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A SELECTED "NORTHERN LIGHTS"
MAGAZINE ARTICLE
(from Issue #488)
I pointed out to her the crowded yet stark graveyard where my
husband, Ken, and I had just sung...
Everybody Ought to Know
by Debbie Matthews
When we moved to the Maritimes eight years ago we were part of a team
of 13 NCEM missionaries reaching out to the Mi'qmaw and Malecite
people. We were located in six field areas, plus a missionary couple at
Arrowhead Native Bible Center, managing children's summer Bible camps.
Each of us field missionaries would bring children to camp, and then
follow up by reaching into their homes with the Gospel.
Today there are only two areas with year-round outreach, along with
our workers at Arrowhead. But this is not because the job of reaching
these people for Christ here is done! Far from it!
We went for a drive the other day. My sister was here visiting and,
as part of sharing with her about where we live and minister, I took her
to a reserve half an hour away from our home. As we drove into the
community we were accosted with sights of destruction and ruin. House
after house, yard after yard, we saw the scars of neglect, addiction and
abuse. My sister's shoulders tensed up just a little as she took in
the oppressive spirit that hits you from the time you arrive until the
time you leave.
I pointed out to her the crowded yet stark graveyard where my
husband, Ken, and I had just sung "Everybody Ought to Know" and "For
Those Tears I Died" at a funeral service. The man who was buried had
received a "one year window of grace." The year before he died, at
his invitation, we began holding Bible lessons in his home. During that
time he began his relationship with the Lord and, on his death bed, made
sure as Ken confirmed the promises of the Gospel with him, and then
later with his family.
It was at the family's request that those songs were sung because
each time we gathered together, he asked to sing them. This man had led
a life as scarred by neglect, addiction and abuse as his Reserve itself
appears. But in the last year of his life he found hope and acceptance
in the arms of the Lord.
As we were driving away from the community my sister commented on how
the atmosphere had made her feel fearful. It makes me feel fearful, too.
And then I remembered the steadfast commitment of Ken to return there
again and again with hopes of the Lord opening doors for him to share
the Gospel.
Ken's going is not without apprehension, for many times he has been
ignored or turned away. And it has not been without discouragement, for
the oppression has its effect on him, too. And not without
disillusionment -- many of the guys he has talked with have died (life
expectancy there for men is in the early fifties -- and some have taken
their own lives).
However, just 10 minutes from us is another Mi'qmaw community, one
that has been responding to the Gospel! For the last four years we have
had the privilege of holding a weekly children's Bible club. But it
doesn't end there. These children also go to Bible camp in the summer
and we find a welcome when we visit their homes. And some of the moms
are getting saved!
This has opened up further outreach to ladies, and now some of the "aunties" of these children are hearing the Gospel, too. The Lord
has graciously raised up helpers for this children's and adult
ministry. In addition, Ken goes visiting, led by the love the Lord has
given him, to visit any man who is ready to get real with God.
Also, we are now seeing potential for teen ministry here. We are
trusting the Lord for a week of teen camp at Arrowhead this year, and
are looking for help with the teens throughout the year. The teens
themselves want to get involved (just today we were drawing up a list of
the Native teens who want to come and help at children's camp this
summer).
The Lord has surely been showing us that not every "good work" is
ours to do. And so we try to stay sensitive to His leading for us, and
remain in prayer for the help that we know He can send our way. Surely
someone reading this article has felt the Lord knocking on their heart's
door, calling them, and building in them His burden for the Mi'qmaw
people.
What about the first community I mentioned? We are seeing children,
young people and adults cycle downwards in destructive lifestyles. For
three years now the community has had no interest in sending their
children to Bible camp. May the Lord please send missionaries, with
hearts for children and youth especially, to these people, too. We know
that He is calling, and we're praying that someone is listening and
will obey.
 Ken
& Debbie Matthews have served with NCEM since 1988 and are based in
Nova Scotia.
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