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November 27th, 2009 From: Michele Lawman - 1st Grade Teacher 
I said I wanted to come back! Three and a half years ago I left the Mission with mixed emotions. I was happy because I was heading back to school to earn my degree in Elementary Education, but sad because it meant leaving people I had grown to love. When I left the Mission it was my hope to return after earning my degree. For the three years that I was in school I focused on doing my best in my classes and prayed that I would be able to return to the Mission. In January I began student teaching and continued to pray about Immanuel Mission.  As my weeks of student teaching ticked by, my hope of returning to the Mission began to look like a distant dream. Although I still wished to return to the Mission, the reality of repaying student loans and other issue began to discourage me. In April, on my birthday no less, I received an e-mail from John Bloom asking me if I would return to the Mission and teach first grade. I spent the next two weeks praying and finally concluded that my God is a great God and He wants to give me the desires of my heart. All I have to do is let Him worry about the small stuff. I am now back at the Mission teaching first grade and am so grateful that the Lord is faithful. I cannot even begin to imagine what He has in store for me!
November 24th, 2009 From: Elizabeth McNeal - emcneal 
I would like to introduce myself; my name is Elizabeth McNeal I am from a small town of Washington, Missouri. I am 19 years old and the daughter of Tim and Liz McNeal who have also been involved in the Impact the World Ministries for many years now. This is my first time at Immanuel Mission and I am very encouraged to see the Lord working here at the school and also in the community. As of August 2nd when John and Ruth Bloom came to visit our Church I was still praying about where the Lord wanted me to be serving Him this year. On that day John had been speaking of the needs the school had for this coming year and I knew the Lord was showing me the way and that I was to follow His path. Two weeks later I was on a plane heading out to the Mission. I have no doubt now that this is where the Lord has me serving Him. I am the 7th and 8th grade Science teacher, girls volleyball coach, teachers aid and I also help in many other ways. The Lord has shown me His faithfulness and provision in making the decision to come to the Mission. He is an awesome God and Savior and there is nothing else I would rather be doing than serving Him! Thank you all for your prayers and support for me here at Immanuel Mission this year!
“Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.”
(Psalm 119:105)
November 21st, 2009 From: Ruth Bloom - Office Manager We had a rough time financially in September, but we had just enough oil in the jar to make all the cakes. That is just like God to make sure that we have enough to keep on going. We were given a couple of gifts…they seemed like miracles to us. We are doing ok again. That propane truck always seems to wipe us out. Because of where we live we have to have it delivered and we have to buy the whole truck or the price is more per gallon. These days it costs almost $6000.00 every time we order. There are no gas lines out here so we only have the option of choosing which propane company. We are learning that God is good all the time and He provides.
November 18th, 2009 From: John Bloom - School Principal 
The school currently has 79 students enrolled for this school year. We have three senior boys who are anxious to graduate. Several families moved off the reservation for work so our numbers are down a little from last year. We have adequate staff although we can always use more help. We are happy to have Michele Lawman back on staff. She left three years ago to finish her schooling and now has returned a fully certified teacher. We also welcome Elizabeth McNeal from MO. as a teacher’s aide and coach. She also teaches Jr. High science and substitutes for sick teachers. We have had some sickness among the students but thankfully no H1N1 as of yet. All the teachers are staying healthy so far. Our new auto shop program is operational this year. Six upper class boys are learning about small engines, body work and car repair. Greg Staley agreed to teach the class for one year so still be spreading the word that we need a long term teacher for this program. We also need another high school teacher and/or coach.
October 14th, 2009 From: Becky Knopf - 5th & 6th Grade Teacher CHRIST was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people, and HE will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for HIM. Heb. 9: 28
Hey!
I want to thank you for your many prayers, the notes you send, the Box Tops for Education, and all of your other means of $upport! Genesis 18:14a says “Is anything too hard for the LORD?” and Genesis 22:14a says, “So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide.” Our Father daily meets our needs; Praise Him!
My cat, Ping, would rather be with me than anywhere else, period! She totally relaxes in my arms and purrs softly, and if I try to set her down, she’s up in my lap immediately and forever. Do we feel that way about JESUS CHRIST? That we’d rather be held by HIM than off on our own, doing whatever we please? If not, why not? We can trust Him wholly, and no one delights more in our company, and no one is better at doing what is best for us. There is no safer, more secure place to be, right? I want to be more like Ping; I think she has it right. J
My class has an “In” group and an “Out-siders” group. I hate that it does. I am trying to discourage the clique, but it is deeply-rooted (kind of like our own struggles with sin, huh?) Still, I intend to persevere and value your prayers in this endeavor. I am rejoicing today that God does not have favorites, or run popularity contests. We are all, individually, His favorites, loved equally! And so we know and rely on the love God has for us (I John 4:16a)
The weather is finally turning cooler (mid 70′s). I always think of the beautiful Fall colors of MICHIGAN this time of year; how I miss seeing that, even though it can’t compare to the year-round beauty of this place. I still live in a calendar – where the scenery is breath-taking every day.
Please pray about the water situation here – our well is having problems and we want the Lord’s guidance in what to do, what to do. Please pray that I will be kind in my responses to student comments that ‘catch me off guard’ Please praise God if your water runs when you turn on the faucet and your home has constant electricity – they are gifts, believe me.
Again, I love your notes and I need your support in prayer. I am praying for you, too.
Love in our marvelous Savior’s Name, the Lord Jesus Christ,
Becky Knopf
September 28th, 2009 From: Kelli Wilson - Junior High Teacher Eccl 3:12-13 I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God.
I found these verses a while back and they were such a reflection of my heart at the time. As you know a new school year has begun. I am still living and working at Immanuel Mission teaching Jr. High.
I spent my summer visiting family, resting, and spending several weeks at Kansas Bible Camp. It was a great summer. I enjoyed working as a counselor and even speaking at a couple girls’ camps. We had a family reunion which always equals tons of laughs. Overall, it was a great summer.
However by the end, I was tired of living out of a suitcase and was very eager to get back to my own bed. When getting back to the Mission, there was no time for rest. I immediately had to begin preparing for the new school year. This is my first year to repeat what I had taught the year before so I expected to find it a bit easier to prepare. And in a way it was. But I am also teaching new Bible lessons, American History instead of Geography, and I have created a reading class for 7-12 grades for the last 4 half hours of the school day. So, not quite as easy as I was hoping. But I found that as I worked, I was totally enjoying it. I had to make myself quit to eat and go home to sleep. I would work several hours straight and not even notice the time passing by. It was as I was preparing Bible lessons that I found the verses above. I truly believe that living here at the Mission and teaching Jr. High are gifts from God. I enjoy every bit of it and I owe all my thanks to Him.
I want to take a minute to thank all of you for your prayers and to give you some specifics on what to pray about.
- I have a huge (comparatively) class with a couple of students that are new to our school. As we go through the Old Testament in Bible class, pray that the gospel will be presented loud and clear. Pray especially for MH, RH, (boys) and VT, SD, and GD (girls).
- Pray for our staff. Pray that we would be like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Pray that we would not grow weary or lose heart.
- Pray for students who are struggling and/or eagerly participating in addictions.
- Pray for the families of staff. For many of us it is hard to be so far from home where difficulties are going on and we are unable to help.
- Pray for the finances of the mission. God has always been so faithful to provide what we need, when we need. He often tends to give us an opportunity to stretch our faith right before He provides. Will you pray with us and see Him provide in ways beyond imagination?
Thank you again for all your prayers and support.
In His Care,
Kelli
September 27th, 2009 From: Kathy Staley - School Counselor
Dear Friends and Relatives,
It is nearing the end of September, and the first month of the school year. We are also feeling a definite change in the weather which tells us summer is really over. My morning glories in the front yard aren’t near as glorious. Actually, they are mostly dead with only a few brave souls blooming on yellowed vines. The air is cool and our electric blanket is looking quite inviting.
There are 80 school children this year. Greg has six 11th and 12th graders in his shop class. They’ve worked on small engines, done some welding and body work. That seems to be going well and the guys kept interested. None of these young men have strong Christian father *role-models, and our prayer is that as Greg represents a man who loves God and is devoted to Him, a lasting impression will be made in these lives.
Kathy continues to talk with kids in a counseling setting. It didn’t take long to once again encounter the very real temptations kids face today. There is such a deep need to know someone cares for them. When they don’t feel that, they often turn to alcohol abuse and other destructive behavior. We staff here tell…and tell…..and tell of God’s love for them, but only He can make it real. I’m so glad He wants to and will. I just pray they will be spared painful consequences from poor choices as they try to find their way. The Bible usually speaks of yeast in a negative way, as in a little sin affecting everything it touches, but I like thinking of our influence here with the Navajos as spreading yeast in a positive way. Yeast makes wonderful breads. What would in its absence be flat and heavy, with the yeast becomes full and rich and delicious. There is encouragement in knowing that today we sprinkled a little yeast into lives and that yeast will do what it is intended to do. God’s got His hands on some lumps of dough and plump loaves are coming.
*[I just reread this letter and had to change my spelling of role-model. I had it as "roll" model. Maybe that fits better with this yeasty theme though]
Greg has been training HARD in order to run the Grand Canyon with our son Matthew. The run is Oct 10, so there aren’t many more days to get in shape. While miles and endurance and keeping himself from injury fills his head, Kathy’s (my) head is filled with gathering the proper clothing, deciding what to take and what to leave, and reading everything I can get my hands on that relates to the places we will be going in Israel and Jordan. Oh, and did I mention, slimming down so I don’t look like a dead whale floating on the Dead Sea? The trip is Oct 16.
The next time I write I hope to get help in inserting pictures (of Israel) so the letter is more attractive. Thanks for bearing with me on this one.
It’s all about God,
Greg and Kathy
August 27th, 2009 From: John Bloom - School Principal Dear praying friends,
We are already one week into the new school year. We have settled down to 80 students which is slightly lower than normal. We have three seniors – all boys – and seven kindergarteners. We have several new students coming as a result of contacts thru the summer youth groups. Please be in prayer for this year and that students will respond to the gospel message. We believe the school is a great tool to reach our community with the gospel. Children are generally open to the Lord. Pray for safety and God’s provision for bus fuel and propane – our two greatest expenses.
We now have our fourth diesel bus. I purchased it on Ebay like the others. Only this one was located near Baltimore, Maryland. Ruth and I picked it up shortly after Johnny’s wedding (which was in NC) and drove it 2,500 miles back to the mission. We traveled through 13 states picking up donations for the mission along the way and visiting friends and family. We arrived home with a very full bus.
The wedding was very special. It was great to meet Kara’s family and friends in NC. Johnny and Kara are settled in Topeka, Ks where Johnny works with his brother at a computer company. We are travelling to Hutchinson Sept 12 for their Kansas reception. It will be at Kansas Bible Camp from 2 – 5 PM. All are invited.
We hosted 7 work groups this summer with about 180 total workers. We got lots of work done from cleaning, painting to building a house and an addition on another house. One group repainted the gym floor which was an all week job. It really looks great. Many homes were reached with the gospel. The Navajo families really look forward to the groups coming, often providing a traditional meal to the group.
We have one new staff member this year. Elizabeth Mc Neal is here as a teacher’s aid and assistant coach. She is the daughter of Tim and Liz Mc Neal. She has wanted to serve the Lord on the mission field and God has led her to IM. She has already fit in nicely but please pray for her as there will undoubtedly be some culture shock. We are actually still short one high school teacher so keep praying that God will provide. The rest of us are doing extra duty to teach all the needed classes. The greatest need is for a science teacher.
The week before school started was very difficult. It seemed that Satan was working overtime to discourage us. The fiery darts were flying. We were reminded to put on the full armor of God and to resist – which we did. There was great victory. We know many of you are praying for us and that is so encouraging. We have had a good start to school and believe that this could be a special year here. Keep praying.
August 16th, 2009 From: Anne Denny - High School Teacher Dear friends,
Praise the Lord for your prayers for me and Immanuel Mission. Please talk to the Lord about us right now if you would. School starts Monday and we’re acutely seeing our need for the Lord’s help. One student came by yesterday with his mother to enroll. He didn’t want to work last year and John questioned him about that. He wasn’t sure if he would work this year either. He questioned why he needed to have a Bible class. He left in a rage and the mother returned later seeking help as he was throwing things and destroying things at home. Her desire was for John Bloom to go to the home and apologize and tell the boy how much we wanted him. When John wasn’t willing to do that, she also was angry. It was a reminder that we are in a battle for people’s souls and often it feels like we are on the front line. Ephesians 6:18 says, “With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints.”
The Lord is always good to refresh me in between battles. The summer at Kansas Bible Camp was great. We saw kids trusting Christ and growing in grace each week. One example of God’s goodness: My jr. high girls’ camp was stuck at the big camp for 24 hours due to the road being flooded between the two locations. I was very frustrated as the program director since so many of my great plans were thwarted. The counselors, however, were ecstatic. They had all this free time with the girls and got to have meaningful conversations with each girl. They perceived that only 4 of the girls were not yet believers and 3 of those trusted Christ that day. The Lord loves to turn what seems like a disaster into eternal good. It is a good reminder for me right now as I’m anxious about things here at Immanuel Mission.
A fun refreshment was my trip to Johnny Bloom’s wedding in North Carolina in July. It was a good road trip with favorite nieces and nephews and we visited other favorite nieces and nephews along the way to and from the wedding. Highlights of that trip were: attacking the rapids of the James river in Richmond, being attacked by the waves of the Atlantic Ocean in Virginia Beach and a state park in Delaware, fishing with my great niece and nephew in the Potomac river less than a mile from Mount Vernon, playing hide and seek with dear friends in the National Cathedral, cheering for the Royals at Camden Yards in Baltimore, and climbing through a fuselage and many other crazy things at City Museum in St. Louis. Oh, yeah, the wedding was nice too.
My roommate this year is Elizabeth McNeal, (Tim’s daughter) from the St. Louis area. She is 18 and will help in many areas around the school I’m sure. She has already proved herself invaluable (shouldn’t that be valuable?) doing dishes and helping me with bulletin boards. She plays games too, which is a bonus. We’ve played Agricola, Nertz and volleyball so far. I think she is eager to get to know the students and will be really used by the Lord when school starts. The kids respond to younger people in ways that they don’t respond to me anymore. Along that lines, my great nephew called me “Grandma” within hours of my being at his home. I loved it but kind of wondered, “How did he know?” I’m closer in age to his dad than my sister (I had to put that sentence in). I’m delusional about my age and most of my nieces and nephews reinforce that delusion (thanks).
I’ll be teaching exclusively in the upper grades this year. I’m teaching HS English, world history, and Algebra I and will also teach music to the 7-12 grade as an elective. The English and history are new subjects for me, but Megan Thurston is coming to visit starting today, so I’m hoping she will help me plan curriculum and map out the year. She taught both of those subjects multiple times when she taught here. (Just between you, me and the Lord, I’m praying that she might extend her visit from a week to a year. We’ll see.)
Thanks again for your prayers. I was glad to see many of you over the summer and would love to have you here for a visit. My guest room is occupied, but we have a whole house that is available for guests and I’ve been known to squish up to 20 in my house for meals and games.
Anne Denny
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.
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As my weeks of student teaching ticked by, my hope of returning to the Mission began to look like a distant dream. Although I still wished to return to the Mission, the reality of repaying student loans and other issue began to discourage me. In April, on my birthday no less, I received an e-mail from John Bloom asking me if I would return to the Mission and teach first grade. I spent the next two weeks praying and finally concluded that my God is a great God and He wants to give me the desires of my heart. All I have to do is let Him worry about the small stuff. I am now back at the Mission teaching first grade and am so grateful that the Lord is faithful. I cannot even begin to imagine what He has in store for me!
