Category: Newsletters

I am the new bus driver here at the Mission. The following is an attempt at relating the events that led up to my employment here at Immanuel Mission: While visiting my brother Willard, John discovered I was old enough to drive bus and was not at the time engaged in regular employment. He then offered me a job and after some consideration I accepted. And so begins a harrowing tale fraught with driving tests, drug test, more drug tests, first aid and CPR tests, fingerprinting tests (calling this a test goes under the heading of creative license), you name it, if it can be tested they did it! By the Lord’s grace I succeeded in passing all the above.

One new experience for me was the chance to teach archery as part of PE here at the school. While a lot of the students here are more into the modern culture than I am, it still seems funny for a white fellow to be teaching Indians how to shoot a bow.
Since coming here I have been able to spend much more time studying the Holy Scriptures due to the slower pace of life. While there are other things that I enjoy about living here this has had the most significant impact on my outlook on life and the future.
In him who bore our sin,
Isaiah Shannon

Proverbs 3:1-7 My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: So shalt thou find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man. Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

Isaiah Shannon

I am the new Kindergarten teacher here at Immanuel Mission for the 2012-13 school year.  I’m from Livermore, California.  I come from a family of teachers.  My father is a P.E. Teacher and coach, my brother teaches Social Science, and my sister is a Special Education Aide as she pursues becoming a Speech Pathologist.  After my second Mission trip to Immanuel Mission this last summer, I realized I loved the people and Mission here. I mentioned this to a dear mentor of mine and she told me that Immanuel Mission is looking for a Kindergarten teacher. My first thought was I’m not qualified. She said I didn’t need a degree. Then I thought, I couldn’t do this. But my mind kept going and I prayed without ceasing about this opportunity.I came home and mentioned this to my parents and they supported me from the start. With my parents back up, I emailed John Bloom to get some of the logistics and ask what the qualifications are for this job. He told me that they would prefer that their teachers have at least a bachelor’s degree and that a woman with one was interested in this job. Since it is kindergarten they have some leeway, and they still could use some help. Later I emailed him back asking if I could come and help wherever they need me. His response was that now they needed a kindergarten teacher because the other person was being called elsewhere and… how soon could I come? So within the next two weeks, I made all the arrangements and boarded a plane to Durango on August 9. Until school started on the 20th, I participated in training and tried to make a home out of a trailer. I did not know exactly what I needed or what my new little home would look like but I knew God was in the details. People at home were shocked by my sudden decision.  But I believe God does not call the enabled, He enables the call. In Matthew 4, Jesus asked plain old fishermen to “Come, follow me” and Simon Peter and Andrew left their nets and followed Jesus. And so did I.

I am the new second grade teacher here at Immanuel Mission School. I am from Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. I used to think I lived in a small town, but then I moved here and realized I was wrong. I graduated from Liberty University in May 2012 with a dual endorsement in both elementary and special education. I have a love for children and I really want to do something to help them and to make a difference in their lives. In the winter of 2012, I had the opportunity to complete the elementary portion of my student teaching here at Immanuel Mission. During that time, I saw the great need that exists in this community and I realized what a wonderful ministry opportunity exists here. Shortly after leaving, John contacted me about returning to teach second grade the following year. This was a big decision for me because I felt like I left a piece of my heart at Immanuel Mission; and yet the fear of the unknown complicated things. I spent about a month prayerfully considering the opportunity and God gave me peace and assurance that this is where I was to go and serve.Now I have been teaching here for a whole marking period and I’m having the experience of a lifetime. I have eight precious students in my class and I couldn’t be enjoying them more! I am not only a teacher to these kids, but also a guidance counselor, a nurse, and a mom. It’s a large role to fill, but I love it! My favorite times of the day are Bible class and journal time. I love reading my students’ writing and it’s a great way for me to learn more about them. During Bible class, I really enjoy seeing the students’ reactions as I tell them Bible stories. For some of my students, these are stories they have never heard before. It is incredible to see the way God has put a desire in each child to want to learn more about Him and get to know Him better. Throughout this whole journey, I have seen the faithfulness of God. He has reassured me that this is where He has called me to go. One of my favorite quotes is, “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” A verse that has been a real encouragement to me lately is Acts 20:24, “I don’t care about my own life. The most important thing is that I complete my mission, the work that the Lord Jesus gave me—to tell people the Good News about God’s grace.”

Julie Snyder

“With man this would be impossible but with God all things are possible.”   Matthew 19:26.

This verse inspired the name of our youth group that started 3 years ago this fall.  EPIC (Endless Possibilities In Christ) started with 3 students from our school coming and sitting and listening to the speakers share about the Lord.  Now we are in our 3^rd year and we have an average of 20 young people coming every Tuesday playing games together, singing praise songs, listening closely to the message being preached, and even wanting to share their own testimonies.  What a difference!  3 years ago when we started this ministry I had no idea how the Lord would use it.  This year we have had a student, and even one week a parent that comes, share their testimony and how they are seeing the Lord work in their lives and what they are learning about Him, EVERY week!  We also have a great singing time. 3 years ago none of the students wanted to sing, now they are requesting songs to sing!  We even have young men that are asking if they could speak and wanting to learn how to teach others about Jesus.  If you would have told me 3 years ago that this was even a possibility I might have just smiled a little at your optimism but the Lord has been so faithful!  At the beginning I had no idea what the Lord would do and He continues to show me that with Him all things truly are possible.  We would greatly appreciate continued prayer for our young people and that we would be able to keep reaching other young people with the gospel and that the ministry would continue to grow and glorify the Lord.  Thank you for your prayers and support.

I recently updated a blog (ImmanueLights.wordpress.com) where I get to brag about my students.  One day when I graded a writing assignment, I was really pleased with one of my eighth grader’s response.  So I formatted it for my blog, but didn’t post it yet because I wanted her approval.  When I called her back to my desk at the end of the day to show her what I was wanting, I was expecting her to be shy and say that she’d be embarrassed if I posted it, but then finally agree.  Instead when I expressed that I was impressed with her work, I received the biggest smile I’ve ever seen from her.  She was so pleased that I was pleased and so proud to have her work displayed on the internet.  When I first started the blog, my intention was for it to be a place to share prayer requests.  I had no idea the Lord had other plans for it.  His plan involved making this one girl feel valued and respected.  God is good.

Kelli Wilson

It is another great and rewarding year helping here at the Mission doing what the Lord wants me to do.  It is my second year of teaching Navajo language and culture.  As a Navajo, I recognize and observe that we appreciate our unique language and culture that the Lord has given us and that we have to pass it down to younger generations so that they know who they are, know their relatives, and honor their people.  Teaching language and culture can bring a society forward without losing identity and I am happy to be a part of this with the Lord’s guidance.  With our language we can rejoice unto the Lord with song and prayer.  Under His care and love we move forward.

Esther Yazzie

This past month, I met Him in:

• 2 co-workers who willingly took (fruitless) trips with me – in efforts to clear up the mess involving my Saturn’s VIN,**
• 2 sisters who sent me checks that were very much needed, and out-of-the-blue,
• an insurance agent who went ‘above and beyond’ her duty for me,
• an AZ MVD agent who admitted her error of 6 years ago,
• a young co-worker who stopped to let me know she was praying for me,
• and one who reminded me that I am NOT the only person struggling in life.

I probably didn’t even notice all the other times JESUS came to me, but these alone cause me to praise and thank HIM  afresh.  Watch for Him; He’ll come by your house today.  I’m just sure of it!

** The rest of the story – I have to return (yet again) to Chinle to pick up my title and registration, and that should be the end of it!

Becky Knopf

As a ‘Missionary’ we occasionally get a job like that.  This past week I had to build an outhouse.

Now before you feel too badly for me I should mention that I built the outhouse in the bottom of Canyon De Chelly, twenty miles from the entrance to the Canyon.  De Chelly is a world class destination where visitors spend hundreds of dollars riding in 4-wheel drive sightseeing trucks and they all say “it was worth every penny!”.  The Canyon boasts sheer thousand foot cliffs, ancient cottonwood groves (now a flaming yellow), and stunning Cliff dwellings. It really is a nature photographers dream.  And I had to drive my Jeep way past the point where all the tourists turn around…sigh.  Actually the driving is part of the fun because the canyon is usually “4-wheel drive all the way.”  This week the sand was so deep that a mistake would quickly lead to a badly stuck Jeep and a very long hike out.

After a rough two hour drive the road ended in an apple orchard at the base of towering purple tinged cliffs.  At this elevation the canyon is filled with trees;  pines, oaks, and an aspen or two.  We got out, climbed a short hill up to the landowners cabin and looked around.  “Stunning” is the only word that describes it.

(Now – just a quick question for the atheists among us.  Why is the world filled with so much beauty if there is no designer?!?)

Keeping one eye on the scenery we chose a spot to build our temporary outhouse.  The point of this whole trip is to prepare for a longer stay to rebuild the decaying log cabin.  (“If you need any help when you put on the roof – just give me a call…hint, hint.”) We dug a pit, placed the “throne” over the hole (I built a box with a toilet seat on it at home), and then hung oak branches on a frame as a wall.  The landowner said that on his next visit he was going to bring a magazine rack.  The view from “the throne” is so amazing that it makes one want to just sit awhile…a very long while.

By four o’clock the sun had slipped behind the cliffs and the shadows were turning the canyon into multiple shades of blue and gold and we were a long two hour drive from the start of civilization.

It was a dirty job, But I sure hated to finish it…

Greg Staley

Dear, Brothers & Sisters in Christ

Over the past four years here at Immanuel Mission, I have learned much both spiritual and physical. Plumbing, furnaces, new construction, water coolers, car repairs and conversion, minor computer tech work, long distance running, summer work groups, Jeeping, and Gods provision through it all. God has used all of these things in teaching me about Him and how awesome and powerful a God my Jesus is. It truly has been a blessing working and getting to know my family in Christ here. As the weather is getting colder and the leaves of the trees change, so also my life will be making a season change this next summer/fall (2013). I’m planning on moving to Texas for another ministry/learning opportunity. Please be praying for another maintenance man to take over when I leave. This summer my brother came down to visit and help out. He is driving bus this year and is my roommate. I really enjoy having him around and couldn’t ask for a better roommate. Please be praying for me as I strive to be more like Christ and that I would be sensitive to Gods working in my life. Thank you so much for your prayers and support.

Your brother in Christ, Willard Shannon

We’ve been busy this summer with nine work groups helping us out. The groups came from Oklahoma, Missouri, Colorado, Iowa, California, Illinois, and Kansas. Our main project has been to build a new duplex at the mission. It is nearly complete as we will lay carpet and tile this week, then install kitchen cabinets. Also, several have professed salvation at the VBS programs that the youth groups do in many homes around the Mission. School starts Aug 20th and God has provided all the teachers we need.

John Bloom