Where he leads me, I will follow...

Sunday, August 31st,
Jerry began the bus route that runs out to Tolani Lake. He left our house at 8:15AM and headed out to the furthest stop, where a grandmother and her granddaughter and grandson awaited his arrival. These were the only passengers on the bus today. It was gratifying however, because they have no other way to get to church to worship and God is providing that through Jerry, who is driving, and the supporters of the mission who provided the van and the gas to make it go. While the van ministry seemed disappointing that morning, we had an attendance of 36 people at the Red Sands Christian Church that day. Of course, eleven of the people were the staff and our children. The other 25 people were Navajo adults and children and we were very encouraged to see them here. Jerry returned the passenger on the bus route and got home about 1PM. The rest of Sunday was a simple night. We ate supper here and played with the girls.

Monday, September 1st
Labor Day! We explained that today is a holiday and Abby asked, “Where is the holiday?” Of course, we would have been sharing it with family and friends back in Kentucky. It is truly the first time I have really been “home sick.” I was home sick for our friends and would have liked to have been with them. I called and talked to my cousin Tammy. She said that “everyone” was gathering at one of the church members house for Labor Day. I guess it just hit me that we were missing another gathering and that Abby and Kelcy were missing playing with their friends in Kentucky.

We did end up getting to “celebrate” Labor Day in the traditional way. We were invited up to the church building for a cookout with the Roberts. We drove up there about 5:30 or so. I made macaroni salad and the Roberts made hamburgers and baked beans and corn. The corn was a surprise. Daron had bought the corn on the cob at the flea market on Saturday. When they shucked the corn, it was Indian corn! It cooked fine tasted great. Jerry ate a piece that was dark purple. Abby and Kelcy both enjoyed it as well. After dinner, the kids played on the playground behind the church till it was dark. We all watched another beautiful Arizona sunset and then returned home to rest and prepare for another week. The sunsets here are truly spectacular. Looking directly west from our home, you can see the mountains around Flagstaff, Arizona, roughly 50 miles west of here.

Each night we watch the sun dip below the mountains and flood the sky with beautiful pinks, purples, yellows, blues and oranges. On some evenings, the color arrangement travels the entire 50 miles across the sky from Flagstaff and flows over our heads on to Winslow. The nights here are amazing as well. Without all of the ambient light that is abundant in Kentucky and most places, the stars just pop out. On a cloudless night I can see thousands of stars very clearly just looking up with my eyes. Along with the beautiful sky at sunset, it is dark at night, even on a full moon. I don’t mean a little dark; I mean very inky dark, like not seeing your hand in front of your face, dark. When I am using a flashlight to walk at night, the only area I can see is the area directly in front of the beam of light. It can be very disconcerting to have no peripheral vision when I am frightened of running into a rattlesnake. I frequently think of what it must have been like for the settlers, travelers and cowboys who traveled these areas by wagon and on horseback. I just can not fathom being alone on horseback in this country, with just a fire for company. Nor can I imagine traveling by wagon over the sand dunes, rocks and buttes. How did they survive? I guess the promise of a new life was enough to keep them going. Is it enough for us?

Thursday, September 4th
Today, we had five more kids enroll in school! I am so excited! Jerry has said all along that he knew he would get more kids in his class and today he got one more, an eighth grader. Jerry believes that God will send more children to our school and so do I. The mother of the five children came by to enroll them. She was very nice and very organized. She had all of their records in clear sleeves and folders. I believe the mom looked at me funny because I told her “We’re so excited that your kids are coming to our school!” Perhaps she thought I was a little over zealous. There is God again, working behind the scenes and filling up the space in the school.

One of the school children that enrolled was a fifth grader. However, this child did not know how to multiply numbers. Miss Springer estimates that the reservation schools are at least one year behind “public” or non-reservation school systems in their curriculum. That situation has been my first hint that the work here is important not just to spread the gospel of Christ, but also to teach the basics of education to these children. I just assumed that any school system would be the same in America and that all children, even the Navajo, are given equal access to education and higher learning. This situation reinforces what the creators of this school knew: the Navajo people need this school to teach their children about God and His son AND to provide them with the education that can make them powerful leaders and help them to be the best people in their communities that they can be. Whether that is being a physician or banker or a mother, being the best person they can be and applying Christian principles to their everyday lives. I feel our duty here is not to take the Navajo people off the reservation, but to help them be the best person that they can be, wherever they live. Okay. (Sally is stepping down from her soap box)

Saturday, September 6th
Today we drove into Flagstaff to do some shopping. There is a used furniture store there that I wanted to check out and I wanted to check out the Sam’s warehouse there. The used furniture store was very neat. It had a very eclectic collection of furniture, but nothing that we could buy today. It was neat to be on Route 66. I guess I haven’t mentioned it yet, but most people probably know. Route 66 runs through Winslow, AZ and Flagstaff, AZ. It is funny to see the antiquated neon road signs advertising diners and bowling alleys along Route 66. I imagine it looks somewhat like it did years ago, before Interstate 40 came along and altered the travelers route along Route 66.

At any rate, we discovered Sam’s Club and we were in luck! The store was giving away lots of free food samples. Between the free food booths and the Halloween aisle filled with candy and gory creatures, Abby and Kelcy were very entertained. I purchased lots of juice boxes and snacks to go in lunch boxes, along with stapes that we use a lot like Pancake mix and bottled water. We hurried home to watch the West Virginia football game. I guess “game” might be overstating it. It was not a pretty sight.

Sunday, September 7th
Today the church at Red Sands had its monthly pot luck dinner after the service. We were told to expect lots of attendees, but the numbers of people were down from last week. It was a little disappointing, but we all still ate and had a good time. Mr. Bill made his famous chicken and dumplings. Abby had at least four helpings of them. It was a good day. The whole family took a nap today after the potluck. There was a dust storm while we were napping. It was nice to be inside and safe. Now it is ten o’clock in the evening. I am typing this entry, while Jerry works on his lesson plans for the eighth grade. He is trying to figure out how to catch up the new student with the three weeks worth of material he has already covered. Now Jerry understands a little of Lindsey was talking about when she had to do ALL of those lesson plans during her teacher training. It seems to be a lot of work, but Jerry really seems to enjoy it.

The Lord has done His work and added five new students to our school. Please keep praying that He will continue to add others. We still have some room left!