It’s been a busy couple of weeks . . .
Many of you responded to the news a couple of months ago about a 14-year old girl from the reservation who committed suicide. Paula and I knew her from Fahocha and we were asked to share music at her funeral (click here to read more about that). In the days and weeks following her funeral, we learned that Jami had been asking many questions about the Lord and was showing a deep desire to know Christ the day before she committed suicide. I believe that if Jami were still here, she would be living for the Lord.
Two weeks ago, Jami’s family came to church at Tokio. Jami’s mom shared about some of their experiences since Jami’s death, one which included attending a sweat (a Native prayer and purification practice) where a medicine man called Jami’s spirit and the family was able to talk to her. Jami’s mom shared some about that and expressed the peace and relief it brought to “know that Jami was there.” As I listened to Jami’s mom share these experiences, I felt a strange mix of anger and sadness . . . anger at the enemy for disguising himself and deceiving this family and sadness at the false hope and comfort the enemy offers in an effort to continue to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10).
But the Lord is at work, too.
Jami’s mom went on to share a letter that she had received from Pastor Bruce at Bethel E-Free Church in Devils Lake, ND (Jami had attended the morning service there the day before she committed suicide). The letter from Pastor Bruce was full of God’s love, grace, and truth and offered true hope and peace.
The following Wednesday, Jami’s mom and Jami’s older sister joined us in Tokio at our youth group Bible study. We’ve been studying the book of Ephesians, reading through and discussing one chapter at a time . . . this particular Wednesday-night, we were on Ephesians 6, studying about spiritual warfare and about our defense against the enemy and his tricks (how timely!). Before we got into all of that, Jami’s mom again shared some of their experiences since Jami’s death, including the experience in the sweat lodge. Jami’s sister also shared . . . she was the first one to find Jami and she told about her experience that day. That led into a discussion about the emotional and spirtual struggle that Jami must have been going through, about the enemy who seeks to steal, kill, and destroy, and about the spiritual forces that we all have to fight daily. It was like the Holy Spirit was perfectly paving the way into our study on Ephesians 6, first showing us the reality of this spiritual battle and our need for spiritual protection (through Jami’s story) and then handing us our gear for protection (Ephesians 6:10-17). And if that didn’t make it clear enough that this was totally a God-thing, Pastor Larry and Darla had handouts ready with illustrations of the armor of God and the verses from Ephesians 6:10-17 printed out . . . and neither of them knew that we were studying Ephesians 6 that night. Our discussion from there focused on how to be spiritually protected (speaking truth, living right, sharing the truth of Christ’s love and forgiveness with others, believing in Jesus Christ for salvation, having faith in Christ, and knowing God’s Word). I cannot begin to express how thankful I was for this opportunity to share TRUTH.
As I’ve mentioned before, this is a battle and your prayers are so important! There are a thousand things to pray for in regards to this, but please especially pray for Jami’s family. I’ve been praying that the Lord would unleash His Spirit of truth (John 16:13) on Jami’s family and expose the enemy. This is the Lord’s work and He knows the best way to reach them. We are asking and trusting Him to make Himself clear to each of them.
Also ask the Lord to give us wisdom and discernment as we have opportunity to share with Jami’s family. We want to show love and respect and speak the truth at the same time (Ephesians 4:14-16). We’re asking the Lord to give us His balance and perspective on this.
This is just a glimpse of what’s going on here . . . keep praying!
I will be praying! 🙂
Naomi,
My heart goes out to Jami’s family and what they are going through.
I had a similar experience years ago on a reservation with a mom who lost her daughter in a car accident. Her ex-husband held a ceremony on another rez to call his daughter back, and their other daughter was so thrilled to “see” her sister one more time and to hold her hands. The departed sister said it was the last time she could come back.
The mom was really torn because she didn’t believe she should participate in the ceremony, but also wondered if she missed the only opportunity to say goodbye to her daughter. It was heartbreaking, and I quickly asked the Spirit for wisdom how to reply. First I acknowledged her immense pain over this. Then I told her that God’s Word would say that her family saw a deceiving spirit, not her daughter – no matter how real the experience seemed. I told her she did the right thing to stay away, and to be strong for her family, even if she stood alone. As we hugged goodbye, I’m not sure she was convinced. The enemy tries to deceive sometimes with things so beautiful that they no longer seem wrong.
I’ll be praying that God’s Spirit will make the truth evident to Jami’s family as they study His Word, and that they’ll ask questions that will allow you the opportunity to gently speak truth into their lives.
Love in Christ,
Sue
Thank you for sharing Naomi. I pray the Lord will give you the strength to persevere as He brings in the harvest.
Blessings,
Sandy
Naomi, You are so right! The enemy is a deceiver and a liar and prowls around looking for someone to destroy. Those of us who are covered by the blood of the Lamb will not be the ones he is able to destroy and because of that fact we have a responsibility to share that information with those God brings across our path. Keep sharing the Truth of God’s word…Jesus…..with those God brings across your path. Your reward will be great! God Bless You and your ministry.