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Busy, busy, busy but I wanted to give you an update on the goings on.

Fish Barrier Survey in Umpqua National Forest:

The infrastructure in the National Forest is a complete disaster. Many roads have been blocked or decommissioned. That's fine but the maps have not been updated and many of the road signs have been switched or removed altogether. More signs have been simply blown apart by hunters. The roads that remain are poorly maintained which brings us to the subject at hand.

The washboard gravel roads and potholes have taken a major toll on my little 4x4 Isuzu pup diesel pickup. The frame has cracked and one of the four rear spring mounts has broken off the frame. Its a wonder I made it home alive. I am currently working with a neighbor to weld it all back together. If you know me you know that of the many tasks associated with my lifestyle this is one that I utterly despise. Working on vehicles is a great psychological nemesis for me. The reasons are too vast too enumerate here.

Riparian Fencing:

I hope to have a work party here tomorrow to begin building the cribs associated with my riparian fences. Basically James Witt and his sons are coming at 7:30 AM to begin construction of the anchoring system for the fence. I covenanted with the tribe not to dig fence posts in the culturally sensitive areas along the riparian zone and to build a system of fences that will minimally disturb the soils. Its a long and complicated story.

POW WOW Update:

As is the custom of Native Americans, they bestow special honor upon the warriors. There are elaborate ceremonies associated with the beginning of POW WOW. The staves of eagle feathers and banners of the nations and tribes are followed by all veterans in a procession called the "Grand Entry".

During that time great honor is bestowed upon the veterans that are present. Firstly the grand dance circle is prayed over and blessed. This has been a great surprise to me. In every occasion the prayers have been offered to "Jesus, the greatest warrior who has ever lived." and to the Heavenly Father. There is a decidedly Christian influence in these prayers.

Then each "warrior" (veteran) announces when and were he served. The attending crowd gives a round of applause after each announcement. As the warrior takes his place in line each veteran shakes his hand and thanks him for serving.

When this phase of the ceremony is completed the warriors in single file circumambulate the great dance circle dancing to the drum song of the Warriors Victory Song. Once one round has been completed the warriors stop and the entire assemblage is invited to form another circle withing the one formed by the warriors. The drums resume and as the inner circle turns one way the outer turns another. During that time each of those attending the POW WOW dance and as the attendees pass by the warrior they shake his hand and thanks him for serving and protecting the people. It is an amazing experience to see young and old, male and female, some in tears, sincerely thanking the veterans who served.

During this particular POW WOW Viet Nam veteran Master Sargent Marshal Tall Eagle, a full blooded Apache, distributed the "Warriors Medal of Valor" to the veterans who attended this event. He claimed to be a God fearing Christian and took the opportunity preach concerning the sacrifice of Messiah Yeshua for sinners. It was humbling to receive the medal from a people group that has tasted of many darknesses at the hands of the dominant culture. There is no way I could turn it down. I am posting an image of the medallion in the recent images.

May the God of all mercy look down from above and flood these native nations with great tides of deliverance and compassion.