January 20

Dear Friends,

Love those Peeps.

The Navajo Nation swore in its President, Mr. Ben Shelly, this week; but if you’ve seen anything on the news, you’ll know that he badly lost his re-election bid.  He is serving temporarily until another election. However, the election is in limbo until the lawmakers and the courts have sorted it all out.

They don't notice the cold when they play soccer.

Last August during the Primary, one of the winners was disqualified because he didn’t speak Navajo fluently.  The tribe’s high court ruled that the election between the two other highest vote-getters should be held by January 31^st, but the lawmakers approved a do-over where all of the previous 17 primary candidates would face off in a special election in June. You can imagine how the court deems this legislation as contempt, so it’s unclear what is really going to happen.

Recess

(If you followed that, that’s pretty good. It’s confusing.) The new council members were sworn in also, and because of a tie, the role of Speaker went to the fellow who won the coin toss. The New York Times calls this ‘the greatest political challenge in a generation: a power vacuum caused by a requirement that the President be fluent in the Navajo language.’ Many are wondering how they can move forward.

Central government is not a Navajo concept, but it was imposed on the Nation in the 1920s. The existing system has been in place since 1990. It is also interesting to me that there is no official constitution, but instead the nation is guided by a set of codes and a document outlining traditional values. The Medicine Men and their counsel are very much a part of the basis for government.

This situation seems to create more uncertainty and instability for a nation that is about the size of West Virginia. Many jobs are subject to the winds of politics, so people have some reason to be nervous. The Navajo Believers are praying for God’s sovereign will to be done. Pray with us for Christians to be elected to leadership and for the nation to seek the One True God.

* Here’s some gold from my class. One of my children started writing the words of the National Anthem (on his own). He erased the first copy, which was even more precious, but the “corrected’ copy is fun too.

Oh see can you see by the darts wood be light

What’s so prise wood we helled at the twise lass a swedee

Oos a stripe and wide star

Threw the pears a as spian

Or the rass wood speed was

Wor so glad wor we squeezie

And the rass get’s were breres

Of the Lord get’s rere grains

Gets threw of the thys

And the flag was still there

Oh see a that’s Star Spangled Bender then yard and pr---ay

Or the now then yard the pre---e

And the hol-----e of the bra----ve

Anyway, I love it that “The flag was still there”! That’s the point of the whole song!

Elementary students

*Pray for my new student to be able to catch up quickly.

*Pray that Roger will know how best to help those who are struggling in his class.

Thank you for your prayers.

Have a good week.

After-Care fun

January 11

Dear Friends,

This week I started on my resolutions: On Monday, I tore the shrink wrap off of my exercise DVD. On Wednesday, I popped it in and listened while doing dishes. How are you doing on your resolutions?

The third and fourth grade Bible lesson this week is on Elijah and the prophets of Baal.  Roger and I have been discussing how the Israelites did not deny the existence of the One True God; they added “practical” gods (rain, fertility, etc.) to the mix just to make sure. The Native American Tradition is syncretistic in much the same way. We have families who are not offended by Jesus or God because they will accept Him into the pantheon and say, ‘He’s the creator-god.” Some participate in events called “prayer-walks,” which are not really opportunities to bring petitions to the Great Almighty God, but are meant to draw attention to a cause such as man’s harming of mother earth. Because the language is similar, it can be confusing for our children. We are concerned for them and their responses.  We want them to understand that the God of the Universe is the One and Only God, and the One Way to God is only through His Son, Jesus Christ. You can see why we pray for the Holy Spirit’s wisdom and timing every day as we try to clearly present the truth in a loving and gentle way.

The Navajo people identify themselves by their clans when introducing themselves and even in the newspaper. For example, in an article about the Ultimate Arizona Cardinal Fan, she was identified as: Big Water Clan born for One Who Walks Around Clan. Her Maternal Grandfather is Towering House Clan and her Paternal Grandfather is Salt Clan. The clan system gives them a family support system and identity.

I just finished Sing Down the Moon by Scott O’Dell. It is historical fiction about the Long Walk to Fort Sumner the Navajos endured in the 1800s. It’s juvenile fiction and an easy way to learn more about the culture of the Navajos who made their home in Canyon de Chelly.  Some of the clans mention in the book were Bitter water, Under His Cover, Red-House, Trail to the Garden, Standing House, Red Forehead, and Poles Strung Out. These are mentioned on p. 90, and I couldn’t help but notice that they can be related to Bible stories and characters. It seems that many peoples carry the seed of the truth in their religions and culture. Last year one of my students got greatly offended when I told the class that their religion had lost the whole truth and they needed to return to the God of the Bible.

We praise God that we had water this Sunday morning. The two previous Sundays we didn’t. There is something to be said for Saturday night bath-night. It’s been warming up here during the day but still freezing at night. We see that many of you are experiencing extreme weather too.

Thank you for your prayers and thoughts.

January 5

Dear Friends,

Snow for Christmas and New Years

What a ‘vacation’ we have had -- two snowstorms: one that necessitated a Gallop stay and the other kept us in Albuquerque longer than expected-- frozen water pipes, blown fuses, loss of power area-wide, lack of hot water … It will be great to get back to normal. We did enjoy the visit from our David and my brother and celebrating Christmas with them (late). The snow/ice covered roads filled in the pot-holes, so the drives were slippery, but not bumpy. They loved God’s creation here, especially Canyon de Chelly (pronounced Shay), which we plan to revisit in the summer.

My class will be missing one student tomorrow because the family is planning to move. This child could potentially ‘fall through the cracks,’ so pray that this is a good move for him. I’ve heard rumors that another one might not be returning, but nothing is official. These children have unsettled lives to begin with, so we pray that he will remain in a stable place.

Fun in a shoebox!

It was fun to celebrate Christmas with the children. People love gift-giving no matter what culture they are from! They all became familiar with the Biblical Christmas story and learned many traditional Christmas songs. My mom had quite a few holiday pins, so each girl got one for her very own. However, I think they were more thrilled with the ‘Frozen’ stocking I put it in. They were so excited about their shoebox of gifts from Mr. Tiger’s home church and their big toy from Toys for Tots.

Now, just for fun December incidents:

·      One boy, who is perpetually in trouble and struggles with grades, was given a spontaneous round of applause when someone noted that he had not gotten his name on the board all day!

·      A girl discovered that my first name was Sara, but she knew it would be disrespectful to call me Sara instead of Mrs. Everett or Teacher. I told her it was just like she called her mom “mom” instead of her first name. She stared at me and responded, “My mom doesn’t have a first name.”

Who are these cute kids?

·      A boy informed me that his older brother was covered with tattoos. Then he said, “My brother used to be bad, but now he knows Jesus.” (Hallelujah!)

·      Roger was checking out the boys’ behavior in the restroom, and he heard one of my boys in the stall singing “Stand up, Stand up for Jesus.”

Making a paper chain

·      The first graders are still puzzled about the deity of Jesus. You should have seen the looks of incredulity when I told them that Jesus was much smarter than Mrs. Everett. (Maybe they just couldn’t believe I said that.)

·      Roger asked the children to journal on what they would like for Christmas. One boy wrote: I just want to be with my family (awww) … and get an Ipad.

Anyway, we’ve cleared away the Christmas decorations, finished the fruitcake, written the thank-you notes, and are ready to begin again. Roger will have a new fourth grade girl, so please pray that she fits in well and he has the wisdom to reach her academically and spiritually.

Blessings

With family at Window Rock.

December 14

Shepherds

Dear Friends and Family,

We’re on the brink of Christmas break—just one more week!  Hilltop had a heart-warming Christmas program last Thursday night. The kids were cute (as usual), and the “mistakes” just made it more fun. The best part was sharing the Christmas story with the family members of the students, and it was quite a large crowd! We prayed in class all last week that our voices would bring glory to God just like the angel voices on the first Christmas.  We were praying that God would bring people who did not know Jesus and make the message clear to them.  The program was a success, and we pray that there will eternal consequences.

So Sweet!

With our program behind us, we now focus on Christmas celebration (special classroom activities and a party on Friday) and, most importantly, on communicating the Christmas Story more clearly to our students. One student wrote she believed in Santa and Jesus. We want them to understand as best they can the mystery of the incarnation (challenge spelling word in 3^rd/4^th grade.)  Our Bible verse is John 1:14.  We are eager for our students to respond with awe and worship as they marvel at the truth that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. It is not about the “natural” order of the world or the gods of the world. It is about the Creator God becoming man for us.  Amazing truth, amazing love!

We had snow on Saturday.

The 3rd and 4^th grade has been reading The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (highly recommended Christmas reading). In the story some ruffian kids take over the church Christmas Pageant. The ruffians hear the Christmas story for the first time, and the pageant takes on a whole new meaning as the church people experience the story through the eyes of children hearing it for the first time. The truth is: We don’t just want our students to understand Christmas. We all need time to meditate and wonder at what God has done for us.

Please pray for us this week as we try to make Biblical Christmas real for our students. Also pray that our students will see the immense ramifications of this truth and respond with faith and love.

I wanted to share this also. Last time we asked prayer for a young missionary who suffered some small strokes. And now the rest of the story, which I just found out. Before the strokes, our staff was at a retreat where one of the speakers talked about how to talk to a person who was contemplating suicide. Scott, at the hospital that evening, was lying next to a man who expressed his hopelessness and wish to end it all. Scott said, “All I could think about was drawing my next breath, but I knew the Lord had prepared me for just this moment – to make a difference for this man.” Wow!

May God Bless you richly,

Our friends get married!

With boys from last year's class.

Enjoying the wedding festivities.

My girls from last year are growing up!

December 1

Navajo Nuggets

12/1/14

Navajo Rug- San Francisco Peaks

According to Scott, a missionary on this station, this whole area is a river of sand. The surface fluctuates due to precipitation, drought, winds, etc., so the buildings that are intended to stand the test of time should be built on a special floating foundation.

The region is hilly, and as the water flows through here, things can shift rather quickly. Most people in Tse Bonito live in mobile homes that must be leveled every few years. Our trailer hadn’t been leveled in awhile, and one end was about a foot lower than the other.  Our bedroom was at the bottom of the slope, making it easy to get into bed but hard to get out.  J  We needed a reset foundation of concrete blocks and skirting to make it right.

At least a trailer can be re-leveled. The buildings on the site also suffer from this shifting. For example, there is a giant crack down the middle of the aisle of our church.

When they built the new government building near here, they had to put piers 50 feet into the ground, and it is on tracks so it can adjust to the movement of the earth. (Don’t ask me how they do this.)

The Navajo Nation is literally and figuratively built on shifting sands. Many struggle because they strive to fit Christianity into their tradition. Our Father, God, is accepted as their creator god. They use the English word “pray,” but it might mean making an offering of corn pollen to the rising sun. Our church is planning a prayer walk down at the Nation’s offices this month. We’ll pray for the election of the President and the Holy Spirit to bring Salvation through Jesus.

With my brother
at CBU - our Alma Mater

As you know, I  was in California for two weeks. Thank you for your prayers for us during this time. My mom struggled so much with back pain, and now she is free from that physical agony. She had not built her life on shifting sands, but had trusted in Jesus as her Savior. The morning she passed, she looked different to me. I did not have words of my own, but I spoke God’s words to her – words of assurance and peace. My brother and I held her hands and prayed with her. Her blood pressure dropped, her breathing became shallow, and she relaxed. The Lord gave my mom and us peace in her passing. She was lying there surrounded by children who love her, and the next breath she drew was in the presence of the Lord and loving relatives.*

Prayer Requests:

ü  One of our missionaries here had several small strokes. Pray for him to rest and recover fully.

ü  Our classes as we present the Christmas story -- that they marvel with us that God sent His Son.

Window Rock and Code Talkers' Memorial

We drove through Sedona on our way back. Beautiful.

*Because He Lives (v.3)- Gaither

And then one day I’ll cross that river. I’ll fight life’s final war with pain.

And then as death gives way to victory, I’ll see the lights of glory and I’ll know He lives.

Nov. 2

Dear Friends,

Jesus is more like a Navajo than a Biligaana (white person).  Jesus has brown skin, lived in a culture familiar with shepherds, was attached to his family, and was given identity by his tribal (clan) ancestry.

Jesus came from a people who were very connected to the land – the Land of Promise, which God had given Abraham. When the desert wind beats me and the cold bites, I say, “Who would want to live here?” But the Navajo have a spiritual and emotional devotion to this land. They wish to be “free people in their own land.” Not unlike the nation of Israel.

Cowboy chuck wagon

Tiger Tots learning about Nutrition

The Navajo are proud people who resist Christianity as a white man’s religion, saying, “We have our own way.” They are a people of rituals and practices that give their lives meaning as they seek the “Beauty Way” to keep them balanced in this crazy life.

Real Jr. Cowboys

We are seeking wisdom on ways to teach our school-children better – for even if they know phonics and multiplication, if they don’t know Jesus, our teaching has been unprofitable. So, as we tell our Bible stories, we endeavor to make them more real by connecting with what we know about the Navajo land and culture.

Cowboy hat day

Please pray for the elections this week: Here in the Navajo Nation, they will probably vote for everything except the President.  Dine’ Bizaad (Navajo language) is central to the Navajo and the preservation of the culture.  The President is required to be fluent in Navajo.  One of the two candidates was recently disqualified because of lack of fluency in the language.  They will hold the election for all offices except president.  (That election will be held at a later date.) We pray that they will eventually vote for a Christian man to lead their land.

Best Test Answers of the Week:

Q. What did Daniel Boone build at the end of his explorations?

A. Boonies Burgers (correct answer is Boonesborough)

Q. Why did the Pilgrims leave England?

A. It was too cold.

We love you and pray God’s blessings on your lives,