From the Hills of Cherokee
From the Hills of Cherokee
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Greetings from the Hills of Cherokee,
It’s hard to believe that we are already into September! This year, as you all know from personal experience, has been full of challenge and change. In the midst of the challenge and change we can find comfort in the words of Psalm 11:4 as David writes, “The LORD is in His holy temple; the LORD’s throne is in heaven; His eyes see, His eyelids test the children of man.” We are reminded in Psalm 45:6 that the throne of God is eternal, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever.” As God sits enthroned on high, we can be sure that He is in control as the Sovereign Ruler over all. He is fulfilling His plans and His purposes for His creation and none of the changes or challenges we are facing have taken Him by surprise!
We are thankful for the continued prayer support for our ministry as well as the faithful financial support so many of you have provided. We could not continue this ministry without you. Thank you for participating in this ministry with us.
We wanted to take a moment to update you all on some of the changes and challenges we are facing here in Cherokee.
CHANGES
Many of you have come to know Norman and Julie Beck and their children over the past three years. The Becks were serving in Cherokee as short-term (2-3 yr.) missionaries. Their commitment with MTW and the Cherokee Ministry Team ended on August 1. The Becks have made the decision to seek God’s direction for another field of ministry. We will miss them but pray for God’s clear direction for them for the future. In the interim, the Becks will continue to live in their home near Cherokee and will be attending Redeemer PCA in Sylva. As you pray for the Becks, we would also ask you to pray for the Cherokee Ministry Team. Pray for us as we seek God’s wisdom and direction for future team members. Pray that God would raise up a family to serve alongside us in ministry here in Cherokee. Pray for Ruth and I as we continue to minister to families of Grace Community Church of Cherokee and the wider community.
The months of June and July certainly looked different for us this year. The camp has remained quiet and undisturbed for the first time in many years. This has been a difficult change in many respects, but it has also given Ruth and I an opportunity to slow down and reflect on what God has done and is doing in us and through us these past 7 ½ years. My how time flies when you’re having fun!
Challenges
Challenges continue as we navigate the changes brought about by COVID19. As with you all, it disrupted our ability to join together for weekly worship. We moved to streaming just the sermon each Sunday morning, which was well received and viewed by many folks locally and elsewhere. I (Scott) am not a technology buff so learning how to go live and then post the sermon and so on, was a definite challenge for me.
On August 16 we began meeting publicly again. We have asked those who attend to wear a mask and to social distance. The numbers have been low, but it has been such a huge blessing to be able to join with fellow believers to worship once again. As we continue to offer pubic worship services there are a couple challenges, I believe we will face. I believe we will continue to face the challenge of fear. There are those who fear leaving home due to the virus. That fear keeps them from meeting with fellow believers to worship. The other possible challenge I see is that people have become complacent about gathering for worship. Several months came and went with no public worship. Habits are easily developed over that length of time and the longer you stay away, the easier it is to continue staying away. Pray for the families of Grace Community Church of Cherokee and their desire to worship. Pray that God would remove unnecessary fear and bring us back together as a body once again. Pray for the streaming of services. We have been streaming the entire service the past three weeks for those who want to join that way. There are those who are in higher risk groups who should continue to remain home to avoid exposure to the virus. Also pray that streaming the service does not give others an excuse to just stay home when they could come out for worship.
One of the other challenges we face is how to plan for next summer. We do not know what next summer will look like as far as restrictions on ministry opportunities on the reservation. Currently, all facilities are closed to outsiders, which eliminates the possibility for relational ministry. Pray for us as we work out a plan for next summer.
One final challenge we are facing is not unique to us, but is a challenge many folks are facing right now. I am speaking about a challenge concerning finances. We are so appreciative for those of you who have continued to support us financially during this time. We know that individuals and churches have faced financial shortfalls as well. For the first time since we have been serving with MTW in Cherokee, our support level has dropped. We are currently 20% behind in our support. We would simply ask you to pray that God would raise the deficit so that all of our ministry and personal needs would continue to be met. If you would like to make a donation to our support account, you can do so online at www.mtw.org or you can mail a donation to: MTW, P.O. Box 744165, Atlanta, GA 30374-4165. Be sure to include the following on the memo line: Hill Acct.# 13394.
While there have been changes and challenges for us here in Cherokee, there have also been blessings as well. God has continued to sustain us and protect us in the midst of the virus. God continues to bless our family and we will celebrate our grandson’s first birthday this month. God continues to provide communication with members of the church and the community so that we might be an encouragement to them. We are able to continue our Wednesday evening Bible study and prayer time through ZOOM. We are thankful for that connection and the time to study God’s Word together.
We appreciate your continued prayers for our family as well. Johnathan (Southwestern Community College, Sylva, NC) and Katie (Appalachian State, Boone, NC) are continuing their classes, a mixture of online and in person at this time. Johnathan and Autumn will be getting married on October 24. Johnathan is now working at a local automobile service center/garage which he loves. Katie continues to work at Sherwin-Williams in Boone.
Thank you once again for your faithful prayers and support of our ministry in Cherokee. Each of you plays a vital part in allowing us to serve here.
Blessings,
Scott and Ruth Hill
“The grass withers and flower fades, but the Word of our God will stand forever.” Isaiah 40:8