Grammer May 2021

Grammer May 2021

May 2021
Dear Friends in Christ,
This past month has been a busy time around our house.  We’ve had several visits in our home and even some over-nighters.  There weren’t a lot of teaching or preaching engagements this month but June will make up for it.

We were able to be with the Living Waters Baptist church among the Yavapai-Apache people this past month.  Their pastor and wife were able to travel to see their grandson graduate and asked us to fill in for them for the week-end.  We have watched this work begin and grow over the years and it was a blessing to us to be with them once again.

Pray with us as Sam prepares messages for the next couple of months.  We are scheduled for 4 preaching and teaching opportunities in June and then the teleconference being planned for next month, July.

We are also schedule for 4 other preaching and teaching opportunities in June.  Thank you for your prayers on our behalf.

Plans are now being made for this summer’s work in Thorne Bay, AK on the radio station project.  We have a work crew from NC coming up in mid-Aug and Sam is going up the beginning of Aug. with 3 young men to  be sure the needed materials are on hand and all is ready for the workers.  

Pray with us for:  (1) the construction, (2) safety of the workers both in travel and on site, (3) the need for the electric company to put in power lines, (4) that even now, God would be preparing the man God would have run the station, and (5) that we can soon be on the air reaching out with the message of salvation to those who live in the Thorne Bay area.  (This paragraph is a repeat from last month’s letter, but still true for this coming month.  We really do need your prayers with us in this outreach.)
You are important to our work here.  Thank you for your letters of encouragement, your prayers, and the financial support that allows us to continue to minister and serve the Lord.

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

Sam & Janet Grammer

Veldhuis May 2021

Dear Co-laborers in Christ,
Despite repeated unfortunate delays with this update, we can only thank you and extol our God of all Grace for turning this Covid-19

“valley of Baca [weeping] into a well” of life (Psalm 84:6).
The promises of verses five and seven of this chapter further proved as true today as when first penned: “Blessed are they that

dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah. They go from strength to strength…”

The year long closure of all three Cocopah reservations to any group ministries or Native pickups actually broadened and strengthened relationships through increased weekly personal visits. Parents were often happier than their largely foster children families for our constant supply of basic life needs, Bible DVDs and quizzes, school or activity packs, and tri-weekly live-streamed church services.

Bible studies and smaller group meetings with off-reservation Native families brought rich fellowship the world could never give those who looked elsewhere (1 John 2:17). Homebound Lydia S. blessed us similarly in town with news of her watching a Biblical Navajo evangelist after viewing our live-streamed services.

Salvador and Lorie were gloriously married March 5th in our church almost a year to the day of his conversion and Lorie’s re- surrender to the Lord the final night of our 2020 revival. They won custody of Lorie’s three nine to sixteen year-old children after his full time employment and both of their victory over longstanding substance abuse.

PRAY for the entire family’s huge health and housing needs as well as teenagers Lilly, Tyler, and Tyrus’s suicide attempts, gang activities, and lifetime imprisonment. Revival meetings late March at Heritage and Maranatha Baptist churches helped relieve these pressures and assuage the losses of Salvador’s probably unsaved aunt and Lorie’s last living Quechan sisters to the virus.

The re-opening of our tribe April 1st allowed us to take teens to the Bill Rice West Branch Teen Retreat, April 30th-May1st as well as to resume Jacob and Lydia’s monthly teen rally, April 9th. Dawn and I were blessed to update Central Baptist Church of Santa Ana, CA in person for the first time in ten years, April 7th and 8th!

Our dependence on your prayers and provisions for both physical and spiritual needs cannot be overemphasized or adequately recognized. Providential virtual miracles in recent weeks alone included:

  • The spiritual hunger and joy throughout the teen retreat of Ayla and Phoenix, two girls from hardcore traditional and broken homes.
  • Breakdown of our van before beginning the 720 mile round trip drive to the retreat.
  • Protection from loss of control on mountain curves of the substitute van’s dangerously worn ball joints and steering components.
  • Discovery of a bus fuel line leak spraying onto its’ hot manifold in time to prevent a fire.
  • The means to cover a full set of tires and the myriad repairs of other vehicles for summer ministries. Your prayers for “utterance and boldness in making known the Gospel” (Eph. 6:19) are tools we know and trust to turn these petitions into eternal blessings. PRAISES
    • Parents increasingly sending children to Bible Clubs and church.
    • Excitement of young people and parents about summer camps.
    • Superb teen response to resumed Bible clubs and rallies.
    • Jacob and Lydia’s completed full time deputation and help with the Cocopah beyond their recently begun Quechan work.
    • Resumption of North Rez Bible clubs and church pickups (25 miles away).
    • Michael’s good February cancer follow-up, a CDL physical, and successful March knee surgery. PETITIONS
    • Young adult Casey’s salvation and huge physical and mental health needs.
    • 12 year old Anthony, five siblings, and mother’s needs after the father’s fatal April heart attack.
    • Souls saved and matured through Neighborhood Bible Time, June 14-18, and Bill Rice West Branch Junior and Teen Camps, June 21st-25th, and June 28th-July 2nd, 2021.
    • Possible July Native Week at Apache Creek Deaf and Youth Camp in New Mexico.
    • Each of our health, wisdom, and safety ‘midst summer’s grueling heat, sandstorms, and monsoon humidity. Heartfelt love and personal thanks for each one of your invaluable prayers and sacrifices. Sincerely In Christ, Michael and Dawn Veldhuis (II Cor. 9:8)

Messick APRIL 2021

“But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the LORD GOD, that I may declare all Thy works.” Psalm 73:28

Dear Friends and Family,

April 4th, Easter Sunday, was a very special day. The Lord blessed us with a cool, sunny morning to have our Sunday School hour out under the canopy. Both it and the Morning Worship hour was well attended. Afterward, we were able to have our first church meal together since covid. This was followed by observing the Lord’s Supper. 

On April 11th, Gary was preaching in the evening service. He complained of a bad headache and, though he knew what he wanted to say, he began to have difficulty getting the words out, and had to stop several times. He went to emergency the next day and they found he had had a TIA. We thank the Lord for his goodness to us in that he has suffered no residual effects from it!! We would appreciate your remembering him in prayer, and Bev also as she is struggling with double vision since having cataract surgery. 

Some of you may not know that we live on top of a mesa and have a very steep hill to descend. One Sunday morning, driving the church van, we had reached the cross road at the bottom of the hill and came up to the stop sign, but we didn’t obey it!! We had no brakes! Gary quickly turned the corner just behind a car that had just passed in front of us! After pumping the brakes several times, we were able to continue on to church. A new master cylinder took care of the problem. I must say, we were definitely wide-awake the rest of the day!! So thankful for God’s protection.

Upcoming events we are looking forward to in May will be:

*The Mother/Daughter Banquet

*A visit from our sister-in-law, her daughter and husband – Marilyn Wright, Rick & Sharilyn DeCrastos 

*A trip to Arkansas to attend our grandson, Hunter’s, graduation

PRAYER REQUESTS:

*Bob – struggling with single-parenting his three children after the passing of his wife 

*Simon – Spiritual needs

*God’s leading and timing to supply a couple to take our place 

*That God would supply the extra funds for the modular replacement as building material

costs have skyrocketed, as well as wisdom in knowing what type of structure would be best

*Safety in our travels

Thank you for bringing these needs before the Father, and for your faithful support of this ministry.

May God bless you for being a blessing!

Love in Christ,

Gary & Bev Messick

DeFord March/April 2021

Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift. 2 Cor. 9:15
And thank you for your faithful prayers and support of the ministry among the Native Americans! March and April were filled with ministry
opportunities, travel, and various celebrations. Early in March, our youngest son, Josh hosted his Senior Graphic Design show at
Pensacola Christian College. He was thrilled with all the out of town guests that came to congratulate and encourage him. We are
looking forward to his graduation in May.
We are so grateful the reservation in opening up more and more. Not only are we holding in person services, but in March we had our
first wedding in quite a while. The groom is the man I mentioned in our last letter who was saved during marriage counseling. That same
day was the anniversary of Steve’s Dad’s graduation to Glory! We held a memorial service for him at Bill Rice Ranch West Branch a
couple of weeks earlier. Our family was greatly encouraged by the outpouring of support by all those in attendance. Dr. Bill Rice III
preached a message about John the Baptist that blessed us beyond words!
Two days later Steve returned to West Branch with our largest group ever to attend men’s retreat. Several first time attenders discovered
why the rest of the men look forward to this event every spring.
Resurrection Sunday brought the largest attendance since meeting back in person. We also had our first breakfast at church in over a
year. Serving the meal was different than usual to facilitate covid protocols, but everyone enjoyed the fellowship. We look forward to
getting back to our monthly “Super Sundays” including breakfast once restrictions are lifted.
The following Sunday after the evening service we had a special fellowship time to celebrate our oldest church member turning 90! Rose
has been in Hualapai Baptist Church since she was a young girl. Her life has been a miracle since she survived a car wreck a few years
ago. Her recovery has been as remarkable as it has been complete.
Another April blessing was the Brady Rochester family ministering to us in music and Word. We had scheduled this talented family last
year, but they had to cancel their trip during the pandemic. Meeting and worshiping with them was another joy of being back in person
for services.
But the greatest blessing of all to share with you is what happened the last day of April. Our church had been praying for a woman to be
saved for the last few years. This same woman approached one of our men and asked him to visit her dying husband. Arrangements
were made and Raynard and Lisa made the visit April 30. As Raynard presented the gospel Lisa prayed and it became very clear that the
woman we had prayed for for those years was very ready to receive Christ as her Saviour. By the time the visit was over she was saved
along with her husband, a nephew and his girlfriend-four precious names written down in the Lamb’s Book of Life!
All of these gifts are ours through the rich grace given us through the Lord Jesus Christ! Thank you for allowing yourself to be used of
Him to make these blessings a reality.
For God’s Glory,
The Steve De Ford family

Jones Family May 2021

Dear Family and Friends,
      We want to thank you all for your prayers and financial support these last few months. We hope you are all doing well!
These last few months, Jacob and miss Lydia has started back doing in person displeship, teen activities,  pick ups for church and preparing to plant New Haven Baptist Church in Winterhaven,  CA for the Quechan tribe. Our support level is at 93%. We are praising God for His goodness towards us.

During the month of February, the reservation was not open. So, we continued with online service. While I (Brother Jacob) was not able to minister much to the Cocopah. I started doing a lot of door knocking in Winterhaven, trying to figure out the how we could speed up the process in purchasing the new building in WInterhaven, studying and preparing sermons.
Towards the end of March, We got news that the Cocopah and Quechan reservations opened up for us to pick up people for church. On April 9th, we had our first Teen Rally in a year. It was fun and exciting to see all 12 teens come back to church. We had a blast!! I gave an devotion. We had games and food. 
On April 18th, we had our grand opening at New Haven Baptist Church. We had 7 people from the local area who came out to our grand opening service. What a blessing!!
Please, continue to keep us in your prayers!!

For the ones who do not support us, we would ask you to pray about doing so. For those who are unable to support, thank you for being our warriors in prayer!
God Bless!

Prayer Requests:
Salvations: Mariella, Satori, Ayla, A.J., Denisia, Marley, Airus, Jerry,  Jalen, Felix, Phoenix, Evan, Richard and his younger brother, Darrell, Vaughn and his family, Izadiah, Mitchell, Miracle, Lilah,  Millie, Rosie, Jazmyn,  and Cheryl
Spiritual Growth: Molly, Loren, Tyler, Lilly, Roxanna, & Alex, Justice, Jazmyn, Mya, Kayla, Vincent and Ammon

Health: Lydia, Samuel, & Bro. and Mrs. Veldhuis with general health. Pray for the Cocopah families who have gotten COVID- 19 that they will recover soon. 

Personal: Wisdom, strength, Samuel’s future, health, purchasing the new building in WInterhaven, CA. We are still waiting for the Winterhaven Church of Christ to update there LLC so they could sell us there building. And pray for us to reach our goal  of 100% support. 

Ministries: Visitation, Cocopah Teen Ministry, van ministry, children’s ministry, New Haven Baptist Church and New Haven Food Bank ministry.

Thank you all again for your prayers and your sacrificial giving!
                        Sincerely In Christ,
            Jacob, Lydia, and Samuel Jones
        Missionaries to the Native Americans
                     Cell: (928) 315- 5057
                     Email: [email protected]
2 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 April 2021

I realize some of you may be getting this twice.  My apologies.  They have changed the format of our email and I think I made some errors.  To avoid skipping anyone, I am re-sending our letter so you may well get copies.  Sorry-Sam & Janet
April  2021
Dear Friends in Christ,
This week is the final class for this semester in the Northern Arizona School of the Bible, here in Flagstaff.    We have had a good response from our students that tell us how they appreciate the opportunity to learn more of God’s Word.  What a joy it has been to be able to be one of the teachers.  We have several that attend class in person, plus more that attend online around the country as well as outside the country.  Technology has been a real blessing during these difficult times.
At the moment, the Dine Bible Institute has not yet returned to classes because of the Navajo Nation COVID restrictions.  We have kept in touch with some of the former students and they are eager to begin once again.  Pray with us for the Lord’s timing regarding fall semester classes and for wisdom for those in leadership. 
Once again, Sam has been asked to teach the English sessions for the Western Navajo Bible Fellowship summer sessions.  Again this year, they have chosen to forego the family camp that they held every year here in Flagstaff but to have teleconference sessions.  We miss seeing them in person, but glad that we can spend time together in the Word of God.
We are also making plans to spend some time in Thorne Bay, AK working on the radio station project.  We have a volunteer work team planning on helping in August and some other workers that hope to join Sam ahead of time getting materials ready for the team.  We are eager to see this station broadcasting.  
Pray with us for:  (1) the construction, (2) safety of the workers both in travel and on site, (3) the need for the electric company to put in power lines, (4) that even now, God would be preparing the man God would have run the station, and (5) that we can soon be on the air reaching out with the message of salvation to those who live in the Thorne Bay area.
What a comfort to know that God is in control of everything in our lives.  Thank you so much for your prayers and your part in our ministry.  We are very much aware that you are important to our work here and often pray for various churches and individuals that have helped us over the years to be able to serve where God has placed us.  Thank you for your letters of encouragement, your prayers, and the financial support that allows us to continue to minister and serve the Lord.

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

Sam & Janet Grammer

Sondergaard April 2021

Dear Family and Friends:
“Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, just to take Him at His Word!” This past year, God’s people have been tested to see where we put our trust. Thinking of recent events, it is almost as if God is prying our hands off what we often trust: health, freedom, our finances. One by one it is as if God is asking, “Do you love Me more than these?” Would you be content if all you had was your walk with God? Are you holding onto the Lord as tightly as other things? I am thankful for God’s promise: “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” 2Tim 1:7. Recently someone shared with me the verse, Isaiah 26:3 – “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee”. No wonder many of God’s people do not experience perfect peace: their mind is not stayed on the Lord.
Here at Living Waters Baptist Church, God continues to give opportunities to encourage these people. Many of our people have lost loved ones or face discouraging physical and spiritual needs. We look to God for the right words to encourage and point them to Christ. Martha: grieving the loss of her husband. Cyrus: losing his grandma and his mother having health needs. He is questioning why God allows it and is struggling with depression. Rachel: physical needs and her son’s spiritual needs. Bob: wife just died. Please pray for wisdom in ministering to this family. Lynn: facing health/spiritual needs.
In recent months, we have seen strong attendance to the services. We are encouraged to see a desire to be in church. Paul has been able to invite several of his coworkers to church. Several express a desire to come although their work schedule often prevents it.
As a church we are supporting one missionary to Mexico and another to Native Americans. This year the church chose to raise their monthly support. A missionary to Israel just came and presented the ministry as well. We are excited to see the people grow in faith as they take part in missions.
Family praises:
• We have seen God answer prayer for Paul’s mom in giving her strength and healing. She is doing so much better, and we are thankful for what God has done in her life.
• Andrew has received two pieces of equipment that is helping in his mobility. His wheelchair helps him sit up in church and helps when we go places. His stander helps develop his bones and should limit improper hip alignment. Andrew is now beginning to crawl and pull himself up on things. He is now almost 2½. Every day he is doing things that never seemed possible. His smiles are sweet, and he brings much joy to our home.
• In January, we attended the wedding for one of Paul’s brothers. It was a blessing to be part of a Christ-honoring wedding that was testimony to several unsaved people.
Ruthanne and Hannah holding a shofar at the display table from the missionary to Israel.
Andrew enjoying his new swing!
Praises:
• Andrew’s new equipment and development
• God’s provision to give more to missions
• God providing funds toward the modular building
• We are now having Sunday School again after stopping for a year
Prayer Requests:
• Those who have stopped coming to church
• Wisdom for our old modular building
• Personal and church revival
All for Jesus,
Paul and Naomi Sondergaard
Ruthanne, Nathan, Hannah, Aletheia, and Andrew

Grammer March 2021

Dear Friends in Christ,


Last week, we attended a memorial service for our mission founder and former director, David DeFord.  It was a great day. We reminisced over the ways Dave was a blessing to us as well as enjoying visiting with many of our missionaries,  that we haven’t seen in a long time, and hear how God has been working among the various tribes.  After the message, there was a “live mike” as various ones shared.  One young man said he had only met Dave once, but Dave’s ministry to his in-laws was used in his own personal life and led him to Christ.  Another lady shared that she was raised in a Christian home and wanted to thank each missionary for bringing the Gospel message to her people.  She told us that she was praying for several of us by name because she had seen God using us.  Yes-it was an encouraging day!


As we mentioned last month, a local church in Flagstaff, started the Northern Arizona School of the Bible here in town and Sam has been helping with the teaching. We still haven’t heard anything about the Dine Bible Institute restarting on the Navajo Reservation, but the area is still in “lock-down”-though we are hearing rumors of this opening back up soon.  Please pray with us for these classes in God’s Word. 


We were scheduled to fill in for a missionary on the Hopi Reservation the last 2 Sundays of this month.  However, their tribe is now starting a “lock-down” over the week-ends, so the church there has decided to meet on Friday afternoons, rather than Sundays when they are restricted from moving about.  Last week, we went for services, but spring break had many of the families off the reservation and no one came.  We were told that they would be back this coming week, so we are praying they will be available to fellowship together this coming week.  This is a difficult area and people are not in consistent in attending.  It has made us more conscious about praying for this ministry and that the missionary family would not become discouraged.


Please continue to pray for our elderly folk that are isolated in the nursing homes.  We pray for the individuals that we know personally.  Don’t forget to pray those in your area that are restricted from loved ones and in need of Christian fellowship.


We have heard from one work team that is planning to come to Thorne Bay, Alaska in August to work on the Radio project and the construction of the building.  We are still waiting for travel dates from another possible work team and then will get travel dates so Sam can get there ahead of the workers and have the supplies that are needed available.  Continue to pray with us regarding the electric, as well as safety and good progress in the work.


What a comfort to know that God is in control of everything in our lives.  Thank you so much for your prayers and your part in our ministry.  We are very much aware that you are important to our work here and often pray for various churches and individuals that have helped us over the years to be able to serve where God has placed us.  Thank you.

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

Sam & Janet Grammer

Sondergaard March 2021

Dear Family and Friends:
“Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, just to take Him at His Word!” This past year, God’s people have been tested to see where we put our trust. Thinking of recent events, it is almost as if God is prying our hands off what we often trust: health, freedom, our finances. One by one it is as if God is asking, “Do you love Me more than these?” Would you be content if all you had was your walk with God? Are you holding onto the Lord as tightly as other things? I am thankful for God’s promise: “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” 2Tim 1:7. Recently someone shared with me the verse, Isaiah 26:3 – “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee”. No wonder many of God’s people do not experience perfect peace: their mind is not stayed on the Lord.

Here at Living Waters Baptist Church, God continues to give opportunities to encourage these people. Many of our people have lost loved ones or face discouraging physical and spiritual needs. We look to God for the right words to encourage and point them to Christ. Martha: grieving the loss of her husband. Cyrus: losing his grandma and his mother having health needs. He is questioning why God allows it and is struggling with depression. Rachel: physical needs and her son’s spiritual needs. Bob: wife just died. Please pray for

wisdom in ministering to this family. Lynn: facing health/spiritual needs.

In recent months, we have seen strong attendance to the services. We are encouraged to see a desire to be in church. Paul has been able to invite several of his coworkers to church. Several express a desire to come although their work schedule often prevents it.

As a church we are supporting one missionary to Mexico and another to Native Americans. This year the church chose to raise their monthly support. A missionary to Israel just came and presented the ministry as well. We are excited to see the people grow in faith as they take part in missions.

Ruthanne and Hannah holding a shofar at the display table from the missionary to Israel.

Andrew enjoying his new swing!

Family praises:
• We have seen God answer prayer for Paul’s mom in giving her

strength and healing. She is doing so much better, and we are thankful for what God has done in her life.

• Andrew has received two pieces of equipment that is helping in his mobility. His wheelchair helps him sit up in church and helps when we go places. His stander helps develop his bones and should limit improper hip alignment. Andrew is now beginning to crawl and pull himself up on things. He is now almost 21⁄2. Every day he is doing things that never seemed possible. His smiles are sweet, and he brings much joy to our home.

• In January, we attended the wedding for one of Paul’s brothers. It was a blessing to be part of a Christ-honoring wedding that was testimony to several unsaved people.

Praises:

  • Andrew’s new equipment and development
  • God’s provision to give more to missions
  • God providing funds toward the modular building
  • We are now having Sunday School again after stopping for a year
    Prayer Requests:
  • Those who have stopped coming to church
  • Wisdom for our old modular building
  • Personal and church revival

All for Jesus, Paul and Naomi Sondergaard
Ruthanne, Nathan, Hannah, Aletheia, and Andrew

De Ford Jan/Feb 2021

Dear Prayer Partners,
Thank you for your faithful prayer and financial support of this
ministry. We are blessed to witness God’s faithfulness on a daily
basis as He provides for and expands the work among the
Hualapai Nation. In-person church and school have resumed in
the new year. Church attendance in person as well as on Zoom is
returning to pre-COVID levels.
The Hualapai Baptist Church approved the new budget for 2021
including supporting 17 missionaries and hosting a missions
conference in the fall. We were encouraged as a church to hear
the treasurer’s report and see how the Lord had provided
throughout 2020 and even increased our balance over the coarse
of the year.
Our family was able to present the ministry in another Arizona
church as we hope to regain some of the financial support we
have lost since returning to the States twelve years ago. Also,
please be in prayer regarding medical expenses that both Steve
and Sherry have incurred over the past year.
For God’s Glory,
The Steve De Ford family

Grammer February 2021

Dear Friends in Christ,
We are still healthy and thankful that God has spared us from this virus.  Early this next month, we are planning on attending a memorial service for our founder and former director of our mission.  Though he will be missed, he was already struggling with health issues that are now over.  It has been a blessing to see how God has provided for the needs of his wife; emotionally as well as her living situation.  God still keeps His promises. 
A local church in Flagstaff, Ponderosa Baptist, started a Bible School this month called Northern Arizona School of the Bible.  There are approximately a dozen students that are enrolled and attend in person- plus some others that are taking the course on line (even some out of country).  Sam is helping with some of the teaching, when the pastor is unable to be present each week.  This semester, 3 courses are available:  New Testament Survey, Life of Christ and New Testament Church.  
At this time, the Dine Bible Institute on the Navajo Reservation hasn’t been able to return to classes yet.  Some of the churches are starting to meet once again, but generally, the Reservation is still shut down each evening and week-end and don’t want outsiders visiting.  Please continue to pray that this will soon change as many of them are really anxious to be together with other Believers once again.
This coming month, we are scheduled to help out a missionary on the Hopi reservation who needs to be away to visit with some of their supporters.  Pray for their traveling safety and for us as we minister while they are away.
The nursing homes are still closed.  Each week, Janet drives by and leaves a little gift to remind the ladies that they have not been abandoned.  She includes a monthly devotional booklet to try to encourage them to continue with daily devotions. One of the ladies has returned to her family for care because the cost was too much for them and at this point, her restrictions are not insurmountable.  It will be an adjustment for all as each of them will have to release a bit of their independence.  We are praying for them, as well as another lady whose family is seeking financial help to continue her stay there.
We have had some cold temperatures this winter and a couple of good snowstorms (which are badly needed for our water supply).  Yet God has met all our needs and we have plenty of firewood to keep us warm, as well as running water and electricity.  We know that this has been a challenging winter for some of you and trust you are all back up and running-and ready for spring! 
Plans are being made for this summer’s work in Thorne Bay, Alaska.  Please continue to Pray with us that travel will not be a problem for our work teams as well as safety and progress in the construction.  Also, continue to pray with us about the electric need.  At this point, we have heard nothing but hopefully will have some answers by the time the construction is completed and we will be ready to broadcast.  We are eager to start looking for a missionary to man the station and get it on the air!
In spite of the restrictions this pandemic is creating, God is still using us.  There have been changes, with more “one-on-one” opportunities rather than public teaching and preaching.  How comforting to know that God is in control and has a purpose for it all and we are able to still being used to serve Him. Thank you for continuing to pray and financially support us so that we can still minister.
II Cor. 2:11 “Ye also helping together by prayer for us.”
In Christ,
Sam & Janet Grammer

Messick FEBRUARY 2021

“For of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.” Romans 11:36

Dear Ones in Him,

Despite the continued inconveniences and restrictions due to covid, we were blessed to have special speakers at church in February. Evangelist Glen Jaspers and his wife, Mary, have ministered many times over the years at our church, as well as several Native American churches here in Az. Brother Glen is soon to be 89 years old and still going strong! His Sunday morning and evening messages were a great blessing. It is always a joy to have them stay with us in our home for a few days. 

For many years we have had a burden for the people of Israel. Recently, we learned of a couple the Lord has called to go there as missionaries. So it was another great blessing to have them present their ministry. Rather than jeopardize their getting visas, we aren’t giving their names, but we are so thankful they have answered the call to go. 

In our Christmas letter we mentioned Gary, a young man who is coming faithfully to services with his mother and grandmother. Another young man, Daylen, has begun attending with his grandmother. It isn’t a matter of him coming to please grandma, he reminds her when it is time for church! 

On March 8, we are looking forward to finally being able to resume Sunday School classes.

PRAYER REQUESTS:

*Rachel – Bells palsy and healing of wound on her toe

*Janda – salvation, deliverance from addictions

*Simon – Spiritual needs

*God’s leading and timing to supply a couple to take our place

*Many cases of covid on our reservation 

*That we will have wisdom as to when to resume our bus ministry

PRAISES:

*Rachel’s wound on her toe is almost completely healed

*Covid cases are down our reservation

*We can begin Sunday School again

As mentioned in the above scripture, we want our lives to always glorify our Heavenly Father, and we are thankful for health and strength to continue serving Him.

We are overwhelmed by God’s faithfulness to us through His family. It is an amazing gift. Thank you to each one who prays for us and have supported this ministry, (for some of you it has been for many years!) God bless you.

In Christ,

Gary & Bev Messick