We celebrated a birthday last night at Bible study...one of the girls turned 16 years old, so I made a cake, Paula sent some candles with me, and we had a little birthday party!  It was just me and two of the girls last night, but we had quite the adventures...

On my way to Tokio, Pastor Larry called to let me know that they were having an Ash Wednesday service at the Boys and Girls Club and that we should come over there after Bible study.  I picked up the girls and we headed to the church.  None of the boys showed up (keep them in your prayers!), so we went ahead with our birthday party and Bible study. 

We were reading John 11 when the birthday girl piped up and said, "Hey, did you know that God won't ever destroy the world with a flood again, cause that's what He told that Noah-guy..." 

I was a little surprised and said, "...yeah...you're right." 

"And that's why we have rainbows," she continued, "....I was reading the Bible."

She had recently watched Evan Almighty (a movie that references Genesis 6:14 and tells kind of a modern version of Noah and the Ark) and wanted to check out the story for herself, so she found a Bible and read the story on her own!  The thought of her taking the initiative to find a Bible and then read it on her own time absolutely thrills me.  Sometimes I like to try and imagine what the spiritual atmosphere looks likes, especially here, and when I hear about stuff like this, I can almost see these spiritual warriors of God moving in and gaining spiritual ground.  Is that not awesome?!  Please pray for this young lady--and for all of the youth on the reservation.  Pray that the Holy Spirit would continue to speak truth, hope, and freedom to them!

After Bible study, the girls and I headed over to the Boys and Girls Club in the Tokio housing unit.  There were about 25 people there when we came in and most of them were under the age of 30.  The evening was actually a joint Anniversary party/Ash Wednesday service, so there was a huge amount of food:  hamburgers, hot dogs, hotdish, potato salad, taco salad, chips, pop, etc.  After everyone had eaten, Pastor Larry got up and explained the purpose of Ash Wednesday and Lent.  We read several Scripture passages, sang Have Thine Own Way, Lord and I Have Decided To Follow Jesus, and had Communion...all of us together in the small kitchen/living room setting of the Boys and Girls Club house.  This service, like many of the worship services that I have experienced on the reservation, was very real.  Nothing fancy.  Just people, coming with open hearts.  It is a beautiful portrayal of the words to this song...When the music fades and all is stripped away...and I simply come...it's all about You.

Before we left the Boys and Girls Club after the service, Darla (Pastor Larry's wife) suggested that we all sing Happy Birthday to the new 16-year-old.  So we sang.  While we were singing, some of the younger boys who had been playing outside came in with a cold, hungry puppy (fortunately, for the puppy, there were some left-over hamburgers).  It was another great community-building opportunity and I am so thankful to be involved.  Please pray that the Lord would continue to provide these opportunities and that He would continue to build this community of faith. 

Here's a picture of the boys and the lucky puppy...

(Click Browse My Photos to see more pictures from last night)