Messick’s September 2016

Messick’s September 2016

SEPTEMBER 2016

Dear Ones in Him,

2 Peter 3:18 encourages us to “Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
It is our desire to daily see spiritual progress in our lives and in the lives of those we minister to. We know this can only happen as we draw from His strength and yield ourselves to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Fall is here and with it has come milder temperatures. This is what we have been looking forward to since April!! No more triple digits!

It has been a blessing to have recent visits from Hoosier friends, some we’ve known for years, some new to us. We enjoyed getting better acquainted with Cal & Kendra Kripe and Al & Mary Kripe from Goshen, IN. Though we had never before met Linda Jack and Sandra Day from Greenfield, IN., after being with them a short while, we felt as though we’d always known them. We appreciated the fact that all these folk took time from their vacations to stop by and desired to see the Reservation and church and to learn more of the ministry here. And it’s always good to have a visit from former Hoosiers – David & Becky DeFord. The friendships God has granted to us rejoice our hearts and make us smile!

Our congregation has grown since we last wrote. Paul & Naomi Sondergaard blessed us with another baby girl to love and enjoy. Aletheia Joy was born on September 4th – their fourth child born on the 4th! She is precious, just like her two sisters and brother. Thanking the Lord for a safe delivery and asking the Lord’s blessing on her life.

In our last letter, we had asked for prayer for a young father who is incarcerated due to wrong choices brought on by drug addiction. He seems to be doing well and is having Bible studies with other inmates. Please continue to uphold him in prayer, that through this time in prison he will be delivered from his addiction and turn His life over to the Lord.

We would also ask prayers for another man who was indirectly involved in the murder/dismemberment of a man on the Reservation. He is facing several years in prison. Pray that He, too, will come to the Lord and be freed from his alcohol addiction.

We want to thank those who have sent gifts toward the church landscaping. We are grateful for the obvious way the Lord has provided through you, but more funds are needed for this and for materials for a storage building project. There is a group planning to come at the end of January to help with this job.

Also, we are so thankful for your faithful prayers. You have had a part in what God is doing here and we could not continue without the prayers and support of God’s people. We count it an honor to serve where God has placed us, and we count it an honor to serve with you.

In Christ,
Gary & Bev

Veldhuis September 2016

Dear Co-laborers in Christ,
Folded but unmailed updates as far back as June together with repeatedly delayed R&R of any sort or building and vehicle repairs bespeak the priority of Cocopah ministries over almost anything else in our lives. Thankfully, untimely correspondence on our part could not jeopardize your faithful enabling any more than it could detract from our gratitude.
Your grace and understanding in accepting these updates or e-mails as personal tokens of gratitude are doubly appreciated as that is how we view your truly sacrificial gifts and prayers!
Bless the Lord and each of you for the insurance coverage and advanced neuro / cardiac tests that easily surpassed new federal requirements and restored my C.D.L. just in time for Neighborhood Bible Time, June 12-17.
PTL for rewarding our N.B.T. evangelists and Heritage and Maranatha Baptist’s help with spiritually hungry natives of all ages despite closed doors at the tribal youth home and chaos in several families! How grateful we are for formally disinterested 13 year old, Jared’s profession of faith, as well as for Lilly, Tyler, and others’ assurance or rededication decisions. New contacts with Octavia’s 3 children and other grade schoolers swelled the ranks of Sunday school and Bro. Rick and Mary Francis Hastrich’s Wednesday King’s Kids club.
Spiritual victories, however, were not without great battles or casualties. Eighteen year olds Adolfo and Lyetha had to be taken home from the Bill Rice West Branch teen camp for misbehaving while 14 year old Tyrus spent the week in detention on drug charges. PRAY Tyrus will truly sell out to the Lord through rehabilitation in Nevada. PRAY Adolfo and Lyetha’s return to church will lead to true conversions for both of them.
All six West Branch junior campers surrendered different areas of their lives to the Lord during their July 5-9, 2016 camp week after earlier professions of faith here. BLESS the Lord for fruit and safety throughout the 300 mile trip there as well the 600 mile one to Apache Creek camp August, 1-5! Eric and Felipe, adult men, and I profited much from “Indian Week” with primarily Navajo preachers.
Pray for these Native evangelists’ time off work and their and our preparations for our annual camp meeting at our church, November 3-5, 2016. PRAY for true conversions or revival of Alex, Alexis, Arturo, Ashley, Bernice, Carlos, Daren, Darnel, Edward, George, Jessica, Laura, Lorie, Lydia S., Millie, Monique, Ricky, Tony, Wanda, and other Alvanez, Alvarez, Hayes, Phillips, Sereno, Soto, and Thomas family members.
PRAY also for remaining preparations for this fall’s most singular event to us: our daughter Lydia’s wedding to Jacob Jones, originally of Brawley, California. The wedding is at 3:00pm, October 15th at Faith Baptist Church here in Yuma. In the interim Lydia is staying with a couple from Jacob’s church in Gilbert, AZ. This allows her to help Jacob in his church’s bus ministry and to start her teaching job there prior to their wedding.
Time and work largely reversed the gains of Lydia’s April eye surgery and made teaching and driving more difficult. PRAY her neurologist and eye surgeon will correctly assess the roll of her cerebral palsy in this and determine the value of further surgery. P.T.L. the dangerous heart catheterization to monitor her Pulmonary Hypertension went well and showed cardio/pulmonary improvement. This was extremely encouraging in view of the termination of her therapy months ago and the difficulty keeping health insurance coverage for her enormously expensive daily meds.
Silas is also away from home, though living in Yuma while finishing his bachelor’s degree at Northern Arizona University and teaching welding at Arizona Western College. He still plays the piano for church and helps with church projects when his schedule permits. Pray for direction regarding a six month internship in robotic welding design near Chicago after his graduation from N.A.U., December 2016.
The Hastrichs added many of Silas and Lydia’s church responsibilities to their own, but cannot also monitor bus and van pickups. PRAY for Godly helpers from within the church and strength and wisdom for each of us.
Brother Rick and his wife Mary Francis will carry on Cocopah ministries here November 8-15 so Dawn can accompany me to Treasure Valley Baptist Church’s mission conference for the first time since Lydia and Silas were grade schoolers.
Your sacrifices and prayers for each of us and the needs mentioned are a lifeline and conduit of God’s blessings we never take for granted (Romans 15: 30).
BLESSINGS:
• Karen and several family members’ move back to the reservation and return to church.
• King’s Kids’ growth and excitement bringing cousins and friends to meetings.
• Successful repair of fuel pump and computer problems in our most used van and bus.
• Strength, safety, and provisions for summer’s grueling ministries.
• Better control of Dawn’s diabetes, vasculitis, and neck bone spur pain.
PRAYER REQUESTS:
• The mental, physical, and spiritual health of Ashley, Bernice, Edward, Ricky, Tony and abused foster children.
• Tyrus and his mother, Lorie’s detention needs and return to the Lord.
• Comfort for the Evanston, Phillips, and Thomas families over deaths this summer.
• Lasting fruit from our November 3-5, 2016 native camp meeting at our church.
• The Hastrichs’ work here during our November 9-13 mission conference in Boise, Idaho.

Gratefully and Prayerfully Yours,
Michael, Dawn, Lydia, and Silas Veldhuis

Sam and Janet Grammer Oct 2016

Oct. 2016

Dear Friends in Christ,

A Christian contractor from Alaska has given us a fair bid on the building of the radio station building and was willing to adjust it so we could stay within our budget and not go into debt on the project. However, he suggested that it would be better to add 2 more supports to the foundation that has been laid and his suggestion made sense. It will require about a day to do it so another trip is planned to Alaska, thanks to the financial help of some of our Christian friends and supporters. Thank you. This trip will only be for a few days and by the time you get this letter, Sam should be in AK. Please pray for good weather so that the work can be completed in this short time. They hope to start work soon and have the exterior completed this winter. Pray also for safety as he travels and that he will make all the connections of the airlines and ferry schedules. We appreciate your prayers and help with this Christian Radio project.

Every Sunday this month, we have been scheduled to fill a pulpit on the Navajo Reservation. This requires a 1 ½ -3 hr. drive, depending on the church in need. One church, Dilkon, is presently without a pastor and a very small congregation. Pray with us for a full-time pastor for them.

In the fall of 1972, we left our home in Maryland, packing up our 3 daughters (at that time) and headed for Arizona to minister among the American Indian people. We are now starting our 45th year, and rejoice in what we’ve watched God do in lives over the years. Thank you for your continued help in putting us on this field of ministry.

We have been putting on many miles as we travel for ministry and God has kept us safe. We are also enjoying good health. Thank you for your prayers, as well as your gifts!

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

In Christ,

Sam & Janet Grammer

Dave and Becky DeFord September 2016

Dear Prayer Partners,                                                                       September 2016 update

 

Most of the update letters we send out to our friends and family interested and praying for the ministry the Lord has given us contain items that we’ve been involved in over a specific period of time.  This letter we intend to devote solely on prayer requests for individuals we’ve been in contact with recently.  Some will be named, others we will mention a first name only, not because of importance, but for their privacy.

 

Pastor Marshall Yazzie and his family we’ve known for some 30 years.  We’ve seen their children born and raised in a solid Christian environment.  We’ve witnessed their grandchildren’s appearance.  We love this family as we do our own and ask that you pray with us specifically for their spiritual and emotional needs.  Because of the stand they take and have taken, the enemy is constantly attacking.  He would have them discouraged and saddened.  We would just like to ask that you uphold them in prayer often.

 

There are four young people that have been coming on a regular basis to Sunday School and Worship Service.  They are in their twenties and related to Eric, who was recently baptized.  They listen intently to the Word as it is taught and preached.  This is a very important time in young adults lives as they are bombarded with the world’s enticements.  Please remember these four as you pray.

 

Please continue to pray for Eric, Verlinda, Brian and Carla  They are faithful in services as health and work schedules permit.  All are growing and taking active roles in the services.

 

Lastly, the six year old that we have asked prayer for in past update letters.  He is facing an upsetting and unsettling situation at home.  He is so close to asking Jesus to come into his heart, but because of his home situation and erratic attendance this has not yet taken place.

 

David had an allergic reaction to a sulfa drug in May which required a six day hospital stay until the problem was actually diagnosed.  He is doing fine and will have to remember he is not designed to take Bactrin.  Becky was to have a heart cath and advised of possibly the need for three to four stents Aug. 22.  The heart cath was a success in helping doctors realize she did not need stents, and was released the same day.  The Lord is so good in caring for both of us.

We thank you for praying for us.

 

Thank you in advance for praying for the folks listed above, and for your faithful financial support.

 

In His love and ours,

 

Dave and Becky DeFord

Sam & Janet Grammer Aug 2016

August 2016

Dear Friends in Christ,

Our great grandson, Peter Chick was born last month and we asked prayer for him.  Thank you!  2 weeks after his birth, he was finally released from the hospital and is doing well.  We are now praying that he will accept Christ early in his life so that his life will bring glory to         God.  He may be young-but when is it too early to pray for them spiritually?

Sam safely made his trip to Alaska this month and is now home in Arizona.  He was able to talk with 3 different local contractors, asking and answering questions so that they all were clear on what was desired.  He left his plans with them to look at and get back to him with a         bid. This will be for the exterior construction, leaving the interior work for future work teams providing volunteer labor.  Pray with us for some fair and reasonable prices and wisdom as to who should do the work for us.

Almost every week-end we are ministering in different churches, filling the pulpits in churches without a pastor or for pastors that have to be away for the week-end.  Please pray with us with all the travel.  Our calendar is already filled for the month of Sept., as well as a week     of meetings in Oct.  We are also scheduled this coming week-end, to help celebrate a 50th wedding anniversary at Inscription House, on the Navajo Reservation.  Sam has been asked to officiate as this couple renews their wedding vows.

Last month was so busy that Janet wasn’t able to visit in the local nursing home with some of our Navajo ladies.  They started this visiting to encourage an elderly Christian lady from the church in Tuba City, who now resides there.  At this time, we have 3 ladies that we visit;         all Believers.  We read Scripture, pray and sing hymns together, as well as just listening to them and showing them love as Christian sisters.  A Navajo lady, Helen, speaks the language, so joins Janet to help overcome the language barrier.  This ministry is no sacrifice but a real joy as     we receive their love in return.  After such a long time between visits, the smile of recognition and joy when we were spotted warmed our hearts.

With fall just around the corner and schools starting, Janet’s piano students are starting to return to their piano.  Summer activities, VBS, Camps, vacations… made some of them a bit sporadic in showing up for lessons.  We are praying for some future pianists for the many             Navajo churches with no one to play for their services.  What a difference it makes to have someone playing a piano to help the congregation stay together and on the same key.

Thank you for your prayers, as well as your gifts!

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

In Christ,

Sam & Janet Grammer

Gary & Bev Messick August 2016

Dear Ones in Him,

As we begin our thirty-second year serving among the Native Americans of Arizona the years have been full of blessings and challenges and experiences that have stretched us in our walk with Christ, and it has been a wonderful privilege to be a part of God’s work here.

The first half of 2016 has flown by and our semi-annual newsletter is overdue! You may recall that in January we asked for your prayers as our son, Kirt, went through triple bypass surgery. So thankful to God for answering those prayers as Kirt is back to work full-time and doing well.

In May, Naomi and Bev gave a Mother/Daughter tea at church.They were hoping that fifteen to twenty might attend, but were thrilled to have thirty-six there! Mrs. Sue Smith brought a wonderful message reminding us that our Heavenly Father cares about us and we can “cast all our cares on Him.”

Also in May, our hearts were saddened at the passing of Bev’s dear sister, Betty. Though we miss her greatly, we rejoice in the knowledge that she is with her Savior and our separation is only temporary.

July saw six of our junior age at West Branch church camp. Four of the six made the life-changing decision to trust Christ as personal Savior. We rejoice in the salvation of five of our young people this year, and are looking forward to a baptism service later this month. Please pray for spiritual growth in these young lives.

We just ended a great four days of VBS with an average of twenty-four children. What a blessing to hear the children in the Sunday morning service share the Bible verses they had memorized, as well as the songs they had learned throughout the week. Naomi did a wonderful job putting this all together.

It is exciting to see our church growing, and are anxiously awaiting yet another new “member’s” arrival! Paul & Naomi are expecting their fourth little one the end of August. Please pray all will go well.

We would covet your prayers for a father who, through wrong choices brought on by drug addiction, will be spending several years in prison. His daughter attends Junior Church regularly.

Included are some pictures of the Mother/Daughter tea and of VBS.

We are grateful for your interest in this ministry and we thank the Lord for each one of you who continues to pray for us.

God bless you,
Gary & Bev Messick

Steve De Ford July 2016

Lamentations 3:24 The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.

Greetings from sunny Arizona!

We finished an unusually dry July with some much needed rain. But the late rain was just one of the many blessings we received from the Lord this past month.

Early in the month several of our juniors attended camp in the cool pines of northern Arizona. One of our youngsters received a scholarship from our church in order to be able to attend. Another one of our youngsters surrendered her life to Christ this year! All of them had a great week at the Bill Rice Ranch West Branch.

Later in the month we held VBS studying the life of Joseph. We averaged 49 youngsters each night; and best of all two young men were saved! Our church folk did a great job again this year running every aspect of Vacation Bible School.

As July 31st was the fifth Sunday of the month our youth group took on most of the responsibilities of our morning worship service. They made announcements, took up the offering, covered the nursery and Sunday School classes, as well as sang a special during the service. Then our youth leader, Cleve, preached the morning message.

Thank you for your continued prayer and support of our family and this ministry. It is truly our pleasure to serve our Lord and represent you here on the Hualapai Reservation!

For God’s Glory,
the Steve De Ford family

Grammer’s July 2016 Update

July 2016
Dear Friends in Christ,
About every 3-4 weeks, Janet goes to a local nursing home to visit one of the ladies from Tuba City.  Because of the age of this lady, she doesn’t speak much English, so Janet takes a Navajo Christian  (Helen) with her to translate.  Together we sing in Navajo and Helen reads the Scriptures in Navajo.  On this last visit, we found 2 other ladies that we knew that are now residents there and visited with them also.  One of them was more fluent in English, so Janet was able to read the Scriptures, though we still sang Navajo Hymns. One of them stated that she had to miss the last 3 Navajo Bible Studies and was praying that someone would come and worship and share God’s Word with her.  How nice to find that you are an answer to prayer!
Mesa View Baptist Church had their annual Camp Meeting, “Echo in the Pines”, this month in Echo Canyon on the Reservation, Sam was asked to teach the young people and Janet helped with the music.  They have a small block building that the adults were meeting in and a tarp and canopy set up for the children.  As we were finishing the first teaching session, the rain began and water started to accumulate on the tarp and canopy  and we had to shorten the session.  We successfully got the kids under a more reliable roof when we noticed that the canopy had collapsed.  In the evening session, the lesson was continued in the eating area; a log lean-to.  How surprising to find that several of the “wigglers” that seemed to be only disturbing the class-time, were actually listening and remembered what was taught earlier and able to answer questions during the review time.  A good reminder, teachers, that you don’t really know what God is doing in the hearts as you teach.  Just stay faithful!  It was also encouraging to have a mom tell us the next day that her son had enjoyed the class and was up until 1 A.M. talking about  it.
In the middle of July, we spent a week in Inscription House as Ts’ah BeeKin Church for their VBS where Sam taught the adult English speaking class.  The theme was “Family Focus” so Sam taught on the various roles in the home; husband, wife and children , as well as finances.  It was a good week with at least 4 professions of faith and many more decisions being made to make changes that will be pleasing to God.
The day that we arrived home from Inscription House, Sam taught once again at a Navajo Family Bible Camp held annually here in Flagstaff.  He had the English speaking class Sat. PM as well as both services on Sunday and again Monday AM.  We saw many familiar faces that we have worked with over the 44 years of ministering here among the Indian people, so it seemed like a family re-union with our Christian brothers and sisters.  This year’s focus was on the book of Revelation and the Doctrine of Future Events (Eschatology). Though the teaching was mostly for Christians, we know of 3 that made professions of faith during the classes.
July 30-August 9, Sam will be in Alaska.  Pray for safe traveling, as well some reasonable bids for the exterior construction for the radio station building.  It was suggested that it would be better to get a local contractor to do the initial building, due to the cost of travel and transporting the needed equipment, as well as lodging for workers while on the site.  We are  hoping that this can be completed this winter (after the summer fishing season is completed) and the interior work can be next summer’s project.
July 20 our 4th great grandchild was born:  Peter Parker Chick; 8 lbs.; 21”; parents-Hannah & Jonathan Chick. (Hannah is Faith’s daughter.)  The following day, Peter was transferred to Maine Medical Center due to breathing problems and is presently on a feeding tube with breathing aids to help him expel the liquid in his lungs.  We would appreciate your prayers for the Chick family at this time.
Thank you for your prayers, as well as your gifts !

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

Messick’s June 2016 letter

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16

Dear Ones in Him,

In our last monthly letter, we asked that you pray about several prayer requests. We would like to share with you how God heard and answered in wonderful ways!

We had mentioned health needs for our son, Kirt, and grandson, Zachary. We are so thankful to report that both are doing much better now.

Another request was for the children removed from their home to due to their mother’s alcohol abuse. Mom is now out of rehab and the children are back home. Please continue to pray for this mother’s salvation and that she will begin coming to church with her children.

We also asked for safety in travel. You may recall we were to drive to Arkansas to attend Zachary’s graduation on June 3. On Saturday, May 28th, we were in a town forty-five miles from JD & Jenny’s home and our starter went out. Being a holiday weekend, many businesses were closed. A young man saw our hood up and stopped by to help. We learned he was a pastor and has a Christian friend who is a mobile mechanic. He called him for us and the starter was replaced in a short time, but when they started it, it still had a problem – it sounded as though the flywheel had been damaged and needed to be replaced. We were able to drive it to the mechanic’s home, JD & Jenny picked up us and our luggage and took us to their home.

The next morning, we were saddened to receive word that Bev’s sister, Betty, had passed away. We were planning to go to Indiana to see her after the graduation, as she had been in poor health. The mechanic was able to get our car up and running on Wednesday morning and we left for Indiana. We thought we would be attending Zachary’s graduation on Friday, but God another special “graduation service” for us to attend. Betty was a wonderful, godly sister and dearly loved her Savior. It was hard to lose yet another sibling, but it is such a comfort to know it isn’t goodbye. Heaven just gets sweeter.

The two weeks we were in Indiana gave us to opportunity to see many relatives, friends, and to visit some of our supporting churches. But our car problems were not over. During those two weeks, we again had problems with the starter, brakes, and some transmission issues. But in every instance, we saw God’s protective hand. He always brought along help at just the right time, we were never left stranded in the middle of nowhere! We are so thankful to those who helped by giving us rides, housing, and even with financial gifts to help cover some of the expenses. We saw so many blessings during difficult times.

Our Youth Pastor and wife, Paul & Naomi Sondergaard, did a tremendous job handling the church services while we were away – another huge blessing! We appreciate Brother David DeFord bringing the Father’s Day message during that time. We will have to say, it is good to be home!
Please pray for:
*the lady who recently attempted to take her own life
*the mother now home from rehab
*our young people going to camp
*preparations for VBS in Aug.

*And please pray for us as we strive to see lives changed for God’s glory. We are greatly encouraged, knowing that there are friends like you who take interest in what we are doing. Thank you for praying.

In Christ,
Gary & Bev

David and Becky DeFord’s June Letter

Dear Prayer Partners,

 

Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. Psalm 103:2

   The months of May and June have been awesome as we have been witnessing the Lord’s working in hearts and answering prayer before our eyes.

 

We were invited to do pulpit fill for Pastor Gary Messick on Father’s Day. It is always a joy to be with these dear folk in the Camp Verde area. We had a sweet time of fellowship with fellow missionaries Paul and Naomi Sondergaard and their three children after the morning service.

 

The Baptist Indian Chapel has just finished a week of VBS with an 11 member team from Faith Baptist Church in Morristown, Indiana. It was such a tremendous week with 5 young people asking the Lord to forgive their sin and ask for eternal life. The attendance was low with 13 the first three nights, and 11 the final night. It is so exciting to realize God’s working in these young lives. Sunday June 26, following VBS, 3 of these “babes” in Christ were in church. Please pray with us for these young ones that (1 they will be faithful in church and Sunday School and (2 we can encourage them in their new life in Christ.

 

Also on June 26 a special baptismal service was held for the two adults we had brought to your attention in our last update letter. Both of these adults had invited their families to witness their testimony of their salvation. Attendance, due mostly to these family members, was increased to well over 40. Pray with us for these two; Eric and Verlinda that they will continue to be steadfast in their growth.

 

We know, as you do, that the enemy in the world would have these tender lives ruined. Please pray for the leadership of the church as we’ve already been made aware of attacks. The attacks are meant to discourage and weaken what has begun.

 

Continue to pray for the 6 year old that knows he is a sinner, but as yet has not made the critical decision to accept God’s free gift of salvation.

Be

We’ve mentioned our neighbors Jim and Nancy in previous letters. Jim passed away in late June. We would ask that you continue to pray for Nancy. Jim had a good salvation testimony.

 

 

In His love and ours,

 

Dave and Becky DeFord

David & Becky DeFord’s May 2016 Update

Dear Prayer Partners,                                                                       May 2016 update

 

“Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.” Psalm 119:111

There are many wonderful rejoicings to relay with this update letter.

 

To begin with we were excited to be asked to be a part of celebrating 20 years of the Tohono O’Odham Baptist Church building. We have watched this ministry grow steadily under the leadership of Pastor Jay Shannon. There were five of our IBIMI missionary pastors present at the service.

 

Pastor Marshall Yazzie is well rested after a brief time off. He is preaching each week and planning VBS this June 20 through 24. We look forward to this ministry with Faith Baptist Church from Morristown, Indiana.

 

David has finished a series of Sunday School lessons on Spiritual Gifts and has begun a series teaching basic doctrines of Christian Responsibilities. The Lord has used His Word to prompt two adults to request baptism. It is a real blessing to see these two respond to the Lord’s leading in their life.

 

Becky has been alternating with Debbie Yazzie teaching Sunday School and Children’s Church. We are seeing the Lord working in one young boy especially as he is realizing what sin is and that God hates it. He asks questions and knows that we all have sinned. Pray with us that we can soon see this sweet one born into an eternal life with the Lord.

 

Living in east Mesa, we are in close proximity to hospitals and rehabilitation centers which makes it easy for us to visit folks coming in from three reservations where we have ministered. It is a blessing for us to be able to pray with these patients and also be an encouragment to them as they always are to us. Praise the Lord for where He has us located.

 

Please remember to pray for the two adults desiring baptism, the young boy realizing he is a sinner, plus the ones we had on our prayer request list in the last update letter.

 

April Letter from Grammer’s

Dear Friends in Christ,

So what do we do now that we are no longer pastoring?  Glad you asked.  It’s quite diversified and yet in so many ways similar to what we were doing when pastoring in a single church.

Many of our week-ends are busy with pulpit supply; mostly on the Navajo Reservation, but not exclusively.  Sometimes they are having special Sunday events and sometimes the pastor is sick or needs to be away from his pulpit.  We actually find this a bit more difficult when you only have one day to preach rather than able to follow a more extensive and intense study of a book or doctrine.

Each week, Sam is now teaching the next class in Theology at a local Bible School in a Navajo church that is now pastored by a former student from years ago when we were with the Southwestern School of Missions here in Flagstaff.  This semester, the class is not as full as last semester, but we are thankful for each one that desires to understand God’s Word and therefore know God more intimately.

We are also filling in our calendar with speaking and teaching opportunities:  fall conferences, annual camps, Mother’s Day, retirement celebration…

Our week days are often busy with unscheduled visitors wanting advice from God’s Word.  Since this often involves traveling a distance, we try to have something to feed them.  Add to that nursing home and hospital visits and Janet’s piano students…  We are just thankful for each opportunity to serve the Lord.

Another trip to Thorne Bay, Alaska is being planned for late July and beginning of August.  It has been suggested to us that the cost of travel and lodging and getting the equipment needed for building, would make it more sensible to get a local contractor to put up the outside construction for the Radio Station cabin.  The interior finishing could then be done with smaller groups of volunteers in the future.  This trip will be a scouting trip to find a local contractor that will understand what we want to accomplish and hopefully at an affordable cost.

We know that many of you pray with us for these needs, as well as help us financially.
Please pray for both of us as we minister to men and women, both in public and personally, as well as safety in travel.  Also pray with us about the progress on the Thorne Bay radio station project.  Thank you.

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

In Christ,
Sam & Janet Grammer