Montana Crisis Chaplain Training: The Outlands Response July 2024 Newsletter

Sunset on Fort Belnap REZ, Zortman, MT

Friends, I am beyond excited to share a significant way God showed up for me serendipitously, providing the further equipping I need in this Outlands Response effort!

[ This newsletter is a pause from my current series on crisis and care, retelling an excellent conversation with my good friend Nic. Stay tuned for the last installment of that series next month. If you haven't had a chance to tune into that series, I recommend it, and now you have extra time to catch up: here's Part I, Part II, and Part III. ]

Humble Exteriors & Huge-Hearted People

Zortman, MT is a little washed-up mining town in the boondocks. First appearances give you little confidence when driving up in the dust. The rusted and weather-worn buildings speak of everything but the extraordinary experience you will have here.

I had my doubts when we arrived at our remote destination after a tiresome 12-hour journey. We were greeted by the beaten-down, paint-peeling exterior of the only place to stay for the night: the Zortman Motel and Garage -- our motel. Five of the town's 19-strong population sat outside, waiting for us in sun-faded, dilapidated lawn furniture, big smiles on their faces.

Surrounded by a junkyard of antiques and scraps and trinkets, I realized there's nothing new or shiny about Zortman, MT. This is not the kind of place that would gleam on AirBnB reviews, that's for sure. We were now lost in a time warp to the Montana frontier.

How did I end up here? I thought. I was first informed of this upcoming chaplaincy training opportunity sometime in early spring. Very little information was available at the time, but I thought it was fascinating although unlikely with the looming summer work demand. Then it quickly slipped from my mind. Two weeks before the training, the Holy Spirit unexpectedly brought back to my mind this obscure opportunity. LORD, what is this about? There were still too many obstacles blocking my path to make this possible: the cost, the time off work needed, the distance, etc. But this opportunity was serendipitous -- providential in fact.  You see, I would have never known about this, had it not been for the recommendation from my new Native Christian friends. After all, the search engine optimization surrounding this training online was nonexistent. So I prayed, and within days of considering the possibility, all the obstacles melted away like popsicles in the summer heat!

So here I was in podunk America, wide-eyed and hopeful.

Although I was skeptical about the quality of the training I could possibly expect from a place like this, the LORD humbled me over the next few days. The truth is this is a place for down-to-earth, salt-of-the-earth kind-hearted people who love people and love mission.

The next three days spent in this strange oasis were refreshing and inspiring and healing!

a collage of our time in IAOCC Chaplain Training in Zortman, MT

The Nuts & Bolts of Chaplaincy

Chaplaincy is a widely accepted form of ministry in public and secular settings, outside the church walls where ordained pastors usually operate. This unique format was developed in institutionalized settings such as the military or prison, where the government was obligated to provide for the religious rights and expression of the people under its charge.

A chaplain is a chameleon minister, in essence. Interestingly enough, by the nature of the structure and expectations in this work, chaplains can go places where pastors cannot.

This is actually why I first began researching chaplaincy: I realized the need for our future crisis response teams to face as few barriers as possible in helping hurting communities.

Our teams will need ACCESS, and chaplaincy seamlessly answers that predicament.

God knew I needed to be in this training, as it focused specifically on the area of crisis chaplaincy. Topics discussed included excellent and thorough treatment of the following:

• Pastoral Counseling

• Crisis Intervention

• Domestic Violence

• Grief and Loss

• Death Notification

• Suicidology

• Traumatology

• Critical Incident Stress Management

• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

• Compassion Fatigue

I am SO glad I was in that intensive 30-hour chaplain training. The LORD used the material and the environment to further equip me and to heal me from my own traumas and to reinvigorate my vision for developing crisis response teams for REZ communities.

I now plan to complete the process of becoming a licensed chaplain with the International Alliance of Chaplain Corps (IAOCC), the organization that facilitated this training. I am exploring local volunteer opportunities for me to serve as a chaplain in the community, building my skill set and developing greater expertise in crisis response. Additionally, I will continue to research and incorporate chaplaincy into the fabric of Outlands Response.

Resting in a Father's Loving Arms

I'll share a bit of the vulnerable process: before embarking on this trip to Montana, I was terrified. Assailed by many fears, I felt overwhelmed and incapable. What if it's bad? What if we get stranded in Montana? What if I disappoint myself, my donors, the people up there? What if this doesn't work? What if it's a waste of time? What if the spiritual oppression on this new REZ is too much to handle? What if I can't pull off this vision for the REZ that's been on my heart for so long? I was walking into a situation I did not understand very well nor could I control. There was little rational thought behind these fears, yet here I was paralyzed by them. I felt shame: shouldn't the missionary be bold and fearless, not held back like me?

Finally, the night before leaving, I prayed desperately: LORD, you know I am afraid. And I trust You are not bothered or hindered by that. You know I don't know anything about this, and it's beyond my capability to control the outcome. That will just have to be Your job. And I went to sleep, knowing God would have to be my provision and protection in this.

I am happy to report that God met me in and despite all those fears that cropped up in my heart. I felt fully provided for and protected throughout the entirety of the trip. As the trip went on, all my fears melted away, and I felt immense peace and settled and even refreshed. Like I said to one of my supporters after coming back:

It was like I was securely resting in the arms of a loving Father.

And I am certain much of the answers to my fearful cries to the LORD were delivered miraculously through YOUR diligent, faithful prayers throughout my time away! I felt so supported moment-by-moment by YOU through every doubt, problem, difficulty, risk, or challenge. Thank you from the bottom of my fearful-and-trusting heart. YOU matter in this.

looking back at the summary and prayer requests from our time in Montana

Tracy's Life Sermon from the Heart

I was delightfully surprised to connect in such a personal way with our instructor, Dr. Tracy Elder. A fierce, petite tough-as-nails, soft-hearted seasoned law enforcement chaplain, she prayed the same prayers for her little rural community in Ohio 30 years ago that I do now with the same heart for the REZ communities. I could see my future self in her eyes.

She saw a pressing need for the Church to help and heal, serving as a hospital for the sick. And she took action, with a crisis response legacy that now includes the hallowed Ground Zero at 9/11, the horrific Sandy Hook school shooting, and the lingering devastation of Hurricane Katrina. But you would never know this, looking at her humble demeanor.

Tracy has a firey message to preach that cut my own heart to the quick:

You are important in this. [The hurting] need YOU; they are waiting for YOU. You are called to this "normal Christian life."

By "normal" Christian life, Tracy is referring to being a healing and helping presence for hurting people in difficult circumstances, trauma, and crisis. Wow, a stunning declaration!

Through her words, the LORD began toppling all the excuses I've been harboring about this REZ endeavor. I could see, through her life and example, that this vision the LORD gave me is truly POSSIBLE. The hardest and most important step is to GO. Tracy emphasized that there is specific, good work the LORD has called each of us to complete. YOU and ME. He will provide as we go. Let us not tarry; let us jump in together and get to work. GO YE!

We were born in this generation and in this time for a reason.

I learned a lot from Chaplain Tracy in such a short time, and I hope to learn a lot more in the future! Please pray for her physical and mental health, her family, her future, and her legacy.

God certainly exceeded all expectations and blessed me tremendously in Montana! Amen.

Eagle Spirit Singers and Dancers, Wind River Reservation. Photo: Wyoming Office of Tourism

How to Partner

I am so honored and humbled to have the support of so many wonderful people. Thank you sincerely from the bottom of my heart for coming alongside me in this bold endeavor.

May God the Father be praised for the fruit produced by these small but mighty efforts.

Let's connect! Please reach out to engage on any of these topics in greater detail. I would love to sit down for coffee (tea for me please!) sometime soon, I'm excited to hear from you. 

PRAY -- Prayer is and will always remain my biggest need. Sign up for in-the-field text prayer updates! Send a text message to the phone number 81010 with the code @rezupdate in the message to opt into text notifications of all major ministry developments.

GIVE -- I invite you to partner with me financially in this important work. Please prayerfully consider a treasured monthly partnership or a welcomed one-time gift – whatever the Lord leads you to provide will be a tremendous blessing to this blossoming work. All donations are tax-deductible through the 501c3 non-profit organization, Urban Skye.

SHARE -- Please share your excitement with those closest to you (plus this newsletter and my website!). Encourage your friends and family to consider partnering with Outlands Response, multiplying the impact and scope of this endeavor. I appreciate your referrals.

Click Here to Partner Financially

I welcome your active partnership as this task should only be done together. Thank you so much!!

God's servant for your sake,

Tessa