Texoma Restoration Branch Seminar at Durant/Milburn Oklahoma by Steve Sickles

In response to a request from brother David Miller of Milburn, Oklahoma, brothers and sisters Abbott, Soldner and Sickles made the 9 hr trip to Milburn/Durant Oklahoma to present an Indian Ministry Seminar on April 25-27.

The congregation there consists of about ten or so members spread out over some 40 miles. This small group meets in homes located in Durant, which is the Choctaw Nation's capital, and Milburn, which is near to Tishomingo - the Chickasaw Nation's capital. Being located in between these two Indian Nations caused this small group of Saints to want to know how to go about reaching out to these heritage people.

Brother David baptized a native american inmate, a few years ago, who is imprisoned at a facility in Northwest Oklahoma. Brother David, who is the pastor of the little Branch, requested some months back that IMCA put this native american brother on our mailing list. A few days before our trip to Durant, this native american brother asked for our help in finding a spiritual leader to assist in establishing a sweat lodge on the prison grounds for him and other native american inmates. This caused the branch concern as to how they should proceed.

We were well received Friday evening with a generous meal and the evening was spent in sharing with the people, the fundamentals, the do's and don'ts of fellowshipping with our native american brothers. We had 10 hrs of instruction Saturday beginning at 10:00 am, which was conducted primarily by Cecil Abbott. There were many sincere questions asked and answered. Sunday morning we spent nearly three hours in testimony. At the beginning of the service Judith Hawley received an administration during which the Lord comforted and encouraged her and Harold to pursue the establishing of relationships with the heritage people in that area. As at all times when the Saints gather to unselfishly share with one another and to pursue our 167 year old commission, the Lord blessed us with an abundance of the Holy Spirit. Pray for the work in Southeast Oklahoma.

Since returning home, brother Cecil wrote a letter to the prison chaplain advising him of the native american brother's request and asking if it were possible and what needed to be done. The chaplain has written back, asking for IMCA's help in finding a spiritual leader to set up this sweat lodge. The doors are wide open and now we must exercise the courage to go forward.

If you are not accustomed to having fellowship with your IMCA brethren and tasting of the .joy of laboring together for the common goal, we would encourage you to partake of the blessing of laboring with us either in person or by your financial and prayerful support as we reach out and also in the improvement to the campground. Indeed the field is white and the laborers few. The commandment was (which has never been rescinded) to "go forth," or to "send forth." No one is excused.