Neah Bay,
Washington
Passing the Baton
by Rosemary Sternbeck
How do we measure success? How do we know if what we are doing is making a difference? What does it look like to see God at work in and through us? And do we always see what God is doing and /or do we have the faith to believe He will accomplish His work in His own time and way. I think these are questions everyone in ministry grapples with. Sometimes He gives us glimpses of His wonderful work if we are still and anticipate the move of His Holy Spirit.
Many of you are aware of the ongoing construction of the Makah Community Arts Center in Neah Bay. At this time the siding is finished and the roughed-in plumbing and wiring are complete. This is mostly due to our faithful partners, Machines of Mercy in Longview, Washington, and Grace Lutheran Church in Crescent City, California, who have labored many hours for our sake. A design for the heating system is being drawn up by supporters in St. Louis, Missouri, at Christ Memorial Lutheran Church. Also, our prayer partner and advocate, Shelby Kampert from the English District, has raised $2,500 toward a quilting machine for the center. She did this by displaying and selling chances for a quilt designed by Rose Tageant, a Makah artist, and put together by Rose and other women of the Makah community. The use of a quilting machine to finish the project was also donated by a generous business woman.
This year David and I were also privileged to take part in the exchanging of vows of a young couple in our congregation. It has been good to watch how the Lord has moved in their lives. Between the two of them, they have a large blended family as well as many relatives. Like throwing a pebble into a pond, we see the ripple effects on other lives touched by the Holy Spirit.
The groom has a niece who attends Girls Club and she had also attended this wedding. We have been studying “The Adventures of Abraham.” Soon after the ceremony, we were discussing the covenant God had made with Abraham. We talked about what a covenant means and specifically about the covenant of marriage. Most of the girls have been to enough weddings to remember words like “until death do us part”, or “as long as we both shall live.” I was amazed when this little girl at my elbow started quoting from the Book of Ruth…”Where you go, I will go. Where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your God, my God. Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried.” And with a big smile, and a little soft voice, she added, ”That’s what T.J. and Heather promised each other.” To my knowledge, she had never heard the words before, but clearly, they had made an impression.
Last summer a Makah lady, Verlie, and I took four of our older girls to the Circle of Life Lutheran Church in Muddy Cluster, close to Lame Deer, Montana. We were able to spend two
days with Park Timber and his wife, Sheri. Park is Northern Cheyenne and Sheri is Sioux. He is finishing his studies in the EIIT program. They have three young boys and are caring for Sheri’s younger sister as well. In spite of this busy life, Sheri has felt led to work with the girls and young women of her community. This winter the roads have been treacherous but Sheri is committed to driving to the church and meeting with her girls whenever she can.
After our trip to Montana, Sheri and I have been in touch by email, phone, and UPS. From here we have sent small things to help her with projects to share with her girls. I have tried to stay in touch to encourage her in her work in this isolated area. I was especially touched by one of our phone conversations. As a teenager Sheri told me she had never dreamed her “life could be like this.” Questioning that line of thought, I asked her to explain. She said it never occurred to her that she should be married to a good man who loved and was faithful to her and would be committed to her and their children. She fully expected to be a single mom raising her children the best she could like the other women in her family. She shared how their pastor and his wife and those of her faith community have made such a difference in her life. It has been that continued sharing of God’s Word and His love in action that she wants to give back.
When do we see success? When we are stricken by our humanity. When we are crushed by our inability. When we recognize that every good and perfect gift comes from God and we are privileged to be used by His Holy Spirit in any way He chooses. When we see others pick up His work and carry on because we won’t always be here. Then we can say like Paul, “I have finished the race. I have kept the faith.” Then we can pass the baton.