October 27

October 27, 2013

Dear Prayer Friends,

Well, we had parent conferences this week, and in some ways it was like conferences we had with parents three decades ago and in other ways, far, far different. We were given a schedule, but we had no idea who would show up: a grandparent, a step-parent, an adoptive parent, or a whole blended family. On the whole, the teachers’ opinions were honored, and we were treated respectfully.

Look! We made a chicken coop.

And we came away with a wealth of information that should help us to understand our students better and encourage us. 

 As we knew, these children come from unfathomable circumstances. Moms admitted that they have their youngest children here because they don’t want to make the same “mistakes” they made with the older ones.

    In one class, only one of the girls has a mom.

    Our youngest student just turned six this week.

    Students can’t concentrate because they are allowed to watch all the TV they want or play video games all day when they are at home.

    Children have been allowed to raise themselves: (so they rebel at our authority).

    Children are bounced around to live with different people or are stressed because others have been removed from their families.

    Several children have serious language deficits probably due to understanding neither Navajo nor English spoken in the home during language formation time.

    One boy saw his mother being stabbed by one boyfriend and dumped out of the car by another. Most of the children have witnessed domestic violence.

    A short boy who has serious anger issues had health problems as a youngster, which explains his stature and gaps in his education.

    Moms admitted to going to Christian church and traditional Navajo ceremonies.

Yet, parents told us how their children have shown better attitudes at home.

    One boy insists that his adoptive parents pray before meals. (They are not Christians.) He also makes his sister write Bible verses when she acts up at home, which is a consequence he is quite familiar with.

    One girl has totally turned around her behavior and study habits, to the parents’ deep pleasure.

    One parent assured us that their children would be here for the duration because of the love and attention we lavish on her children.

    One parent cried when I prayed for her. I’m not sure anyone has prayed aloud for her and her child before.

    Parents are concerned about their child’s academic progress and are grateful that they are in a safe and loving environment.

Thank you for your prayers for our conferences. The Lord answered in wonderful ways.

The Everetts

Standin' on the corner of Winslow, Arizona...