rePRESENTed
Hello again friends,
JPM left Heart Butte, Montana at the beginning of this month having spent a week with the Blackfeet People.
To remind you of the conditions of this community: there is extreme poverty, stray dogs everywhere and the sight of trash piles are not uncommon. Despite these less than ideal circumstances, the joy has not left this community.
Children are not intimidated by their surroundings.
They remain vibrant and full of joy, finding a way to play with what they have.
We were able to meet some of the needs of this community leading into the new school year:
We delivered 300 pairs of Brooks/Hoka shoes for the students and staff.
We partnered with a paper company who is supplying all of the school’s paper products for the 2023/2024 school year!
Naturally, we shared the Gospel with the Blackfeet People as we do in every place and every project where we participate.
For we know that, “from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.” (Romans 11:36).
It is because of Jesus, it is for Jesus and it is through Jesus that we accomplish all things. He is everything.
We are currently praying for three specific things for this community:
Direction on a proper feeding program.
A means to rebuild their local playground.
An avenue for Jesus to be regularly presented, represented and present.
We have built a great relationship with the local school and its leaders who have expressed great desire to bring Jesus to Heart Butte. Heart Butte School provides breakfast and lunch for over 95% of its students. We even witnessed them providing dinner for many of the students as well.
Through their sports programs, celebrations and various activities, Heart Butte’s faculty, staff and teachers are choosing to love on and support their students.
Some of them truly have the mind of Christ as they interact with each other and the kids.
Pictured here is 4 year old Kenna Rain showing her horse riding skills! Incredible!
Interesting Fact: Students of all ages ride a horse to school and often do so without a saddle, just blankets. This was sort of shocking, but an incredibly cool, unique facet of this community.
By law, Montana actually requires every public school to provide food, water and shelter for these horses.
Our heart’s desire is to continue to lift this community up and into a flourishing, spiritually vibrant place!
We want to thank you for your support, prayers and kind feedback. We see every email, comment, text, etc. and we are grateful for that connection!
Thank you for sharing our work whether through word, social media, text. We deeply appreciate your commitment to this mission.
Finally, thank you for entrusting us with your prayers and concerns. We never tire of hearing from you and sharing in your burdens and praises.
Our love, prayers and thanks,
Joey & Cathy
