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We have an idea that we hope will help them and us too.  We plan to call it Community Financial Assistance Program. This program will be open to those who are in need of money.  They can weave Navajo rugs to receive the money they need instead of getting money from one of us without earning it.  They usually say they want to borrow money but mostly they don’t pay it back.

This program can work with your support.  I would like to ask if you would like to buy a Navajo rug.  You can order it from our program.  I would oversee the weaving of the rugs.  Each person would be paid for the work they complete.  I would keep in touch with you and mail it to you when it is finished.  We want to teach our community that they also can give to others as we give to them.

Here are a couple of things I’d like to share with you.

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.  I say, time to give and a time to get.”  (Ecclesiastes 3:1 – NIV)

“Solomon had conducted an exhaustive survey of all the activities, employments, and pursuits that God has given to man to occupy his time.”  (Believers Bible Commentary on Ecclesiastes 3:10)

Lorena Herbert

We want to give you who donated school supplies a big THANKS for the wonderful things you sent. We especially liked the atomic classroom clocks that have their time automatically set to the second.. A signal from somewhere in Colorado resets them each night. We got all the supplies we needed. Things that weren’t sent in boxes were purchased with money that some folks sent to fill in the gaps. We are very grateful for your support. We don’t want for anything at this time and have what we will need for the rest of the year. We are praising the Lord and thanking you, His servants.

Ruth Bloom

• 90 students
• 7 seniors
• 3 new teachers
• New computer lab nearing completion
• Vo-tech program in the works  (fund started for new building)

• Still need elementary teachers
• Need bus drivers
• Need maintenance man
• Salvation of students

Dear praying friends,
 
I apologize for not communicating well this summer. There were not many staff at the mission this summer but we still hosted 6 youth groups. Our son Johnny spent five weeks here helping. Much work was accomplished and the Word was given out in over 30 homes. We remodeled one of the staff homes and nearly finished the new house. Some more work teams are scheduled for the fall to help us as we still do not have a maintenance man. We are looking for retired couples that could come for a month at a time to help out. Would you spread the word of the need and this possible solution.
 
We have started school with enough staff. It was exciting to see God provide when it seemed impossible. Ruth’s niece Melissa Meinzinger has come to teach kindergarten – she has 10 wiggly little learners. Darrell and Barbara Valdois, a retired couple from Hutchinson, Ks., have come as well. Barbara is teaching English and Geography and art and is the librarian. Darrell is teaching the science classes and hopefully will get certified to drive bus. Two other couples are praying about coming but so far God has not opened the door. Ruth has taken on the work of mission treasurer which is a huge job. She is doing a great job but would be very relieved if God sent someone else to take over.
 
Several of the teachers are carrying heavy loads. Anne Denny is teaching 4th grade, high school math and driving a bus route. Megan is teaching 6 hours a day and driving a bus route. Please pray for them as well as all the staff. God is providing Navajo staff to do mechanic work and janitorial. Maybe bus drivers as well.  I am teaching several classes as well as driving the bus twice a day and doing all the coaching. (one benefit of that is that I am getting badly needed exercise almost daily). God is giving extra strength and several have written and called that they have been burdened to pray for us. For this we are especially grateful.
 
Johnny is off to Emmaus Bible College this week. He completed two years at Hutchinson Community College and will finish his BA at EBC. God wonderfully provided several large scholarships to enable him to attend without borrowing any money. I think God blessed him for giving his summer to the Lord’s work instead of secular employment. Isn’t that just like God?
 
Ruth and I were able to attend a family reunion in Maine in July on my mother’s side. Mom was also able to attend albeit with a walker. There were over 60 in attendance. One special treat was to spend time with my brother Stan whom we have not seen very often as he lived in Alaska for 30 years. We also visited other family and friends in the area.
 
We are very encouraged and thank you for your faithful prayers for us.
 
John & Ruth Bloom

Dear praying friends       

We are fast approaching the end of another school year. We will have three seniors graduating on May 13th. We have had a great year but face major changes with a number of staff leaving. Douglas’, Niningers, Ribbeys and Michelle are all leaving at the end of school. As of now we have no firm replacements for them. We need a kindergarten teacher, HS teacher (either science or math or English), 2nd grade teacher, maintenance man and bookkeeper. Also, a bus driver but we are going to try to get a local Navajo to do that. Please pray for God to supply those needed.

We enjoyed the fellowship of a youth group from Kenosha, Wisconsin last week. We made good progress on the new house as well as the new computer lab. The youth did special chapels and crafts with our students.

We have been excited about new outreach into the community. The mission ladies are reaching out to unchurched neighbors with a Wed night craft class. About 7 or so ladies have been coming on a regular basis. These are people who have never come to church or a Bible study. However, most of them came to our Easter sunrise service because of relationships built on Wednesdays. There is a prayer and share time at the end of the craft class. Pray for salvation for these ladies.

We have a number of youth groups lined up for the summer. We anticipate getting a lot of work done and ministry in the community. However, with so many leaving it will be more intense for those left. Pray for endurance.

We praise the Lord that Ranson has gotten some relief from his back pain and is now working in the bus barn again. He anticipates being full time there in the fall. Please pray for him and Lula and support them if you can.

We have approved the construction of a shop building which will house our auto mechanics and wood shops. We have started a fund for financing the construction – probably next year. Contributions to the fund should be marked “shop fund”. We have already had some interest in teachers for these programs so we are quite excited that this is God’s time. We are still waiting for ACSI approval for using this for reaccreditation. It should be approved any time now.

Even though we are facing significant staff turnover, there is no sense that God is indicating any major change in ministry or programs. We are instead excited to see how God is going to supply and what great things He has in store for IM. Thank you, though, for praying for us and please spread the word about the positions that need filling.

John & Ruth Bloom