Author: immanuelmission

We are rejoicing in the 3 rd and 4 th grades. God has seen 9 of this class’s students through who have finished this year. I want to congratulate this class as I do all classes at the end-of- the-year. Particularly, the pride and joy I have for this class. The title of this article explains it for me. As I look back, this year started like any other year with its share of incidents, but it allowed the students to come together and build us up. Rough patches were the departure of 2 of my students who I have a special concern for. One of the students left to be with family in another state and the other chose not to be here anymore. All my students deal with pressures of family, home, and school and I do truly want them to feel they have choices and feel good about their choices. It was tough, because not seeing eye-to- eye and his choice to go elsewhere hurts. Although, the purpose was not only for him to make his choice, but for me to find peace and love out of others decisions. I praise God for these young students, I know that they learn while here, and that God can use all things: a class, a choice, a memory, a word to bring them to Him.

The rest of the class was able to come together and work on their choices. They have come through well after the loss of these students. The class decided to learn from each other and work hard. They grew better at complementing each other’s strengths. One thing that excites me more than anything as a teacher is when a class strives for something. The desire to practice good behavior at this age needs a very conscience effort and the help of a few incentives. This class is commended on their great, overall behavior this year as the first class I have had to celebrate a behavior award party each quarter for all four quarters of the year. I reminded them almost every day that no class has ever had a total of four parties for their good behavior. This really pushed them to not get any “cards flipped”, infractions, and not hurt the class as a whole by their weekly behavior. Our theme on this behavior campaign, every morning, was: “Your choices, Your actions, Your life.” And their lives showed a difference. It is a joy to continue to push through these last few weeks on level ground, positive behavior, and end with great, student results.

The thoughts behind the title of this article come from my class’s response to studying apostles, particularly the life of Paul. An apostle was explained as someone who chooses to take Jesus with them wherever they go and proclaim God’s word. An apostle is someone God sends out taking pride in the word of God and sharing it with others. As student’s listened without any real prompting, they began saying that they could be future apostles someday. This led to questions and answers about ways they can take Jesus with them wherever they go and times that they prayed or told a Bible story outside of class. As we explored the concept of striving to know and share Jesus they got excited and especially me. Thank God for these times of discussion. Praise God for His work and commitment in all of our lives to help others. Thank God for how His word empowers future, spiritual leaders. It has been wonderful this year to hear my class openly offer up their prayer requests, cares, and concerns to Him. This excites me and praise God for His alive and active spirit. Again, we are rejoicing in God’s presence, we thank Him for continued class unity, and for the new class coming-in. I pray for the bright, spiritual futures of all my students by name and I am encouraged in the blessing of all those who are faithful to the children of Immanuel Mission.

Solomon Sun

As some of you may know, our setup for the Mission phone had a single VoIP line. This meant all phone calls relied on our satellite internet connection. We are still under contract for this phone for another school year, but I realized there were many problems with the phone connection being weak and delayed as the need for an internet connection increased at our school and homes.

We have been doing a lot to try to improve the mission phone system over the past couple of months. We have purchased a wireless home phone. This device relies on cellular technology to make calls over a traditional phone line. Cell coverage is not great in our area, so I have been taking steps to find the best outdoor antenna to maintain a strong signal for this device.
The current set up for the phones is as follows:

830-200-0351: This number is a google voice number. Its purpose is to forward you to the correct number that may be subject to change.

Things to keep in mind:

• We only have one line for all the home phones, so if you are not able to get through please be patient and try again after a short time.
• Again, we only have one line for all the home phones, so try not to use it longer than needed. Our rule is never longer than 20 minutes.
• If you are not able to reach someone over the phone, try an alternate means. Cell phone coverage has been stronger out here and most cell phones work if placed by a window or are outside. Email or social media could also be used.

Common things you may encounter:

• Calling the number results in a ring for a long time without the automated attendant picking up
  Only one person can listen to the automated attendant at a time. If someone else just called in, and is listening for the right extension this is what you will encounter.
• The message “Cellular one could not complete the call as dialed.”
  The wireless home phone is not able to get a signal strong enough to establish a call.

Joel Page

Teenagers can be difficult to figure out and relate to. In general, they like to put on a suit of armor when it comes to interacting with their teachers or other authorities. But years of experience have taught me that it is just a suit that can be put on or taken off. Every now and then you can get a glimpse through that exterior shell into the gentle, vulnerable, human being made in the image of Christ.

One particular teenager, in addition to trying to survive high school, is also trying to survive her home life. Things at home aren’t good. And that’s about all that I know. I don’t know the details and I don’t need to. I can accurately assume that it involves drugs, alcohol, and abuse. Thus she is often absent and especially armored when she returns to school. And yet, I was privileged to see a chink in that armor in the form of a grateful, appreciative smile.

So far, I haven’t see much in the form of a relationship between this girl and I. Today, she returned to school after being absent for several days in a row. I ran into her in the restroom and as I walked past I offhandedly commented that I was glad she was back. I glanced over my shoulder and saw in the mirror, a definite smile break through her armor. She didn’t respond nor did she know I saw the smile. I can only thank the Lord for that glimpse into her heart.

She needs Jesus so much and there’s so much she doesn’t know. But hopefully, today she knew that she was missed and appreciated here at school. Prayerfully, she will know that the love she feels here comes from the Lord our Savior. I pray that someday she will come to know Him personally and know the worth that He provides. I don’t know what her future holds, but I know He loves her and He is Immanuel, God With Us. I trust her to His loving hands and I thank Him for her smile.

Kelli Wilson

We often get visitors showing up unexpectedly to our house. Last week that happened. A neighbor came, deeply depressed, head down, and in a monotone voice began to recount his woes–no job, no money, no vehicle, no purpose, totally dependent on others for his upkeep. In a word, HOPELESS!
Sometime in the next few hours hope showed up. As our friend talked he began to think of ways he could earn some money. The more he talked, details were filled in. His whole demeanor changed. He lifted his head and talked with animation. He even smiled and said,

“Do you think this idea was Divine?”

I have it on good authority that Hope is making her rounds and plans to show up at your house today….so watch for her.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
-Romans 15:13

Kathy Staley

We use our tailgates for working on things at the Mission and around the neighborhood. I’m a Boulder, Colorado native, a life long C.U. Buff and Bronco fan, so tailgating seems natural, especially since the Buff’s are Bowl bound for the first time in years.

Starting now, and working backward, I’ll leave you with a glimpse of current events here at the Mission.

Basketball season started today, November 29, we’re all looking forward to some fun games and we’re cheering for both our teams, gentlemen and ladies, and even yelling at the zebra’s sometimes…

The year marks a milestone for me, for the very first time, I’m teaching one class. Art, to young high school men, these guy’s are easy going and fun to be around. They’ve made life easy in the classroom. We all seem to be enjoying ourselves, and picking up some things. They are good workers too.

Bus this year has also been such a pleasure. As you may know, the scenery around the Mission is second to none! The weather has been stellar, the roads…. well let’s say they’ve been a bit of a challenge. All in all, another a good bus year so far. Oh, one extremely important part of bus duty is maintenance. This Mission has the best maintenance, thanks to Ranson Tom and Kevin Bielecki, no way this job is possible without those two magicians.

Joel Page, (Immanuel Mission teacher, and one man IT crew) Joel and I ran in the Monument Valley half marathon, Joel came in third place over all and I came in 41st out of 166 runners. This is our second year running. Last year we did not train. We decided to run the week before the race day. This year, even after training, Joel’s last year time was still better than mine. My Dad used to say, ‘getting old ain’t for sissy’s’.

I’d appreciate prayer for my Mother, (perfect segue) she’s alone. I was with her in Colorado over the Thanksgiving Holiday. We both had a good time catching up. She’d like me to stay with her… But know’s I can’t.

At the Mission we still need a first grade teacher. Currently, Jen Mullen is teaching first. Jen is the real art teacher, as in pro. Being versatile at Immanuel Mission is a requirement. So Jen is doing the work of first grade teacher, but the young people need their art teacher back, so if your praying about a career change that pays eternal retirement for… ever you will be a God send.

Well that is all for now, check out the mission on Facebook ImmanuelMission@immanuelRez, it’s encouraging when you pray for us and come along side in the work that way. There are Cowboy fans here, and Chief’s fans, and Bronco fans of course. There are workers using their tailgates only for business of reaching people with the good news. The next time you see a pick’em up truck, think of us here at the Mission.

We love you!

Scott Valentine