Indigenous Messengers International

Hello, my name is Andrea Kriskovich a board member for Indigenous  Messengers International.  I started this campaign to help Suuqiina and Qaumaniq.  Many of you are reading this because you love and respect Suuqiina and Qaumaniq and in some way your lives have been touched by them and you have been impacted by their ministry to the nations.

They have spent their lives investing in the lives of others through over 40 years of ministry. Suuqiina as a pastor for 21 years and Qaumaniq as a Bibilical Counselor/Therapist before beginning Indigenous Messengers International in the late nineties and continuing through the present.

They have sowed faithfully into the lives of others and now they need our help.

Here is a synopsis of the challenges that they are now facing as elders in their seventies in the winter of their lives and how they are meeting those challenges head on as the people of faith they are and have always been.

For the last 21 years the Suuqiinas have traveled 3 weeks out of each month to serve the Body of Messiah. They have traveled at their own expense paying their own air travel, car rental and gasoline expenses, lodging and meal costs. At each meeting they share the message God has placed upon their hearts without charge.  A free will offering has been taken to help offset the costs of the travel. At their meetings they sell their books and DVDS to help pay for ministry expenses one of which is a housing allowance for them. Those of you who have been blessed to sit in on Suuqiina’s meetings know him as a brilliant and gifted teacher of the scriptures.

In addition to their travel ministry, the Suuqiinas also have taught in Universities, schools, on reservations and in corporations on the topic of protocol and cultural awareness and diversity.

Qaumaniq has also used her abilities to add to their teaching ministry as a trained and certified counselor. She has a doctorate in biblical counseling and spends several hours each week helping those struggling with life altering problems. Qaumaniq does not charge for her service to others because most of the people sent her way do not have the ability to pay. She has never thought it was fair that only people with money can get the help they need.

Qaumaniq also teaches Zoom classes and oversees the day-to-day work of the ministry. These responsibilities come along side family first as she is devoted to her children and grandchildren and being present in their lives.

In March 2020, Suuqiina was diagnosed with Esophageal Cancer and underwent an extensive surgery to remove his esophagus and part of his stomach. Shortly thereafter he was diagnosed with dementia. As a result of this, Suuqiina has not been able to travel and minister and will no longer be able to do so. This has greatly affected the finances coming into Indigenous Messengers International.

During the first 12 years of their ministry Qaumaniq traveled and ministered alongside Suuqiina so she is no stranger to life on the road bringing the good news of the gospel to believers. And as a result of Suuqiina’s cancer and dementia, Qaumaniq has now taken on the responsibility of the ministry travels to continue their work of ministry and to serve as the sole financial provider for her family. She does not mind the hard work and is faithful to the calling on their lives but at 70 years old, with her health

challenges, and needing to oversee Suuqiina’s health challenges she cannot travel at the pace Suuqiina did before the onset of his illness. This makes the ability to sell their resources and bring in money for the ministry challenging.

The Suuqiinas have no retirement since during their years of ministry they worked for churches and denominations that did not provide retirement. The money made in ministry was adequate but did not allow for extra money to be put back for the future.

Suuqiina is now 70 years old and Qaumaniq will be 70 in 6 months. They are in their elder years and need to be able to do the ministry work at the pace of an elder without the worry about losing their home due to the inability to pay their house note. They could not rent anywhere for the cost they are paying now for their home.

As the board of directors, it is our desire to raise funds for Indigenous Messengers International so that the ministry can offset the funds lost to the inability of Suuqiina to be able to travel full time.  Qaumaniq will continue to travel part time and teach on Zoom monthly. She will also continue her counseling ministry and mentorship to others.  Suuqiina will continue to write books and paint as an artist with all the proceeds from his books and art going to Indigenous Messengers International.

These two individuals have spent their lives serving the Lord and the Body of Christ (Messiah). They are at a time in their lives when they need the help of the Body of Messiah in their elder years.  Please help us help the Suuqiinas and please forward this on to others who can help as well.

Indigenous Messengers International is a 501-C-3 non-profit ministry so all donations are tax deductible.

 

IF YOU WOULD RATHER SEND A CHECK

Make checks to

 

 I.M.I. (Indigenous Messengers Int.)

 P.O. Box 5187

La Quinta, CA. 92248

 

Thank you