Rockin' Da Rez

This weekend I had the opportunity to take part in a fun community event! Leonard Ben, one of the CBTC translators, is also the pastor of Hope Indian Baptist Church here in Pearl River. His church, in partnership with a church group that had traveled down from Pennsylvania, put on a fundraising concert with both Choctaw and non-Choctaw participants. People from various churches came to listen, sing, praise God, encourage Hope Indian Baptist Church, and have fun Rockin' Da Rez. :) Leonard has long held the dream of having multiple churches come together to praise God at one event; he was so excited to see it come to fruition that he sat in the front row for the entire evening!

Leonard is in the neon yellow-green shirt right down in front. :)

The CBTC office assistant, Millie Chickaway, and her husband Chris were helping Leonard by selling t-shirts to raise money for his church. They were joined by Abby Farmer (Wycliffe missionary and the Scripture Engagement Consultant with the CBTC) and they had a tent and a bunch of chairs set up, so I got to hang out with them. :)

Millie, their friend Bam-bam, and Chris at the t-shirt tent.

Much to everyone's excitement, Chief Phyliss Anderson joined us for part of the evening and she gave the opening message. As a fellow believer, she shared some meaningful Scripture passages and welcomed everyone to the gathering. Afterwards, we got a chance to meet her; she was very gracious and seems like a really kind and genuine leader.

Me, Abby, Chief Anderson, and Millie.

Overall, the event was a success, I think. People seemed to enjoy the time together praising God, and I know Leonard was greatly encouraged by it. I too was thankful for the time to continue building relationships with the CBTC staff as well as other community members, and to see some of what God is doing through His people here!