Grammer September 2019

Grammer September 2019

Sept. 2019
Dear Friends in Christ,

Our calendar is really full for the week-ends from now until well into November.   We will be on the Hopi Reservation, as well as the Navajo Reservation and the Yavapai-Apache Reservation. 

A missionary on the Hopi reservation will be traveling on the west coast and has asked us to fill in for them while they are away.  This is a small ministry and held in their home.  We went up for a Sunday service recently to meet the folks and be introduced to them.  The morning service is small and in the afternoon, they hold “Kids’ Church”  which varies greatly in size. Since this is a good 2 hour trip, we will go up on Sat. nights and return home Mon. mornings.

The Hopi Reservation in located on 3 large mesas and is surrounded by the Navajo Reservation.  As they have increased in population, the Hopi people have asked the federal government to increase their land size which is now occupied by the Navajo.  The Navajo are reluctant to give up land that their families have lived on for generations.  This has created some conflict that has been going on for years. 

The Hopi are not eager to have strangers among them so this ministry is a real challenge.  We have worked with Hope people before, but this is our first time to actually minister on their reservation.  Please pray for the missionary couple (Andrew & Nancy Magnarella) as they travel and as they try to reach this community with the Gospel message.  Pray for us also as travel back and forth and fill in for these pastors on the 3 Reservations.

This past week, Janet was visiting a friend in an Assisted living Home when another resident rolled her wheelchair up and joined them.  She was able to talk to her about salvation and the woman replied that she had never heard of it before and would have to think about it.  A tract was left so please pray that Jeannie will read the verses and realize her need for Christ as Savior.  It also gave an opportunity to encourage the friend and remind her that God has a reason for putting her in this home and possibly it is to witness to the others that she is now living with.   

Thank you for praying for Helen.  She has been able to visit with the elderly with Janet.  It is a challenge for her to maneuver but Janet is grateful for her help with the visits. 

Also, this week-end, the Dine Bible Institute will be starting their fall semester.  They are going to try a new schedule using modular classes rather than weekly classes on Sunday evenings.  The first modular class will be this Saturday for 6 hrs.

Thank you to each of you for your prayers and gifts that make our ministry here possible.


II Cor. 2:11 “Ye also helping together by prayer for us.”
In Christ,
Sam & Janet Grammer  

Pulpit-3rd Mesa.JPG
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Grammer August 2019

August 2019
Dear Friends in Christ,

This month has been a very dry month for our area.  Though we are considered “high mountain desert”, we usually have a monsoon season at this time bringing us much needed water.  The lack of water has caused several wild fires throughout the state.  One of them was just north of Flagstaff and some of you saw it in the news. (This one was called the “Museum Fire” because it was close to the Northern Arizona Museum.)   We are thankful that our home was never in danger-thank you to those of you who were praying for us during this time.  The folks living in town appreciate the drier summer months because of the threat of flash floods in town as a result of the fire.  It is good that God is in control of even the rains.

We are still waiting for the fall classes to begin for the Dine Bible Institute on the Navajo Reservation.  Until then, we are using the time to get some things done around our home; including getting our winter supply of firewood down off the mountain.  After a busy spring, this slower pace for the summer has been a blessing.

We filled in for a local pastor that had to be away on 2 different Sundays this month and at present we are scheduled to fill in for another pastor later this fall.  Much of our ministry this summer has been un-scheduled contacts as we have been able to share the message of the Gospel with visitors and neighbors.  Please pray with us that the Holy Spirit will guide what we say and which Scriptures we use and that hearts would be open to submitting to Christ and accept His gift of salvation.

Thank you to each of you for your prayers and gifts that make our ministry here possible.


II Cor. 2:11 “Ye also helping together by prayer for us.”
In Christ,
Sam & Janet Grammer  

Jones July 2019

Dear Family and Friends,       We want to thank you so much for your prayers and financial support these past few months! We had quite a few special financial gifts given to us. We want to thank you all!
    Thankfully, my family and I were able to travel to a few churches together. Mostly during the month of June. We have been to churches in the states of Arizona, California & Texas. 
    It’s be fun and busy these last few months. Thank you again for all your prayers! We have seen God do some amazing things because of your faithful intercession!
    You may have already heard some of the following news on social media, but for the ones who haven’t heard here is our update for the last 3 months.
    During the month of May, my wife and I spent most of our time trying to help our son get a schedule down. It has not been easy. Most of you parents know and have experienced this. We started Bible clubs on the North Reservation again. It has been a blast!! The few kids we have love learning Bible stories, having contests, & singing Christian songs! We have been going through discipleship with 6 teenagers and 2 adults as well- usually once a week. Towards the end of May, I had an opportunity to preach and present at a missions conference in Flagstaff, Arizona.
     In June, My family and I traveled to Texas for two weeks of the month. I got the opportunity to preach and present at 6 churches. It was a new experience for us traveling with a newborn son! During one church service, I was able to present the gospel to 2 young adults that both got saved! Praise the Lord!
     When we returned home after travelling, we had Bible clubs, Discipleship, Teen Frito Bowl Night, Junior Camp week (West Branch in William’s, Arizona) as well as presenting our work to a church in Queen Creek, Arizona. It was a long and busy month for us, but to God be the glory, We got to witness many Cocopah kids make awesome decisions for the Lord at Junior camp!
      During the month of July, we had Teen Camp (West Branch in Willams, Arizona). It was a blessing to see the kids get involved and have a fun time at camp. The next week, we had Neighborhood Bible Time. During that week, we saw 4 salvations! A special request to pray for Emon. He is a 13 year old who just got saved during NBT. He has shown a different spirit since his salvation. Please pray that he will continue to grow in his new faith. 
 The following week, we were able to present at a Missions conference in Corona, California. The people there were kind and loving towards us. Please continue praying for souls to be saved and for us as we minister to the Native Americans.
                 
Up Coming Events:
August
Independent Baptist Indian Mission Inc. Conference 1st- 3rd
Presenting at 3 churches in New Mexico
Bro. Jacob’s ordination service 23rd

September
West Branch Youth Conference 7th
Presenting at 5 churches in the states of West Virginia, Ohio and New York.

October
Capture the Flag Teen Activity
Presenting at 4 churches in the states of Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, and New Mexico. 

Bible clubs & Discipleship classes that we do on a regular basisFuture Ministry Goals:     One of our main goals is to help assist Pastor Veldhuis at  Cocopah Bethel Independent Baptist Church. In the future, we also desire to plant a church on the Quechan reservation and establish other ministries as the Lord leads us to start in order to reach Natives for Christ. Please pray that God would begin working in hearts and would open doors in order to allow us to reach these goals.     Currently ,there are over 1.6 million Native Americans in the United States and 562 distinct sovereign tribes. Many of these tribes struggle with substance abuse and poverty and have no gospel witness. Please pray with us that God will send more laborers into the Native American field located right in our backyard.
 Prayer Requests:
Salvations- Mariella, Satori, Ayla, Cayden, Airus, Sherry, Stanford, Sylvia, Mary, Joe, Jessie.
Spiritual Growth- Molly, Loren, Tyler, Lilly, Roxanna, Alex, Edward, Justice, Jasmine, Mya, Kayla, Vincent
Health: Lydia, Sherry with possible tumor; Mary, Edward, and  Bro. and Mrs. Veldhuis with general health.Personal Needs:
     That more churches will take us on for support. As of now, we are at 51% of our support goal.
Pray that the Lord will provide for our needs. 

Praises:
      In June, I had the opportunity to lead two young adults to Christ while my family and I visited a church on our way to a church in the evening where I was going to preach! God has given us a healthy baby boy (Samuel), He has helped in healing my wife after her c- section, protected us while on the road, and provided for our every need, He has answered our prayers with the kids and teens in making Spiritual decisions for the Lord and He has given us meetings for the next couple months! God is so good!
Thank you for all your prayers and financial giving towards our work!

                        Sincerely In Christ,
Jacob and Lydia Jones Missionaries to the Native Americans
                     Cell: (928) 315- 5057
                     Email: [email protected]

II Corinthians 4:3-4
“But if our Gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto.

Grammer July 2019

July 2019
Dear Friends in Christ,
June was a month of travel for us.  We were able to visit Sam Jr.’s family in Alaska for a week and get to better  know those 3 grandsons (7, 4 & 2 years old).  After 1 ½ weeks at home, Janet flew back east to spend a couple of weeks with some of the girls as they had a surprise birthday party for our oldest daughter, Faith.

While Janet was gone, Sam flew back to Alaska to Thorne Bay to work some more on the radio station project.  This is normally a very wet part of our country, but this summer, they are experiencing a drought so rain did not hinder any building projects this year.  The resulting heat was not comfortable but the planned projects of putting a skirting around the building and installing the wood stove were completed.

Another week at home to rest up and Sam was the English teacher for the Bible classes  at the Western Navajo Bible Fellowship annual Family Conference here in Flagstaff.  This conference began on a Sunday through the following Saturday; with Bible classes in the morning and again in the evening.  

The director of the conference had some severe health issues a few days before the conference began so another Navajo man stepped in to do the leadership responsibilities for the week. 

A Navajo pastor was to teach the evening classes taught in Navajo and his son, another Navajo pastor, was to teach the morning classes in Navajo.  However, their wife & mother died the week before and her funeral was on Monday and they weren’t able to join us until Wednesday.  Again, another Navajo teacher had to fill in for them both with little time to prepare.

Some of you may have seen on the news the wildfires that are a result of the dry weather.  Our yearly monsoons were slow in starting this year and a campfire got out of control and caused some concern for the citizens of Flagstaff. This fire started on the first day, Sunday , but thankfully, they were able to continue their program, in spite of a warning to be prepared to evacuate.  Some of the older folks were complaining about all the smoke causing difficult breathing.   (The rains began on Tuesday, which was a great help in getting the fire under control.)

In spite of all the troubles, God was good and this year’s conference was a blessing.  We are always encouraged to see folks that that are still being faithful and serving the Lord.  We enjoy meeting folks we have ministered to over the years  as former Bible school students, campers, VBS kids, people where we’ve pastored or worked with in Conferences and Camp meetings.  It is good to see how God is still working in lives.

We have also filled in for a pastor for a Sunday when he had to be away and have some more scheduled for the next few months.  Please pray as the Lord opens doors to give out His Word for wisdom as the messages are prepared.

You folks are truly a blessing to us.  It is your prayers that help us continue to serve the Lord, as well as the financial support that you send so that we can pay bills.  Thank you!
II Cor. 2:11 “Ye also helping together by prayer for us.”
In Christ,
Sam & Janet Grammer  

David DeFord July 2019

  Dear Prayer Warriors,                                                                            August  2019 update

   Happy to be ‘home’ in Arizona, although it is the middle of “monsoon” season which brings humidity, dust storms, wind, high temps and rain.   Love it!

   We arrived in Chandler July 2 and found a very nice RV spot for the next six months.  We both have routine doctor apppointments to catch up on.   Praise the Lord for good health during our travels.

    One of the many blessings we received was promises of prayer for more laborers in the Native American fields.  The opportunity to speak in S S classes and worship services made this possible.  We were priviledged to visit in several of our supporting churches as well as churches we’ve been familiar with over the years.

    Two of our grandchildren will be getting married within a year.  Micah will be married in November to Rachael Holder from the U P of MI.  We were happy to meet her in Fargo, ND where Micah is in college.  Next July Brenna will be marrying Drew Turner from Birmingham AL area.  Both will be graduating from PCC.  They will be married here in Mesa.  That will make a total of five ‘grands’ married.          

Praises:

  Good to be in our IBIMI churches for services and to be of assistance when needed

  Safety in almost 14,000 miles of travel  (coast to coast and border to border)

  Encouragement from supporting churches and individuals

  Many opportunities to tell of the need there is for dedicated workers in the Indian fields 

  The Lord’s continued blessings

Requests:

  Opportunities to explain the need for the Gospel message to be preached on reservations.

  Pray with us for the Lord’s direction in whatever He chooses for us in the future.  We are    aware we won’t be able to travel as we do now for any great length of time.  We are planning    through January 2020 – July 2020 if the Lord would lead.

  IBIMI annual retreat Aug. 1-3 in Albuquerque.  Plan to do survey work on NM reservations near Albuquerque and Santa Fe.

In His love and ours,

Dave and Becky DeFord

2 Cor. 4:3

Grammer June 2019

June 2019
Dear Friends in Christ,
This past May, Janet was invited to speak to the Ladies’ banquet at the Yavapai-Apache church in Camp Verde where 2 of our missionary families are working.  There were about 20 ladies present and the topic was how to live a holy life and pleasing God.  It was a good time and the ladies seemed to enjoy the fellowship and encouragement.
The Dine Bible Institute classes are finished for this semester and we plan to start again this fall.  It is a blessing to see some of the students using this training to minister among their own people.
Just last week, we returned from a trip to Port Alsworth, Alaska for a week with Sam & Amber and our 3 grandsons (James-7, Peter-4 & Ira-2).  It has been 4 years since we have been in their home and a short visit from them 2 years ago at the family Thanksgiving gathering.  We don’t get to see much of our grandkids so this was a real treat.  We use our credit card a lot (paid off each month to avoid interest) and had saved enough “air miles” to get the tickets.  God is so good in providing our needs and even treats us to some of our “wants”.  
June 25-July 11, Sam will be flying to Alaska once again; this time to Thorne Bay
Some have asked if this is near our son’s home.   Sam & Amber live north of Anchorage and require another 1 ½-2 hr small plane flight to their community.   Thorne Bay is a 3 hr. ferry ride from Ketchikan in the south-eastern part of the state.   Same state- but it is a big state and the locations are far apart.
 We didn’t have any volunteer groups planned for this summer’s work, but God brought a Christian couple into our lives who plan on being in Thorne Bay this summer to visit family at the same time that Sam plans to be there  and the man hopes to be able to help with the work planned for this summer.  Amazing to watch God’s provision along the way.  Pray with us for safe travels and that much will be accomplished this summer
Some gifts sent this past month will help pay for this summer’s work.  We are thankful that God has met each expense along the way so that we have been able to avoid debt.  We are purchasing a large generator to power this project, since we are not getting a good response from the Alaska Power Company regarding electric coming to the property.  The cost will be approximately $5,500.   (We have to include the transportation costs of bringing it up on a barge to Thorne Bay.)  Please pray with us about meeting this need.
Sam will have a short break after arriving back in AZ before he has to speak at a Navajo family Camp; July 20-27.  He will be taking the morning and evening sessions in the English language while others will be teaching the same material in the Navajo language.  Many of the elderly still speak Navajo as their primary language but then many of the middle age and younger generation are more comfortable in English and may not even understand Navajo.  Be praying with us as he prepares for this week
Sometimes we share prayer requests and then have letters asking just how God worked in each situation.  Thank you.  It tells us that you are praying and also reminds us to mention how prayers are answered.  We were recently asked how the missionary family is doing that were experiencing a difficult pregnancy.  Jacob & Lydia Jones now have a healthy baby boy in their arms; Samuel.  The recovery time was longer than hoped for because of Lydia’s health challenges and an unavoidable c-section.  However, she was able to carry Samuel to full term and give birth to a healthy son -a definite answer to prayer!  
Thank you to each of you for your prayers for us and the ministry God has put us in.  You are a blessing to us. II Cor. 2:11 “Ye also helping together by prayer for us.”
In Christ,
Sam & Janet Grammer  

Veldhuis May 2019 Update Addendum

 My first four month post radiation cancer treatment labs May 31st found the prostate Specific Antigens less than one-half of what they’d been and in the middle of the normal range for a healthy man of my age. 
     We couldn’’t be more grateful for all the prayers and gifts responsible for the health and means to carry on all Cocopah ministries while covering medical expenses.  PRAY for Godsends of strength, coworkers, vehicles, weather, receptive souls, and funds for summer’s numerous ministries. 
     Pray Jacob, Lydia, and Samuel’s on and off deputation meetings while helping us will soon enable them to join us full time, and that until then Dawn and I will be able to safely handle and control the huge increase in van and bus riders and class sizes without our usual monitors. 
     Your PRAYERS for our LORD’s true lasting fruit this summer as well as for Dawn’s vasculitis, Lydia’s pulmonary hypertension, and my remission through September 2019’s next cancer evaluation are truly an invaluable and appreciated lifeline as you labor with us. Romans 15:30 
Michael and Dawn

Sondergaard June 2019

Dear praying family and friends

We wanted to thank you for praying for our many requests and update you on the events of the last couple weeks.

Thank you for praying for our Vacation Bible School. The Gospel was presented each night and the kids memorized several Bible verses. We highlighted the life of Jonah to illustrate the need of obeying God, turning from sin, and believing God. Naomi’s parents and sister and brother-in-law were visiting and were a tremendous help throughout the week. Although we had fewer kids this year, it seemed we had their attention better. Please continue praying that they would each put their faith in Jesus Christ.

For the last several months Ron and Diana Love have been here helping our church and one other church nearby. The Loves are burdened to equip Christians in effectively sharing the Gospel. Last Sunday, in the evening service, Ron again challenged our people to share the Gospel. Please pray that these truths would get such a grip on our church family that our community might see and experience the life-changing grace of the Lord Jesus. 

Also, that evening, a friend of Paul and Naomi’s (Jim Appel) shared his salvation testimony. Brother Appel helps churches with flooring and tile work and has been helping a church in Phoenix. While Brother Appel was sharing his testimony, a native man (John) came in. He is the son-in-law of Vida (one of the ladies who comes). He is recently out of prison and has struggles with drug addiction. John listened attentively to Brother Appel’s testimony. After the service John was about to leave when Brother Appel was able to take him aside and explain the Gospel more fully. John clearly recognized he was a sinner and on his way to Hell. Without being told what to say, John prayed confessing his sin (some specific) and put his faith in the Lord Jesus. Later he told Paul what had happened and expressed a desire to have a Bible study. Please pray that Paul would have wisdom in discipling John. And please pray for John: that God would gain victory in his life.  

Thank you for faithfully praying. We are seeing God answer your prayers! To the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. Jude 1:25 

Paul and Naomi Sondergaard

Messick May 2019

MAY 2019

“Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God;” Psalm 147:1

Dear Ones in Him,

As we begin our 35th year of ministry with the Native Americans in Arizona, we thank God for this privilege, and we ask God daily to do His work in these precious folks lives. Many of you have been a vital part of this ministry from the beginning through your prayers and support, and we thank you for your faithfulness and for being a great encouragement! 

We were blessed to have missionary Janet Grammer speak at our Mother/Daughter Banquet. She gave a very challenging and timely message on “Purity & Holiness” to the twenty in attendance. 

Also in May, we enjoyed getting to know missionary candidate, Bethany Anglin, as she shared her calling to the island of Roatan, Honduras. 

Ron & Diana Love from N.C. have been helping in various ways at the church for the last seven months. We appreciate Ron’s teaching on witnessing and soul-winning.

Recently, Gary had to have a small growth removed from his eyelid, and we are so thankful it was benign. Bev has battled dermatitis on her face for several months, being treated unsuccessfully with several medications. But, after getting in to see Kirt’s dermatologist it seems to be under control. 

Many of you have been praying for the health needs of Paul, our Youth Pastor and their baby, Andrew. Here is a report from Paul and Naomi that will bring you up to date: 

Andrew’s specific praises:

  • No genetic disorders found.
  • UTI tests came back clear.
  • God’s protection.
  • Slow weight gain.
  • Sweet smiles and responses to visual therapy.

Andrew’s specific needs and prayer needs:

  • Possible cranial band helmet to correct misalignment.
  • Cortical visual impairment – he isn’t blind but his brain doesn’t connect with what he sees.
  • Low muscle tone.
  • Delayed development.
  • Some feeding problems – swallowing and slow weight gain. 

Many of you have also been praying for Paul’s health. He has met with doctors and had several lung tests. Because of the breathing difficulty he was having, Paul has been avoiding nearly all paints and other harsh chemicals. In recent months Paul’s breathing has gradually cleared to where he is rarely having trouble breathing. We are praising God for answering prayer. 

We ask that you would continue to uphold little Andrew in prayer. 

Other prayer requests: 

*Simon, who has an alcohol problem, attends church occasionally with his mother, Rachel. Recently, he met

with Gary for a time of counseling and Bible study. He has agreed to continue meeting with Gary.

*Kelly, Simon’s cousin, also comes to church with Rachel. Her boyfriend, Marlon, is a professed atheist. Please

pray Kelly will accept the fact that there is danger in staying in a relationship with him, hoping she can change

him. Pray for Marlon’s salvation. 

*For VBS the first week of June; that hearts will be touched and lives changed through the teaching of God’s Word.

Thank you again for standing faithfully with us in the work here with the Yavapai-Apache Nation.

In Christ,

Gary & Bev Messick