Grammer September 2024

Grammer September 2024

Dear Friends in Christ,

                In 1972 ( 52 years ago), we moved our family (3 daughters at that time) from the east coast, to the southwest US to minister to the American Indians.  It has been a real joy to now see some of the fruits of our labor! ( III John 4 “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.”).  Our ministry now is more support and encouragement to those who are now ministering to their own people.  Thank you for having a part in this work!!  We find ourselves stepping in as pastor and missionaries have to be away from their churches and also opening our home to them as they travel to Flagstaff for various reasons; sometimes to simply have someone to listen and pray with them for burdens they bear. 

                Late in October and into November, Sam will be preaching for a missionary on the Hopi Reservation as he and his wife need time together for a vacation.  These people are a difficult group as they are very superstitious and grounded in the old traditional beliefs.  Pray with us and for the Magnarellas (the missionaries) as they minister to these people.  

                Sam has had no more health issues, but they are still trying to discern what the problem was, so it doesn’t re-occur.  Thank you for your prayers.

                                We have been asking you to pray with us about getting electricity to the site in Thorne Bay for the radio station.  We recently talked with the power company on the phone and were told that we need $40,000 to see this happen.  It would require drilling into the rock to set the pole.  (After 5 years, neighbors could then use the same pole and also have power.)  We would need this power to allow us to keep the station on the air around the clock (as well as for the convenience of the missionary who will live there).

                We just don’t have the financing at this time.  So far, the Lord has kept us out of debt with each need and we are trusting Him to meet this need also.  If anyone would like to help with this, please add a note designating your gift for the electric for Thorne Bay.  Please continue to pray with us for this need.  Nothing is impossible with God!  Thank you.

                We have been following the reports on Hurricane Helene as we have family in its path.  The volunteer work crews,  that have helped at Thorne Bay, are located in western NC  and the reports are not good for that area.  They need our prayers!!

                Sam is once again teaching at the Northern Arizona School of the Bible teaching  CHRISTIAN FAMLY LIFE and HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE.  Pray for him as he prepares for classes and for the students that attend.

                At present, all of Janet’s piano students have moved on to other interests(other instruments and soccer), but she is still involved with her ministry at the local Residential Home, visiting a friend (former member of a church Sam pastored and also a Navajo interpreter when Janet spoke to groups that knew little English),  as well as once a month having a group Bible reading and singing a couple of old hymns with the other residents. Prayer for this outreach is appreciated.

                She also does child care for a local women’s Bible study, as well as working on a children’s bell program for the Christmas season.  Boredom is not a problem for her!!

                If you are still receiving our monthly letters by mail, we are now sending 2 letters every other month to help with the cost of postage.  It is also possible to find our monthly letters on the mission website: www.ibimi.com.

                 Again-Thank you to each of you for your prayers and help in our ministry.  You are very much needed!

II Cor. 2:11 “Ye also helping together by prayer for us.”

In Christ,

      Sam & Janet Grammer

Grammer April 2024 

Dear Friends in Christ,

            After the New Year celebrations, things slow down until Easter.  It seems the snow and cold temperatures keep people inside and close to home.  This is a good time for us to take care of health needs:  dental, eyes, hearing…and annual physicals.  We were thankful to get good reports as health problems tend to slow us down and hinder us from serving.

            At the end of January, we did have a concerning problem.  The dentist saw a white spot on Janet’s tongue and wanted a biopsy done.  When we looked into it, none of the local oral surgeons, accepted by our insurance, did biopsies-so we made it a matter of prayer and slowly that spot reduced and is now no longer visible!  Janet has had more opportunities to speak this year and a sore tongue would have been a definite hindrance.  It was also a good reminder that praying is effective as we saw the Great Physician healing!  Though you may not have been aware of the problem-thank you for your prayers for us!

                Now that spring is starting, our schedule is starting to fill up.  Next month, Sam is flying to Thorne Bay, Alaska with 4 teens (and the dad of two of them) from Flagstaff to work on the radio station.  They will help bring lumber & supplies for the men coming in late July-early August .  After returning home to AZ., Sam is to speak at the annual Navajo Family Bible Camp for a week and then drive back up to Thorne Bay for the next work team.  This time, he will be driving and using the ferry out of Bellingham, WA, as he has things to transport for the project and had planned to take up on the first trip, but the ferry is out of service for repairs and the ship taking on the extra passengers, doesn’t have space for the extra vehicles.  

                If you remember, last year he had planned to drive but the Lord had other plans.  Not only did we have truck problems, but the ship was again in dry dock for repairs and his reservation was cancelled at the last minute.  Please pray with us as we make plans for this summer that all will come together.  We are so glad that God is the one in control and not men.

                Also continue to pray for the radio station project:  

                                -for costs of supplies to be reasonable and within our budget

                                -for the electrical needs

                                -for the future missionary to man the station

                 (We are not yet ready for this man, but still need to pray as God prepares him for this position, even now.)

                It won’t be long and the students, at the Northern Arizona School of the Bible, will be taking final exams.  This has been a great opportunity and we are thankful for the faithful attendance of most of the students. Knowledge of God and the Scriptures is beneficial –no matter where God wants you to serve.  It may not be in the capacity of what we consider “full-time Christian ministry”, but in reality we, as Believers, are all in full time service to God.  It is good to know the Bible and be able to serve Him in whatever place He puts us.

                Janet is still visiting in the “Adult Residential Home”.  Once a month, she is doing a Bible Reading time with several of the residents and on the other weeks visits with a lady that has been a help over the years as an interpreter for Janet.  She also has some speaking engagements scheduled as a ladies’ tea in May and a bridal shower in June. Please pray for her as she prepares for these opportunities to serve.  

                Janet still teaches 2 piano students (though one plans to  leave in the fall for Bible College), and Sam is still teaching leather craft to a couple of young men.  Pray as we interact with them to talk to them about the Lord.  One does not know the Lord as Saviour and we want to encourage the others to see their lives in service to Him.

            Thank you to each of you for your prayers and help in our ministry.            

II Cor. 2:11 “Ye also helping together by prayer for us.”

            In Christ,

      Sam & Janet Grammer

De Ford March 2024

Dear family, friends, and prayer warriors,
Thank you all for your continued prayers for the ministry among the
American Indians. We have been amazed to see all the Lord has done on our
behalf the last two months. Two work crews have come to volunteer time and
materials for work projects at the church and in our home. Major renovations
have been completed on our house in order to provide Becky (Steve’s mom) a
comfortable place to call her own. TICS (Trades In Christ’s Service) came in
February and converted a bedroom and office space into a beautiful mother-in-
law suite for Becky. They also added a car port and patio to the west side of the
house to give her a private entrance.
In March, Fayetteville Baptist Church from Bedford, IN came and made repairs to
our roof and did a wonderful job helping with several projects at the church facility. While
they were here, we celebrated Purim for the first time at Hualapai Baptist. It was one of
the most unusual services we have ever had. Everyone had a great time cheering on
Mordecai and Esther with all sorts of noise makers!
We’ve also had a productive start to the year at HBC.
Evangelist Ben Everson and his family were out for a wonderful
week of special meetings in February. Our church families
enjoyed some special times with the Eversons including some
music and sound equipment lessons. Later in the month, our
teens joined the youth group from a church in Kingman for a
combined youth activity. This was the first such event for the other church and the
first major event for our teens since all the COVID setbacks. We are looking forward to
more great fellowship in the future.
March was full of regular church activities in addition to
the work crews. We bought some desperately needed new
chairs and had a work day to put them together. A couple of our
homeschool families helped with the day-long project. It was fun for everyone to work
together to see this improvement to the church in time for Easter. We were also able to
get a second restroom functioning in the basement of the church. Several attempts had
been made over the years to get this done, but now we actually have working
restrooms for both men and women!
We ended the month with a very well attended Resurrection Sunday. We had
three special days combined into one. Because of the holiday, we had a Super Sunday
schedule including breakfast. It was also the fifth Sunday in a single month. On these
“Fifth Sundays” our teens take over most of the adult responsibilities of the service.
Since it was Resurrection Sunday, many of our church folks had donated Easter Lilies in memory of loved ones
who have passed. Our co-op students put on a short dramatic reading including some special songs. It was
exciting to see the building full. It was certainly our largest attendance since COVID.
Thank you again for your continued prayers and support of this ministry. We are blessed to be your
representatives among the Native Americans!
For God’s Glory,
The Steve De Ford family

Messick March 2024

Dear Ones in Christ,

The three months have really flown by since we last wrote and it’s hard to believe we are already starting into Spring.

On January 5th we received word that Bev’s sister, Jeanne Collier had passed away in Indiana.  We were able to fly back for the  funeral and spend a few days with family.  Jeanne had a great love for her Savior and it was her joy to share the good news of the gospel with those in the health care facility she was in the last few years of her life.  She would often pray with the other residents there and even started a Bible study group that is still active to this day.  Bev was the youngest of nine children, and Jeanne was her last living sibling.  We miss her greatly, but rejoice to know she is enjoying being with Jesus and many of our family members, and that one day we’ll be together again!

It is a blessing to attend services at the little Native American Church on the Clarkdale section of our Reservation.  Our pastor is 88 years old, has some health issues, but continues to be faithfully preaching God’s Word.  The first Sunday in March, Pastor asked Gary to conduct the Lord’s Supper service.  After being hospitalized recently for a UTI, he asked Gary to preach in his place.  It was a blessing to share God’s Word to our dear church family.

Satan is alive and very busy.  One Sunday, an Anglo man from California came in late.   Pastor had offered the opportunity to give testimonies, and this man began to say that he was an archangel, and we are to pray to Sophia and many other very strange things.  We later learned he was even seen earlier outside the church waving burning sage.  It “just so happened” that the message Pastor had prepared that morning was “beware of false teachers.”  The man didn’t stay around very long!  Yes, Satan is hard at work, but what a blessing to know God is in control!

Ryne, as a young teenager, went with our youth group to church camp for several years.  He is now a young father struggling with addiction.  Gary has been able to meet with him twice for a time of counseling and Bible study.  Ryne now has a job and they are trying to work out a schedule when they can meet regularly.  

God has been so good to meet our physical needs.  Bev’s recuperation from the knee replacement surgery in November is coming along well.

The last of March, Gary became dizzy and fell, hitting his head on the fireplace.  After going to emergency and a battery of tests, the doctor said all tests were good, there was no concussion, and the conclusion was that it must be vertigo.  How thankful we are; it could have been so much worse.

PRAISES:

*Answers to Prayer

*That things are going well at Living Waters Baptist Church

*God’s constant supply for our needs

*Joy and peace in Jesus Christ.

PRAYER REQUESTS:

*To glorify God in all we do

*Counseling and Bible study with Ryne

*Our health

*Opportunities to preach

Grammer Feb 2024

March , 2024 

Dear Friends in Christ,

            Last week was the official “first day of spring”-but classes were cancelled for the Northern Arizona Bible School because of snow!   Pray   for our Bible School students to be diligent in their attendance and studies; regardless of the weather. 

            This is typical winter for our mountain climate, but we are thankful for the water it supplies for us.  There is construction in our area to prepare for possible flooding because of the wild fires over the past few years,   but we are trusting the Lord to keep us safe.  All we have is from our Heavenly Father and He can take it away… or not -according to His plan. Pray with us for the safety of our home

            We have had opportunities to serve; sometimes when pastors need to be away and sometimes when they are sick.  We just want to be available for God to use us as He sees fit.  Resurrection Sunday (“Easter”), we are scheduled to be on the Navajo Reservation as Sam preaches for services.  Then, as we celebrate Mothers Day, Janet is to speak at a Ladies’ Tea on the Navajo Reservation.  Praywith us as we prepare.

            We are also kept busy as Janet teaches piano students and Sam teaches some young men to do leather work.  Both have given us open doors to talk to them about our Lord and encourage them to serve Him.  Though most are in Christian homes, they may not have a personal relationship with Christ and we also want to make the Gospel message clear.  Pray with us for these young people to be true Believers and faithful servants of God.

            Janet is still having a monthly Bible Reading in a local “Adult Residential Home”.  The elderly folks seem to really appreciate the reading of Scripture and singing of some of the old hymns; in spite of their mental challenges with dementia and Alzheimer’s.  Pray for wisdom in choosing the songs and Bible verses that God wants to use in their present lives. (There have been 13 that have been coming regularly.)

             Flights and ferry schedules are being prepared for this summer’s trip to Thorne Bay, Alaska for the radio station project.  We have a volunteer team coming from Arizona and a couple of teams from a church in N. Carolina.  Praywith us for safety as they travel & on the job.  Pray also that all the needed materials for this summer’s projects will be available when needed and at a reasonable cost.  It has been exciting to watch the Lord supply the workers and financially keeping us out of debt.  We are still trusting Him regarding the need for electric and the right man to keep the station on the air.  Please continue to praywith us for each need to be met; at the right time.  So comforting to know it is God’s work and He is in control!

            Thank you to each of you for your prayers and help in our ministry.

Grammer February 2024

Dear Friends in Christ,

            We have had some snow here in the mts. of Arizona this winter and are thankful for it as we live in a desert and need the water we get each winter, especially after a few years of drought.  We are also hoping the water won’t create flash flood problems after the wild fires that have hit our area, leaving little resistance for the water running off the mountains.  Pray with us for safety of our home.

            Last night was the second class for the spring semester of the Northern Arizona School of the Bible.

There are 9  students this year and Sam is teaching 2 classes:  Net Testament Survey II and Basic Bible Doctrines.  It is always exciting to watch Christians grow in their knowledge of God and His Word. (II Pet. 3:18)  Pray with us for their understanding of the Scriptures and for faithfulness in study and attendance.

            Janet had another Bible Reading time with the residents of Brookdale, an adult residential home.  This is a new outreach but will hopefully comfort and remind them of what they have learned as children. This is in a wing of patients dealing with dementia and Alzheimer’s so comprehension is limited and prayer is needed.

            One man complained that the letters of his Bible were too small to read, so we went and bought a magnifying page to help him.   It was given to him early to encourage him to read on his own.  Little did we know that he would no longer be there for the next Bible Reading session-but God knew!- and got it to him before he left.  Isn’t it great to have a God who knows the future and is in control!? 

            Summer workers are gearing up for the work on the Alaskan radio project in Thorne Bay.  Once again, we have a volunteer crew from N. Carolina planning to help.  These are skilled in construction and electronics and we have been blessed by their willingness in this area of ministry.  We also have some teens from Flagstaff planning to join us.  Maybe they will be challenged to serve in a mission capacity as they see God using them.

            We still are working on generator power, so please continue to pray with us for this need.  Since the building isn’t yet completed, we have not been actively seeking a missionary to take over this ministry-but God knows the need and we believe He is even now preparing the man He wants to place here.  Keep praying with us. 

             Thank  you to each of you that pray for us and help us financially.  You are an important part of our service to the Lord!

                        II Cor. 2:11 “Ye also helping together by prayer for us.”

In Christ,

Sam & Janet Grammer

Jones February 2024

Dear Family and Friends, 

We hope you all are doing well. God has been good to my family and I these last few months. 

In January, we announced our new theme for the year out of Luke 9:23 “‭‭And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” 

     It is my goal to see New Haven Baptist Church follow Jesus with a renewed fervor. 

On January 6th, we had our annual Youth Rally. We had around 20 Teens & Adults attend. 

     Our guest speaker was Bro. Toby Garcia- the youth pastor at Gospel Light Baptist Church in Rio Rancho, NM. Bro. Ed Vincenti was also in the area and was able to help us with music ministry. 

     There was preaching, games, and fellowship and everyone had a good time. 

     On January 17th, Pastor Goff of Lexwin Baptist Church in Winston Salem, NC was able to bring a group composed of people from his state and Georgia to help us remodel our church kitchen and hallway area. They were with us for a week and a half and completed a phenomenal amount of work! 

From January 22nd-26th, we had our Winter Revival with Dr. Arthur Maricle. There were two salvations! Every night besides Monday night, we had over 32 in attendance from our local area. 

     On February 1st, we had two teenagers get saved. Please pray for their continued growth in the Lord!

     On  February 5th, I was able to pick up a baptistry from Hacienda Baptist Church in Las Cruces, NM. Pastor Joel Hernandez was kind enough to donate their old portable baptistry.

     Pray for us this month as it is Baptism month. We have had 6 show interest since getting the Baptistry. Please pray that they all follow through. 

     On February 11th, we had guest missionaries from the Navajo Reservation- the McDaniel Family and they were a huge blessing! It was an encouragement to spend time with them!

     Continue to pray for us as we have a few upcoming events and that more Natives from the Reservation and our local area will attend service.

    Thank you all once again for your continued prayers and support of the work! 

        Your Missionaries,

     Jacob, Lydia, and Samuel Jones
Missionaries to the Quechan Native Americans  Up coming events!

March
23rd Ladies Fellowship @Noon
25th- 29th Soul Winning Marathon
29th Lord’s Supper
31st Resurrection Sunday

April
14th Anniversary Sunday
18th- 21st Missions Conference Guest Speakers: Pastor Steve Deford & Missionary Ethan Donoho
26th- 27th Men on the Move Conference

De Ford Feb/Mar 2024

Dear Family, friends, and prayer partners,
Thank you all for your continued prayers and support of the ministry among the Native American
Indians. Hualapai Baptist Church finished out 2023 well, and have been blessed already in 2024. As is
true for nearly everyone, we had a non-stop schedule from Thanksgiving through the New Year.
Our church was blessed with two adults that received Christ as Saviour during the month of
December. Aubrey had been attending services off and on for several week, before realizing her lost
condition and coming to Christ. Camario had been on our church prayer list for months, and began
attending church in the fall. He received Christ as his Saviour after our Christmas Program December 17.
We finished the activity filled month with Fifth Sunday, December 31. Whenever a month has five
Sundays, we have the teen take over many of the responsibilities of Sunday School and the Morning
Worship on the fifth Sunday. They help teach classes, volunteer in the nursery, provide special music,
lead the singing, collect the offering, and give the announcements. We have a great group of teens, and
they do a great job helping in the various ministries of the church.
In January, we introduced our theme for the New Year –
Avoiding the Daze of Deception. We are highlighting the importance of
being immersed in God’s Word in order to recognize and avoid the lies
of world.
We were blessed personally during the holidays by having some
of our children home. Our sons, Joshua and Micah, along with his wife,
Rachael, and grand children were in for Christmas. Our daughter,
Jackie, and her husband, Jon, flew in with their two boys for a late
Christmas in January. This was our first Christmas season with Mom
living with us. She moved in back in November and jumped right into all
the actives that surround the holidays. She also helped plan a family
reunion here in Arizona for her maternal side. Most of our extended
family lives in the mid-west or east coast so we rarely see them.
However, several flew in for this special event.
Hualapai Baptist Teens
Steve’s mom, Becky
Work began on the remodel of our home to improve Mom’s living space. As I write, volunteers
are here working to make several improvements. We are very thankful for all the work that has been
done and the generous, godly servants that have come to help. We look forward to seeing the finished
product. Mom is very happy and beyond grateful!
We finished out the month attending two different missions conferences here in the state. One
church has been a long-time supporter, and the other church is less than an hour away from Peach
Springs. Both conferences were an encouragement to us.
We want to thank you for your interest in the work here. It is essential that we have faithful prayer
warriors lifting us up regularly before the Lord in order to know His will, and be filled with His Spirit to be
empowered to do what God has called us to do.
For God’s Glory,
Steve, Sherry, Molly, and Becky DeFord

Grammer January 2024

Dear Friends in Christ,

            2024- Another new year.  Full of unknown opportunities!  But then, isn’t that true with each new day?  Are you looking for opportunities to serve our Lord right where He has placed you?

            With a new year, the Northern Arizona School of the Bible is once again preparing for the spring semester.  Sam is eager to teach again this year.   This is an extension of the studies at Crown Bible College in Tenn.  and these courses can be accepted if they should decide to enroll full-time at Crown College.  We have had some that have already completed the 2 year course and hoping and praying some of our youth will choose to move in this direction.  

            Our Bible Reading sessions at the adult resident home, Brookdale, have begun.  December, we read the Christmas story along with a couple of Christmas carols.  This month we read the story of David & Goliath and included 2 well-known hymns. Since many of these residents are dealing with memory loss, the past is often very clear in their minds, while recent events are harder to remember.  Hopefully, our readings will remind them of Biblical truths.  Please pray with us to choose the Scripture needed for each of these folks.

            The children’s Christmas bell program went very well again this year.  You don’t have to be musically gifted as the bells are numbered and colored and you just need to follow the poster for the right order.  Since there were more kids than bells, we mixed in some group songs to ensure the message was clear.   Thank you for your prayers.

            Plans are now in the works for this summer’s work in Alaska on the Christian Radio Station Project in Thorne Bay on the Prince of Wales Island.  With only a short time each summer to build, it is slow progress-but still progress!  We are thankful for each of you that have had a part in this ministry by volunteering your time and giving so that we have not had to go in debt.  The skills of our work crews have truly been a blessing with the construction.  Please continue to pray with us to get this station on the aire soon.

            Thank you to each of you that have a part in our ministry, whether in giving or praying (or both).  You are a blessing!!! Thank you.

                        II Cor. 2:11 “Ye also helping together by prayer for us.”

In Christ,

Sam & Janet Grammer

Roembke January 2024

Dear Prayer Partners,

Thank you to all those that sent such generous Christmas love offerings this past month. We had a blessed Christmas and are looking forward to what God has in store for this new year. We are excited to share how God has worked in our ministry in December and into January so far.

Christmas Outreach
On December 14-17, we had evangelistic meetings with Evangelist Joe Mueller. The first night we had a good group of our people show up and the gospel was clearly preached. Two people did raise their hands during the invitation indicating that they needed to be saved, but no decisions were made.

Only a few people attended Friday night, and one of these people was a lady named Tyler. Tyler has faithfully attended our services since October when someone invited her while door-knocking. She questioned if there was even a God and if what He said was even true.  We have spent hours teaching Tyler the truth of God’s Word and after the service Friday night, Tyler told my wife that she believes in Jesus as her Savior and that He lives in her! What an amazing transformation!

On the third night, we did what we called Christmas with Hope. Many churches sent us Christmas shoeboxes full of Bibles, snacks, toys, school supplies and many other items. We were not sure what to expect but God was good to bring around 80 people to receive gifts and to hear the gospel preached! How exciting it is to see a room packed with people hearing the gospel! Pray for people to get saved from this outreach.  

We also made several new contacts including three men with special needs and their caregivers.  The caregivers were so impressed by how different our church was from others they had attended with their clients that they assured us they would be back each chance they had! It has been such a joy getting to love these people as the Lord loves them and witnessing to their caregivers. Please pray for this ministry that the Lord has given us.

Baptisms
A couple months ago the Lord provided a baptistry from a supporting church. Our desire is to fulfill the commission that Jesus gave us from Matthew 28:19 to baptize believers. Shortly after she declared her faith in Jesus, Tyler immediately began to ask for counsel about how to reach her unsaved family.  My wife was able to teach her about believer’s baptism then Tyler told me she was ready to be baptized and that she wanted to do it for her love for Jesus! After learning that Tyler was going to be baptized our daughter, Aliza, came to us to say she wanted to be baptized as well! (She was saved in the summer of 2022.) On January 7th, we got the baptistry ready and had our first two baptisms!


Family
On January 4th, Ezekiel and Isaiah turned 3 years old! Twins can be a challenge at times but are also a blast! Pray for my wife as she manages caring for our three little boys, homeschooling our daughters and ministering at Hope. She could use your prayers for strength. Pray for me to have wisdom and strength to lead our home with all the busyness of our family and ministry life. Praise the Lord for His goodness through everything He is allowing us to do!


Please continue to pray for our family, the Ojibwe people, and Hope Baptist Church. Thank you for your faithfulness in prayer and financial support! May fruit abound to your account.

For the cause of Christ,

Marty, Logan Michelle, Aliza, Annie, Ezekiel, Isaiah and Max Roembke

Veldhuis December 2023

Dear Family and Friends In Christ,


The majesty and scope of God’s unspeakable gift to each of us make any reflections on His workings inadequate but inescapable this Christmas season. Mighty answers to so many of our last update prayer requests, however, demand a recognition of God’s wondrous grace and the vital role of your prayers in taking the “tidings of good news to all people.” (Luke 2:10)

The urgency of reaching Cocopah with the gospel at the earliest possible age was shockingly illustrated in the murder of 42 year old Keith by his drunken neighbor last month. Keith and his brother Daniel attended our first Bible clubs at ages 8 and 10, but only Daniel trusted the Lord young. He and his family have lived for Him in Phoenix while Keith and his wife followed suit on our reservation only after his salvation years later.


Keith and Diedra had no children of their own, and so provided a loving foster home to nine and thirteen year olds Ayden and Evan, two of the five children saved at this summer’s Apache Creek Youth Ranch.

PRAY for Diedra and the boy’s needs in their new home as you REJOICE in all the other youth’s return to church after initial bitter opposition by their parents.

Critical repairs of the bedraggled camp bus were completed at home in time for our November 1-3rd Native Revival, while daunting work began on the long distance bus in Yuma, December 18th. Funds, materials, and techs for these jobs comprised a wonder equaled only by 73 year old Millie’s recovery from consecutive near death bouts with pneumonia and Covid 19. Both occurred while experiencing acute liver failure.
Untold numbers, sizes, and types of gifts from food or housing to mammoth one time provisions for revival speakers and Christmas ministries buoyed us beyond November’s blessed Native revival and through this month’s opportune outreaches.


Our gratitude for provisions “beyond all we could ask or think” is further multiplied by your crowning these investments with prayer and thanksgiving to our Savior for the following:


Praises:
-Gospel witness and Christmas fruit bags to almost all three Cocopah Reservations’ homes.
-Gifts, the Gospel, and a call to holiness with a Christmas meal for 44 souls.
-Colossal repairs of our camp and small bus for local use and funds to begin rebuilding the only cruising bus this month.
-Miraculous return to the church of largely saved Phillips young people and Golding parents and children.
-Faithfulness and growth of Ramirez and Thomas households despite health and other trials.
-Saved North Reservation Cocopah attending Jacob and Lydia’s much closer church, when not attending ours.
-Full enthusiastic house for New Year’s Eve preaching and meal for all three reservations.

Petitions:
-Treatment of Millie’s lung disease and signs of dementia.
-Salvation of Brown, Miller, and White households and revival of Lopez and Twist’s.
-Possible Cocopah winter revival to save lives from February’s massive casino handouts.
-Dawn’s healing from recurrent respiratory infections and associated diabetic problems.
-Wisdom, strength, and laborers for God’s harvest fields.

Sincerest Love and Prayers for our Lord’s every blessing this New Year,
Michael and Dawn Veldhuis

Jones December 2023

Dear Family and Friends, 

We have had a great year! The Lord has used us to see 6 people come to know Him this year. Back in January of this past year, my theme for our church was out of Hebrews 10:23.

“‭‭Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)” 

I preached every Sunday morning on the promises of God (Salvation, eternal security, giving, truths, and other important topic relating to God’s promises). A couple of people in church have come up to me and said that what I preached was a help to them. Praise the Lord!! Throughout the year, I have been teaching on soul winning, giving, Bible reading, and prayer as well. My wife has worked very hard alongside me. I thank the Lord every day for her. She has been laboring in working with the kids, teen girls and the adult ladies in the church. My son loves helping her. We have had Teen rallies, Ladies Fellowships, Family Nights, Mission’s Conference, big days, and have done personal discipleship with people. One of our biggest attended events was our Children’s Christmas party. Kids and their parents came to this event. Back in October, a nonprofit organization named Cody’s Closet called me and asked if they could use our building to give gifts to children in need. I told them that was fine as long as I could present the Gospel to everyone who came. They said that was fine. I had the opportunity to present the gospel to 112 people! We praise the Lord for that!! 
We recently had Lydia’s childhood friend Carlita from the Cocopah Reservation begin attending because it was a closer commute for her than Cocopah Bethel. Her children are part Quechan as are many family members. She has been volunteering for church events and inviting family members who have moved to the Quechan side that Lydia had lost contact with when they changed reservations. She has been a huge blessing! Please pray for her continued growth in the Lord!

Goals For 2024

1. This year my wife and I have set some goals for ourselves to help challenge us health wise, and spiritually. 

2. To raise funds to update our church facilities- our building was built in the 1940’s and needs some interior and exterior repairs. We have done so much to update our building and now we only have 2 rooms to finish.  That is going to cost us $9,000. We have had $2,500 that has come in and $2,500 that is promised so far. If you would like to help with this need, please reach out to us. From January 22nd- 26th, we have a crew of 20 people that are volunteering their time to help us with our projects. If you cannot give, please keep this project in your prayers. We have a God that owns everything! 

3. Discipling more people

4. Looking for more ways to evangelize 

As a final prayer request, please continue to pray for Lydia’s health. At her most recent visit, her lung function has declined further. Her doctor in Phoenix is referring her to an Asthma specialist and an exercise induced PAH specialist in Tucson. Please pray for answers and a treatment plan soon!

​Thank you all for your prayers and financial support! 

We so appreciate your time and sacrifice!

Sincerely,

Jacob, Lydia, and Samuel Jones 

​Colossians 1:18