August- Back to School

Dear Friends and Family,

HCS is part of Western Indian Ministries.

God is Good. We packed up a U-haul and trailer and moved to New Mexico last week without incident, and we’re starting to get into a rhythm now. We have two major tasks: to organize our house (trailer), and to organize our classrooms. Both involve billions of boxes. Hilltop Christian was closed last year, so the previous summer, the teachers had boxed up their classrooms. R opened all of the 3^rd and 4^th grade boxes to determine what he would need for his classroom this year. I did the same with the 1^st and 2^nd grade boxes. We’ve finally gotten our rooms looking ready, so tomorrow we will start preparing lesson plans and schedules.

School starts officially on Wednesday. We welcome the parents and children back with an Open House on Tuesday, so please be praying that it goes smoothly. I already have 11 enrolled in my 1 – 2 combo. I’m so excited! R has five enrolled so far, but has been assured that class sizes grow and shrink throughout the year, and many students don’t come until after Labor Day. Kindergarten and Preschool enrollment is very strong.

Another view of WIM.

We enjoy the staff here. It is different for us because Hilltop is not just a school; it is part of a Mission Station. We also have a Radio Station, Teen Ministries, and other community outreaches going on.  www.westernindian.org  When we arrived, the mission was hosting a work group from PA. Some were remodeling a dorm, but others were quite willing to help us in our classrooms. We are grateful for the hours they saved us! We loved hearing their stories about how God provided for them to come on this trip and how He blessed them abundantly while they served the Navajo people here.

This is part of our trailer. I love the background rocks.

Our music teacher is a fireball for Jesus. When she is not teaching keyboard and guitar, she is driving all over the Rez leading Bible Schools for the Navajo children. Her enthusiasm brightens my day. She was recently at a church service and two of her former students led worship. She got emotional as she related how Bud and Matt hadn’t been such star pupils in music, but now they were up in front boldly playing and singing. And that is what it’s all about – teaching the way of salvation and shepherding the young ones so they will be leaders in their own communities for the Lord.

Resting on the rocks behind our temporary lodging
in Holbrook

Thank you for your prayers and gifts.

We went on a hike just outside of Flagstaff.

www.hilltopchristian.net