MANOKOTAK SPIRITUAL FEAST

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    For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16

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    This is the one who came by water and blood -Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. I John5:6

<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->    You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. Romans 8:9<!--[endif]-->

<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->    The acts of sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and selfcontrol. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. Galations 5:19-26<!--[endif]-->

<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--><!--[endif]-->    Hallelujah! This trip to Manokotak was such an awesome experience and just parts of it which I can recall, I am able to put into words. So much happened, so many lives were touched, much healing of brokenness took place, to say the least. I am attempting to write down what happened over the weekend of the Manokotak Spiritual Feast. I want so much to share this so that others would read and envision a small part of this exciting church function.

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Names of the Guests

    Thursday morning, October 18,2007, Nine people (two from Soldotna- Charlene Parazoo and Lena Flensburg, seven from Anchorage - Julia Nanalook, Eileen Hishon, Beatrice Olrun, Faith Kiunya, Billy Olsen, Grace Smith, Raelena Smith) went with MARC plane to Manokotak to attend the Young People's Spiritual Feast; each paid $300 out of their own pocket to cover cost. MARC went on to pick up a planeload from the Yukon Area- Mountain Village (Sarah Peterson, Anna Walters, Clara Amos, Lucy Brink, Doreen Burkowski, Rachel Jimmie), Kotlik (McKenzie Hunt), Pilot Station (Michael and Agatha Tinker), and a couple Billy and Sally Teeluk from Eek, Alaska, near Bethel. MARC also got a planeload from Kwigillingok, Rachel Nelson, Philicia and Sophie Charlie, Gwen and Sigfurd Kugstun, Patrick Andrew, Brendon Lewis, Katherine Paul, and Elsie Snyder. The following day, Friday, Kim Charlie, myself - Carrie Paton,
Paul Kiunya, Hilma Shavings, and her sister Winnie Mocleta went commercially to Manokotak. Several other villagers came from Good News Bay (Charlie Chingliak, Lydia Schouten, Ms. Chingliak), Togiak (Angilan and Moses Ayojiak, Sophie and John Nick, Pam Nick, Robert Nicholai, Jevon ~d Bernice Toyukak, Lucy Nick, Bertha Andrews, Blanche and Richard Echuck, Sally Kohak, Liz Nanalook, Kenny Nanalook, Samantha Blue, Shanelle Coopchiak, Lyl~Coopchiak, Sandi and Jeff Echuck), Twin Hills (Anna and Chris Sharp, Mary Ann Cleveland), Dillingham (Flora Huffmon, Esther Reamy, Marie Bowers, Bethel (paul Jenkins, Sam and Maggie Alexie, Ben Evon, Tony and Ruth Evon, Ina Jenkins, David Friday, Rachelle Green), Mekoryuk (Mona and Abraham David, and Aleknagik (Violet and Alyssa Apalayak).

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History and Purpose

    The First Spiritual Feast was held in Kwigillingok, on September 1-3,2006, led by the Kwigillingok Young People Leaders Rachel Nelson, Alvin Jimmie, Gwen Kugstun,and Brendon Lewis. Attendees included the Manokotak Group (Louise and Frank Gloko,Sarah Andrew, Terrence Gamechuk, Floretta Nanalook, Jessica Ayojiak, Rhona Shavings, Ina Ekamrak, and Travis Gloko), Anchorage Group (Carrie Paton, CarolMaillelle, Greta Clark, Eileen Hishon, Doris Sirilo, Lucille Hurd, Paul Kiunya, Leroy and Carolyn Wilson), Togiak Group (John and Sophie Nick, Evelyn Coopchiak, Pam Nick, Kenny Nanalook, Shanelle Coopchiak, Lyla Coopchiak). The Spiritual Feast was so filledwith the annointing of the Holy Spirit that the attendees hungered for more of the samekind of a gathering. The gathering was open-ended; most of the theme centered onforgiveness and love. While it was mostly positive and spiritually fulfilling; there were some negative reprimands afterwards from some of the Church leaders from the Kwiggillingok Church and was brought up at the Bethel Provincial Meeting.

    Mercy Wings (Marvin and Charlene Parazoo, Lena Flensberg, and Sassa Peterson) from Soldotna visited Manokotak on September 22-24, 2006 and prayed for the entryways into Manokotak, visited homes praying for the sick and others. Although a lot of resistance was felt from many of the Elders, this visit indeed opened up the entryways into this village.

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    Manokotak had a Spiritual Feast on October 6-8, 2006, and it was well attended with many lives touched. It was a much needed Spiritual filling many young people hungered for. Since then, it is reported that church attendance along with tithes and offerings has gone up a hundred fold. A Bible Study group materialized in Manokotak, where the Young People leaders and others go to homes and have Bible Studies and Prayer. This is so important in the growth of living a Spiritual life.

  The young People leaders (Louise Gloko, Melvin Andrew, Teresa Ayojiak, Panta Paul, and Junior Elders Abraham George and Kenneth Nukwak) sought the Church Elders permission to have this second Young People Spiritual Feast and after much discussion, debate, and prayer they were permitted to have it. There is and will be resistance from the older traditional worshippers.

1 Corinthians 14:26-40: On Orderly Worship

26 What then shall we say, brothers? wpen you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church. 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, two-or at the most three-should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. 28 If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God.  

    29 Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. 30 And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. 31 For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. 32 The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. 33 For God is not a God of disorder but of peace. As in all the congregations of the saints, 34 women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says. 35 If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.

36 Did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached? 37 If anybody thinks he is a prophet or spiritually gifted, let him acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord's command. 38 If he ignores this, he himself will be ignored. 39 Therefore, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.  40 But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.

    Times are changing; we cannot be stuck in a way. When the Spirit moves, he moves in an awesome way. When one is open to the pouring of the Holy Spirit, one reacts in ways that may be outbursts of joy and laughter or with deep release and tears, or in quietness. We all have individual reactions.

John 4:23-24

23Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."

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    This Spiritual Feast was so blessed beyond my words. The leaders were very prayerful and waited on the Lord. Things just fell right into place.  This same weekend was a memorial feast for my brother Jimmy Nanalook and Jonathan Pat. It was also a homecoming celebration for the National Guardsmen coming home from their year long duty in Kuwait. Everything fell right into place. God's almighty presence was so real from the very start of the weekend.

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I had the privilege of traveling with one of the guardsmen, Gabriel Ayojiak. We visited while waiting to board in Anchorage and again in Dillingham. He was so excited to be going home and shared that the last few weeks were hard awaiting this homecoming. Homesickness and waiting:became hard to bear. The time seemed to be very slow because of the fact of wanting to be home with his family. (Lord, I've Never Been This Homesick Before)

    The weather was overcast and seemed to be closing in right before we left for Manokotak. Once we landed and got out of the plane and our feet on the ground, huge, pure, white snowflakes came down and showered us (Showers Of Blessing) as family and friends came and I saw the most joyous homecoming welcome from a loving wife, elder mother and father, teenage sons, and a young girl embracing her dad, also from many other relatives and friends.

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    Friday night was an opening night for the Spiritual Feast. The Manokotak Sunday School Children sang, Hallelujah Maligciqaqa as an opener. The National Guard's wife, Bonnie Ayojiak shared a very moving, sincere testimony including how stressful the separation had been and that she experienced learning to give it all to Jesus, being prayerful at all times. That same night a young high school age boy from Dillingham, Isaac Wood, IV shared an awesome testimony about standing up for Christ (Stand Up, Stand UpFor Jesus). The Yukon group shared their experiences during Abraham George's gospel trip to their villages this fall along with Billy and Sally Teeluk from Eek.

    The Yukon Villagers are so excited about Jesus and are already quoting God's Word the Bible (GetAll Excited that Jesus Christ Is Lord!; Standing On the Promises).

    Friday Night, I shared that as my trip to Manokotak was approaching to have a one year feast for my brother, Jimmy Nanalook, I was starting to miss him and finally grieving for him. Living away from home, it's been easy to put it aside and go on with life. The song I wanted to share, "Have You Had a Gethsemane?" became very real to me last year before Jimmy passed on feeling helpless as a nurse and healthcare provider, feeling his pain for him and his family, yet seeing him taking his sickness in stride, accepting that even though he was not healed physically he was healed in spirit and was so looking forward to go to the land of joy, peace, and love where there was no pain nor sickness. Hallelujah! We all have experienced pain in each of our lives, we have been in our lowest. Jesus, when he went to Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-42), was at his lowest, he was all alone, he knew his time was near, he even prayed, "Father, let this cup pass from me if it is your will". Yet, he went through the pain and suffering so that you and I would have hope. God, our heavenly father promises us that he will go with us all the way (Matthew 28:20b). He is with us at all times. Our second song was, "Jesus Is Precious" ([hanks, Beatrice for wanting to sing it, it was very appropriate to sing it with you, Julia, Kim, Eileen, Ferdinand and Nancy Sharp). The Manokotak Youth sang, "The Prettiest Flowers" which was so comforting to hear.

    Jimmy's favorite passage from the Bible is found in Roman's 13:11-14. Which talks about Dawning of the New Day. And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

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Saturday, October 20, afternoon service, Paul Jenkins shared, 1 Corinthians 3:10-

23. Our body is the temple of God, his spirit living within, with the foundation being Jesus Christ himself. Our works will be shown on the day of judgment. The quality of our works will be revealed with fire. If we are able to survive the testing of our work, then we will be rewarded. If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. The world, life or death, present or future - all belong to us (spiritual riches), we belong to Christ (divine ownership) and Christ is of God (oneness with God). He also shared Revelations, the seven years of tribulation using an illustration.

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<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--><!--[endif]-->John and Sophie Nick shared Romans 12:1-2, Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will. Then they sang, The Keeper of the Door and I Just Can't Make It Without You. The Manokotak Youth sang, Twill Be Glory For Me. Eileen Hishon shared that the Anchorage Moravian Church has been praying for the Yukon People, the Nunam Iqua village and how exciting to it to see the fruits of our prayer seeing the Kuigpagmiut here testifying about the Lord Jesus Christ. Our group sang, The Love Of God, (thanks, Beatrice for choosing to sing this song). I then asked Jerry Pat, my uicungaaqulluk to come up and we sang Whata Day That Will Be along with the congregation. It was such a very meaningful song as his brother Jonathan Pat and my brother Jimmy Nanalook passed on one year ago and we were about to have the memorial feast. Jerry then shared about his pain and illness and
requested for prayer.

      We had a very well attended feast with a line-up of tables full of food after the afternoon service.

Saturday evening, I mentioned to the congregation that Sassa Peterson was unable to come because she wanted to be with her son, Christopher Peterson, who is going to Iraq for the second time and to please remember Chris in your prayers and others for protection from harm. Charlene Parazoo from Soldotna shared from the Bible and sang couple choruses.

I introduced our 12 year old nephew, Darrin Nanalook, to share his dream/vision and quoted Joel 2:28, (The Day Of Our Lord, in more detail can be found in the whole 3 chapters of Joel) where "I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions".

This is Darrin's experience in his own words. "Before people moved to fish camp, I dreamt I was standing in a different place.  It was hell.  It was pitch black, darker than hell.  The smell was stinky, like dead animals and burnt stuffs like plastic and other stuff.

I look around and I saw lots of souls, souls chained to the walls and souls chained in cells, a lot of people were being tortured.

Demons were everywhere, beating up souls, whipping and slapping them.  The demons were deformed.  They looked scaly and ugly and in different sizes. Some were short and some were very tall.  Some had one short arm and one long arm.

I saw bugs crawling, big rats and worms.  I heard lots of screaming, yelling and crying.  Some were cussing and swearing.  I saw body parts and blood on the ground.

When I looked across I saw a lake of fire and people being thrown to the lake of fire.  From my left I saw people being escorted to the cells and people trying to escape from the cell.

I was sacred of what I saw.  I tried to cover my eyes but saw hell, and I tried to cover my nose but still smelled hell.

When I looked at the demons, some demons had horns, scars, crooked nails and wrinkly faces.  I saw shadow of the devil.  One person was yelling at the demon, then the demon looked at the person and started cussing.

Before I woke up, I saw one demon staring at me.  He had a wrinkly face.  When I woke up, I was hot and sweating.  And when I went to the bathroom, I still smelled hell."

Darin eloquently shared his dream to a church full of people; clearly and with such composure that he had the whole church listening with great intent.  The Anchorage Choir then sang, "Who At My Door Is Standing?"

     Another moving testimony was from Elsie Snyder of Kongiganak, shared about being convicted this summer by our very own saint here in the Anchorage Moravian Church during a service at the hospital. God is using this humble, innocent, young boy, whom we label as disabled and retarded.  We all have seen and heard him freely clap his hands so appropriately whenever God's name is praised. This lady said that this cWldwould clap his hands whenever Jesus' name was mentioned and it just melted her heart of stone. She wanted the same Jesus this child had, who seemed to know how to praise even in his condition. She had been bitter and hateful most of her life and didn't attend church. She shared that she had owned a puppy and in her bitterness and hatred she hung the puppy after putting a rubber band around its nozzle killing it by tightening the rope round and round until it died. She then took out a soiled t-shirt and used that as an illustration of the sins we carry within us.  Then took out a very clean white t-shirt held by a child and used that as an illustration of becoming pure in our heart and becoming like a child when God cleans us removing our uncleanliness.

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Psalm 51

1 Have mercy on me, 0 God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge. 5 Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. 6 Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place. 7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. 8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. 9 Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. 10 Create in ~e a pure heart, 0 God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation anq grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. 13Then I will teach transgressors your ways, 'and sinners will tum back to you.  14 Save me from bloodguilt, 0 God, the God who saves me, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness. 150 Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. 16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, 0 God, you will not despise. 181n your good pleasure make Zion prosper; build up the walls of Jerusalem. 19 Then there will be righteous sacrifices, whole burnt offerings to delight you; then bulls will be offered on your altar.

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     Ruthie Evon and Ina Jenkins shared several songs. Grace Smith, Raelena Smith, Beatrice Olrun, and Billy Olsen shook the roof with their singing. That evening another young soldier, Rueben Andrew, came home from serving in Iraq. He shared about going through emotional pain while in Iraq, but that the prayers and support from his family and friends prevailed and now he is home. Many, many people went up for prayer. Hardened hearts melted, healing from brokenness was evident, broken relationships were mended; couples went forward to receive God's marvelous grace and pardon. It was so awesome! Anointing of the Holy Spirit poured upon the Manokotak Church and the people. Yes, even the spectator's hearts were touched; their curiosity was enough for the seed to be planted.

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having ill feelings toward a brother but that she understood that if we have hatred even against one person that we will not enter into God's Kingdom. 1 John 2:9 Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. Abraham George had a very good message (I didn't take note; I just remember I was fed God's Word and was very satisfied).

     Sunday afternoon, Abraham shared his death experience. It was truly touching. Again I didn't take notes as I was so mesmerized by his descriptions of heaven and hell. I know some people recorded this on tape, and 1hope to get that version in this report at a later date. Anna Sharp also shared about her transformation from being an alcoholic to being so hungry for the word and getting into singing the last few years. She had a lot to share in her usual animated and humorous way. Panta Paul shared his change of heart and his dream of all churches, whether they be Catholics, Russian Orthodox, Moravians, Pentecostals, Covenants; all come together as one church body and worship Christ in a way that is out of this world. He heard the most beautiful song and singing by all Christians. Then he and his mom, and his II-year old daughter sang an orthodox song.

Ephesians 4:1-16

4:1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.

4:2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

4:3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

4:4 There is one body and one Spirit-just as you were called to one hope when you were called-

4:5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism;

4:6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

4:7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.

4:8 This is why it says: "When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men."

4:9 (What does "he ascended" mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions?

4:10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)

4:11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,

4:12 to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up

4:13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

4:14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.

4:15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.

4:16 From him the whole body,joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

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      Kenny Nanalook then shared and sang; and of course he had the church rocking. Sam and Maggie also shared and sang powerful songs. Many more shared, and that afternoon many people went forward filling up the sanctuary. The walls came tumbling down. The barriers were opened. Many received salvation, forgiveness, love, and the pouring of the Holy Spirit was evident.

     Sunday night, Louie Alakayak shared his snow machine accident and his change of life. He had a very moving presentation with pictures that made it interesting; summarizing the three experiences of Darrin Nanalook's dream, Abraham George's death experience, and His own. So many people were so ready for prayer and receiving of salvation. The church was packed even the spectators were so hungry for filling of the word and touch of the Holy Spirit. At the altar call many people went forward and received prayer filling up the pew and overflowing to the nont half of the church. God called a chosen few who were available to pray and counsel the people who went forward. God's infinite blessing are upon those who receive him. Hosea 10:12 Sow for yourselves righteousness (Spiritual sowing), reap the ftuit of unfailing love, and breakup your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers
righteousness on you.

Hebrews 6:1-12

6:1 Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God,

6:2 instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.

6:3 And God permitting, we will do so.

6:4 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit,

6:5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age,

6:6 if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.

6:7 Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God.

6:8 But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned.

6:9 Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are confident of better things in your case-things that accompany salvation.

6:10 God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.

6:11 We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure.

6:12 We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

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   A miracle of forgiveness took place as Jerry Pat publicly addressed the Native Allotment Issue in Igushik and called up Anuska Nanalook, Sarah Nanalook, Rhona Shavings, Tugatuk's and myself. I witnessed an answer to my mother's many years of unfaltering prayer before my very own eyes that this very thing would come to fruition.

     Praise God! God is the ultimate judge to mankind. Now we look forward to the return of the fish camp sites from BLM/BIA/BBNA.

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Glory, glory hallelujah since I laid my burdens down,

Glory, glory hallelujah since I laid my burdens down.

I will walk and talk with Jesus, since I laid my burdens down,

I will walk and talk with Jesus, since I laid my burdens down.

Glory, glory hallelujah since I laid my burdens down,

Glory, glory hallelujah since I laid my burdens down.

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