Tales from the Road... Wachinyeya Fest

After all the fun we had at Audiofeed the MAM team were keen to get back on the road and add a few more states to our list of places we have been this summer. We were a little apprehensive approaching this trip as we really didn't know what we were heading into. The majority of our team (Jenna, Emma, Gabriel, Neal and Corinne) got packed into the van early in the morning to take on the epic drive to North Dakota.

Nearly 2000 miles, much coffee, several redbulls, one Super 8 and a lot of cornfields we arrived on the reservation at Fort Yates where Christy and Alex joined the team. We arrived in the dark to take residence in a church and a tiny house but looking around in the morning what we saw was fairly bleak. We had travelled through all the hype and advertising of majority America and arrived in this small town that was reminiscent of the developing world in many ways.

The next two days were spent hanging out with the young people attending the festival - there weren't lots of them so we were able to really get to know those we met despite the short amount of time. We had several opportunities to share our stories and the heart of MAM and lots of the people there got involved in our #beyondcompare campaign too.

In the midst of some great music, swimming in the river and games of frisbee we heard stories of abuse, addiction, self harm, suicide, rape and more. MAM's message of love and value in the eyes of our Father had never felt more relevant or powerful when faced with the reality of life for so many of the young people of the reservation. Please read Alex's blog to read more about the reality of life on the reservation.

We met some amazing people who are living there sharing God's message of hope who inspired us with their determination to bring love and a sense of belonging where so many families were broken and separated. But the workers are few. MAM is working on ways we can support them and we are hoping to return to Fort Yates later in the year.

It was an extraordinary time for each of us on the team and our very long journey back (including a night by a bonfire while visiting Mount Rushmore) gave us plenty of time to reflect on what was a very challenging experience in many ways. God gave us amazing opportunities, lots of fun with the youngsters and a real sense of his heart for the people of the reservation. It won't be an experience we forget quickly, that's for sure.

Hope in the darkest of places...

I watched the Avengers movie last week, and I loved it. I loved it partly because I love jam-packed action adventure stories, but mainly because I love the journey all superheroes go on: a journey from being ordinary people to becoming extraordinary superheroes. They go on a journey of transformation where they realize the fullness of all they were created to be; despite all the hopeless circumstances they find themselves in and have to battle against.

I've spent the last few days in a Native Indian reservation called Fort Yates in North Dakota. A place where 79% of the population are unemployed. Where 5 young people have hanged themselves in the last 6 months from within one community. Where a frightening amount of girls and women are raped. Where children are molested, neglected and physically abused. Where teenagers turn to drugs and alcohol because that's what their parents did before them.  It is a place with endless battles. A place where hope has been lost.

I had the privilege of joining with a team of 7 from MAM, volunteering at festival called Wachinyeya, meaning 'Hope' in Lakota (one of the Native Indian tribal languages).  For two days we spent time with

teenagers, kids, and some older members of the community; chatting, playing, swimming in rivers and endless piggy-backs while bands from across the USA played music and shared their stories. It seems simple but there is a lot of power in being open and simply spending time with people. It all happened to communicate a simple message to the people living in this bleak environment - they are loved and valued by God just as they are, despite whatever mistakes they have made or any hopelessness, struggles and sadness they might be going through. And not just that but because of his love and by his Spirit they are empowered to seek a different path, one that gives their lives purpose.

Wachinyeya. Hope. That’s exactly what Fort Yates needs more of; because right now there are so many hopeless situations and those young people have so little to live for. Hope comes alive in the person of Jesus Christ - even in the most desperate situations he transforms lives. He takes people on a journey from being ordinary to becoming extraordinary. Despite negative life circumstances and everything we have to battle against, Jesus empowers us by His Spirit so that we know the fullness of who we are created to be.

Tony Stark was made to be ‘IronMan’. Steve Rogers was made to be ‘Captain America’. Bruce Banner was made to be ‘The Hulk’. But if IronMan tried to be The Hulk, or The Hulk tried to be Captain America, they wouldn’t be embracing the fullness of their identities. Those superheroes have inherent value just the way they are and when they accept that - it's then they become the heroes that are so desperately needed. Jesus created you and I with inherent value, and when we recognize that we are loved and valuable – we step into the fullness of all we were created to be and we are empowered us to live a life full of purpose.

And Jesus is bringing transformation to the reservation - Lance, Line, their family and some other amazing people are living their lives right there in the reservation - in the midst of the struggles and darkness - letting their lamps shine out, bringing Jesus' hope.

My prayer for us all, but particularly for those I met at Wachinyeya, is that we’d all be transforming into the fullness of life we’ve been made for through Jesus. My favorite verse in the bible is John 10:10  

A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy; but [Jesus] came so [you] can have real and eternal life, more and better life than [you] ever dreamed (MSG). 

I love this verse because it tells the story of transformation that Jesus takes us on. Although life has been stolen, joy killed, and peace destroyed; through Jesus we have hope and can know the fullness of life we were created for. 

It was depressing to see such bleakness and desperation in a country of extraordinary wealth and opportunity but Jesus is there. Through a handful of dedicated people he is bringing his love, light and hope and little by little, lives are being transformed.

Alex Perkin

Alex is from the UK and is a student studying global ‘Development Studies & Geography' at SOAS university in London. After working for a youth organization (Soul Survivor UK) for 3 years, he wanted to engage more with God's heart for justice and social action so is pursuing a career in development. He loves time with family, friends and cooking stir-fries!

Tales from the Road... Audiofeed 2014

Here at MAM we love the summer as it our opportunity to get out on the road and head to some festivals. This year we are taking our #beyondcompare campaign with us to try and challenge our culture of comparing ourselves to others and to start seeing ourselves as God does. First stop this year was Audiofeed in Illinois...

Audiofeed is a small festival but with an awesome sense of community. We had a booth where we were giving out information and selling our new #beyondcompare t-shirts and Banded headbands too. We ran a seminar on some of the issues that we look at and had a good few shout outs from the stage giving us lots of opportunity to share what MAM is all about. 

The highlight for us was seeing everyone getting on board with the new campaign and sharing what makes them #beyondcompare. Here is just a taster but you can all the photos from the event on our Flickr page... 

We were really humbled by the statements that people made and how open and willing people were to get involved. If you want to join in the fun you can post a photo on our facebook wall, instagram or twitter (@MAMministries) telling us something about you with the hashtag #beyondcompare - go on, get involved!

As well as really enjoying the festival we managed to enjoy our road trip to get there and back - visiting a variety of very large things (including Superman, a peach, Uncle Sam) and a very tiny chapel too...

If you think it looks like fun - it is! We still have a couple of places to volunteer with us this summer so let us know if you are interested.  

Next stop Wachinyeya, North Dakota...

First Rate Version of Yourself - Beyond Compare

by: Jess Eveland

One of the hardest question I have ever had to answer was "Who am I?". In college (way back in the 90's) in Faith and Culture my professor pressed us to answer this question and at 19, I was not able to do it. When I tried to write my paper, it came back with a big red "X" through it and a note, "Your paper tells me facts but not your heart". WHAT?!

Looking back I now can see what my wise professor was trying to get me to do, but I was not able to see myself beyond my facts: Age, Birth Place, Major. I was working so hard to hide myself, my heart was so full of comparison, I reduced myself to just the facts. I was too scared of my truth and really busy trying my best to be someone else.

Sadly, my life did not fit the picture of a happy, upper-middle class, white girl at a Christian college. My life felt dark. Rejection, divorce, my young sister died of cancer, attempted suicide. I resolved that I would leave that all at home and live like everyone else. My resolution only lead to more hurt, pain, and depression. I left college so unsure of myself and NO idea who I was. I was so busy trying to be everyone else, I lost myself.

All the messy, the hurt and pain, are the pieces that came together to make a unique individual. And yes, it hurts, but it is so much better. When you let go of comparison and live a unique life, true to who you were created to be, you will be free! Part of that freedom is working through the tough issues in your life. Only when you are able to be honest are you able to move forward.

God made you a unique and special creation. You are not a second rate copy of anyone or anything. You were not a mistake.

Psalm 139:14I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

Live Brave! Be True! Lay down comparison and be true to yourself. If you need help or you need to talk to someone please visit MAM's website or go HERE to chat with Hopeline.

You are #beyondcompare

Jess Eveland is a volunteer with MAM and lives in the Nashville area. You can find Jess online at Rock Paper Feather.

You are #beyondcompare

"Comparison is the death of joy". 

Mark Twain certainly knew what he was talking about when he made that statement. Who can say that comparing themselves to other people, to media stereotypes, to the 'perfect you' that you've created in your mind has brought anything positive?

Comparing ourselves to others brings up one of three things - none of which are healthy for us. It might be jealousy - we don't feel we measure up to the person or ideal we are comparing ourselves to so we are envious of those that do. It might be a sense of worthlessness - that we aren't good enough because we haven't reached the bar we set for ourselves. It might be judgment and pride - we are looking at others and seeing ourselves as better than them.  There is no real joy in any of these places.

This isn't the life that I want to live. Either disappointed in myself - believing that I haven't made the grade - I'm not rich enough, clever enough, thin enough, pretty enough, the list goes on; or putting myself on a pedestal, looking down and saying that I am better than those around me. 

This doesn't feel like the life God would have for us. So where is real joy and contentment? 

It's found when we understand who we are in God's eyes - that we are loved completely and unconditionally by the creator of the universe. He knows us inside and out, light and dark, and he still gave up his son to die for us (Romans 5:8). He delights in us and rejoices over us (Zephaniah 3:17), we are his treasured possession (Malachi 3:17). Contentment comes when our identity is in God and who he believes us to be - not from the media, other people or even ourselves.

When we see ourselves through God's eyes we are beyond comparison. We are made in his image. We wouldn't compare God to the images in a fashion magazine so we shouldn't do it to ourselves. 

MAM is launching the #beyondcompare campaign this summer because we want everyone to know that they are loved by God, exactly as they are. Each of us is #beyondcompare.

Keep an eye on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@mamministries) for how you can get involved!

Open the Book: Lessons Learned From Turning The Page

The world is full of stories. Often coming from the hands of authors, creating new worlds and characters that have the power to bewitch. Sometimes epics of fiction, full of heroes defeating villains and saving the world from certain destruction. Sometimes more gentle tales of self discovery or love in a small town. But what about the others: the nonfiction, the raw, vulnerable accounts of real life experiences. 

The misconception that stories have to be fictional can distract us from the fact that we all have very real stories to tell. I have one, as do you, and so does everyone else. Our stories describe how we came to be, why we are the way that we are, why we live how we do. Yet while each of us yearns to tell their story, we are not nearly so keen to listen. These stories then bottle up, threatening to explode like an erupting volcano. As the late Maya Angelou once said, “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”

After a close friend of mine passed away, I realized how important our stories really are. I didn’t believe stories were important, especially my own - no one needed to know about me. But I was looking at it the wrong way. It’s the personal stories of real life that inspire and they are our legacy too. No matter what happens to us, our stories are still there.

So many of us don’t want to “burden” those around us with our pain and the dark parts of our stories, so we edit and rewrite and only talk about the parts with sunshine and rainbows. We edit our stories so that people only see us the way we want to be seen. Being real and telling the whole story means opening up and being vulnerable, which is a very real and terrifying notion. Now, hold on to your hat, reader, because the next thing I say may blow your mind.

Your story matters. The whole story. The dark parts, the shadows hidden between the bursts of light, the sunshine and rainbows, the demons hiding in your closet, every single detail. It all matters.

If you’re anything like me, this is a difficult concept to grasp. I’ve always been the strong one, the tough girl who doesn’t let anything get to her, the one who is always okay when others would be falling apart. The truth is, I was falling apart, I just didn’t want anyone to know. I felt like my limbs were being pulled in every direction while someone punched me in the heart. But I put on a smile and pretended everything was fine. I don’t like talking to people, I don’t like opening up, and I certainly wasn’t about to let anyone know that I wasn’t fine. But eventually, it broke me. Remember when I said untold stories are like a volcano waiting to erupt? Well, my story erupted Mount St. Helens style, leaving a massive crater in its place. I finally couldn’t take it anymore. I was broken, but I decided that it was time to start putting myself back together. I started going to counseling, I started opening up, I started admitting when I had a bad day. I started praying and going to church again. I stopped pretending nothing could hurt me and admitted to myself the one thing I never wanted to say: I’m human, and I’m not invincible.

I also learned that if this happened to me, it also happens to others. So along with telling more of my story, I started listening. I started having deeper conversations with people, asking them about their lives, encouraging them that their story matters and that they aren’t alone. And I have been blessed and encouraged by the stories I’ve heard.  

People need community and connection, which is getting increasingly difficult as we stop having conversations and retreat behind our phone screens. I urge you to think about the people in your life. If someone is always fine and nothing bothers them, they may need someone to talk to - maybe that friend is you. Perhaps you just want someone to listen. Find someone to share stories with. Make real, meaningful, human connections. Listen for the sake of listening, without judgment. Fearlessly tell your own story. Become an open book. Allow others to write their stories in between the lines of yours. 

When all is said and done, stories exist long after we do. Share yours with the world. You matter, and your story matters. So go ahead. We’re listening.  

Emma Rollman

Maya Angelou: Be Courageous and Empowered

A month ago today one of the great inspirational women of this generation passed away. Maya Angelou was a writer and activist and amongst many other achievements worked alongside Martin Luther King, Jr and Malcolm X in the Civil Rights movement. In this post Jenna Coombs summarises an article she found inspiring about this extraordinary lady.

Maya Angelou had a skill for empowering the world with her expertise in both writing and speech. Karin Kamp of The Story Exchange wrote an article based on a television interview she had with Angelou a few years ago. In the interview, Angelou discussed the development of courage and empowerment. 

According to Angelou, the first thing to know about courage is that it is “developed,” “you’re not born with courage,” Angelou tells PBS.

So how do we “develop” courage when our society is so used to seeing born-to-be-brave heroes bracing our television and movie screens?

Angelou compares courage to a muscle-something you have to train. “One way to develop courage is to not entertain company who debase you. Don’t laugh at someone who is laughing at you…Take offense.”

If someone starts name-calling or belittling you-leave. “You don’t need to say why you’re leaving — say you’re on your way to Bangkok or something.”

Angelou advises that we should build courage by doing things that make us proud of who we are, “If you want to read, take the time to do so. If you want to learn a new language, get a book or audio cassette to help you.” In a society where social media begs us to both tell and show the world the things we’re doing every minute, Angelou says that “no one has to know or see what you’re doing [when you are finally doing those things you’ve wanted to do for yourself].”

That’s how empowerment happens, “through small victories,” said Angelou.

A summary of an article by Karin Kamp: Maya Angelou's Advice to Young Women

Jenna Coombs