The beginning of a new school-year always starts with a lot of positive energy and high hopes. I see this group of 4th graders as a more diverse blend of personalities and academic abilities than classes in the past. I look forward to the challenges and victories that await as I begin to push these students to improve in the different areas where they struggle. As their teacher it is really more encouraging than daunting to see myself having to work harder to be a better teacher for each of them. I am absolutely passionate about diversity and diverse learning environments, which is a big reason I have been drawn to Immanuel Mission. I believe that this class can really teach me the most about the Navajo learner, so far. This class has begun the year with a good mix of learning deficiency or gaps in their learning. There is not one that is heads-or-tails better than the other and a balance exists of different subjects they struggle in. Along with this, as I learn more about their lives, I see a more balanced spectrum than in the past of socioeconomic, family lifestyle choices, and value system differences. This tells me a lot about who they are and their learning to this point. What a neat group of kids. Another beautiful quality about them is how open and honest each is. The level of trust we have right now, I believe, will go a long way by the end of the year.

I am so excited about the possibilities that go along with the differentiated instruction I have already begun and the results will be amazing. Please pray for 4th grade as we take one day at a time, praying that our communication with each other will stay strong and that God will get all the glory for the accomplishments in store. 

School is in full swing again and I’m back to talking with students. Last week two students talked to me about one or both parents being in jail. One said, “My mom is in jail for domestic violence and my grandma chased off my dad. There is a restraining order out on him so we can’t see him anymore.” The three children are living with Grandma as a result of the parents’ problems. Unfortunately, this is not uncommon on the Reservation. Many of our students are being raised by grandparents for one reason or another. Just this last spring an 87 year old grandma passed away who had been raising six children so the mother could work out of the area. With her death these kids lost the only real mom they knew. In addition to the widespread family upheavals many witness things that fill them with fear. An example is what one boy told me, “My uncles come around drinking and fighting and shooting their guns. My brothers and sisters and I hide in the house with the door locked.” Childhood terrors shape children and will affect the rest of their lives.

Another area of fear that I often hear from the kids is their experience of bad dreams about family members who have died, coming back to do them harm. Their culture teaches them this. The spirits of the dead return and have the potential of doing evil to those they visit. Domestic violence and death are just two of the things that make kids afraid in a culture based on fear. Fear pervades all of life for the Navajos.

And so we have many precious little ones who feel abandoned and afraid. The problems seem overwhelming and yet, as the song we sing says, “Our God is Bigger. Our God is Stronger. Our God is Higher than any other.” He is greater than all the sin and dysfunction. He knows and cares about children’s hurts and so we continue telling them about Jesus who says, “I will never abandon you” and “Because of Me, you don’t need to be afraid.” It is no small thing to be able to listen to and love hurting people as Jesus’ representatives.

On the encouraging flip side is how I often hear that students are really glad to be here because at Immanuel Mission School they get to hear about God. Please pray they will be able to feel His love and to hear the Truth we are seeking to communicate.

Greetings from the H.S. Science/Jr. High Computer Teacher,

My name is Elrond Wedel, and this is my first year here at Immanuel Mission. I’ve been closely associated with the Gospel Chapel and Kansas Bible Camp my whole life, so I’ve been well aware of Immanuel Mission for some years. I had been out here at the Mission 3 times before the idea of being a teacher struck me. John Bloom, our principal and administrator, had expressed to our group on our last trip, the immediate need for teachers. So this whole last summer was spent hoping and preparing for the move out here. As things are often not as easy as we would like them to be, the preparations were not easy. My wife Sheree and I had our first baby, Luthien Elizabeth, in July. We also were trying to raise support and sell our house. Things worked out at the last minute and we were able to move out here. God provides…
We’ve been here for several weeks now, and things are going swimmingly as far as I can tell. I’ve never really been inside an inner city school, but I believe that this is somewhat a taste of it. We don’t really have a problem with violence (probably because we’re so small), but the majority of the kids come from poverty level incomes at home. Many come from single parent homes, where the father may be in jail or simply absent. Many others are living with their uncles, aunts, or grandparents. Discipline seems to be mostly absent in their homes and those responsible for the kids may or may not care if their kids get good grades or even show up to school. Most kids ride our buses to school, which helps keep absenteeism low.

Our Jr. High Boys are an especially rambunctious group. I routinely get called names and today even got a ball thrown at me while my back was turned. However, they’re going to eventually learn that their words and actions have consequences. I’m handing out lunches with me (they have to sit by me at lunch instead of their friends) as well as sitting with me through the lunch recess. They really don’t seem to like this at all. =) At this point they are still in a “speak and act first:, realize that there are consequences later” type of mindset. Hopefully, they’ll reach a mindset soon that will have them at least thinking about their words and actions before setting them loose. We’ll see.

On another note, I’ve really enjoyed the quiet out here. I’ve done lots of reading, Sudoku playing, running, climbing, bike riding, playing guitar, nunchucking, and lifting weights. There is plenty of time for whatever your particular hobbies are out here. All in all, I haven’t regretted the move one bit. I love it out here. Hopefully, we’ll be a shining light to these kids and be instruments in God’s hands out here.