The Miracle of the Log Cabin Church
A group of American Indians in the Peoria area began meeting anyplace they could, as members of the Native American Church. They had nothing - no money, no church, but they did have one very important thing - dedicated Native Americans willing to work very hard to have their own church someday. They had faith. The same faith that brought their Ancestors through so many trials and tribulations, that someday, they would have a meeting place to call their own….their own church. They became chartered as a United Methodist Native American Church and they were looking for land they could afford to build their own church. Their faith did not waver; the dedicated group prayed and their strong unity as a people with a strong belief that when the time was right, their dream would become reality. The people were approached by a person of wealth, a member in the United Methodist Church of Peoria, who asked if the group wanted to purchase land to build their church on. She knew they were looking for a place to build their church, so it was no accident that she approached the group. She had 43 acres of wooded land in East Peoria, Illinois that she would sell to them. Of course the group wanted it. It was in a prime location but everyone else wanted it as well, including the City of Peoria. They were very grateful for her offer, but sadly, they had to tell her they could not afford it, because the group didn't have that amount of money to make the purchase. She told them she would make it affordable for them, but having no funding for such a purchase, regrettably they had to tell her that in spite of her kind offer, they simply could not afford to purchase the land at this time. They said that if they gave them a price they could afford, would the American Indians take it? Of course, they all responded, but it would be too costly anyhow. Again they stated how they had no funding for the building of their church now and their hearts were filled with sadness, but their faith kept them strong; it was just not the right time for them, even though the offer was one they prayed they could have accepted. The kind woman and others then stated, well how about a dollar? Could they afford that? The American Indians were overwhelmed with the offer. One dollar? The land was worth at least a half million dollars! The miracle they had prayed for had come. They would now have their own church, thanks to Creator and to this group of wonderful people whose generosity was overwhelming. The land is located in the middle of this city and tall oak trees reach for the sky, abounding all over the hills. It could not have been a better offer than if the Creator himself had presented it to them. There were tears of joy and gratitude and the people sang to Creator praising him for this wonderful gift and for bringing these generous people to them to help in the building of their own church. Now, all they had to do was work hard together to build their church on the land Creator had given to them. However, some of the people spoke out with concerns. Wait, this is where Nazi hate groups were strong and had even threatened native groups in the area. This is a "dead state" someone said - meaning there are not any reservations in Illinois. If we build a church here, it will be the "first" Native American Church in Illinois in over 300 years. Nevertheless, stronger voices spoke up and reminded everyone of the miracle of this gift. Their prayers had been answered. Creator brought them kind-hearted and generous people who had given them the land they needed to build their church. How could they fail? How could anyone stop them from this great undertaking? With Creator and such generous people on their side, they could not fail! The people met on their land and enjoyed the beautiful gift Creator made available for the building of their church. As time passes, the group acquired $300 hundred thousand dollars to build with. They hired a contractor and the council votes to build a log cabin type structure for their church. Plans are made and the church gets bigger than the original plans called for. Now it was going to cost over a half a million dollars to build it. The group made applications for the loan and was able to get the money from a local bank to build their Creator's Church. The loan was approved without any problems and it was time to begin to build their church. The group decided that the church would be built by volunteer workers. The contractor they had chosen would work with them and the sub-contractors agreed to work with the volunteers. However, they wondered, where would they get the people needed to build this massive building? Wait the members said. How can we have such little faith after the miracles we have witnessed for our church? We have made it this far and Creator will not desert us now. Word was put out all over the country to Christian churches that they needed help building their Native American Indian Church. Creator did not forsake them. The first group was 70 volunteers from Cleveland, Ohio; the second group was 40 volunteers from Michigan and list goes on. The help they needed was there for them, their prayers answered, just as our Creator answered their prayers for a church, for the land and for the multitude of people to help them build it. The work began in May 2007, with the digging of the footing and now the building is up and ready for the roofers to install a green metal roof which will blend in with the beautiful oak trees and the surrounding land. More help arrives, with the opportunity to purchase a diesel bus for the church, at an excellent price, where they can travel anywhere with. It's a 20-passenger bus with a flat screen TV and all the comforts one would need. They are using it now for community service work and the bus will serve the needs of the church's people for many years to come. This is a true story, shared with me by Dick Lower, also known as White Wings, a Shawnee. I had the honor of working with Dick Lower on the Honor Ride some years ago, along with some other very special people. Like the dream of Tecumseh, of the people coming together in unity, in the miracle of this church, the people have come together and their dream is now a reality. Dick told me, "This is my story, Jeanne, it is a miracle in the making and I have been honored to live long enough to see this vision come to life. My grandfather said that in his life time hate would remain and that we could do nothing to show we were Indian or people would turn that hate upon us but he said in my day maybe the hate would go away. Jeanne, for the most part we are allowed to be who we are now without hate endangering us as it did for my grandfather. He was born in 1880 and I in 1931 and so it is with tearful eyes and weeping heart that I thank my Creator for his love and protection. The name of our church is: United Methodist Dayspring Church-Native American Fellowship of East Peoria, Illinois. Jeanne you can share this story with anyone you wish. I place an invitation to you at our dedication next Memorial Day of 2008. It will be a weekend of celebrations. It will start on Friday, then Saturday, Sunday and Monday. There will be retreats, camp outs and events each day with people coming from all over the country. This is our story and it is still in the making." Your friend,Dick Lower I am honored to be able to write this wonderful true story White Wings has shared with me. What a wonderful gift to be given in the true meaning of Christmas. In honor of Jesus, the Avatar as the Lakota refer to him, the greatest Medicine Man who walked this earth and who epitomizes the word love. My family is Cherokee and they are members of the Methodist Church too. My Father, who will be 87 this February, attends church on a regular basis and I have not attended services with him, because of the conflict I felt between the Christian way and the traditional ways. However, I understand now. There is no conflict. The conflict is something man-made and has nothing at all to do with Creator and love for each other as brothers and sisters, connected with all life in the Great Web of Life. I feel as if I have received two special gifts. One is the story of our people and this church, shared by White Wings; the other is the final understanding in my own heart that no conflict exists. wado brother for these generous gifts. Thank you White Wings for your beautiful and inspirational true story. I hope I will be able to make the trip to Illinois next year to celebrate with you and the congregation the miracle of your church surrounded by the mighty oak trees. Please visit the website of the United Methodist Dayspring Church-Native American Fellowship of East Peoria, Illinois. United Methodist Dayspring Church Native American Fellowship of East Peoria, Illinois Blessings to all, Jeanne Svhiyeyi Aga Chadwick
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My Two Beads Worth
My Two Beads Worth
This story belongs to the people of the United Methodist Dayspring Church. It is a true story that will be passed down from generation to generation. It is a story that is more important and more beautiful than any material gift could ever be. It is a gift of the spirit and of the heart and of the belief of the people in our Creator and his love.
The music playing is that of the Cherokee Children's Choir who are singing Amazing Grace. To learn more about the Cherokee Children's National Choir please visit this page
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