Month: September 2008

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News from Becky

Hey All!
School’s IN!  I have 18 kids in my 5th/6th grade classroom.  They do pretty well trying to get the hang of mathematical principles (sort of), letter formation, biblical concepts (somewhat), etc. until 1:35; then, it is unbearably hot in our room and it is a struggle to concentrate.  I keep 2 fans running from 6:30 A.M. till 3 P.M.  ‘Ooo-da-lolly,’ I’ll be glad when the Fall temperatures show up!  I believe just 2 or 3 of my new-to-me 5th graders do not know the Lord Jesus Christ personally, while the others seem to have at least a passing acquaintance with JESUS.  Do pray with me for Tomika, Justin, Laqueta, Lashaunda, DeBryanna, Brianna, Cleandro, Angel, Crystal, and Amanda.  My sixth graders could actually use your prayers, too, so here we go:  Rheyland, Micah, Jaqueta, Vandelia, Terence, Brandale, Joshua, and  Ethan.  Thanks and Amen!Our new staff members, Hannah Barr (2nd grade), Cindy Lauersdorf(1st grade), and Becky Allen (H.S./Jr. High Science, Spanish, and English) are doing well.  They are welcome here, and stay very, very busy.  They have an amazing confidence that comes from being good friends with God!I am gung ho on collecting Box Tops for Education this year and Mel Meinzinger is gathering Campbell’s UPCs (aka bar codes)

Let’s talk dental, shall we?  I am having to have not one, but two crowns replaced.  So, already having paid $600+ per crown, I now get to pay again – $850 each.  [Do not complain, do not complain, do not complain, Numbers 11:1]  So, I asked the LORD GOD to provide that money for me from un-‘usual givers’ and I tacked the dental bill on my bedroom wall (to remind God, y’know)   I have been writing in amounts as they come in.  The first tooth has been paid for as of last Thursday, and I ‘merrily merrily’ walked in to the office and forked over that whole amount!  I am amazed afresh at my God’s ability to provide – I don’t know why . . . George Muller isn’t the ONLY one with a direct line!  Still, it excites me – which is odd, because what do I have that God hasn’t provided, after all?  [Can you spell nothing?]

Thank you again and again for your support of the work at Immanuel Mission.  Maranatha!

As usual, I am struggling with getting out of God’s way and letting Him get on with His work.  [We both like to lead, we both have plans for Him to carry out, and we both have a time schedule in mind]  Do pray for me to let God lead.

I wouldn’t be out here if it weren’t for God working through you,

Thanks, Becky Knopf . . . Psalm 52:9

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September Newsletter

Dear Family and Friends,
Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, who paid infinitely more than we are worth to purchase us back for Himself.
Our school year is now in full swing, I’ve given tests in every class, hosted two fundraisers for the Jr. Sr. trip and am planning on a field trip with the high schoolers to the Grand Canyon this Wednesday for a music festival.  I am thrilled to be teaching high school kids most of the day with a general music class for each elementary class in the afternoons.  I try to stay ahead of the kids in geometry, by doing the lesson I’m about to teach, Consumer Math is a breeze as I’ve taught it before, and I read the government book about four times so that I’m ready to lecture on the topic each day.  When I taught elementary school, I had no appreciation for the preparation that goes into teaching older students.  It takes a lot more work to be sure I know more than the students about the topic I’m teaching.  I actually have a little more free time in each day this year and it is fun to see how the Lord is filling it up for me.  One of my seniors is taking Navajo govt. and language on line and stays after to work on the internet.  I read over her shoulder and am learning a lot too.  I mostly drive the bus only in the mornings so am able to work with her several days a week.  I’ve filled in minimally for Ruth Bloom these last few weeks while she’s in Iowa with Davey and Katie.  That involves making deposits and paying the staff who get weekly pay.  I’ve gained an appreciation for what Ruth does and am eager for her return around the 22nd.
Our women’s craft class is going to start in October and we hope to do some cooking together for a while.  A Navajo brother, Gerald Harvey, has cooked for the school and also at Grand Canyon and Yellowstone.  He plans to teach the class.  I am excited to have a Navajo teaching it, but another Navajo believer wonders if our grandmas who come will be as receptive to a male.  It is something to pray about.
Please also pray for our high school students.  We are looking to the Lord for a revival this year among the teens.  There are several who are Christians but so far haven’t been able to stand up to peer pressure and be bold about their faith among their classmates.  I’m praying that we will see the Lord work powerfully through them and change the pressure at our school to be more like Jesus, not less.  I think since my school work load is lighter this year, I may have more energy for extracurricular activities.
We’ve all been enjoying the idea that the Lord will return this fall at the feast of the Trumpets—Rosh Hashannah.  It falls on Sept. 29-30 this year.  So I close with this variation on the traditional Jewish expression;
Next year in Heaven,
Anne Denny