As the Smiths launch into another year of the Indigenous Faith podcast, they couldn't start on any stronger a note than this multi-episode series featuring Emmitt and Belen McKenzie. Like his and our dear friend, Dr. Vern Charette, Emmitt comes from the tough inner-city environment with all it's struggles and challenges. Emmitt's childhood and adolescent years were nothing short of tragic and yet so true for many Native people raised in the big cities of our land with all the big temptations, challenges and life threatening experiences that come with it. From the very beginning after brother Vern introduces Emmitt to the audience, Emmitt relates one tragic experience after another. And yes, there's even the gospel and early "praying the prayer" experiences that confirm easy believes is not belief at all resulting in genuine salvation, we all learn some inconvenient truths about what true salvation is. And that must include genuine repentance and experiencing the transformation power of Christ for salvation to truly be genuine and effective. You'll have to wait until part 2, though, to get to that part of Emmitt's story. But for now, please do yourself a favor and listen intently to what this amazing brother in Christ shares about just how tragic a life can be, and how magnificent a Savior we truly have. This series is a must listen to help set us all on the right path as we begin 2024. You'll be glad you did!