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.
John Bloom
Immanuel Mission 