Category: Newsletters

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Old-Fashioned Navajo Christmas

Many of our elderly tell of coming to Immanuel Mission for a Christmas celebration on wagons, some even getting here the night before and sleeping by a fire under the stars. There was a Navajo preacher telling the Good News of God coming to earth as a baby, living as a man, then going to the cross for our sins before rising again the 3rd day and giving us the right to become children of God. The missionaries would serve beans and hotdogs and coffee.  Then there was a gift bag with sewing kits, toiletries, roll ups (candy stuffed in an empty TP roll and wrapped in paper) hats or mittens or scarves and other goodies.  It was fun for the kids to play with friends and it was good for the adults to visit with relatives. 

We plan to replicate that this year on December 16th to celebrate 100 years of God’s faithfulness to the Sweetwater community. Join us in praying for good weather, a clear Gospel message, and heart felt worship and submission to our Creator and Savior, Jesus Christ.

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From the Principal’s Office

We are blessed to have all of our teachers return this year and currently have 53 students.  Pray for the Kindergarten, our largest grade with 12 students, who all crave a lot of attention.  Mrs. Susan is doing a wonderful job with the help of Serena Benallie in the mornings and Tamara Clyde continues to help in the afternoons. We love to sing each day and I love to hear God’s Word being taught and memorized in each classroom daily.   

Anne Denny

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Christmas Donations Update

You’d think that after 100 years of God’s faithfulness to Immanuel Mission, I would cease to be surprised when He goes over and beyond.  It is a joy to receive all the donations you have sent for our Old-Fashioned Navajo Christmas. I am constantly delighted by the support from people all over the US. I have a school bus bursting full of donations you’ve already sent!  Even before I have a chance to ask, the Lord uses people like you to provide!  Thank you so much!  I love the way you’ve come alongside us in this outreach to our community. 

This is the latest update as of October 28:  The Blue Bird Flour Mill in Cortez, CO gave us an amazing per bag price and all 300 bags have been paid for by donations from you.  We have over 200 of the 300 Spam we need. Roll ups are now coming in. We have two large tubs of toiletries. Our Navajo sewing class under Susan Price has sewn 152 drawstring bags to complete our supply of bags. 

We could still use socks for the elderly, wash cloths and dish towels, fruit cups, laundry soaps and small cans of Crisco. Additional toothpaste, deodorant, and nail clippers are needed. Some recently requested items are a small sewing kit and new or gently-used puzzles. 

Don’t hesitate to email any questions and I’ll do my best to answer you.  kelli.is.his@gmail.com

Once again, thank you all for your support and prayers!        

Kelli Wilson

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Farewell from Ruth Bloom:

I am moving to Kansas the first weekend of November. My son Rex and his wife bought a home 15 miles south of Topeka. One of the selling points of the property was a small home for me. I am excited to go and live closer to my children and grandchildren. My new address is

Ruth Bloom
11473 S. Jordan Rd.
Wakarusa, KS 66546

I have turned my jobs over to others here at the Mission and I guess I am now retired. It is a nice feeling. I am packing and downsizing my things. Three of my sons and maybe a grandson will come and move me back to Kansas. Losing my husband and Mother in little more than a year is hard, but the Lord is so good and is meeting my needs and carrying me along. He uses my family and friends to comfort and support. Ruth Bloom


From the editor:
If you would like to continue to support Ruth financially and want a tax deductible receipt, you may send donations designated for Ruth Bloom to

Christian Worker’s Fellowship Fund
PO Box 12347
Kansas City, KS 66112

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Thrift Store News

Hello! It’s me Dedra Lee. I run the thrift store on campus with my family. I am also a Sunday School teacher, an EPIC youth leader, art teacher for preK-8th grade, mom of four plus a new-born, and a wife…and I will add one of Ruth’s many jobs to the list—receiving donations for Immanuel Mission.

I feel fortunate to be given this job.  Ruth has done so much here at IM and as much as we love her being here, God has other plans for her and we’ll continue to pray for her as she begins another chapter and is with family that love her dearly. I’m sure she will be missed here by staff, students and the Sweetwater community. 

You can now contact me for donations information, to know what we can use. I hope to do my best to communicate with all who send donations. I look to the Lord as I am given this job (Colossians 3:23) to do it well.  Thank you all who support Immanuel Mission through donations, financially and through prayers.

You can reach me at dedralee3@gmail.com or text (928) 814-5224

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A New Kid and Kid’s Christmas

Hello, Yá’át’ééh!

I am a new mom once again, the 6th time over. We had a little girl, her name is Natalia Ruth Begaye, she is now 2 months old. So, she and I accepted Ruth Bloom’s job of doing the Kids’ Christmas for the school. I think we will have fun and are ready too on days we are free from appointments and, you know, mommy duties. Please meet our little precious.

But at the same time, please pray for us as we take on another job—that we are able to do it and make good decisions. We will be making gift bags for the students including toys, winter wear, hygiene supplies, and candy.

As far as donations for this, I am going to accept anything you send, I cannot say what is needed right now. What we receive will be greatly appreciated.  So thank you in advance,

Natalie Begaye

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Preschool definitely looks different this fall!

I have been able to make regular weekly home visits to work with many of my students.  We are working on social skills as well as academic skills, but sharing has been a tricky thing during this pandemic.  On one home visit, I had a balloon for the preschooler but not for her older sister.  The older sister said, “PLEASE, can I play with your balloon?!” and the preschooler looked at her like she was crazy and answered, “Um, NO…  GERMS!!”   Preschoolers certainly know how to take advantage of  the pandemic when it serves their purposes.:) 

Anne Moffitt

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Adjusting

As the bookkeeper/accountant and editor of newsletters I have discovered that my life during this epidemic has changed very little.  Unbeknownst to me I have been quarantined for years.  I work alone in a private office.  Because of the shape and size of the desk, if someone comes to speak with me they must stand 6 feet from where I sit.  My job has not changed at all.  My motto remains, “I think I’ll just be happy today.”

Ruth Bloom

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Remote Learning teaches me thankfulness.

Every morning I text 8 -10 families to remind them to get on Zoom in 10 minutes.  It doesn’t come with a snooze feature, but I have called 30 minutes later if a kid still doesn’t show up so I guess it actually does.

A new 6th grader wasn’t being successful at his school and has enrolled in our school.  Miss Kelli is teaching Acts and he asked what “saved” meant.  It is exciting to get to teach him about the Lord Jesus.

The 2nd graders are saying their memory verses to their moms.  Mr. Jim got to hear Mom and Grandma quote the 2nd grader’s verse as a result of helping him learn it.  They wanted the prize of a Sweetwater sticker—which IS pretty cool.

Several non-students are watching our chapels on the Immanuel Mission School Facebook page each week.  Immanuel’s message is heard here and even to the remotest part of the earth. God is with us all.

Teachers are going above and beyond with home visits every week and personal zoom calls or phone calls daily. You could still help us here by teaching a science unit remotely.  Or connect me with someone who might be interested and willing to meet this need.

Anne Denny/Principal

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Teaching via Zoom comes with challenges!

During the school day, the student’s laptops sometimes cut out totally, or are muted at one end or the other, or a well-meaning teacher bumps the laptop  UNINTENTIONALLY  and suddenly EVERYBODY DISAPEARS!!  There is a delay in sound between my student and me according to how far away they live and some of the time a teacher from down the hall or at  Red  Mesa high school is over heard during the class.   Little brothers and sisters are much more entertaining than a  teacher and so are cats, puppies, grammas and older siblings.  One of my students, today,  was suddenly outside  (the lovely blue of the sky gave that away) and then  I saw the interior of a vehicle over his head.  He found a quiet place and was able to hear me from then on.   When  all  9 students are present on Zoom, it is a thrill!  (It still isn’t easy — because they often ask questions at the same time, BUT IT IS still thrilling.)  Thank you for praying for us; each prayer helps and knowing that you are praying for us lightens the load.    Becky Knopf