[from Greg & Kathy Staley]
Dear Everyone,
Whew! What a busy month. School started the end of August and is going well with about 85 students. This year we actually have adequate staff with the exception of a maintenance man. There haven't been any serious behaviour problems although I heard this week that one junior high boy is bringing cigarettes and smoking behind the school. Kids really aren't very original.
The school counseling is going well and I'm happy to say that I think I'm home and on the job now for awhile. I spent two weeks in Spokane with our grand kids and that was such a gift. And then I was in the Bay Area for a women's conference which was a tremendous blessing. One primary tactic of our enemy here is to cause a fog to settle over us. The result is dullness and a going-through-the-motions without much enthusiasm or joy. Getting away and being refreshed by God's people in another place was just what I needed. (Thanks to you who made that possible). While there a dear friend challenged me with the question of whether it was time for us to leave the Mission and serve somewhere else. My word from the Lord was that we don't need to leave, we just need a renewing and revival from time to time. I left home dry and shriveled and came back home filled and excited about what God is doing in and through us here.
While I was gone to California Greg and our youngest son went to the Grand Canyon, having trained all year in order to run Rim to Rim and back again. The day before the run Matthew twisted his knee and was unable to do the run, much to his and Greg's great disappointment. Greg went ahead and ran the 48 miles—-no bad for a 57 year old, huh?
Servant Greg can be found almost everyday over at his job site where he is building a large new home for a young woman, a widow, and her four children. He does very nice work and it is going to be such an improvement for this family. (Thanks to you who provided for this project.)
This weekend the Mission is hosting a Singspiration. Lots of good Christian music, testimonies, a godly Navajo preacher, and of course, FOOD. May and George Willie, a couple who are from here but moved away years ago, were burdened for our community and so, two years ago began praying and planning for this event. They shared their burden and got a number of churches to commit to prayer and participation. And now the big event is upon us. How much we need a work of God here among us where a large majority believes the traditional ways, the Peyote cult, and Christianity to be the same thing, a lie straight from the father of lies. There is pervasive fear and brokenness all around us and only Christ is able to meet the deep needs.
A young man came to visit last week. He made the comment, "I think I'm a crisis Christian." He meant that when his life is going along smoothly he wanders from the Lord and makes bad choices. Then when trouble comes his way he cries out to the Lord and gets back on track. When will we really get it–all of us–that we need the hard times just because of this tendency? God is so patient and merciful.
The speaker at the women's retreat in Calif was a Jewish potter. As she formed her pots in front of us she talked about God's dealings in our lives as illustrated in the potter forming his pots. After selecting the clay from the pit, the potter centers the lump on the wheel. If it isn't centered, it will wobble. Gently he shapes the clay, applying the necessary pressure. One hand is inside the pot (interestingly called the 'heart') giving it its form, and the other hand guiding from the outside. When the pot is perfect it is placed on a shelf to dry thoroughly. The firing is critical to the pot becoming strong, useful and beautiful. A pot not fired will turn to mush when filled with water. Not useful for anything. And NEVER is the pot forgotten or out of the potter's care. When he is finished he etches his name into the bottom of the vessel.
The lessons are so relevant. God chose us, lifting us out of the pit of sin and judgment. Then He centers us on Christ, the Rock, who holds us steady while He works. He works in us in direct correspondence with what comes from without (our circumstances). Everything is totally under His control. Even the fire, those hard circumstances that we hate so much, is precisely regulated. The finer the vase, the hotter the fire must be.
I'm so grateful that when the Lord chose this lump of clay, He had a purpose and a perfect plan to carry out His purpose. I'm so grateful that it is Him who sits at the wheel, whose hands lovingly mold me. I'm so grateful that the things that feel so wrong are the very things that He is using to make something beautiful, to be used for His pleasure and glory. And, I'm so grateful that His name is etched on every one His creations, showing them to be His work, something He's proud to claim as His own.
And, finally, I'm so grateful for the sacrifices you make in order for us to be here.
With love, Greg and Kathy Staley