Crow Fair, celebrating its 99th Anniversary, is the largest PowWow in the USA with an approximate 1500 tepees, finds Native Americans coming from all over the USA and Canada. Many visitors come from as far as Europe. The event goes from August 17 to August 20, includes a rodeo, competition Native American dance, dress and an array of events.
Mission:M25 once again traveled from Amarillo, TX; Helena, MT; Maiden, NC and Mustang, OK to serve along side Native Pastor, Dr. Russell Stands Over Bull of Pryor, MT. Dr. Stands Over Bull, his family and church, Arrow Creek Christian Center, host the four day, Jubilee, a Campaign of Hope. Jubilee was celebrating it’s 34th year, started by Dr. Stands Over Bull’s father, Rev. Patrick Stands Over Bull, chief of the Crow Tribe, 1974- 1978, and his mother, Sis. Sharon Stands Over Bull.
M25, with financial assistance from Acts2Day of EVUSA, provided two meals on Saturday, breakfast and dinner. Dinner on Saturday is the traditional steak night which draws a large crowd of attendees, normally feeding approximately 400 people. M25 also provided assistance with meal preparation and serving in the concession stand after service on Friday night.
M25 served the PowWow by cleaning up around the arbor on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. This is no small task, picking up as high as eleven large trash bags of trash during one round of cleanup. It is the heart of M25 team to work at preparing the soil of the heart by serving with pure love. No agenda, just love being expressed. M25 attempts to live BALNAM, Be A Light Not A Mouth, in every setting we are invited to serve.
M25 had a booth where free tickets for the War Horse Give-Away were given to any Native American over eighteen years of age. On Saturday night after the ‘Grand Entry’, Gary Burd, Pastor Rick Haug, Dr. Russell Stands Over Bull and M25 National Board Member, Danny Stewart, accompanied by his wife Glenda, walked on the ‘sacred dance floor’ (a grassy carpet of manicured grass) to share in the drawing of the recipient of this year’s beautiful Pinto Paint Horse. Living Word PHC of Maiden, NC’s children’s ministry was given the task of naming the horse, which they chose “Oreo”. Oreo captured the heart of so many people, one even told us his wife wanted the horse, stating, ‘name your price’. Oreo, with head held proudly, was led around the arena as the Native Americans played the ‘gift’ song on the war drums. It was very moving watching the crowd get quiet and prepared to receive the horse drawing.
Gary gave instructions for the drawing, Dr Stands Over Bull shared the Gospel and the horse was given. Once again, a family whose father has physical issues and could not purchase a horse for his family received this beautiful animal. As non-Native American’s, we do not understand the value of horse ownership and the impact of this gift. The family had been praying all day to receive the horse. As we parted a prayer asking God for many years of joy from this animal was prayed and the Lovan Plain Bull family assured us Oreo would be well cared for.
Once again, we feel blessed to see our gift be directed by the Holy Spirit and trust Crow Fair 2018 will be another great year of serving and loving this overlooked, neglected and abused people.
