And, remember to keep the Frontier Missions team on your prayer list.  Your prayer support makes all the difference!  Thanks for being on the TEAM!  God bless you!

Sincerely,

Rick McPherson, Team Leader

“Without prayer, we can not.  Without prayer, God will not!”