Trail of Tears first Event happens here

Thorn Crown Chapel at Eureka Springs

First Tears' Event at Eureka Springs

A quick update on what's happening and when.

I'm travelling with Irish prophet Brendan McCauley. Brendan 'coincidentaly' ends a 40 day fast the day we leave for Arkansas! it's an interesting story as to how I came to invite him on the trip.

Our First event happens at Eureka Springs on 30th Nov. This is near a significant stop on the 'Trail of Tears' and I think will set the tone for what God is doing on this journey.

Check out the detail here http://www.missouriprayer.com/nov30Event.html

Restoring Justice to the Land: A gathering of nations in pursuit of God’s heart
November 30, 2005
Eureka Springs, Arkansas

Purpose:To create a platform upon which corporate apology, repentance, and reconciliation can occur between Native American peoples, Celtic nations and their descendants, and the states and land of our region traveled by Native peoples while on the Trail of Tears.

From Arkansas, Missouri, and Southern Illinois, we will gather church leaders, intercessors, government officials and Native Americans from the five civilized tribes of the south - Seminole, Choctaw, Creek, Cherokee, and Chickasaw. Additionally, representatives from the European nations of Northern Ireland, Scotland, and England will be with us. The forefathers of these nations developed the first relationships with the indigenous peoples of America and wrote the defining historical Native American Removal Policies. These policies resulted in what is known as the “trail where they cried ” (Trail of Tears), a trail which led the Native peoples through Southern Illinois, Missouri, and finally Arkansas before dispersing them throughout Indian Territory, modern Oklahoma. Together we will join to share in a journey of reconciliation through acknowledgment, apology, and pursuit of healing through forgiveness, building of relationship, and walking together toward covenantal partnerships that will bring forth healing among all people groups, particularly among the Native American people.
At this time, United States Senate Resolution 15 is in process of appearing before the Senate for approval, with a similar resolution before the US House of Representatives (see www.NativeRes.org). Resolution 15 encourages all state governments to work toward reconciling relationship with Indian tribes within their boundaries. This gathering will serve as a step in this process for our region.

Mission:To work toward apology, reconciliation, and healing between the descendants of the Native American tribes, European nations, and descendants of European settlers throughout our region.

Irish/Ulster involvement in Native American National Apology

Wanna be a history maker?

I've been asked to be involved in a series of events in Arkansas and Oklahoma at the end of this month (Nov 2005).

It's in connection with a potentially immense historical event which is unfolding in America right now below the 'news radar'.

A proposed National Apology to Native American peoples...

And there's a significant reason why a bunch of people from here in Ireland are involved.

The National Apology by the US Government to... (as the official proposal puts it)...

...acknowledge a long history of official depredations and ill-conceived policies by the United States Government regarding Indian tribes and offer an apology to all Native Peoples on behalf of the United States. Whereas the ancestors of today's Native Peoples inhabited the land of the present-day United States since time immemorial and for thousands of years before the arrival of peoples of European descent;......

....the United States forced Indian tribes and their citizens to move away from their traditional homelands and onto federally established and controlled reservations, in accordance with such Acts as the Indian Removal Act of 1830; Whereas many Native Peoples suffered and perished-- (1) during the execution of the official United States Government policy of forced removal, including the infamous Trail of Tears.....

(The full proposal can be read at www.NativeRes.org)

But what's this got to do with Ireland/Ulster?

Well, Andrew Jackson the 7th US president, who implemented the The Indian Removal Act of 1830, was born here in Ulster near Carrickfergus.

It seems that one of our celebrated 'Forefathers' intitiated this legislation that culminated tragically eight years later in the forced death-march known as the Cherokee Trail of Tears.

This is still very much a 'live' issue with the pain of this history still affecting this generation of Native Americans.

I'd thoroughly recommend viewing this 9 minute video for an overview http://www.ifamedia.com/NativeRes15.ram

Anyway, I have been asked to be involved in the worship/music of a series of prayer/repentance events scheduled to start in Arkansas Nov 29th and end in Oklahoma Dec 4th and it would be great if you'd consider partnering in this project. Here's how you can be a history maker...

1. PRAY!
2. Help me with some research?
3. Help with some fund raising?

1. PRAY: Pray that the this strategy of repenting of the "sins of our forefathers" would be a healing catalyst for all the people groups represented. I'ts like Jesus taught us... 'forgive our sins as we forgive those who sin againt us'. Specifically I'm also looking for wisdom on the choice of worship songs/material for this environment, prayer along those lines would be great!
2. RESEARCH: I'm getting myself up to speed on some of these issues with some recommended reading on the subject but 2 (or more) heads are better than one! If you can add some understanding to the subject email me or post a comment. I must confess that up until recently I had no idea of the negative legacy our history had played on the Native American people.
3. FUND RAISING: We (band & me) will be looked after when we get there but we have to cover our flights fromIreland to US. Here's a few ways in which you may be able to help. Donate through our Charitable Trust (Deepend Trust - UK taxpayers can gift aid this), give us something we can auction through our ebay charity auction (this means you can give without having to give cash - cool or what!) or buy a 4 CD package for a £30 ($50).The 4 CD package includes

· 'Engage24' Live Worship CD (Ian Hannah & yours truly)
· 'The New Celts' Worship CD (Robin Mark, Joanne Hogg, Brian Houston & me)
· 'We Say Yes' Worship CD (This is a demo version of some of my songs that made it on to the above albums)
· E-Sword Bible software CD (Multible bible version software with fantastic features)

You can also make a donation of any amout to our Charitable Trust - Deep End Ministry Trust.

Let me know your thoughts.

Cheers - Andy