Lower Elwha Tribe
News From the Olympic Peninsula
by Cathy and Tom Benzler
Cathy Writes...
We are amazed as we look at the things God is doing on the Olympic Peninsula in the Pacific Northwest. Doors keep opening with opportunities to share the Good News of the Gospel.
I used to have the idea that we were doing contextualized ministry to one culture group but we are seeing that we are actually doing contextual ministry to a cultural group within a cultural group.
I mean this in the sense that the majority of the native people in the Pacific Northwest identify with a particular native religion whether they attend or are active in it. While this religion does believe in the Trinity, they don’t believe in having the Bible in church and most prefer that a member not even have one in their home.
While many in the native communities where I serve are unfamiliar with the content of the Bible, and prefer to keep it that way, some are familiar and very curious as to what the Bible says and means for them. We are finding ourselves being called upon to answer many questions and to explain Scripture on a regular basis. As word spreads and others are hearing about us, they are seeking our help to give a solid theological account of the Word.
II Timothy 4:2 is a Scripture verse that we really have come to cling to, “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage-with great patience and careful instruction.” From teaching the Word, and rightly dividing Law and Gospel, we are so blessed and grateful for the schooling that we have been receiving through Concordia Seminary in St. Louis (Cathy) and Leadership Advancement Process through the Northwest District (Tom). Tom will become a licensed Deacon after the completion of two more classes.
You may remember us writing about the sadness and melancholy that many of our native people experience at Christmas. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we have been working to turn the sadness into joy and to focus on why we celebrate Christmas. We noticed a significant change in how Christmas is viewed this year. We even had several people say that they were happy to stay home alone and to think on the birth of Christ and why He came into the world. We are praying that the same effect will take place this Easter.
The food ministry has enabled us to cultivate a good one-on-one relationship with the people in the surrounding communities. It’s been a blessing to see the results of change that come about when you give a basket of food to a family that is struggling or when you take fresh fruits and vegetables to elders that are unable to get out and get these items for themselves. These opportunities are used to help with a physical need, but we always use them to pray and share the Gospel as the Holy Spirit directs.
The Holy Spirit is moving in the hearts of the Native people on this Peninsula and bringing people to saving faith one by one and it is so exciting to be part of God’s mission.
Thank you for all of your support and prayer for us as the Olympic Peninsula Ministry continues to grow.
Tom Writes...
I want to share some of the things that we have been doing on the Pacific Northwest Peninsula.
This past Christmas we were able to give out food baskets to several families that were struggling financially. They were referred to us, so we didn’t have a relationship with them, but through the food ministry we have started several new relationships. The Lord has blessed us in the fact that we were able to gather enough food resources to meet the demand that we had this year.
In early January, a few homes were destroyed by fire. We were able to help the families with food, clothing and other household items. Everyone that we have helped has been extremely grateful, but more importantly, they said the biggest help for them was that we took the time to visit, pray, and minister the Word to them. Yes, we did help with their physical needs, but also addressed their spiritual needs.
Recently people have been asking questions about Baptism and Communion. We have had the opportunity to teach about them and to do baptisms and administer the Lord’s Supper as the Lord moves upon peoples’ hearts.
The doors have been opening with more opportunities for me to share the Gospel with men in the Native communities. This is an answer to prayer because for so long there has been an absence of men in these communities concerning spiritual matters. I view this as an opportunity to help these men take their rightful place in their homes and communities as God intended in the beginning.
Our food ministry is expanding on the Peninsula and we are a resource for the whole area as the need arises. We are limited as to how much we can provide as time and finances put certain constraints on how much we can do.
Cathy and I have been doing quite a bit of counseling on the phone and in person with people. The Leadership Advancement Process (LAP) class I am currently taking on “Pastoral Care” has really been a huge benefit and help for me. The issues that we deal with on a daily basis sometimes can be overwhelming and I have found since taking this class that I am much better prepared to deal with these issues. In close communities such as the reservations, these issues are sometimes magnified because everyone knows everyone’s business and problems.
Please continue to keep us in prayer and for God’s saving grace to be realized in all our Native American communities on the entire Olympic Northwest Peninsula.