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December 24th, 2010

Merry Christmas! Or Happy Easter!!!

From: Kelli Wilson - Junior High Teacher

It’s been an interesting year in Jr. High at Immanuel Mission (thus far). This year for our Bible class we are going through the Life of Christ. So back in September, I put up the Christmas tree and we remembered Jesus’ birth at the beginning of the Life of Christ. This month we are arriving at Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection. So we’re just a little bit off—but that’s ok. Truthfully, I’ve be humbled so much these last few weeks with the content of our Bible class. I would really appreciate you prayers as I struggle through teaching God’s Word accurately and adequately.

Other subjects that I teach have been going really well. I’m very pleased with my students in so many ways. In fact I’ve been so wowed by their work, that I’ve recently started a blog so I can brag on them and post their work. One of my main goals in it is to help people get to know my students and know better how to pray for us all here at Immanuel. If you are interested in following it or reading it occasionally you will find it at ImmanueLights.wordpress.com.

Teaching Jr. High is such an interesting venture. I love it so much, but it does take so much out of me. It takes all of one’s heart, mind, and soul. In addition to that, this year I have the pleasure of teaching HS girls HomeEc. It’s a fun, relaxing class for all of us. So far we’ve learned how to sew. Now we are moving on to Weaving (2 days a week) and Parenting (2 days a week). Not that I’m qualified to teach either. But we have Mrs. Lula Tom who will teach us to weave (She and her husband Ranson are two of the Navajo missionaries here at Immanuel). We also have a very well written textbook for our Parenting section. Plus we’ve already enjoyed Sheree Wedel (another missionary and mother) stopping in to offer some information. I’ve really enjoyed having this opportunity to work with the high school girls. It’s been nice to be able to talk to them about some real issues and give them godly guidance. They’re a really great group of girls.

Christmas is fast approaching and I’m definitely looking forward to spending some time with my family. Studying Christ’s sacrifice and crucifixion at the same time as His birth has definitely added a fuller meaning to the Christmas season I so love.

In Christ,

Kelli Wilson

Kelli has been on staff since August 2007. She taught 1st Grade during her first year and now teaches Junior High.

December 10th, 2010

Bloom Newsletter

From: John Bloom - School Principal

Dear praying friends,

We have experienced a bit of winter here the past week or so. (The temperature was down to single digits several mornings this week). Also, we have had two light snows and the mountains to the east are snow covered and beautiful. Consequently, it is also time for the huge propane truck to come and fill the tanks. For some reason the price is high right now, so please pray for needed funds. We will probably need another truck in late January, especially if the cold continues. We have used youth groups in the summer to super insulate most of our buildings so that helps.

We are having a great school year. God has confirmed in many ways that we are to have a high school. Not only do we have the needed staff but the students are such a delight this year. They are friendly and responsive to us authority types that it is a joy to teach them. Several of the younger staff have started a youth night once a week and it is well attended. It is called EPIC – Endless Possibilities In Christ. We have six great seniors that really set the example for the others. This is the year for our biannual Jr/Sr trip. They are planning to go to Washington D.C. and New York City. So lots of fundraisers at ball games. We also have a large Jr High with students that are more of a challenge so please pray for wisdom and patience for us.

The Navajo Chapel is growing with a few more Navajo believers coming as well as several anglos from the nearby hospital. Ruth Denny (niece of Anne Denny) who grew up here as a little girl has returned to work at the hospital as a nurse so we see quite a bit of her.

December is busy and fun as we get ready for Community Christmas on Dec 18th and school Christmas on Dec 21. Community Christmas is a day for the community to gather for a Christmas program (put on by the school kids), a message and meal for around 200 people. Pray for open hearts to the gospel message on this day. School Christmas is the last day of school for this calendar year. We have a special chapel and then the students get to open a nice bag of gifts that we have collected for them. Many of you help with nice gifts – making this a special day for our 80 students. Also, this year we are having a big New Years Eve Singspiration. This is being put on by some alumni of the school that want to see the Navajo community and alumni more involved in supporting the school. This is a huge step forward. Pray that many will come and catch a vision for making this a more indigenous work supported by the Navajo community.

I personally have the easiest schedule I’ve had in 16 years. I am only teaching one class – HS Bible, and not coaching at all. Liz McNeal is coaching the girls and Solomon Sun is coaching the boys. We had our first games last night and both teams won! I am still driving the bus and overseeing the food program as well as being the administrator. So glad to see the younger staff bearing more of the load.

Thank you again for your faithful prayers and practical support for us and the mission. God is greatly blessing and we rejoice to be in His service. As we remember His first coming we anticipate His second!!

John has been on staff with his wife Ruth since 1988. He is an executive board member of the Mission, the mission staff administrator and elder at the church. At the school he is the principal, teaches high school math, science, physical education, and Bible classes and is also a bus driver. He coaches the volleyball and basketball teams. He also recruits new staff and coordinates the summer youth teams.

December 2nd, 2010

Staley Times

From: Kathy Staley - School Counselor

Dear Friends and Relatives,

Yesterday I received a letter from the nurse we worked with in Zimbabwe saying, “It is the hot, sweaty time of year.”  That is hard to imagine as we huddle around the wood stove and the wind howls outside blowing in a snow storm.  I’m so grateful for firewood, an electric blanket and relatively mild winters.  In spite of 38 years in this climate, my blood is still rooted in Southern California.

Philippians has been filling my mind lately and I’m struck with Paul’s contrast between losses and gains.  ”I’ve lost everything in order to know Christ.”, he says, and “regard them as garbage.”  And then he says he is striving for the goal that gets the prize.  Paul says the world was crucified to him.  He’d lost position, popularity, possessions, his very freedom as he sat writing, chained to a guard.  None of that was important or worth fighting for.  But there was one thing that was worth everything–knowing Him.  He hadn’t taken hold of it yet but kept striving.  He took hold of some intimacy with Christ but that just made him hunger for more and so he kept pressing on.  This reminds me of a recurring dream I have had in the past of finding a few coins on the ground.  I would pick them up and then walk a little farther and find more, and then more.  It was very exciting.  All of us have found some of Him but we want more and more and more.  That’s Paul’s admonition–Keep going after more.  Don’t be satisfied with what you know and have right now.  According to Paul, this is  ”God’s call Heavenward.”

SCHOOL

You may remember our asking for prayer last spring and summer regarding whether to continue with our high school program.  The Lord sent us a young couple from Kansas, Elrond and Sheree Wedel.  Elrond’s teaching qualifications allowed us to once again offer high school.  These last three months have been such a joy as we witness a move of God among the students.  The difference from last year is palpable.  The students themselves remark about how friendly and happy everyone is, and many older kids are confessing faith in Christ.  Please pray the Spirit will continue to work.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Greg is teaching high school boys auto mechanics.  The girls want to hang around too and wish they could learn about engines.  A bright spot in the week is a Bible study for two men who want to grow in the Lord.  And, of course, Sunday preaching is a weekly joy.  I (Kathy) make myself available for school kids to talk and try to be an encouragement to two young women on staff.  How different my life would have been had I not been blessed with a godly older woman, my mother in law Betty Staley

GRATEFULNESS

  1. To be in His will, in this place, for this time.  Under His authority, provision and blessing.
  2. Good health (not bad for 60 year olds, well Greg is and I’m close behind).
  3. Three godly children, two wives and five grandchildren
  4. A multitude of close friends who pray and care for us.  That, of course, includes all you who are reading this.
  5. God’s Word that is our lifeline when the storms rage.
  6. God’s loving presence, comfort, keeping.
  7. Hope, that He will make the desert bloom as He brings streams in the desert.

God bless all of you and receive our thanks for all you do for us,

Greg and Kathy Staley

Kathy has been on staff with her husband Greg since 1972 when they came to Immanuel Mission, Greg returning to his childhood home and Kathy joining him. They have done various jobs over the years–dorm parents, bookkeeper, school cook, Bible teaching, maintenance. Fourteen years ago, they moved off the Mission compound and out to a Navajo home. Their current ministries are co-pastoring the local fellowship and serving the community, which includes home-building, auto repairs, home repairs of every variety (that would be Greg). Kathy spends her time with School Counseling, one-on-one Bible Studies, and ministering to an elderly neighbor.