School is out! You may all be wondering "Hey, what are they gonna do with all their free time now?" Well, let me tell you, we are staying busy!
Well, actually the first week of break the girls and I took a break. Jerry cleaned out his classroom, as the summer plans are to paint and refinish the floor in the classrooms. He moved most of the furniture of the classroom that he used and took down the white board and all wall hangings in preparation for the refurbishment.
On Wednesday, Jerry and I took the opportunity to drive Miss Springer to the airport in Phoenix. It was so nice to be able to spend some "quality" time with her in the car and to get to see her safely off to visit her family for a few weeks. We had planned to make a mini vacation. Phoenix is about 3 1/2 hours from the mission. We booked a hotel and spent the next three days swimming in the pool, reading by the pool and relaxing with Abby & Kelcy. It was very nice. We actually stayed in the same hotel as last time, so each night we got to spend time in the hammock and view the ducks and hummingbirds and rabbits that inhabited this area. It was great!
Now that we are back, I am working in the office generally between the hours of 9AM-11:30AM. Jerry is working all around, working in the church, the school and everywhere and also helping out our friend Jim at his house. Jim spends countless hours at the mission doing all kinds of maintenance and repair work! So, we are continuing to work and serve during the summer days!
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Graduation & the Last Day of 2008-09 School Year!
The school kids began to finish subjects and books during this period. They were working hard, but also having a little more free time.
Monday, May 18th
The Hope in Transit teachers, Dave & Lisa Sprinkles came and brought Pizza for lunch. We all enjoyed the pizza and the fellowship. Afterward, they brought in a lot of instruments for the kids to try out during the afternoon session. I can not even tell you how many instruments the Sprinkles brought. There was a banjo, two violins, a flute, drums, acoustic guitars, bass guitars, a dulcimer, and a lot of exotic instruments for which I can not even remember the names. The school kids all had a great time trying them out. I think the favorite was the violin. Gracie from Murray Christian Fellowship played the violin while she was here and I think that inspired a lot of the ladies to try it out! At the end of the class session, the group gave away some instruments to the children so that they could continue to learn on their own throughout the summer. The Sprinkles also brought groceries for the kids to take home to their families. They provided a loaf of bread, peanut butter, jelly, pasta, spaghetti sauce, and fruit to each child. I'm probably forgetting something that was included in the food package. This was a wonderful gift to all the families, including ours!
The Sprinkles also plan to offer a new opportunity to the kids next fall. The Sprinkles will be providing the music classes that they now provide, which are already great. They also plan to provide individual lessons to any school student wishing to pursue a better knowledge of music and musical instruments! Dave & Lisa do an awesome job loving and teaching the children. The Navajo children are extremely drawn to the music. This ministry helps to provide the children with a source of pride in themselves and feelings of accomplishment that can combat the negative peer pressure, worthlessness and hopelessness that often pervades their environments. I can't say enough about how important this ministry is to the Navajo children. Thank you Dave & Lisa for your service to the Lord and Thank you to all the supporters of Hope in Transit that have brought this amazing opportunity to the children of the Navajo people.
The work group from Tyro Christian School in Tyro Kansas arrived late on Saturday, May 23rd. The Tyro group was our largest group since I've been here, at 25 people (I think). This group had amazing organization. They got their supplies, the ladies provided amazing home-cooked meals for the group almost every meal. I am told they had homemade biscuits and gravy one morning. I saw them making home made pizza crust for the pizza they served at lunch. The ladies were just awesome! We were invited to dine with the group at every meal! I got a chance to talk to some of the ladies and I really enjoyed getting to know them.
The Tyro group worked hard! They really achieved a lot of things in their time at the mission. They painted and painted everything that wasn't moving. They mudded walls and painted walls and painted the exterior of one entire house! The house was transformed from a rustic cabin look to a lovely sea-side villa look under their skilled labor.
They also managed to minister to the local children on top of all of their other duties! The group went out on Sunday afternoon and passed out fliers in Leupp about a Soccer camp that they were going to host the next two nights. On Monday night, Mr. Bill drove the bus out to the reservation and picked up fifteen kids for the camp! The weather was rather inclement (it was REALLY cold for the desert) that first night! The Tyro group opened with some Christian singing led by the Tyro youth! This group also has a wonderful God-given musical talent that they shared with us and with the Navajo children. Next, they allowed the kids to create a craft project. Next was the exercise and soccer part of the evening. I know that the Navajo kids really enjoyed the opportunity, many of them continuing to play soccer in sleeveless shirts in spite of the cold, cold wind. Tuesday evening the Tyro workers presented another Soccer Camp/VBS to the kids. They added basketball to the Tuesday night program instead of Soccer. The Navajo kids (and my kids) all had a great time and went home tired from all the fun and exercise!
Oh, many of you know that the mission was searching for a new vehicle. The Lord provided one to us! Miss Springer received an email from a local gentleman who had just purchased a 12 passenger van at an auction and wanted to know if any church group local to Winslow would be interested in purchasing it. Mr. Bill and I went to check it out and purchased the van. While it is not new by any means (1995) it is in great shape and has very low miles. We should get five or six years out of it and that will give us time to save in our van fund for a new van. The man from Winslow only asked us to pay him back what he had paid for it at auction, which had to be a fraction of the cost. Thank you, Lord!
Thursday, May 28th
Tonight is the Kindergarten and Eight Grade graduations, as well as the Schools 2008-09 closing program. We are so excited! The kids are ready! The school purchased Bibles for each of the graduates. Kindergarten graduates: Abby & Jessica. Eighth Grade graduate: Merritza. The kids all did great. Miss Springer started the program as we start each school day, with the pledges to the American Flag, the Christian Flag and the Bible. The parents and visitors were asked to join us. Next, we all joined in singing two Christian Worship songs: "Lord, I Lift Your Name on High" and "Here I am to Worship." Next the 1st, 2nd and 3rd grades made a vacation pledge to remember all that they have learned while they are on summer break. Nate recited a Bible memory verse. We joined together and sang "God of Wonders". Merritza recited a Bible memory verse. The Kindergarten class read a story. We recognized the Hope in Transit and Dave & Lisa Sprinkles and brought them a rose bush for appreciation of all they have done this year and so that they remember us! Mr. Bill provided the devotional message. Next were the graduations! Miss Springer said a few words about each of her students and Jerry said some words about Merritza. He mentioned how "You've heard of the show "Smarter than a fifth grader? Well, I had to be smarter than an eighth grader this year and it wasn't easy!"
After the graduations Mr. Bill had a surprise. He and Mr. Larson presented Miss Springer with a Certificate recognizing her 17 years of service here at Red Sands! Yes, seventeen years! Isn't that wonderful! She does an amazing job at all that she does (and boy does she do A LOT!). Afterward, we all shared in refreshments and fellowship together! It was a wonderful night!
Friday morning, the group from Tyro Christian School took their leave. They said goodbye and were gone by early to the Grand Canyon, then headed back for Kansas. It was sad to see them go and we are so appreciative of all that they accomplished! Thank you all for your service for the mission and the Lord!
Friday was the LAST DAY of SCHOOL for 2008-09!
All the kids got to school excited. Today they cleaned out (and up) their desks! We are having a water fight and cook-out! Mr. Bill cooked the hamburgers and hot dogs for lunch, then the fight was on! I have to say that Odin surprised me the most. He soaked me to the bone and was still following me around with the squirt gun! I had a whole lot of fun! I got to squirt the kids and Jerry with the water guns I had purchased for just this occasion. (I'm afraid that Miss Springer did all of the cleaning up from lunch while I was playing. Sorry about that!) Of course, Jerry always won the fights because he had the water hose! He was in charge of refilling the water guns during the fight. Next, Jerry had filled up a bag of water balloons that we got to throw at each other! We were almost all soaked through. It was really sad to see the kids go that day!
Monday, May 18th
The Hope in Transit teachers, Dave & Lisa Sprinkles came and brought Pizza for lunch. We all enjoyed the pizza and the fellowship. Afterward, they brought in a lot of instruments for the kids to try out during the afternoon session. I can not even tell you how many instruments the Sprinkles brought. There was a banjo, two violins, a flute, drums, acoustic guitars, bass guitars, a dulcimer, and a lot of exotic instruments for which I can not even remember the names. The school kids all had a great time trying them out. I think the favorite was the violin. Gracie from Murray Christian Fellowship played the violin while she was here and I think that inspired a lot of the ladies to try it out! At the end of the class session, the group gave away some instruments to the children so that they could continue to learn on their own throughout the summer. The Sprinkles also brought groceries for the kids to take home to their families. They provided a loaf of bread, peanut butter, jelly, pasta, spaghetti sauce, and fruit to each child. I'm probably forgetting something that was included in the food package. This was a wonderful gift to all the families, including ours!
The Sprinkles also plan to offer a new opportunity to the kids next fall. The Sprinkles will be providing the music classes that they now provide, which are already great. They also plan to provide individual lessons to any school student wishing to pursue a better knowledge of music and musical instruments! Dave & Lisa do an awesome job loving and teaching the children. The Navajo children are extremely drawn to the music. This ministry helps to provide the children with a source of pride in themselves and feelings of accomplishment that can combat the negative peer pressure, worthlessness and hopelessness that often pervades their environments. I can't say enough about how important this ministry is to the Navajo children. Thank you Dave & Lisa for your service to the Lord and Thank you to all the supporters of Hope in Transit that have brought this amazing opportunity to the children of the Navajo people.
The work group from Tyro Christian School in Tyro Kansas arrived late on Saturday, May 23rd. The Tyro group was our largest group since I've been here, at 25 people (I think). This group had amazing organization. They got their supplies, the ladies provided amazing home-cooked meals for the group almost every meal. I am told they had homemade biscuits and gravy one morning. I saw them making home made pizza crust for the pizza they served at lunch. The ladies were just awesome! We were invited to dine with the group at every meal! I got a chance to talk to some of the ladies and I really enjoyed getting to know them.
The Tyro group worked hard! They really achieved a lot of things in their time at the mission. They painted and painted everything that wasn't moving. They mudded walls and painted walls and painted the exterior of one entire house! The house was transformed from a rustic cabin look to a lovely sea-side villa look under their skilled labor.
They also managed to minister to the local children on top of all of their other duties! The group went out on Sunday afternoon and passed out fliers in Leupp about a Soccer camp that they were going to host the next two nights. On Monday night, Mr. Bill drove the bus out to the reservation and picked up fifteen kids for the camp! The weather was rather inclement (it was REALLY cold for the desert) that first night! The Tyro group opened with some Christian singing led by the Tyro youth! This group also has a wonderful God-given musical talent that they shared with us and with the Navajo children. Next, they allowed the kids to create a craft project. Next was the exercise and soccer part of the evening. I know that the Navajo kids really enjoyed the opportunity, many of them continuing to play soccer in sleeveless shirts in spite of the cold, cold wind. Tuesday evening the Tyro workers presented another Soccer Camp/VBS to the kids. They added basketball to the Tuesday night program instead of Soccer. The Navajo kids (and my kids) all had a great time and went home tired from all the fun and exercise!
Oh, many of you know that the mission was searching for a new vehicle. The Lord provided one to us! Miss Springer received an email from a local gentleman who had just purchased a 12 passenger van at an auction and wanted to know if any church group local to Winslow would be interested in purchasing it. Mr. Bill and I went to check it out and purchased the van. While it is not new by any means (1995) it is in great shape and has very low miles. We should get five or six years out of it and that will give us time to save in our van fund for a new van. The man from Winslow only asked us to pay him back what he had paid for it at auction, which had to be a fraction of the cost. Thank you, Lord!
Thursday, May 28th
Tonight is the Kindergarten and Eight Grade graduations, as well as the Schools 2008-09 closing program. We are so excited! The kids are ready! The school purchased Bibles for each of the graduates. Kindergarten graduates: Abby & Jessica. Eighth Grade graduate: Merritza. The kids all did great. Miss Springer started the program as we start each school day, with the pledges to the American Flag, the Christian Flag and the Bible. The parents and visitors were asked to join us. Next, we all joined in singing two Christian Worship songs: "Lord, I Lift Your Name on High" and "Here I am to Worship." Next the 1st, 2nd and 3rd grades made a vacation pledge to remember all that they have learned while they are on summer break. Nate recited a Bible memory verse. We joined together and sang "God of Wonders". Merritza recited a Bible memory verse. The Kindergarten class read a story. We recognized the Hope in Transit and Dave & Lisa Sprinkles and brought them a rose bush for appreciation of all they have done this year and so that they remember us! Mr. Bill provided the devotional message. Next were the graduations! Miss Springer said a few words about each of her students and Jerry said some words about Merritza. He mentioned how "You've heard of the show "Smarter than a fifth grader? Well, I had to be smarter than an eighth grader this year and it wasn't easy!"
After the graduations Mr. Bill had a surprise. He and Mr. Larson presented Miss Springer with a Certificate recognizing her 17 years of service here at Red Sands! Yes, seventeen years! Isn't that wonderful! She does an amazing job at all that she does (and boy does she do A LOT!). Afterward, we all shared in refreshments and fellowship together! It was a wonderful night!
Friday morning, the group from Tyro Christian School took their leave. They said goodbye and were gone by early to the Grand Canyon, then headed back for Kansas. It was sad to see them go and we are so appreciative of all that they accomplished! Thank you all for your service for the mission and the Lord!
Friday was the LAST DAY of SCHOOL for 2008-09!
All the kids got to school excited. Today they cleaned out (and up) their desks! We are having a water fight and cook-out! Mr. Bill cooked the hamburgers and hot dogs for lunch, then the fight was on! I have to say that Odin surprised me the most. He soaked me to the bone and was still following me around with the squirt gun! I had a whole lot of fun! I got to squirt the kids and Jerry with the water guns I had purchased for just this occasion. (I'm afraid that Miss Springer did all of the cleaning up from lunch while I was playing. Sorry about that!) Of course, Jerry always won the fights because he had the water hose! He was in charge of refilling the water guns during the fight. Next, Jerry had filled up a bag of water balloons that we got to throw at each other! We were almost all soaked through. It was really sad to see the kids go that day!
The Mission Update April 22 through May 18th
April 22 through May 18th
Miss Springer, Mr. Bill, Mr. Diehl and the school kids planted a tree in the playground for Earth Day, April 22nd. The school celebrated the National Day of Prayer by having a prayer circle after the morning opening exercises, May 1st. The girls and I were sick the week of April 27th, pretty much all week. Saturday May 2nd was my birthday! I spent the morning and afternoon in Flagstaff with Ms. Stephanie, a friend I have made here. We did some errands and some shopping and then had lunch. It was a nice time to get to know Stephanie better!
The month of May just flew by! Murray Christian Fellowship, who is due to arrive this month with a work group, has also sent a wonderful surprise. In partnership with a local book distributor (local to Murray), they have assembled almost 1,000 books to donate to the school library! Some of the books arrived by freight carrier! It was like Christmas here. We got to check out the new books and see what a wonderful gift the Lord had provided! The school kids, especially the older ones, immediately began checking out the new books. I love books and it was very exciting to see so many books, most of which I had never read!
On May 12th, the work group from Murray Christian Fellowship arrived. They were a great group that worked hard! Some of the group built shelving in the library to hold all the new books and the books we already had in our library! By the time the group left, the shelves were built, the books were organized and re-shelved in the proper places! I have to say, it was very exciting for me to see the finished product. I sometimes just go over there to admire the new library room! Other members of the work group painted the exterior trim of the church building and the library building, scraped the trim on the school building to prepare it for painting, and did various other jobs throughout the mission that needed to be accomplished! The Murray group invited us to go with them to the Grand Canyon on Saturday, May 16th. We had a wonderful time! Abby & Kelcy clung to Andrea & Stephanie like they were new family members. We all finally got to see the Grand Canyon. I hope that everyone else enjoyed it, in spite of the fact that I was constantly reminding my two girls to stay away from the EDGE! Abby, Kelcy and I all managed to conquer our fear of heights (mine and Abby's) to get to the top of the Watch Tower at the canyon. I didn't stay very long, but I did make it up there and look out for a second!
On Sunday morning, Gracie rode with Jerry out to the reservation to pick up the church goers. She made fast friends with the kids in my class. Gracie stayed in class with us and spent some more time with the kids and I was very grateful. I could tell that meeting Gracie had really made a difference in their day and probably their life! Next, the group from Murray led the worship services at Red Sands Christian Church. They did an excellent job. The church building rocking and the people inside were enjoying the modern style worship songs and the instruments! The group had such a wonderful, God-given musical talent. It was very enjoyable. After the worship, the Murray group leader, Mike, delivered the sermon to the congregation. He did a great job and we really appreciated his willingness to share the Lord's message with us!
The Murray group traveled to Dilkon Christian Church that Sunday night. They took part in the worship service and did a great attempt at following the Navajo singing, even without having Navajo hymnals! A few of the Navajo ladies had prepared Mexican food for the pot luck that night. We had a feast of taco salad, enchiladas and chips and dip. We all enjoyed the fun and fellowship, and (as always) the spectacular scenery views that Dilkon provides.
The Murray group said their goodbyes on Monday morning and left for home. The school kids missed them, as did the staff! Thank you all for your work and your encouragement!
Miss Springer, Mr. Bill, Mr. Diehl and the school kids planted a tree in the playground for Earth Day, April 22nd. The school celebrated the National Day of Prayer by having a prayer circle after the morning opening exercises, May 1st. The girls and I were sick the week of April 27th, pretty much all week. Saturday May 2nd was my birthday! I spent the morning and afternoon in Flagstaff with Ms. Stephanie, a friend I have made here. We did some errands and some shopping and then had lunch. It was a nice time to get to know Stephanie better!
The month of May just flew by! Murray Christian Fellowship, who is due to arrive this month with a work group, has also sent a wonderful surprise. In partnership with a local book distributor (local to Murray), they have assembled almost 1,000 books to donate to the school library! Some of the books arrived by freight carrier! It was like Christmas here. We got to check out the new books and see what a wonderful gift the Lord had provided! The school kids, especially the older ones, immediately began checking out the new books. I love books and it was very exciting to see so many books, most of which I had never read!
On May 12th, the work group from Murray Christian Fellowship arrived. They were a great group that worked hard! Some of the group built shelving in the library to hold all the new books and the books we already had in our library! By the time the group left, the shelves were built, the books were organized and re-shelved in the proper places! I have to say, it was very exciting for me to see the finished product. I sometimes just go over there to admire the new library room! Other members of the work group painted the exterior trim of the church building and the library building, scraped the trim on the school building to prepare it for painting, and did various other jobs throughout the mission that needed to be accomplished! The Murray group invited us to go with them to the Grand Canyon on Saturday, May 16th. We had a wonderful time! Abby & Kelcy clung to Andrea & Stephanie like they were new family members. We all finally got to see the Grand Canyon. I hope that everyone else enjoyed it, in spite of the fact that I was constantly reminding my two girls to stay away from the EDGE! Abby, Kelcy and I all managed to conquer our fear of heights (mine and Abby's) to get to the top of the Watch Tower at the canyon. I didn't stay very long, but I did make it up there and look out for a second!
On Sunday morning, Gracie rode with Jerry out to the reservation to pick up the church goers. She made fast friends with the kids in my class. Gracie stayed in class with us and spent some more time with the kids and I was very grateful. I could tell that meeting Gracie had really made a difference in their day and probably their life! Next, the group from Murray led the worship services at Red Sands Christian Church. They did an excellent job. The church building rocking and the people inside were enjoying the modern style worship songs and the instruments! The group had such a wonderful, God-given musical talent. It was very enjoyable. After the worship, the Murray group leader, Mike, delivered the sermon to the congregation. He did a great job and we really appreciated his willingness to share the Lord's message with us!
The Murray group traveled to Dilkon Christian Church that Sunday night. They took part in the worship service and did a great attempt at following the Navajo singing, even without having Navajo hymnals! A few of the Navajo ladies had prepared Mexican food for the pot luck that night. We had a feast of taco salad, enchiladas and chips and dip. We all enjoyed the fun and fellowship, and (as always) the spectacular scenery views that Dilkon provides.
The Murray group said their goodbyes on Monday morning and left for home. The school kids missed them, as did the staff! Thank you all for your work and your encouragement!
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