Here I am, back again with my kids! Sounds like everyone had a great break, and they are getting back into the swing of things. I was a little worried that thy would have forgotten everything! But they seem to remember most things and some are even doing better in some areas!
Our classroom is rearranged and seems to work for the kids, so far at least. We have a group here from Cedarville University, and they are going to do Bible Club for the kids all week. They have been spending lots of time with the kids and are doing a great job. This afternoon they did a puppet show and songs and games.

This weeks memory verse is Romans 3:23, and I had my kids write it out. They did great. Some are still working at where on the page to put the letters and some you can barely read, but you can tell that they get the general idea. I do have one little guy that I can only get to trace things, so please pray that I might be able to figure out away to help him.

Hope everyone had a great holiday and have a Happy New Year.
Mel

Daily Bible Verse

Merry Christmas from the Mission!!!

As Thanksgiving came rushing at me, I found so many things to be thankful for! The time has truly flown by and it is hard to believe the school year is almost half over. In the past five months, I have seen so much of the Lord: His comfort and kindness, His generosity and provision in every need, His love for every person. As dry as the land may be here, the Lord will not leave His people thirsty for His love!
As the school days have passed, I have seen the kids in my class begin to grasp the things I have tried to teach them. They are beginning to understand what letters make what sounds, which numbers are which, and what that thing with four corners is. They are beginning to enjoy each other and understand how they can interact with one another. They are starting to love reading! Although this is my first year and I know that perhaps we have not gotten as far along as the average Kindergarten class, the Lord is showing me how to teach them and letting me know in little ways that they are learning! That is so exciting to me. They are also beginning to understand about the Lord. Some still answer "Jesus" when I ask who was lead through the Red Sea, but they are beginning to understand some things about the gospel. One of my students, Shane told me the other day " Jesus died for us, huh teacher?" I see the most understanding in students like Shane, whose parents are believers, so I am reminded that I am not the only one the Lord is using to bring these kids to know Him. I am only a small part in His plan.
Please pray that most of all I will be able to show them His love and tell them of Him on a level that they can understand. I am learning what a huge responsibility it is to teach children. I can only pray the Lord gives me the strength and wisdom to do it well. I am very slowly getting to know some of the people in the area, especially the believers, but have had contact with non believers also. Some come to use the phone and sell their hand goods, and I can get to know them better. I had my first family to dinner the other day. They came to use the phone and I was making dinner so I invited them to stay. This family is rather special to me. One of the boys was originally in my class, but Sam was really not ready for Kindergarten. We knew at the beginning he might be too young, and had to decide if maybe he should wait. What a big one for someone so new! I was fearful that they would resent me and that the relationship might be damaged as I had been able to spend time with his mother, Annie. I hope I made the decision that best benefits all concerned. And it seems they have not hardened toward me, so I am hopeful that I will still get to minister to this family. As we approach the holidays, many of the staff are truly looking forward to the break. The staff has been stretched thin this year, with few teachers and bus drivers, and no maintenance man; they are feeling the strain. Everyone has been doing an excellent job, taking different or additional classes, but most would dearly love having more teachers come. Please pray that the Lord will send more workers in His time. We have heard from many for next year and are looking forward to seeing how the Lord will provide. One thing I am learning slowly is what the Lord requires of me. The Lord has graciously supplied my needs, both financially, emotionally, spiritually, and my needs as a teacher, showing me what to do. But I have to give much more than I realized. I was aware of the physical things I would need to give up to come here, the family and friends that I wouldn't see. I was not aware of how much of myself I would need to give and how much I needed to grow in my dependence on Him. It was an easy thing to say I believe, that I know He supplies every need and that I will rely on Him and serve Him with my whole heart. I am learning how much it takes to actually put this into practice. I am learning that He wants all of me, and how hard that is to give. But as the Lord shows me, I am reminded of how faithful He is! He never lets me down. He is truly a good God, who has sent all of the workers out here because He loves these people, because He sent His Son for their sakes as much as for ours! Please continue to pray that we would be a light here, so that they might see that love for themselves and truly believe on Him. In the school, many will say they believe, but not live it. Please pray that we might be able to disciple the people here, that they might grow to know Him as their Lord, as well as their Savior. I thank all of you for your continued prayers and support! I am looking forward to spending a few days with my family in Michigan for the holidays. I hope that you also will enjoy the Christmas season and that you will remember with joy and thanksgiving the gift that God gave by sending His only begotten Son to be our Lord and Savior. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!



In His Name,

Mel

What am I?

You Are An ISFJ

The Nurturer You have a strong need to belong, and you very loyal.A good listener, you excell at helping others in practical ways.In your spare time, you enjoy engaging your senses through art, cooking, and music.You find it easy to be devoted to one person, who you do special things for. You would make a good interior designer, chef, or child psychologist.

What's" Your Personality Type?

So these are the results for the Blogspot personality test that I took. So what do you think? Did they get me or are they way off?

Code Talkers!!!

So any of you know about the Navajo Code Talkers in World War II? Being that veterans day is tommorrow, we invited the community to come and celebrate with the students and faculty, especially those in the community who have served in the armed forces. We had lots of people come and at least four veterans, one who is the father of my student, Shane. The elementary grades gave a small program; Kindergaten and 1st grade sang "I'm in the Lord's Army" and then the veterans shared where and when they had served. One of the Navajo gentleman who came and had served was David Jordan, who served in the Marines, stationed in the Pacific, and worked as a code talker. For those of you who may not be familiar with what that is, here goes.
During World War II, the military used Navajo speaking men to talk in code. They spoke in their native language, which is difficult enough to translate, and then coded what they said. The double layered code was never broken, and went a long way toward insuring the eventual victory of the allied forces. Mr. Jordan was one of those code talkers. When he left the service, he was a corporal. Mr. Jordan now attends the Immanuel Navajo Chapel here on the Mission. It was really neat to think I actually know one of these amazing men who did so much for our country. In a community where most people stay near their families for their entire live , it must have been a great sacrifice to go so far away into such a dangerous situation. My dad also served, in Vietnam; he was a clerk for the Special Services, and served for two years. He and my mom had to postpone their wedding, while he went halfway across the world. And there are more veterans in my family who have made sacrifices for their country.. I am sure there are veterans in yours.
Tommorrow, when our country celebrates its heros, don't forget to thank your loved ones who have served and fought for your freedom. You have that freedom because of sacrifices that they made!

Thanks to all you veterans!!!!