Point Judith Lighthouse in Narragansett, Rhode Island.
We are Back!
After a ten-day road trip, we are back in Sanford, Florida. We traveled to New England visiting the ‘Biggest Little State in the Union,’ Rhode Island, as well as Massachusetts and Connecticut. It was a joy to see family and old friends again. We were able spend a day as a family in Narragansett and explore the rocky shoreline of the Ocean State – a much needed respite after that long drive!
We visited churches in New England who are remaining faithful to the Lord’s work. We also had opportunities to meet with pastors and decision makers of churches in Virginia who have sent short-term teams to Cherokee. It seems we will have three, possibly four, new churches supporting us.
On our way up, we visited the National Museum of the American Indian in D.C. and took some quick pics of the Civil War Memorial in front of the Capital.
Civil War Memorial in D.C.
Wampanoag Mashpee Natives, Greg Joseph and Nick Hendricks
Old Indian Meeting House, 1684, Mashpee, MA
A particular joy was visiting the country’s oldest Indian church in Mashpee, MA. The actual date of the establishment of the building is debated, but you can read more about it here. We were told by one of the men keeping the grounds that day that there is no longer a congregation meeting there, but nonetheless it was edifying to be in a structure where Wampanoag Indians worshiped the Lord so many years ago. Not only were we able to have a private visit in the Meeting House, the caretakers arranged for us to have a private tour of the Wampanoag Museum down the road even though it was basically closed for the season.
While in Providence, RI, we visited the very first Baptist church in the country (see our Instagram for a pic of that). Later that night we were in a church located in the same area where the great missionary to the Indians, David Brainerd, ministered while in Connecticut. On our way back home, while traveling to Centreville, VA we stumbled on Manassas National Battlefield Park where Gen. Thomas Jonathan Jackson earned his name “Stonewall.”
Cannons at Manassas Battlefield
Remembering the Past, Looking to the Future
We had no idea how much history we were going to take in on this trip, and especially did not know how that would evoke such variegated thoughts and emotions. But our mission to Cherokee is about what the Lord is doing today. At the same time we as the church always need to keep an eye on the past examining our successes and mistakes while looking to see what the Lord wants to do with Native America in the future. I hope our posts and newsletters challenge you to think more in Kingdom categories that transcend our political, cultural, personal, and (dare I say?) denominational preferences, which will allow us to better examine ourselves as we seek to be true Reformers tenaciously embracing the doctrine of Semper Reformanda – Always Reforming.
Below are photos of the exhibits from the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian in Washington D.C.
Appeals to Washington
Compulsory prayer at an Indian mission school
Removal (click on photo to enlarge)
Great Nations Keep Their Word
Now that we are back in Sanford, we are back to writing newsletters, blog posts, and appeal letters, stuffing envelopes, making phone calls, presenting in home and church gatherings, and doing all the things necessary to raise our support. Please pray for perseverance on our part. The Lord has the funds out there somewhere. It is up to us to pray, work, pray, wait, pray, receive, pray, and repeat.
All for His Kingdom!
The Lennoxes
Above is an excerpt from November issue of Lennox Letters newsletter. See it here. Click here to SUBSCRIBE.
