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July 16th, 2009 From: Anne Denny - High School Teacher Every year our students participate in an Academic Meet/Fine Arts Festival with nearby (only 3 hours away) mission schools. I’ve been organizing the academic portion of this event for several years and because of helpful coworkers things went swimmingly. Our students worked on art projects and social studies reports all year that we saved to submit to the contest.
In early spring we began learning songs for the mass choir and preparing small ensembles and solos and instrumental (recorder and guitar) pieces. The days of the event went well. There was a musical concert the first evening after the day of performing for judges and practicing with students from other schools. The following day was full of academic tests, Sword Drills, Bible Memory recitations, speeches, and spelling bees.
It was a great time to see other Native American students learning the same things and singing the same songs to our glorious Father. The students came home with many ribbons and medals. It was fun to honor the students for academics and music and to be reminded that God is working all over the Navajo reservation, not just in our little corner.
July 13th, 2009 From: Cindy Lauersdorf - 1st Grade Teacher Dear Friends in Christ,
Let me testify of Jesus – His mercy over me and provision for me this last year. He kept me, walked with me, encouraged me, gave me joy, supplied me, befriended me through the other brothers and sisters at Immanuel, forgave me, blessed me, stretched me, counseled me, held and kept me, perplexed me at times, provided for me in many creative ways through the Body of Christ, filled my mouth with praise and my heart with hope, His grace was abundant toward me, He healed me and strengthened me, He interceded for me and taught me some really cool songs.
He allowed me the privilege of experiencing community life with the precious saints at Immanuel and to share His Truth with the 5 little first graders entrusted to me. What a joy to be partnered to Him, to see Him operating in the lives of the kids. For those of you who have children in your life either your own or others – you know how much fun it is to watch them grow academically and spiritually and develop physically.
He also provided a man for me to marry. Moving to the four corners area is not typically the place you would expect to find your husband and I knew full well that it would take a mighty move of God if I were to ever find “Mr. Right”. Well, God moved mightily, and put it on the heart of my betrothed to seek me out even though he lived in the valley 6 hours away. Although I will miss Immanuel very, very much, I am excited to see how Christ will prove Himself faithful in this next season of my life. Bob and I will be getting married on the fourth of July!
My immediate concern was that God would provide a first grade teacher to take my place. What a confirmation when the Lord graciously provided for that need. Shortly after my engagement, we heard from Michele who had taught at Immanuel a few years back, had left to complete her teaching certificate and is now ready to return and to take my place! Thank you Jesus!
How thankful I am to have had the privilege of being a part of what God is doing through the lives at Immanuel. I know Immanuel has a special place in His heart. My eyes were opened this last year to see the Body of Christ operating in all its’ beauty and diversity through those who gave so generously and faithfully back home from various meeting places to those who live up there at the Mission full time. May the Lord continue to bless the work of the hands of His children and may the Name of Jesus be lifted up and glorified.
July 10th, 2009 From: John Bloom - School Principal Highlights of the last month of school:
- Cheyenne Dee scored 21 on the ACT College entrance test. That is a very high score for a minority student.
- Zach scored 18 points in the All-star basketball game and was awarded the MVP trophy
- We did well in the annual academic meet – a contest among mission schools – especially in Bible and Bible memory.
- The juniors and seniors had a great trip to Florida – especially loving the beach. It was also their first time to fly. The saints in Orlando and Tampa were an invaluable help by housing the group.
- We had a wonderful graduation on May 15th. Six seniors and two eighth graders walked the aisle. The gym was decorated beautifully. Five of the six seniors are planning to go on to college.
Prayer items
- On the senior trip Tiffany had to go to the emergency room for an allergic reaction. She is fine but the bill was over $2,000. The Navajo tribe is refusing to pay. We have appealed that decision. Pray that they will do what is right.
- Two of the seniors graduated without coming to a saving knowledge of Christ. Pray for their salvation.
- Pray that the others will continue in the faith.
- Pray that we will have a full complement of teachers for next school year. At this time we still could use another high school teacher.
July 7th, 2009 From: Hannah Barr - 2nd Grade Teacher My first year of teaching second grade at Immanuel Mission can be summed up in one word- joyful. Don’t get me wrong, it was a challenging year with many personal and professional trials, but as I sit here and write this and look back at the year, it is the joyfulness that first pops into my head. For example, every time our class was in Friday chapel and a teacher spoke about something from the Bible and my students would whisper to me, “Oooo, teacher, we learned about this.” Or every time one of my students said, “claydough” instead of “playdough”. Or to see a student’s excitement when he figured out the word for hangman. Or just to watch their incredible growth over the nine months that I had them in my classroom. Or when I had a bad coughing attack in class one day and one of my students said to me, “teacher, you shouldn’t drink so much coffee.” It is all these little things that made my first year of teaching a truly joyful experience.
The Lord was so faithful throughout the year. There were times when it felt like my whole world was crumbling down around me, but only through God’s grace and faithfulness was I able to appreciate and love my students each and every day. There was not a single day this year when I dreaded going to school and that tells me that God has me exactly where he wants me. I am thankful for a second year when I can put to the test everything I learned this past year. I am excited for a new group of students who I can share a joyful year with. And I look forward to another year of spreading God’s love. I am so grateful for the opportunity to share Christ with this community. Thank you for prayers and support.
July 4th, 2009 From: Ruth Bloom - Office Manager Becoming the bookkeeper was a very hard thing for me. Since I knew that the Lord wanted me to do it, I kept at it even though I did not like the job. I felt overwhelmed and not adequate for the task. Some days I would sit at my computer screen filled with dread wondering why everything disappeared when I hit that key and how can I make it come back?
One day in church Greg described his idea of the worst kind of job…one where you sat in a small room all by yourself for hours at a time looking at a small screen and typing in numbers. I almost raised my hand…that’s me!! I cried out to the Lord and He answered, but not quickly by my standards.
I recently realized that I liked my job….a lot, and was now happy doing it. I was amazed and told my husband about it. He said, “That’s great Ruth, that only took 4 years.” I am truly rejoicing to see that the Lord, only, can change the heart.
I am also rejoicing to see the Lord provide the needs of the Mission. I get to see it firsthand everyday as I open letters and see the Lord provide the funds we need to keep on ministering here in this place. The Lord apparently is not struggling with a recession. I am humbled and thankful to see His provision.
July 1st, 2009 From: Kelli Wilson - Junior High Teacher Living on a reservation means not much is close by. For us, ‘close by’ means less than two hours away. Consequently, many of our away basketball games are really away. John has been fortunate enough to schedule two or more of our away games on the same weekend and find places to stay overnight. I have had the fortunate opportunity to chaperone many of those basketball trips. I love traveling with the team, seeing the games, and having the opportunity to see our students “in action” away from home. Many times I have been amazed at the maturity our students can exhibit when they are representing Immanuel Mission and the Lord. I have been so proud of them that I want to bust. This year we have had a great group of kids and it has been so fun for me to see them and get to know them out of school.
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