Year: 2013

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Bloom Newsletter

Dear praying friends,                                                                                              April, 2013

 Spring has come to northern Arizona although we have had some very cold nights recently. We are playing softball outside most days. Spring on the Rez usually means WIND which means SAND in the eyes and mouth and hair. However, the tulips and daffodils are blooming and the chickens are laying. (in December I bought 9 hens at an auction. For about a month they didn’t lay any eggs but since about Feb we get 6 or 7 a day. I sell them to the staff here.) Just one more month until graduation. We only have one senior and three eighth grade graduates this year so it will be a shorter ceremony. If I’ve counted correctly, Thomuel will be the 100th graduate of Carrizo Christian Academy.

I want to give you an update on Raven – the 7th grade girl I wrote about in the last newsletter. Further tests have revealed that now there is now nothing wrong with her heart even though earlier tests indicated a major problem. PTL. The mother gives full credit to God that He answered our prayers. She gave another testimony in church recently and said she is now a believer and that prayer and Bible reading are now a part of their daily family life. This all has been a real encouragement to us here.

We have had the accreditation visit I mentioned in the last newsletter. Four ACSI team members spent three days here looking at what we are doing and gave us high marks – especially for our emphasis on Biblical training and discipleship. They recommended that we retain our accreditation. This is a great answer to prayer.

We are still in need of a kindergarten teacher for next year. We also need a maintenance man as well as a computer type person. God has provided an art teacher and a cook for next year already.

Recently the mission staff voted to NOT participate in the National School Lunch Program next year. New regulations have made it increasingly difficult to comply with all they want us to do. So, this will be a major increase in our expenses for the school year. If you would like to help feed the school children gifts can be designated for the school food fund. We estimate that it costs about $150 per day to feed our students and teachers. We serve both breakfast and lunch – about 150 meals a day. We are also suggesting that if someone is coming to visit that they organize a food drive and bring some food with them. Contact me for a list of needed items.

Be sure to address anything to us or the mission as BOX 1080, Teec Nos Pos, Az 86514. The post office is returning anything that does not have our new address. Ruth and I want to thank you for your prayers and faithful support of the work here.

John & Ruth Bloom

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Kelli’s Spring Newletter

Dear Friends,

It’s Spring Break and a lovely day, so I decided to send you all an update letter.  My biggest news, which most of you have already heard, is that I moved into the new duplex that was built this summer!!!!!!  I’ve been living here for approximately 6 months.  Thanks to everyone that made it possible!  It is such a blessing to live in a new, warm, well-built (with love) home.  I’m still rearranging furniture and organizing closets, but it definitely feels like ‘home’.

There are approximately 6 weeks of school left and I’m hoping we all make it.  The Friday that Spring Break began, I had a couple boys that wanted to stay after school and get caught up on all their work.  It took every teacher instinct in me to be able to say ‘yes’.  All I know is that this teacher was ready for Spring Break.  I think God has been extra gracious to me this year; sending me breaks at just the right time, giving me the grace to hold on until then, and letting the breaks completely refresh and rejuvenate me.

Many of you have been praying for a student of mine, Raven, and her family.  I wanted to thank you so much for your prayers and give you an update.  Raven and her brother and sisters have only been attending our school for a few years, but there the Lord has already made a huge difference in their lives.  Raven’s mother told Raven she would do anything for her and Raven asked her mother to pray with her.  And now they often pray together as a family.  I tear up every time I think about this 12 year old girl pointing her mother to the Lord.  Please continue to pray for Raven’s family.  Pray that the Lord will continue the work He began.  Pray that Raven’s mother will continue to trust the Lord in hard times and will grow in her trust and faith in Him.  Pray for Raven’s father to trust in the Lord as well.

While you’re praying, would you also pray for…

  • My students to survive Jr. High and to make decisions that would honor the Lord.  Pray that we’ll catch them and help them not to do wrong.
  • Staff needs at Immanuel Mission for next year.  As far as I’m aware we have some people interested in teaching Kindergarten but no commitments yet.  We also still need someone to help out in maintenance, a new school cook, and someone to help with computers and technology.  We are excited for a new art teacher and a new HS history teacher.  Pray that they’ll adjust well to life on the Rez and as missionaries.

Thank you for all your prayers!  It means so much to me to know that there are many members of Christ’s body working together to see His mission accomplished in me and here at Immanuel Mission.  I look forward to seeing many of you this summer, or in His perfect time, in Heaven.

 

Your Sister-In-Christ,

Kelli Wilson

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Becky Knopf’s Update

Immanuel Mission                                                                                        March 15, 2013

We have a brand new addition to our playground – a speed boat, stripped down to nothing dangerous.  It looks funny, sitting out there in the desert, amongst ‘normal’ playground equipment, but it is a real ‘hit’ with everybody.  No one can resist sitting in it.  What a hoot!  [It didn’t run and no one would give any money for it, so this is the obvious solution]  🙂 🙂 🙂

Brad Keating and his daughter are here for a couple of days (again) and this time he brought a “Birdie Ball” golf set up.  My students will get to golf with it during P.E.  It amazes me that although we are a tiny place, way out here, at the edge of nowhere, we still have a “rock climbing wall”, 2 sets of pickle ball equipment, a playground boat, and today, we were given  “Birdie Ball” golf equipment – AND golf lessons from a real golfer! [Just last week, a hand bell choir and a choir (all the kids dressed in formal wear) played for us – from Salt Lake City!]

We’ve got black hooded sweatshirts on sale for $20 each that say Immanuel Mission (white) Falcons (turquoise).  If you are interested in getting one, move fast.  A church (or maybe a family) in Pennsylvania donated them to us to raise money for the athletic fund, and they look real nice.  Everyone on staff was given one this past CHRISTmas, along with every student from 7th grade to 12th grade!  SWEEEEEEEEEEEET.

My class is too small to run a restaurant this year, much to the community’s disappoint-ment, so we are having an Ice Cream Social instead.  We’ll be selling every ice cream item we can think of, from floats and milkshakes to Sundaes and Banana Splits.  It is scheduled for Friday, April 5th, 6pm – 8pm, if you want to come.  Whether you come, or not, please pray for us.

We are in the final quarter of the school year.  Thank you for praying for my 7 students and me.  Sometimes they seem VERY intent on following the Lord Jesus, and other times, they look bored stiff during Bible class and chapels.  No one can ‘walk in another’s shoes’ and doubtless they are going through things I never faced as a child.  Life is tough, but God is faithful, wise, and good.  Our memory verse this week is I Corinthians 15:58   Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you.  Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, for you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.  This is my prayer for you.

I do praise the Lord, and thank you for your prayers, support, and interest in the work out here.  Thank you for each Box Top for Education. I miss you.

God bless you, Becky Knopf

P.S.  If you are curious, we always need wide-ruled paper, black dry erase markers, and masking tape.