Revelation: Land holds memory (Genesis 4:10, Hebrews 12:24). And when righteousness and honor is restored, the land begins to heal.

Activation: Acknowledge the unrighteousness in the land caused by people, ask the Lord to review those cases, covenants, and agreements and repent and cancel the unrighteous agreements and power connected to them through the blood of Jesus.

Then, identify those who stewarded the land well (indigenous leaders, ancestors, former owners, yourself).

Ask the Lord to review those right choices and celebrate, bless and speak honor and God’s purposes over those seeds of righteous legacy in the land. Call them forth to grow up and to multiply.

Worship Focus: Get creative and release seeds and sounds of righteousness in any way the Spirit leads.

Faithfully,

Kent & Beverly 

Today we want to honor the Tonkawa tribe’s contributions to the Austin area in the 1840s.

What we now call Republic Square along Shoal Creek was home to the Tonkawa tribe in 1842.  While engaging in trade, they offered valuable assistance to the early settlers of Travis County and the Jordan Bachmann Farm that we call Pioneer Farms today.  In their peaceful way, they served as allies of Texas, providing mutual protection and supporting this developmental time in our history.  They sought to be a benefit to the community and chose to come together rather than stand against Texans.  Their invaluable friendship  supported Texas in its battle with Comanche Indians.  All was well until politics interfered with the location chosen for the Capitol in Austin.  Once the deal was negotiated, Austin said there was no longer room for the Tonkawa’s and sent these indigenous people to a reservation in OK.

In September 2024, the city of Austin and Travis County finally allowed the Towkawas to purchase back Sugarloaf Mountain, a sacred Tonkawa site in Milam County, northeast of Austin, which they also called “home.”  Travis County Judge John Brown acknowledged that this history was little known, even to himself, and that it was time for the story to be told.

Five tribal leaders, including Chief Russell Martin, visited the city to accept this long-overdue honor.

This story highlights righteousness arising in Austin.  What started as mutual friendship but turned to great injustice, has now been acknowledged and reversed.  Other cities in Texas have done the same by honoring this tribe’s contributions to their communities.  Not only is this a heartwarming gesture, but it is a spiritual transaction recognized in Heaven.  Because this endeavor has had the prayers of many intercessors beseeching Heaven on the Tonkawa’s behalf, God has redeemed this situation bringing joy to many and healing to the land.

One filmmaker who has given so much to capturing this history and making sure the Tonkawas will not be forgotten is Bob O’Dell.  Bob has been producing a documentary called “Tonkawa: They All Stay Together” that will be released later this year.  Be sure to watch for it, be reminded of Texas history and celebrate God’s redemption for our land and that of the Tonkawa tribe.