With warm regards and blessings, I wish everyone a Happy New Year.
2009 has definitely been a year of testing and struggle for many people. Broken Walls' year has been no exception! We have had to deal with new and unforeseen change and difficulties as well. Many times when facing hardship, it is easier to change course, but if you know in your heart that the vision you follow is where God wants you, then you must have faith and move forward. God has given us all wonderful creativity to tap into during times like these, and this is a good time to start being creative!
There is an inspiring example that we find in Akweks, the eagle that can stir our hearts to continue to hold firm to what we are called to.
When a great storm arises, it strikes fear among men and animals alike. The animals will run to their dens, holes and caves, and man will seek shelter in his home or in a safe place. But there is a natural instinct in eagles that causes them to do the complete opposite. Instead of running, the eagle faces the storm. He takes flight directly into the heart of the storm and challenges the ferocious winds and elements. The very winds and turbulence that he faces give him lift to glide far above the storm. We must do likewise with the storms of life...we must not run, but we must face them with dignity and courage. This is where we will gain the wisdom and strength to win in the journey of life.
May we all be encouraged to continue the journey with renewed strength, and together we will complete it!
Broken Walls Updates:
Here at Broken Walls, we have recently employed the services of Elsie Ward as our new secretary. She comes with a real heart for First Nations people. She has served with my brother, Ross' ministry called "Spirit Alive" for many years and when Ross retired, it was a natural step for her to be part of Broken Walls. Her heart, experience and commitment bring much to us and we are thankful. We are honoured and blessed to have Elsie with us.
We also are very blessed to have Diane Foster who has served with Broken Walls for many years as our "lead intercessor". She has faithfully organized and kept our prayer team current with alerts and vital information needed to pray productively. Our team of almost 300 intercessors has been a vital part of the breakthrough we have had over the years. Diane continues to serve with us selflessly to see the vision of Broken Walls fulfilled.
Broken Walls is made up of three men whose unique gifts and talents have been brought together for a purpose. We have walked in that purpose faithfully for many years. Here are some of the settings we have had the honour of sharing God's love in: from elementary schools (native & non native) to high schools where we often bring the message of "The Rhythm of Life" and end with the "Commit to Life Pledge"; penitentiaries where we teach that each one is special and that God loves them and has not given up on them; churches and community events where we educate and share about the need to build true and lasting relationships with people who are different from us and stir people to have a heart for the enormous need in First Nations communities.
As many of you know, Broken Walls is a unique ministry. Kris, Bill and I live thousands of miles from one another and must fly to each engagement. Our first commitment that God wants us to keep in priority is to our families. We have had to come up with creative ways to be able to continue to be free to travel together and yet still be the husband, father, and provider that we are called and desire to be. This can be very tricky, especially in the financial area. Many times we had had to sacrifice, going places that did not have the finances to cover the costs of the outreach nor the unforeseen expenses that we were left with. This has caused us to struggle financially. The last two years, 2008/09, have definitely been difficult for us and have caused us to have debt that must be dealt with. We need those who see Broken Walls as a vital ministry for this hour to pray and consider helping us to eradicate that debt so we can continue to move forward into "the many places" that so desperately need the message we carry.
We thank you for your prayers, love and support over the years and we want to continue to "go" as we hear the call. We have decided to keep our honorarium at the same amount that it has been over the past 3 years in order to help keep us accessible to those who need us. This amount does not cover the costs of all that it takes nor does it cover the income we need for our families. We have had it in our hearts since the beginning to do this by faith and we have never really appealed for monthly support in a big way. We are now at a place where we need to have monthly partners in order to meet the rise in expenses that we face and yet keep the cost down for those in need that bring us in. Please take some time to consider what you can do to help us on a monthly basis.
Lastly, I would like to let everyone know about the music festival we are planning for June 25 to 27, 2010. It is called "Sing to the Mountains Music Festival" and is being held at "Camp Y'Shua" in Meers, Oklahoma. Much of the planning has already been done and we are excited at the response we are getting from people all across North America. Please go to our blog site to see more details about the bands, drums & vision
http://www.singtothemountainsmusicfestival.blogspot.com/. We hope you will put this date on your calendar and plan to be a part of this exciting first time event.
May the Creator's blessings be upon you and the love of Jesus in you.
Your brother,
Jonathan Maracle
Breaking Walls of Separation
http://www.brokenwalls.com/
