Mennonite Weekly Review

ELKHART, Ind. — Nearly 30 Mennonites living and ministering in indigenous contexts in the United States and Canada are preparing for a “glimpse of heaven.”

North and South American indigenous church leaders gathered in Yalve Sanga, Paraguay, to prepare for a gathering that will occur at the Mennonite World Conference assembly in July. From left are Máximo Aranda, Manuel Mendoza, Norman Meade, Juan Ramos, Willis Busenitz, Cesar Mendoza and Esteban Antonio. — Photo by Melvin Warkentin/for MMN and MWC

These North Americans have accepted the invitation extended by three indigenous Paraguayan conferences to visit their congregations and communities after Mennonite World Conference Assembly 15 in Asunción, Paraguay, in July.

Nearly 1,000 indigenous Mennonites from the Paraguayan Chaco are expected to attend Assembly 15 along with the 30 North Americans and 10 representatives from Guatemala, Panama and Peru.

Though indigenous people will gather from many nations, there is an underlying wonder at having a common identity and history.

“Our spirits are still intertwined. The spiritual connection was quickly felt,” said Norman Meade of the Metis and Ojibwe Nations and coordinator for Mennonite Central Committee’s Aboriginal Neighbours Program in Manitoba.

Meade traveled to Paraguay last November with Willis Busenitz, pastor of White River Cheyenne Mennonite Church in Busby, Mont., to deepen relationships that began at previous MWC meetings and to make travel arrangements that will strengthen connections among indigenous people.

Meade’s 15-year-old granddaughter, Sara, plans to join the July 14-27 tour. Six other youth and older participants from Oklahoma, Montana, New Mexico, South Dakota and western Canada will share their experiences as First Nations people in areas that witnessed significant change through Mennonite immigration.

“I want to learn about the lifestyle of other indigenous people,” Sara Meade said. “I am especially interested in learning about the spirituality and faith of other indigenous youth.”

In looking forward to the larger July gathering in Asunción, Busenitz and Meade evoked images from the multicultural gathering portrayed in the biblical Revelation to John.

“This meeting will bring together indigenous hearts and spirits,” Norman Meade said. “We may come from different countries, but we share the experience of being indigenous to the land. We are never to be separated in God.”