Isaiah 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
Dear friends, family, and prayer partners,
We are grateful for our righteous Lord and for you faithful supporters. It is uncommon for us to have months as packed as the last two have been. Thankfully, God strengthens and upholds!
The first of August, Sherry was able to meet up with our youngest, Josh, and visit family in Illinois then went on to Ohio to see her parents. While she was away long-time family friend Bud Wells came and helped plan out the renovations necessary for our home in order to get Steve’s mother moved in. While in Ohio, Sherry was able to attend the church we were married in 35 years ago to the day. Unfortunately, we had to celebrate this day apart, but we were and are thankful for God’s faithfulness to us through all the years. It truly is amazing to look back and see everything He has brought us through, and appreciate the family, friends, and love that has grown between us!
The day after Sherry returned home, we attended our annual mission retreat. Nearly all of our IBIMI missionaries were able to attend this year’s event. Many commented on how timely, and needful the preaching and fellowship was this year in particular. We commemorated 45 years as a mission with a fond look back and an enthusiastic look to the future!
In addition to our church’s monthly Men’s and Ladies’ fellowships, we concluded our special summer fellowship prayer meetings with our annual Prayer/Praise/and Pie night. This night is one of Steve’s personal favorites! The homeschool co-op also began again. This year we are thrilled that our first ever Native American student will be graduating who will have gone his entire academic career in our co-op! But the best news of August was the salvation of a young man whom we’ve known for many years. The youngest brother of our deacon received Christ as Saviour after a Sunday morning service!
September didn’t slow down much. In addition to the regular services, our teens attended the Bill Rice Ranch West Branch regional youth conference. We had one of our largest groups ever attending with a full van making the trip to Peoria, AZ for the day.
The month ended with our ladies attending a retreat in eastern Arizona near Eager. Sherry had been asked to speak for this conference over a year ago. She had been faithfully studying, and making notes for many months. Hundreds of prayers were lifted up to God. And when it was done, Sherry knew God had worked in her and through her to speak to the record crowd. Three ladies were saved, including one of the ladies attending from Hualapai Baptist, and two other ladies received assurance of salvation. The Lord demonstrated again that we are to “Fear … not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”
Thank you all for your prayers and support of the ministry among the Native American Indian in Arizona!
For God’s Glory,
The Steve De Ford family
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Steve De Ford
Director Independent Baptist Indian Mission
3880 Stockton Hill Rd. #103-438
Kingman, AZ 86409
928-200-2392
Only fear the Lord, and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider how great things He hath done for you. I Samuel 12:24
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