July 2019

I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to Myself.
Exodus 19:4

We knew the diminutive guy with thinning hair because we’d met before; others in our congregation had no clue. But when he rose to speak, there was no doubt. They recognized Ron Hutchcraft from his radio voice. He told of how in 1992, he was invited to speak at a banquet for KHAC (WIM/AN radio station), and the Lord completely captured his heart to reach the Native American people. After 400 years of missions, still only 4% are Christians. He calls this the “unfinished business of the American church.”

He told the Lord that his plate was full enough already. But God nudged him saying, “But your hands aren’t.” Thus formed the idea of mobilizing Native and First Nations believers to reach their peers, and through his ministry https://www.hutchcraft.comand Warrior Leadership Summit  https://oneagleswings.com/wlsto train and mobilize Christians to communicate to their lost world. 

“There’s a lot of pain, a lot of loss, a lot of death… and there is a tendency to ‘stuff it’ rather than face it,” observed Hutchcraft. “I’ve been on about 100 reservations and [On Eagles Wings has] been in Canada and Alaska, and all over the continental US. Wherever you go, it’s true: Jesus is perceived to be the white man’s God.” 

“Tragically, His name has been associated with so many of the things that they’ve lost… so much was taken from them in the name of Christianity,” said Hutchcraft.

He added, “No people on this continent have lost so much. They lost their land, their language, their family unit – and their lives. The estimated 10 million Indigenous people here when Columbus came had shrunk to only 200,000 by 1900.”

An On Eagles’ Wings team worshipped with us on Sunday and stayed in Fort Defiance for three days, inviting the young people 15+ to play basketball, participate in other youthful challenges such as making sandwiches blindfolded and cup stacking races, eat pizza, and most important, listen to the Hope Stories of the aqua-shirted team members. 

I watched their intense faces as they leaned into the testimonies of Lance, Tsarina, and Dustin.https://oneagleswings.com/dustin.  They wondered how this kid from another Reservation knew exactly what they were going through in their own lives. We prayed on the sidelines that some would receive the Words and the Savior to fill the void in their lives. And we rejoiced to watch youth stream to center court when the invitation to follow Jesus was given. 

Even now, in recalling yesterday’s gathering, I’m overwhelmed by God’s work and God’s Word. Pray with me for those who received Jesus to be wrapped in His arms of Hope and become true followers and lights to their own peers.

As we approach the beginning of a new school year, pray that God will provide us with a fourth grade teacher.

Students plant the last week of school in hopes
of vegetables in the fall.

Kindergarten Graduation is always a fun event.

You don't want to get stung by this!

April 2019

The last three weeks at Hilltop have been anything but normal. We had two teams of teens visiting to work on various projects and to help in the classroom. We appreciate their energy and enthusiasm and the one-on-one teaching that transpires, but we are also glad when the children return to a more normal state. We also spent time rehearsing for our Easter Programs, so that required extra flexibility. 

Just when I was hoping for a return to a calm day, the doorknob jammed in my classroom, and we were locked in for over an hour. Removing the doorknob didn’t help, so the Principal resorted to unhinging the entire door, which required a good amount of banging. Fortunately the children were freed just in time to go home.

The Easter Programs garnered good reviews from parents and teachers alike. The younger children performed Come and See: The Life of Christ. Each class presented special songs, poems, and verses. The costumed 2^ndgraders showed the Bible stories of Lazarus and Palm Sunday. One of the other unique things we did was a stick routine to the song Glorious Dayby Casting Crowns. Not one stick was dropped!

The older elementary children also provided a multi-faceted program entitled The Promises of Easter. The fifth and sixth graders played bells and did skits about Christ being the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. The third graders presented the Easter Story using Resurrection Eggs, and the 4^thgrade elaborated on the last 40 days after Jesus’ Resurrection. One of the dads shared his testimony of when he committed himself to Christ and how this completely changed his life.

The facts about Christ’s life and sacrifice were clearly presented, and we pray for hearts to be turned to accept Christ’s gift of atonement. We still know that many of our families are locked in places of hopelessness. One mother indicated that she didn’t know anything about the Bible, but she was willing to learn. Some families put on a good front, but we know they are imprisoned in pain and guilt. Several families have an incarcerated member. Some are overwhelmed with sorrow and stress and feel trapped with no place to turn.

Thank you for your prayers for the people of the Navajo Nation and for the spread of the truth that sets men free.

May you all have a wonderful, blessed Easter.

Love,

Roger and Sara

Stick Routine with Glorious Day.

Pre-K is ready for Spring.

Hiking with teen friends from CA.

Resurrection Eggs

Arise, My Love!

March 4

Three Snow Days

Praying Hands

Music class last week became a testimony time. My students one after another expressed an answer to prayer: mostly for safety while driving in the snow, but also for cousins who had been taken away from the family and for grandma health issues. It was amazing and beautiful to witness their tiny seeds of faith growing.

A story in our reading book mentioned that the children bowed their heads and folded their hands. Then came the natural question, “Why do they fold their hands?” I explained that the folding of the hands is not mandatory. Then I demonstrated other hand positions that people use for prayer. After that I noticed that hands started going up when it was time to pray. I had to clarify to the Principal that they weren’t wanting to ask questions when he said, “Let’s pray,” during Chapel.  They were indicating they were ready to pray!

This first grade class has been the most unique class I’ve ever had. I’ve never been asked about demons and angels or voodoo dolls. I’ve never before had to explain that I really didn’t believe in karma, but in a loving and powerful God, who is in control of the universe. And (this is disturbing), I’ve been dared to play Ouija board in the dark. What some of these young ones experience in their homes is polar opposite to the Light of the Bible and the Savior that we share at Hilltop Christian School.

Mr. E wishes Mrs. E a Happy Valentine's Day.

We’ve had quite a bit of snow this winter, as many of our friends across the country have also experienced. This is particularly difficult for elderly Navajos living in isolated areas as they are stuck in the snow or now, the mud, and they’ve run out of firewood. A church in Albuquerque came out this week with loads of wood to help some families who couldn’t afford or couldn’t obtain firewood.

 

We’ve finished three quarters of school and are looking forward to parent conferences. We’d appreciate prayers for those conferences as we endeavor to speak hope and truth in love. We’ve had no shortage of teacher illness this year. Thank God that we have been well, but others have experienced all manner of illness and family emergencies.

Pajama Day

This is from Mountain Rain; a biography of James O. Fraser: 

“I believe it will only be known on the Last Day how much has been accomplished in missionary work by the prayers of earnest believers at home.” Your prayers and partnership are an encouragement to us. Please continue to pray for those who have accepted Christ as well as those in need of salvation.

Yá át' ééh Késhmish

 When Christianity was introduced to the Southwest part of the country during the latter half of the 19^thcentury, some Navajos became believers and they (and others) adopted Christian customs such as celebrating Christmas. 

The Navajo Nation celebrates Christmas much the way it is celebrated throughout the United States. Families gather for special foods and gifts are exchanged. Some attend services and sing traditional Christmas carols, but in their native tongue accompanied by the one-two beat of a drum or  rattle. One might see Navajo versions of the Nativity scene or beautiful wreaths bedecked with baskets and wrapped in woven scarves. The children love to dress up in their traditional clothing and moccasins for parties and programs.

Along with familiar songs, there are unique songs such as “Grandma’s Navajo Christmas” and “I’ve Journeyed Far to Dance a Beautiful Dance” sung in the dance style.

Mary and Joseph and "baby Jesus" on a Navajo blanket.

Emmanuel - God with us!!

The students at Hilltop Christian School presented their program too, which did not include a mention of Grandma. The script and songs emphasized God’s plan of salvation from the very Creation. The guitar and piano players accompanied many of the songs; there were banners, and scarves, and pom-poms! And of course, the little pre-schoolers were amazingly cute around the manger.

It has seemed like a long month. With Mr. M. being gone to take care of his dad and Mrs. N. in the  Midwest to help care for her dad after her Mom passed away, we’ve all been helping to hold things together. We are so grateful that the Lord sent people to help during this time. Other teachers have encountered serious illness in their own families also, which required absences and prayer to keep us focused on our goals and ministry here. This vacation surely going to help us rest.

Right after Christmas, we will be leaving for the Urbana Missions Conference in St. Louis. Ten thousand students are expected to be there is hear the challenging speakers, attend break-out sessions, and visit the exhibits of the various mission organizations. We, along with C and C and SS, will be representing WIM. (WIM is currently undergoing rebranding, and will be called Across Nations in the future.) We’d appreciate prayers for our time there, that it would be fruitful. We pray that many young people will commit to going on the field, even if for a short time, and God’s Word would continue to be spread across the globe powerfully.

Have a Blessed Christmas

Read to Praise Baby Jesus.

 12.23.18

November 11

President-elect Nez and VP Lizer

We have been following the Navajo Nation election closely for the past few months.  To us, the choice seemed clear. Jonathan Nez is the current vice-president and has become a good friend and an advocate for the cause of Christ out on the campaign trail and here at Western Indian Ministries. He frequently visits our Proverbs Book Store and shares on the Radio Station. He is a solid believer and an experienced leader.

We were delighted to hear on Tuesday evening that he had won the election with his running mate Myron Lizer, a local businessman. Nez at 43 is the youngest man to hold the office of President. People commented in the Navajo Timesthat they voted for him because he ran a positive campaign and seeks to be a unifier despite the montage of spiritual beliefs seen across the Rez.

Cow peeking around the corner.

We live in a time and in a nation that is so divided. Polarization, anger, and power struggles are at an all-time high. One medicine man said that he didn’t like Nez simply because he was a Christian. But as followers of Christ, we need to lead the way in doing everything we can to walk in humility and repentance.  

Obviously politics will not heal us and the government will not fix us. We thank God that He is sovereign and will bring glory to Himself. And we will continue to pray for Nez and Lizer as they are entering the arena with huge targets on their backs. Pray for their safety against attacks and lies from the evil one and for wisdom and love as they govern their people.

Cows roamed the property much to the delight
of  the children.

The girls have some rainy day fun with little bears.

This season floods us with projects and programs besides the regular classroom duties. We always pray that the salvation message of Jesus Christ rings clearly in our programs for the parents. 

Thank you for your prayers. Prayer support encourages and upholds us every day.

Happy Thanksgiving,

R and S

The boys surely enjoyed the birthday cupcakes.

Children are holding little carved cars donated by a men's
group in CA.

September 2018

Vehicles of all descriptions speed past Western Indian Ministries and Hilltop Christian School on Highway 264, also known as the Code Talker Memorial Highway. Just past the mission, the highway enters the town of Window Rock, Arizona, which is the capital of the Navajo Nation. Just a few minutes north of the Code Talker Memorial Highway is a towering sandstone formation called the Window Rock, home of the Navajo Veteran’s Memorial Park. It is a small, solemn park dedicated to all Navajo war veterans, but in particular to the Code Talkers of WWII.

The history of the Code Talkers is very interesting. It all began in 1942 with a WWI veteran named Phillip Johnston whose parents were missionaries on the Navajo Reservation. After reading an article about the Army’s use of Native American soldiers as signalmen, he realized the Navajo language might be used as a military code. He was fluent in Navajo and knew that it was unlike any other tribal language. Amazingly enough, it turned out to be understood by fewer than thirty non-Navajos in the early 1940s and was not a written language at that time.

Code Talkers Memorial at Window Rock

Johnston convinced a major in the Marines of the value of his idea and over the next month the code-talking program gained momentum. Shortly thereafter the Marines authorized the recruitment of twenty-nine Navajos for communications work and formed the 382^nd Platoon for the Navajo specialists. 

These 29 men created the initial code, which grew to 411 terms during the course of the war and an alphabet system using Navajo words. The Navajo language had no military terminology, so most of the code used familiar objects, animals, and ideas known to the Navajo, instilling them with military meaning. The code was genius in its simplicity.

The Navajo Code Talkers’ primary job was to transmit tactical information, orders, and other vital battlefield information via telegraph and radio. The Japanese never broke the code.  It saved countless lives. The Code Talker program was highly classified and remained that way until 1968. Code Talkers returning from WWII were not welcomed home by parades and were, in fact, not allowed to speak of their duties as Code Talkers. But in 1982, President Ronald Reagan declared August 14 as National Code Talkers Day. In 2000, the ‘Honoring the Navajo Code Talkers Act’ was signed into law, and by 2001 the Navajo Code Talkers were honored with Gold and Silver Congressional Medals.

On August 14^th, the annual celebration for Navajo Code Talker’s Day was held at Veteran’s Memorial Park under the shadow of the mighty Window Rock. Only nine Navajo Code Talkers remain. (There were several classes of Code Talkers.) They are the indisputable evidence of the history that surrounds the Navajo people of this generation and a testimonial of the bravery of this Native American tribe. They are evidence of how God works things for good. You will enjoy doing more research of your own on the Code Talkers.

School has been going for a month, and we are thrilled with the robust enrollment and the way the Lord has provided for the staff. We are still in need of substitute teachers, so we’d appreciate prayer for that. We see our friends putting up their children’s back-to-school photos, and we want to do the same! 

The Talking God

Dear Friends,

Navajo Talking God Mask

Imagine a deerskin mask painted white surrounded by a bristling crown of eight eagle feathers. The mouth, fashioned of a narrow tube of rolled leather, protrudes out an inch, and the eyes are black dots surrounded by painted brows. The lower rim of the mask is a ruff of fox fur.  

You are looking at the Navajo Talking God (yebichai), the one who speaks for the pantheon and calls the gods (yeii) to the Night Ceremony.

Talking is indeed important to the Navajo culture. Their written language was given to them through the work of Wycliffe translators, and they didn’t even have the entire Bible in their own language until 1985. Because it is an oral culture, many things, including stories and laws, remain unwritten. In fact, the best way to get my class’ attention is to start with, “One time David and Joshua were….”

Girls enjoying the sunshine. We need some rain desperately.

When one attends a Navajo gathering, one can expect to hear speeches. Usually I feel like a first grader listening to Mrs. E. drone on, 

but we were at our Western Indian Ministries chapel meeting last week, and the speeches (everyone had a lengthy one) were quite wonderful! We were sharing how the Lord had blessed us through the summer and brought us back to this place for the new school year.

We were greatly excited to hear how God had put together people to fill the 2^ndgrade and the 4^thgrade teaching positions. The second grade will be taught by two part-time teachers, with others helping out for a class here and there. And Mary, a retired educator, came out of retirement to teach our fourth grade. She’s quite excited that God isn’t finished with her yet!

The garden has been growing all summer. It's a short growing
season at this altitude.

Others shared about their trips and safety when things could have gone very badly. The summer interns were excited about the growing program for reaching the youth on the Rez. Our newest bookkeeper praised God that, though her great, great grandparents trudged back on the Long Walk from the camp at Fort Sumner, it was then that they heard the Gospel, and there have been generations of Christians in her family ever since. 

All dressed up and ready to graduate.

We love talking about our Talking God --Jesus Christ, the Word of the One True God. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”  

Prayer Requests:

·     For a smooth start to the year. With all of the last minute changes, there is a lot to do. 

·     For the staff to have unity and work well together. 

·     For the many new students to immediately feel loved and find friends. That they and their families would be eager to learn about Jesus.

·     Praise for our robust enrollment. This is the highest number (80) we’ve had since we arrived here.