Celebrating Small Victories

If you follow this blog, then you know of the ministry in the Navajo community of Nahodishgish (if you are not, you may want to review my previous entries). God is clearly at work, but as I learned last night He is working at his own pace - not mine.

God has answered every prayer for this ministry, from raising up a team to serve there to the great harvest we experienced during their visit. He has even answered our prayer for the old church building. We have free access for as long as we want! And he brought a good number of people for our first two worship services. It's been amazing.

Then came last night... a storm the likes of which I have not seen in New Mexico (not that I've been here long)... and only three children and two youth coming out for the service. This on a night when I had brought some friends from our home church whom I had hoped might sign on to help us. Wanting to show my friends just how the Lord was working, I was disappointed with the rain and light attendance. I guess I thought that the Lord wasn't with us this night.

But then, as we took our seats for Bible study, God revealed himself in a rather subtle way. As I called out the text to be read, one of the teenagers with us left the building. Before I could wonder where she went, she returned... with her Bible. Knowing it was time to study God's word, she wanted to be ready. And so we proceeded with our study, with this young lady intently following everything I said.

As I pondered this girl's actions, God made His point perfectly clear. With the quick and near miraculous response to our efforts that we had seen to date, I had expected that we would launch this new church on short order and with little effort. But genuine church planting is never quick nor easy. God is blessing our efforts, but it is going to take time for this ministry to get off the ground and grow into a healthy Navajo church. It will happen in His time, not mine.

In the mean time, we are to praise Him for even the small victories. And really, what better sign that God is blessing our ministry here than seeing a young girl develop a love for His word. In many ways, this small victory means more than all the others put together.

To His Glory!
Bro. Jim

Family Matters

One of the best things about our present ministry is how involved our family is in it. Not that they haven't been in the past. Karen, Lizz (I still call her Elizabeth, but she prefers the other), Lydia, and James have always been involved with the churches I've served. And it's harder for Lizz to be real involved, given that she is off to college. Still, I praise God that our work in New Mexico is truly a family affair.

Karen, for you who may not know, serves as my ministry assistant. Aside from that, she feels a special call to encourage our pastors' wives. Last Saturday she held what should be the first of many ministers' wives events designed to encourage and uplift them as they serve beside their husbands.

Lizz, though not with us, is our number one prayer partner. We hope to bring her down for a few weeks this summer. We miss her, but she is at an age where we must send her off to follow the Lord's plan for her life. Her mom and I are very proud of her. We look forward with great anticipation to see how God uses her.

Lydia and James are both very involved in our work. They both joined me in supporting our team at Nahodishgish. Lydia did some marvelous ministry. And even though he's only 9 years old, James too has become quite the missionary (ask him about dog duty). Lydia accompanied me last week for the first Bible study in what we hope is a new church start at Nahodishgish. Many kids get to help with VBS and other mission projects; but, how many 14 year old church planters do you know? Well, that's what she's doing. She has committed to teach children while I work with adults as we plant this new work.

I am so grateful for the family God has blessed me with. Please keep us all in your prayers as we work in a most diverse and unique mission field. Pray that our Lord would hold Lizz close to Him as she starts college at University of Wyoming. Pray that Lydia would continue to grow in her service to the Lord as she transitions from Middle to High School. Pray for James that His love for the Lord grow and that his parents would be able to keep up with him. And pray for Karen, that the Lord would continue to lead her in her work with ministers' wives. Finally, please pray that all we do would bring a smile to the Savior's face and glory to His name.

To His Glory!

Bro. Jim