A blessing to go and serve

The trip overall was great! All the kids I saw from last year grew a bit more but did not change. I was blessed to know that we had a bigger outcome the first day than the last day the year before. The Norton's were great hosts once again and they are progressing to have a bigger crowd at The Shepherd of the Valley. It was a gift and a blessing to go on this trip. 

-Adam 

Reunited with old friends and made new ones

Hi everyone, Jennie here: We arrived in Boston Massachusetts about a week ago.  While we were in New Mexico that past week everyday I was so blessed and thankful to God because I was reunited with old friends and made new ones along the way. I cannot believe this mission trip has come to an end this year and I hope we can go again sometime in the future so we can learn more about God's Words and ways in each and everyone one of us. I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who prayed for us. 

Puppets, puppets and more puppets. Did someone say puppets?

Puppets, puppets and more puppets. The children ( big and small) loved David's puppets! They were well "loved" during our stay as well as used to spread God's messages. The younger children even made their own puppets as a VBS craft. The puppets were tired after their long plane rides and busy week so they are now resting up for their next adventure!

Sunday morning worship of our awesome God! Singing God's praise and sharing words of thanks and encouragement

Navajo Tea

Mmmmmm. Navajo tea. Who would have guessed that the what appeared to be weeds with little yellow flowers on them in the yard, could be turned into yummy tea? The  Navajo people pick these flowers, bundle them, tie them in bunches and infuse water with them.  The tea is great. Our new friends gave us some bunches and we shared this tea with our church family on Sunday.
With love,
Lynn Batchelder

All generations sharing the awesome love of Jesus Christ

"Planting the seeds and looking forward to an abundant harvest"

It surely was a blessing returning to the wonderful people in this beautiful part of the country. Renewing old friendships and establishing new, God provided 
opportunities to share His love and compassion in numerous situations. I was fortunate to share 
time and lean an ear for a few younger people. Planting the seeds and looking forward
to an abundant harvest among our fellow brothers and sisters. Please continue to pray for this community as many challenges are faced day after day, and for the Holy Spirit to work among them to overcome these and see His grace that Christ has promised all.

Mr.Frank

Lots of New Friends

Hello, my name is Ellie.

One of the most memorable sights during the mission trip was the Grand Canyon because it was really grand. Also the drive to the hotel was just outstanding because of the view. I made lots of new friends too and I had lots of fun. Thank you everyone who was praying for us.

"Authentic relationships" by Lynne Quinlan

Though it seems a world away now, after doing life with the Navajo people, I see how closely connected we are by our human condition: Disappointment, hardship, longing, joys, and of course sin.  I also know we are not without hope, and am encouraged even now, despite walking alongside the Navajo for the last week, hearing about difficult circumstances, and sharing in grief, sadness, and loss.  The Holy Spirit encouraged me to be an "authentic" Christian, willing to share my own struggles with the Navajo.  I felt freed up to not be a "perfect" Christian, but to allow God to use me however he best saw fit, with warts exposed and all.  

Though I spent time preparing and teaching lessons, coordinating and helping with crafts, helping prepare the Dental Care presentation for the Health Fair, etc., what really seemed to resonate with the Navajo is time spent together in relationship, working silently together on a craft or talking about children, without agendas and busyness.  Those times I spent at meals just listening or playing football with the kids or pushing kids on the swings, or going with Kayla to listen to Christian rap music in her car (even though there were other things to prepare!) - those moments were the most precious and meaningful.  During these times I felt a real sense of being present and being used by God.  Giving up my own agenda was freeing.  

While I taught the older kids about how both Moses and Jesus were sent to save, I believe God used the Navajo to remind me that all my doing can get in the way of authentic relationships.  At one point during the trip, Matthew reminded us of the story of Mary and Martha (or maybe it was during our preparation).  My tendency is to be like Martha.  You may recall that Martha was busy with all the preparations that had to be made for Jesus and the disciples.  She was annoyed with Mary for just sitting and listening at Jesus' feet.  Jesus says in Luke 10:41-42, "Martha, Martha, You are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed.  Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."  That is my prayer, that I will chose what is better. 

The gift of sharing life together in Jesus' Name!

We were honored to give all of the children who attended Vacation Bible School the '100 Illustrated Bible Stories' books. The funds for these books came from our generous senders in Massachusetts and from the offering collected at Vacation Bible School in Grampian, PA--the town where Matthew grew up. Grampian kids and families rock! Thank you!

We are honored to partner in ministry with Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church and Tim, Heidi, Philip and Leslie Norton. Praise be to our awesome God!

'The joy of the Lord' by Dawn Jorgensen

What a joy it was to return to Navajo this month! The familiar sights, sounds and faces brought the joy of the Lord to our hearts in an overwhelming flood. How good it was to hug the Nortons and see how the Lord has sustained, and even grown, them in the past year.  Leslie and Philip had both grown so much and Leslie was very tickled that she was as tall as I am! But what was even more heartening was seeing how the Lord has been growing the church. New members, baptisms, and community involvement at the church have all infused life into Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church.  The programs, meals and fellowship brought out our Navajo brothers and sisters in abundance. I’ve never seen so many people so grateful for a sloppy joe! And the smiles, laughter and sharing continued long after the last of the food was cleared away.

The Lord was also gracious in putting us into places where we could talk about Him and the mission that we were undertaking: Irene, the cashier at the grocery store where we bought our supplies every morning; Harold, the Navajo government worker restoring houses on the reservation; Gloria, who greeted us each morning at the hotel restaurant, and Meghan who brought us our breakfasts always with a smile. The Navajo people, intrinsically curious and big-hearted, would hear our story of why we were there and what we were doing that day or evening and then wish us well.  I have to believe that some seeds of a relationship were planted, or even just a curiosity about this Jesus who would inspire someone to come across the country to feed people;  and perhaps we’ll see some of these faces in future years at an evening event or even at worship some Sunday morning at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church. I’m just trusting that my small time at Navajo is a building block: each meal prepared, each child hugged, every brother and sister somehow touched by our efforts as another colorful, beautiful piece of God’s growing kingdom. 

Dawn      

Lynn did blood pressure checks and prayed with many people at the Saturday health fair

Powwow and prayers by Jennie

Hi everyone, this is Jennie.   I am having a blast out here and just last night we went to 
a powwow which is Navajo dance. It was so amazing and I cannot wait to 
tell all of you about what is happening down here. Thank you so much for 
all of your wonderful prayers. See you soon.

Moon jumping by Ellie

Hi! This is Ellie. It is Sunday and yesterday we went to the church and I was in the fitness 
group and we did the Moon jump. So what we did was we put a long paper 
on the wall. And put 1ft, 2ft, 3ft, 4ft, 5ft, 6ft, 7ft, 8ft, 9ft, 10ft, 
and 11ft marks, jumping and only one person can jump 20ft on the moon! 
Wow, I can jump 6 ft on the moon to me that's good.

Exercise station at the Saturday health fair with Frank, Ellie and Emma

Healthy Eating/Nutrition station at the Health Fair on Saturday

Health fair report from Dentist Adam Sienkiewicz

Yesterday, we hosted a health fair at the church. We got a big crowd, 
and people loved the stations. I was placed at the Dental Station. I was 
the dentist and Mr. Sam was the angry tooth fairy. We were able to do 
many rotations. All the stations were a success. I feel that all the 
kids got the general idea on what good dental care was. Thank you all 
for your prayers, they all were appreciated.

Dental hygiene station at Saturday's Health Fair we hosted at the church--look at Dr. Adam Sienkiewicz! The people rotated through various health stations and a lot of good learning took place in Jesus' Name!

Game time at Vacation Bible School on Friday--can you say Bubbles? What joy! (p.s. Can you find Frank?)

'Seeing Christ's Love' by Frank Sienkiewicz

We have been looking forward to renewing friendships with the community at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church and the surrounding neighborhood since last year, and Ellie was ready to make her mark. We have been blessed to pick up where we left off with several children and adults who have been in our prayers. I have been doing some work around the grounds, plus helping out where I can.  We have a great team here on the high plateau!

I see Christ's love expressed and shown in numerous ways among our sisters and brothers in this community, our extended church family. May the Lord's work and the relationships established here continue to build up the Navajo in the assured love of our Savior.
Frank

Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so...

The family of God is amazing! Our evening fellowship programs have been multi-generational, praise God!

Words from Ellie about her first mission trip

The trip is really fun and I'm having a good time. And helping with Bible School camp 
is also nice. I'm with Emma, jennie, and Leslie in the Pre-K and Kindergarten class. And 
one of the kicks brought their cat to the church. And me and Leslie 
loved playing with the cat when we were not doing games. His name was 
Tom Tom and he was really cute.
Ellie

Lorretta, our dear sister in Jesus and faithful church volunteer, showing her seashell cross that she designed at craft night.

Thursday night Craft night fun!

Thursday night Craft Night fellowship--making crosses with seashells from our North Shore, MA beaches.

Friends because of Jesus!

Pizza lunch for Thursday's Vacation Bible School kids! There were 49 children and teens today who learned that Jesus loved them enough to die and rise again for them! What amazing love!

God's stunning creation on the drive from our hotel in Window Rock to Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in Navajo, NM. This is our 25 minute commute drive every morning. Wow!

What an honor to serve with these dear teammates! I thank Jesus for this mission team. It is the team that He put together for this trip. God is so good, Matthew Beish

Our Team with the Norton family and some of our Navajo sisters and brothers of Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in Navajo, NM. God is giving us an amazing week of ministry together!

Vacation Bible School preparation for future days while visiting and sharing life together! What a gift the family of God is!

Learning their stories, listening to their concerns

Dawn and some of the many Navajo children who love her because she loves them so much!

God Gave Us His Grace

The ladies of our team earlier today hosted a baby shower for one of the Navajo expecting mothers.  Tonight we hosted an event for the children and their families. My father sat up the telescope for the children and adults to look at the stars. Sam, Philip, Matthew and I made dinner for the team tonight and we all made s'mores this evening.  God gave us His grace so that we had enough energy for today.

Thanks for your prayers!

Adam

Water Balloons! Fun in Jesus' Name!

Vacation Bible School started today

Hi!  Today we started the VBS at the church and we are all very blessed because there were so many kids that came to learn about Jesus Christ. We are all very blessed to be here in New Mexico with the Nortons to share God’s word to the kids and everyone one else. We miss all of you and cannot wait to tell you more news. 

With love, Jennie

God's Timing

It was a blessing that God placed a couple of us at the right time and place to counsel and pray with a couple that experienced a tragic loss of a family member during the previous evening. Then the circle was expanded, with the permission of the affected couple, to include the whole team to pray over them this afternoon after Vacation Bible School.  There was a wave of comfort given and received. Praise the Lord for his amazing grace.

Your brother in Christ, Pastor David Batchelder

Lynn and Gloria--sisters in Jesus Christ! Alleluia!

Early evening Star Gazing on Wednesday with the one and only Frank Sienkiewicz! So many of the children, teens and adults were asking Frank if he brought his telescope--and of course he did! Tonight was s'mores and stars--and what a faith-filled and fun fellowship time together!

Pastor Tim Norton and Pastor Sam Kim jamming together! What a gift to mutually encourage and build one another up! God is so good!

Guy is working on many projects at the church with our Navajo friends. Today they worked on replacing door locks throughout the church. It is such a gift to have Guy on this team!

Craft time with Lynne and Emma! The Navajo children love to make crafts.

Our Bible School lessons are focused on helping kids discover Jesus through the stories of Moses in Exodus. The theme is called 'SonWest Roundup' and it's a ton of fun! Today's craft for the younger children was making 'Baby Moses' figures and floating them in the Nile River. Just as God had an 'Ultimate Plan' in sending Moses to set God's people free from slavery to the Egyptians, God sent Jesus to set us free from the slavery of sin! Amen!

Can you say puppets? Pastor David Batchelder brought 15 puppets to Navajo Nation!

Tuesday night games and relationship building in Jesus' Name! Look at the two Sienkiewicz men serving together!

Sharing the joy of Jesus with one another! Heidi, Lynn, Pastor David and Dawn

Jennie, Ellie and Leslie --3 sisters in Jesus! What a joy to watch them serve the Navajo children together!

Safe arrival in Navajo Nation; Gorgeous day of seeing God's beauty on the 4th of July; ministry begins today

Dear family, friends and church family,

Thank you for all of your prayers.  Our team arrived safely at about 8:30 p.m. into Window Rock, Arizona last evening--on the 4th of July!  The dynamic Dawn Jorgensen and Great Guy McAdam arrived earlier into Albuquerque and have joined us as well...praise God!  We were able to share our first meal with Tim, Heidi, Philip and Leslie Norton last night--and what a joy it was to see them. God is good, all the time!

Today (Tuesday, July 5th) we begin our ministry at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in Navajo Nation with planning meetings, prayer walks to distribute invitations to Vacation Bible School, an evening fellowship program and more.  Dawn and I are going to get groceries at 9:00 a.m. this morning as we will eat most of our lunch and dinners at the church with our Navajo sisters and brothers in Jesus.  These are very special meal times together.

Yesterday was an awe-filled day as together we marveled at God's beauty while seeing the Grand Canyon and the Painted Desert.  We will post some photos later today.  God is an amazing Creator!

Thank you for your prayers.  Please pray for good health and strength for everyone on this first day of ministry together.  Please pray that we will share Jesus' love through our actions and words.  Please continue to pray for the Jackson, MS team and check out their blog too!  We love you, Jackson team, and are praying for you!

God's peace, grace and mercy be with all of you this day,
Matthew Beish

Please pray for our Navajo Mission Team as they serve from July 3-11, 2016