Journey to the Edge of the Woods

The prophet Jeremiah, mourning his people in the city of Zion, spoke of the balm that could heal them. He foresaw the physician and he asked, ""Why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?"" The message of Jesus has been in North America for centuries, yet past history with the first nations of the land has left many native people thinking they have to choose either to be an Indian or to believe in Jesus. Jeremiah said, ""The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved."" How, then, do we bring the balm of Gilead to the most oppressed group on the continent where women and children are suffering the highest rates of violence? When Jesus forgave a prostitute, when he offered living waters to the woman at the well who had six failed relationships, and when he healed a crippled woman, he showed us how he would build his church from the brokenhearted among all people. Journey to the Edge of the Woods visits women sharing concern over the degradation of our daughters, sisters, mothers, and friends in a world of intensifying confusion of the creation of male and female identities.

""The roar of silence is deafening for victims of sexual and physical abuse who cannot find it in themselves to speak out against their perpetrators. Journey to the Edge of the Woods is the storyline of one such victim. This well-researched book intertwines the traditional teachings of the Mohawk people and the Scripture of the Bible that reveals the Creator's plan for humankind.""
--Reverend Willie Jock, Bear Clan, Mohawk

""In her latest book, Christine Graef invites all women who are suffering from trauma to travel along the path that leads to healing, wholeness, and justice at the Edge of the Woods. It is a beautiful journey that draws upon the teaching of Jesus and the Iroquoian Edge of the Woods Ceremony to bring healing and reconciliation. As a Native Pastor, I am pleased to endorse this anointed and very helpful book.""
--Thom McDonald, President, Great Peace Native Fellowship of Canada and USA


Christine Graef is author of Mending the Broken Land: Seven Stories of Jesus in Indian Country. She lives at the edge of the woods by the St. Lawrence River in upstate New York.