April 19

Dear Friends,

A month ago, Roger and I visited friends in Iowa over our Spring Break. We left Tse Bonito with certain expectations, one of them being we’d soon be sharing our classrooms with our Encounter Team friends from Pennsylvania, Arkansas, California, Colorado and other places.  A week later, we returned to a completely different place, a twilight zone where one didn’t dare cough to ease an allergic tickle. Businesses and schools were temporarily closing up shop. And our co-workers from all over the United States weren’t coming after all.

On Monday morning, March 16^th, the Hilltop teachers and staff met as usual for morning devotions, knowing that no students would be scrambling out of their trucks to hug their teachers and bounce to class. We prayed and determined to charge fearlessly into a new era. Not knowing how long this virus would last, the teachers prepared work packets for the next few school days. We didn’t want to lose any precious time caring for our children’s academic needs.

Parents picked up the packets and transitioned to becoming teachers. It wasn’t easy for many families. And as this disease stretched out, we knew we’d have to leap from a 1970s classroom to a technology-based 2020 classroom. We have old, donated computers in our classrooms, but most of us switched to using our personal laptops. Two teachers borrowed Kindle Fires from a classroom.  And off we Zoomed.

Yes, Zoom is now a verb. We all  (I’m talking all – from the Millennials to the Octogenarians) climbed the steep learning curve; and if the Lord hadn’t sent our student-teacher  (Joy) from Pennsylvania, we would have struggled even more. She was able to help us with technological advice. We now Zoom every morning and afternoon for staff meetings and collaboration. Every one of the classes meets daily in a Zoom meeting. The Preschool is also posting classes biweekly on YouTube. Mr. Naas prepares a chapel and Mrs. Naas has done a Library Reading time for the students.

A month ago, we didn’t even know what an LMS was. Now the whole world knows. We’ve been using Schoology (Learning Management System) and e-mails and an outside mail drop for those with no technology to continue the children’s learning.  Miss Rubanenko, second grade teacher, said, “I’m right on pace with the curriculum, and we should be finished at the end of May.” Mrs. Nelson, kindergarten teacher, stated, “They all come to the morning meeting, and I feel that they are making great progress between the lessons I teach them and what they work on at home.”

The teachers struggle to make the lessons creative and relevant. We spend extra time meeting with individuals to tutor them. And though it has been more work than classroom teaching, our hearts are even more burdened by other loads. We worry that our children are safe. We pray about the traditional teachings children are hearing and the garbage they are allowed to watch to fill the long days.  People who are fearful and are looking for answers surround us. We know some of our families have lost their jobs and are in desperate straits. The children are lonely, and some call or text our teachers or stay on the Zoom meeting as long as they possibly can. Some parents are still working, but they are now required to teach their own children too. Added to either no Internet or substandard on-line services, this has not been an ideal situation.

What can you do? Continue to do what you have been doing. Pray for the Navajo people and their leaders. We’ve been under quarantine for two weekends and will face two more stay-at-home weekends. Pray for the students and for their safety and health. And pray for the staff and teachers at Hilltop. We strive to serve the Lord using the gifts and weapons He gives us. 

Virtual hugs to you all,

Roger and Sara 

“Navajo Jeans” by Hyatt Moore

Merry Christmas!

Come on ring those bells!

One of my favorite activities of the whole year at Hilltop Christian School is the Christmas program.  The smallest scholars dress in their traditional finery.  The girls have beautiful dresses, hair tied up Navajo style, and moccasins on their feet.   They look like little dolls, and you just want to take them home with you. 

In addition to all the cuteness, they sing about God and His special gift.  “The best thing about Christmas is that Jesus was born for me” and  “I’m so glad it’s Christmas. Jesus, I love you.”  Seeing beautiful children singing whole-heartedly about their love for Jesus to an audience of mostly traditional families, who have come to see their children perform, reminds me of why we are here and generally leaves me with a lump in my throat.

1st & 2nd grade girls were characters in the play.

It is a great feel-good moment, but then reality hits.  I am reminded of the environment these kids live in.  They have parents who care enough to invest financially in their education, but most of the students come from broken families, and have extended families with multiple reservation-related dysfunctions.  Unemployment, alcoholism, corruption, broken people and hopelessness abound.  Our goal is to raise a generation of Christians who can serve their people and advance the Kingdom of God, but the odds are so against them.

"The Best thing about Christmas" is that Jesus was born for me.

Then I am also reminded of the Christmas song we sing in third grade: “Love Crashed into the World” https://vimeo.com/54176139 .   (Thank you Crossroads Church Cincinnati Kid’s Club.)  The song is about a long-expected baby who arrives in a very unexpected way.  As the song says, “God does things differently.”  The people were waiting for something they did not get, but what they got was better.  

The Wisemen seek the King.

God is working here in the Navajo Nation.  He is calling out a people for His possession.  He may not be working as we expect or in our time frame, but He is working.  We will continue to trust Him for what He will do in the lives of our students and in the Navajo Nation.

Thank you for your prayers and support.  Continue to pray for our students that God will become real to them. Pray for the health and safety of the mission and school staff.  Continue to pray for the Navajo Nation President and Vice President, who as evangelical Christians try to serve the Lord and the Navajo people

Merry Christmas, and may you experience God’s richest blessings this`` coming year.

Little Sheep showed up at the manger.

August 2019

School has begun again at HCS. Though enrollment is down, and we didn’t get a 4^thgrade teacher; with some creative scheduling, things have gone smoothly so far. So, I’ll begin the year with some elementary school funnies.

Coloring contest winners

Geography lesson: Mrs. E: When we go north from the United States, we go up on the map and get to Canada. Where will we end up if we continue going north? 

Jay: Heaven!

Recess conversation: Reliah: What do you have in your little pink purse?

Mrs. E: (The answer is a phone and keys.) Why don’t you guess?

Reliah: Candy?

Mrs. E: Nooo.

Reliah: Wallet?

Mrs. E: No. I’ll give you a hint. It’s something that your mom always has with her.

Reliah: Two babies!

Fun Field Trip to a camp.

Librarian: What did you learn in class today?

InaJean: We learned about water safety.

Librarian: What did you learn about water safety?

Bryan: We learned “Don’t jump in the water with your head on or you will drown.”

Miss R: As you leave, you may give me a high five or a hug. You choose.

Chase: I only want to hug someone soft.

Hezra: Anyone would want to hug me, I’m a pillow. 

Waiting inside the building after school, little Jim suddenly got up and trotted to the door, “I hear my dad’s truck.”  Surprised, I followed him. I couldn’t hear anything. But sure enough, he had correctly identified his Dad’s truck by the sound.

Unacceptable Nonsense!

In May, when we had our last snowfall, I urged the children to run outside and revel in the snow. Neelah held back and wouldn’t leave the shelter of the building. I heard her mumble, “This is unacceptable nonsense.”

Mr. E. was having a class ‘discussion’ about responsibility, and Daniel asked, “What does it mean to throw someone under the wagon?” 

Every day we find the fun, but we don’t lose sight of our purpose to spread the gospel of Jesus and the truth of the Bible. Pray for the new students as well as the students who didn’t return. We appreciate your prayers for us and the Hilltop staff (especially the new teachers) and for the Navajo families we encounter. 

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