"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