Cherokee Mission 2021: Day 1

Blog Post Day 1

By: Kathryn Dodl

Acts 17 recounts the Apostle Paul’s adaptive ministry to the Greeks when he observed the idol to the unknown God and ministered to the people according to their culture. Coming out of the Covid pandemic, Redeemer VB and Redeemer Atlanta came together June 19th, 2021 to minister to the people of Cherokee, intending to follow Paul’s example to the best of their ability. The day was full of challenges and blessings, and (as always) the Lord provided abundantly.

One of the biggest challenges the Cherokee mission trip faced in the beginning was illness. Because I am writing this post a couple days after the fact, these issues have cleared up. However, at the time, multiple missionaries were sick with upper respiratory illnesses that caused concern and delays in the early stages of the trip. Thankfully, everyone has since recovered, which has been a wonderful answer to prayer.  My family had to turn back around on the first day of travel because our car’s AC broke. We ended up borrowing a car from some friends and finished the trek the following evening. 

For the rest of the team, arrival at Cherokee and the process of settling in went without much issue. The group was thankful for hot showers, working cabin AC, and a delicious spaghetti dinner served by Chef Bobby Lester. Because we were unable to visit Cherokee last year due to the pandemic, we were especially thankful for the Lord’s provision which was present down to the last detail. 

After settling in and conducting the traditional prayer walk around the soccer field, the group gathered to discuss the main theme of the week. The messages will be structured in order to show how Cherokee values mirror Scripture. Each day will have a different theme revolving around the importance and beauty of community. From stewardship of the land, ancestors, and character, to spiritualty, and education, each day’s message will focus on community. These lessons naturally integrate with Cherokee values and culture, making it easier for the Cherokee people to relate to them. 

Please continue to pray for us as we begin this journey in full. There will surely be challenges ahead, but there will also be priceless opportunities to connect with the kids of Cherokee and bring them the message of the gospel. Pray that everyone stays safe and healthy, pray for unity and strong relationships among the team and the kids. Most importantly, please pray that the message of the gospel is received by those who hear it. Thank you for your continued support!