November 16

All through the night, all through the night,

The Savior has been watching over me.

He saves me so sweetly, so neatly and completely

And washes in His all-atoning blood.

My sins are forgiven, I’m on my way to Heaven,

Walking in the smile of God.

This week as we sang this song in Bible Class, I shared this story from the Navajo Times.

Dateline: Window Rock, October 29, 2015

Navajo Nation police reported finding two boys, ages three and four, who had been lost in the woods overnight.

Aza and Tony had been hauling wood and picking piñons with their grandparents and aunt and had wandered off at about 2 PM. Family members had hunted hours for them in the area before reporting them missing. Police began search operations around 7PM and continued throughout the night as the temperatures plunged to the low 40s. The boys were found by their aunt at 7 AM just about a mile from where they had been last seen. They were dehydrated and hungry, but otherwise in good shape.

And now – the rest of the story:

Aza and Tony, looking for something more interesting to do, wandered away from their grandparents and got lost in the woods.

The police came out in full force with expert trackers, vehicles, medical units, and a helicopter – searching through the night. They found some footprints and coyote prints, which caused much concern.

The children were frightened. They fought off “zombies” (coyotes) and hid from the aliens (helicopter) and the scary men with guns. They clung to each other for warmth and eventually fell asleep under a tree.

After the sun had risen, the family resumed their search. Auntie repeatedly yelled their names, and Aza and Tony crept out of the woods, crying. “We got scared so we hid under a tree,” they tell their auntie.

While getting checked for injuries Aza (4) looks up at one of the officers and asks her, “Do you know who Jesus is?”

Pointing towards the sky, he continues, “Jesus was here. He watched over us.”

Jesus loves the little children.  All the children of the world.

Thank you for joining in our mission to love the children to Jesus.

Blessings

 

Support: Western Indian Ministries: http://www.westernindian.org/donate2/

P.O. Box 9090, Window Rock, AZ 86515

November 9

Matthew 6: 20 “Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in and steal.”

Dear Friends,

Dressed up for Picture Day

I’m overflowing with treasure today. Here are stories about witnessing experiences from students (who all profess to be Christians) that I taught two years ago. I am so blessed to see how they have grown.

(From Natalie, their current teacher)

The assignment was to approach someone and explain to him either a Christian tract or the Colors of Christ bracelet, and then give it to him as a gift.  I prayed for them earnestly throughout the weekend, and to good avail; for when they came back on Monday, here is what they wrote and then read aloud to the class.

Ada-

It was a rainy afternoon and my mom’s friend’s kids had come over.  All of a sudden I felt this fire-like reminder.  As we sat down to eat, I remembered my homework. I was nervous, but I said to myself, “Come on, let’s just over with it. Tell them about Christ.”  That same fire came upon me, and I was ready.  I took out my paper and bracelets.  I read and talked about the tracts.  Then I went to the bracelets.  They seemed very excited to have the bracelets.  I asked if they had any questions. One of them asked how did Jesus die?  I explained how Jesus died on the cross.

Jerry-

First snow (almost gone already)

I was at my house, and this guy knocked on the door asking for water.  So I got him a water bottle.  I took it to him, and I went back inside to watch T.V.  A few minutes passed, and I looked outside and I saw him still sitting there. This made me nervous, but I just went outside anyway.  The man looked at me, and I said, “Do you know Jesus?”  He responded,  “No, I don’t like any kind of religion because it’s just gonna cause problems.”  So I said, “Like what?”  He said, “Like when my mom died; I was praying asking God to heal her, but He didn’t, and she died right in front of me.”  So I said, “Sorry for your loss.”  He said angrily, “Now go back inside and leave me alone.” 

Clothing Give-Away for the Community

Lisa-

We were at the carnival in Gallup, and I was standing in front of these boys that were wanna bes.  They started talking to us.  We were laughing and stuff.  Then I asked if they knew God.  They got quiet and said, “No, why would I need Him?” Then my friend and I told them about God.  I showed them the bracelets.  I gave away both of them.  After that we said good-bye and departed.

(Natalie closed with: Our God is an awesome God, and these children surely are special!)

One more treasure: Halfway through last school year, a new first grader came who was six months behind the others. I tutored him, and by the end of the year, he was doing fine. Last month I happened to see his father as he picked the children up from school, and I asked him how things were going. He said he was going back to school to be a teacher. I guessed that he was going to teach high-schoolers computers or something like that since that’s what he did in the Marines. But he said, “No, I want to do what you do…. make a difference in the lives of the little ones.”

Won’t it be wonderful to meet people in heaven who have become Christians because of your investment of prayer and finances?

Support: Western Indian Ministries: http://www.westernindian.org/donate2/

P.O. Box 9090, Window Rock, AZ 86515

October 19

Nelson with a Code-Talker -- a real hero.

One of my first grade girls sauntered up to me wearing a midi-length skirt, sensible shoes, and a pink polo shirt. “Look at me, Mrs. E.  I’m you!”

Oh, no! When did I become someone’s fashion guru? When did I become a hero?

We’ve just attended the ACSI (Association of Christian Schools International) Nexus Conference. Several top-notch speakers inspired and informed teachers in venues around the world. Eric Metaxas, author of Miracles and Bonhoeffer spoke about heroes – snippets that I am writing to you.

He said every culture has heroes that transmit who is good and what is good. Heroes make us humble, and we owe them something. Because so much was given to us (for example to win our freedom and bring faith to our nation), we need to give back. In a way, we are called to be heroes to those among us.

We are not only called to be heroes, but we should be sharing stories of strong men and women. In a world populated with fantasy Superheroes, we are blessed with a history of heroes, from Jesus to Washington, from Nathan Hale to Abe Lincoln and Wilberforce. Metaxas urged us to tell the stories about the heroes who knew that evil is evil and it is unacceptable in any culture. Heroes give us confidence to affirm what is good and identify the wrong.

The ones we are inspiring today will determine the future. Each precious child has potential to be a world changer. Our job is to tell the young people how to live, who to be like, and who not to be like. To affect Eternity, I will share my faith, my life, and my God.

Inspiring the next generation.

This weekend we were talking to a fellow Christian School educator. He mentioned that he had taught the father of one of the students at Hilltop. He related that two years ago, this young dad messaged him and asked advice about where to send his own son to school, because the family embraces Traditional Navajo beliefs and Catholicism. Of course, the Christian urged him that the right place for his son to learn the Truth was at a Christian School. I was amazed to discover that the son is one of my students. I sometimes forget the struggle it is for parents to choose Hilltop. I’m so glad the Lord allowed me to know this information from a “random” conversation.

A Parade Princess accepts help to tie her moccasins.

We have parent-teacher conferences this week. Please pray that these go well for all of the teachers. We want to be full of grace and truth.

Blog: everettnavajo.blogspot.com

Support: Western Indian Ministries: http://www.westernindian.org/donate2/

P.O. Box 9090, Window Rock, AZ 86515

Sept 27, 2015

Friends put together this montage for us.

Dear Praying Friends,

A wonderful California couple that comes to Western Indian Ministries to serve – especially with the construction on the campus -- lost their home in the Butte fire this month.

This is their story from FaceBook (used with permission):

September 5: We’ve been chosen as Missionaries of the Month for our church. Preparing a report.

September 10: Fires raging in California. The Butte fire is of concern. We are listening to the scanner. Sections of this fire are almost six miles from us as the crow flies. Church family have evacuated. Their homes are gone.

September 11: Packing our vehicles. What a dilemma. So many precious mementos reminding us of brothers and sisters all over the world.  Pray.

Sept. 11: Denise and I and Brandi and Caleb (two of our grown children) are bone-weary, but ready to leave. We had one hour warning from the authorities.

Sept. 11: 4:45 Caravan evacuated.

Professional photo by John Slot.

Sept. 11: PM: Safe at a friend’s house.

Fire has burned 64,000 acres. Is 10% contained.

No word when we can check on our house.

Sept. 12: Worshipping at church. Such an outpouring of love and support!

Sept. 12: Got to pray with service providers and evacuation staff today before going to our property.

Sept. 12: Pictures of the burned down house, yard, and equipment shed full of tools for the Construction business. Hard to post. My strength comes from the Lord. Pray for all those in the fire zone.

We know of 8 who have lost their houses besides us. – all families in the body of Christ.

Sept. 13: Forgot to pack clothes. Need to go shopping.

Professional photo by John Slot

It appears that our house became the firebreak and every other home south of us was saved. God is providing for us. Our insurance company will allow us to be our own contractors for the rebuild and has even listed Loving Touch Design and Remodeling as an approved company to rebuild other homes lost by the fire, which would allow us to employ members of Christ family to rebuild theirs' and others’ houses. I pray that it can be said that, "the 'faith' is strong with this one" and that on the end an agent of evil will repent and return to the faith declaring " 'HE' saved us, 'Christ' saved us all.”

Leaving for the mission as scheduled on Wednesday this week. All Glory and Honor and Praise to our God and more thanks than I can express to all of you.

The Lord will provide a new home.

Sept. 14: The Butte Fire has been called the 15^th largest wildfire in CA history. Mountain Ranch is a former historic mining town of about 16,000. Residents feel responsible to protect the town. Used tractors to create a firebreak around the historic town center.

Sept.14: God has a purpose for your pain, a reason for your struggles, and a gift for your faithfulness. Don’t ever give up.

Sept.15: Still burning, but God sent rain on Rosh Hashanah! Firefighters are gaining control.

Sept.16: Leaving for Western Indian Ministries. A group is coming from PA to work on the dorm.

Sept.17: Seven cats still missing. Chickens gone.

Sept 18: When you feel you’re drowning in life’s situations, don’t worry. Your lifeguard walks on water.

Sept 19: Shared in church at Tse Bonito (Navajo Nation) how the Lord has blessed. Our insurance is great. We will be able to replace our home and contents (and Caleb’s and Brandi’s trailers.) People have donated so many things. Our CA church took an offering. An amazing amount! God’s blessings overflow. We’re sharing it with others who have lost their homes.

Sept. 19: Heard that the chinchilla died. Denise is at a Women’s Retreat. When the camp heard about our house, they paid her registration. Praise the Lord.

Sept. 19: Fire is 63% contained. Has destroyed hundreds of homes. Might have been started by a power line coming in contact with a tree.

 

Sept. 20: Lost my prayer shawl from Israel. Garfield is back, along with two more cats. Isaiah 43:2 HE is always with us.

Sept 21: Was just hired to rebuild another house lost in the fire. Will work out with us hiring this brother in Christ and his family/friends as builders. His insurance money pays us for him to build his home with us supervising!

The whole area looks like this now.

Sept 21: All glory to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as He demonstrates His love for His children in the midst of crisis. Just learned that two trailers have been donated so we can live on our property as we rebuild.

Sept 23: Tons of work getting done this week at the dorm at Western Indian Ministries.