August 1

President and VP join with Teen Mission Representatives at a Planning Meeting.

Exciting things are happening; and it isn’t even that Teacher Orientation is upon us, or we are anticipating a great staff retreat, or that Teen Mission reported a successful boot camp for the Navajo Youth, or that I found evidence of mice in my classroom. These are exciting times for the Navajo Christians, and I’ll let these notes from WIM’s director, Chuck Harper, tell you about the Navajo Pastors’ Summit.

“The Navajo Christian Leadership Summit will be a remarkable event. The Navajo President’s office has called for a Christian Leadership Summit, which will take place on August 19 and 20, and will be held on the Western Indian Ministries campus.

“Over 75 Navajo Pastors and Christian Leaders have been meeting for several months to plan this event! This comes as our new Navajo Nation President and Vice President have called the Christian Pastors together to stimulate an environment for collaboration and challenge the Navajo Church to be more engaged in serving each other. As the pastors and leaders have met, they have expanded on this challenge and identified some of the key issues that the Native Christian Church faces. These will be addressed at this summit.

“Words can’t explain the kind of unity and eager spiritual expectancy that has been exhibited at our [planning] meetings. In all my years of ministry here, I have never been part of such a broad spectrum of Christian Leadership who are so willing to work together and pray together with such fervency. This is a remarkable first in my years of ministry experience.

“Part of the program includes a session with the Navajo President and Vice President. (They have both openly stated that God has put them in office to help bring the Gospel to the Navajo People). Another session will address legal issues that are specific to Navajo Churches and Navajo Law.

“We will have break-out sessions on leadership, suicide prevention, marriage and family issues, Native masculinity, and a youth track.

Work teams have helped this summer.

“I [Chuck Harper, WIM Director] think this is significant for several reasons:

1. I believe that the coming of the Lord is soon! This event will help us accelerate our efforts in sharing the Gospel with the Navajo Nation!

2. This will help us return to our roots of serving and equipping the Navajo / Native Christian Church.

3. This will help us get to know many others and build relationships with those serving in God’s kingdom!

4. This helps us optimize the resources God has given us… It is no coincidence that God has placed us here in Window Rock/Tse Bonito and given us a 78+-year history.

“I hope you can see all that God is doing, and that our ministry is relevant to the needs and people we are here to serve. I count it a true joy to serve along with you.

Another school year around the corner.

“This is truly a remarkable time on God’s calendar! I am convinced that we are on the threshold of seeing God work in new and mighty ways. We must hold fast to the Word of God, be constant in our faith, and trust in HIM alone.”

Thank you for praying for us and for Western Indian Ministries.

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

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

June 14

We celebrate the season of promotions and graduations in May and June.  The Hilltop Christian first graders were eager to know if they were in second grade on the last day of school or in August. Technically, since they all passed, they will be second graders when I see them playing baseball this summer. :)

The kindergarten class practiced their program for us.

The Kindergarten Graduation was the only one at Hilltop because the fifth graders will be going into our newly added 6^th grade. Although preparing a grand promotion ceremony is work and stress for the teacher, the parents and grandparents love it!  The traditionally dressed children recite the Bible verses they’ve memorized for each letter of the alphabet. They sing in English and Navajo and exhibit their math skills. What a joyful day!

My students are nervous and excited.

         We were happy to celebrate graduation at Native American Christian Academy (NACA, formerly Sun Valley Indian School), where we taught two years ago. Two of my 6^th grade students (now 8^th graders) graduated.  I was so proud of their Christian testimonies, their character, and academic progress. Each graduate spoke, and I’ve printed a sentence from my girls’ thoughts.

“God gave me the courage to talk about Jesus Christ with my parents and tell them how He helped me through things. He also helped me witness boldly.” - LH

 “I will never forget this school because this school has led and taught me more about Christ. The school showed me the way to walk toward heaven. Here at the school, I accepted Christ and was baptized in the name of Jesus. For I am like an alien, who is not of this world. For I am a daughter of Jesus and my home is with him.” - AB

They look ready for the next step.

It doesn’t feel like we left Maryland so long ago, but the class I had for 7^th Grade Literature graduated. They were a fun group, and I’m sure they’ll never forget the nautical vocabulary we developed while studying Carry on, Mr. Bowditch.  Other students I taught graduated from various schools around the country-- one was 7^th in her class in Maryland and another graduated in Florida despite three concussions and brain surgery. I’m proud of them all. But this is merely the beginning, as we all know.

She overcame much to be here today.

Let’s pray that they have the vision found in Micah: to do justly, to love mercy, to walk humbly with our God.  In walking together and with our Lord in gentleness, meekness, and patience, they will become the torchbearers for tomorrow-- Our hope for the Kingdom of Christ.

Blog: https://everettnavajo.blogspot.com

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

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

June 2

The children had a hard time sitting still for this!

A week ago, the Hilltop Christian school children left for summer break, but we are finally finishing up with the report cards and clean up, and thinking and planning for the next school year. The process does not let up.

Our plans are to help at Hilltop for the month of June. Then in July we’ll visit friends and churches in Iowa and Maryland to share our ministry and invite others to join in the work that the Lord is doing here on the Navajo Reservation.

The end of the academic year brings us the time of reflection on the Lord’s blessings and a time to bless our children as they leave the HCS Greenhouse. The staff had a wonderful, warm time of remembering stories of God’s faithfulness.  Teachers shared highlights:

--The discouragement and frustration of seeing an empty (borrowed) gym the night before the Easter Program, but with the help of staff and a work team, the risers, backdrops, and lighting equipment were set up, and the families were very blessed by the program.

Presenting a state report to another class in preparation
for the program  with the parents

--There were several families that were unable to pay tuition the second semester, but generous scholarships were given to cover their bills.

--Two children and a parent that we know of made definite decisions to follow Jesus Christ.

--Each teacher could name several victories in the classroom, either with academics or behavior.

--The teaching staff worked together and held it together despite the lack of a principal.

On the last day of school, we have a Ceremony of Blessings for the children in our class. They take this very seriously and listen closely to each other’s blessings.  Here is our blessing for Morgan.

What a treat to have soloist Mitch McVicker visit HCS!

Morgan, your life has been filled with many disappointments, struggles, losses, and discouragement.  Don’t ever forget God has chosen you, and God has chosen these trials in your life to mold you into the man of God He wants you to be.  The process, at times, will be painful and difficult.  Remember God is with you every step of the way.

           May you be like Jacob who wrestled with God and left with a new name, a new destiny, and a great promise.  May you see God work in your life and richly bless you with His presence.

I pray that as you wrestle with the details of your life, you will cling to Him, trust Him, and let Him refine your character.  May you forever be completely secure in His love, compassion and mercy for you.  May you see the world as God sees it and respond as God responds.

 I thank my God every time I remember you.  In all my prayers… I always pray with joy…  being confident of this: that He who began a good work in Morgan will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 

Letters to the President

The fourth grade class had the opportunity to bless the President of the Navajo Nation with a personal letter. I took a photo of two of them, and we were able to have them hand-delivered to President Begaye.

Parachute fun at PE.

Blog: https://everettnavajo.blogspot.com

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

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

April 28, 2016

 Dear Friends,

We appreciate your prayers concerning our search for a principal. The individual we mentioned in the last letter has a real heart for missions, but he and the board agreed that, though working in Western Indian Ministries is certainly an option, the school administrator position was not a good fit. So, thank you for your continued prayers for an administrator and more teachers for next school year.

Last month, Western Indian Ministries was blessed to host an RVICS (pronounced AR-Vicks) team.  They contributed many hours of construction labor, along with friendship and Christian fellowship.

RVICS is a non-denominational Christian organization for couples with a heart to serve the Lord during their retirement years. Teams of up to 6 couples provide services for needy non-profit Christian ministries. Each work project is 3 ½ to 4 weeks long. Couples live in their own RVs with the host project providing the parking sites with electricity, water, and sewer.

These couples love Jesus and desire to serve Him to the best of their ability. They donate their time and talents without expecting or accepting anything in return.

They are team-spirited and strive to be a good witness for Jesus in all they say and do.

RVICS (based in Smithville, TX) was started in 1976 by a couple who wanted more purpose in their retirement years. The organization has now completed over 2,300 projects.

Tutors are welcome.

Making new friends.

Though they’ve labored on many work projects, when we shared with them the needs of the Navajo Nation and the burdens carried by the children in our school, several of them teared up and admitted that they didn’t know a place like the Rez existed in our country, where half the people lack running water, most live below the poverty level, and there is spiritual darkness and confusion.

A team of teens from a private school in Albuquerque chose us as one of their service projects. While some of the teens helped with construction, many were available as tutors and classroom helpers. They even prepared a fun carnival for the children and families. In wonderful irony, most of the students were Chinese exchange students who do not know the Lord. We are not going to China, but the Lord brought the mission field to us.

We appreciate you, our partners,

Roger and Sara Everett

Blog: everettnavajo.blogspot.com

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

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

Seedlings for the garden.

Snow in April.

Cactus wren nest.