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 Too Many Questions
Adrian Dennis has been teaching an adult Sunday School class for several semesters now at a local church which serves the immediate Community near the school. One particular individual in his Class is especially adept at asking searching questions. Though at times Adrian has feared that his lack of knowledge and experience might drive the questioner away, he has found instead that the man appreciates his honesty and continues to probe. The constant questioning has been a challenge to Adrian, spurring him on to further study each week.
Adrian also has the opportunity to preach
every few weeks in his home church
at the bottom of the Grand Canyon.
The only access into the isolated canyon are by horseback, helicopter, or hiking. He is sometimes accompanied by his wife and three children, or another student from the school who joins him to assist with the service. While it is more difficult to preach to people with whom you are intimately acquainted than to those you relate to on a surface level, the experience provides a valuable training ground for future ministry.
Prayer Request
Adrian would like prayer for God's preparation for his future ministry, for God's enabling, and for his family.
Thanks for Your Help
Vernon Tsosie's experiences have been quite varied over the past
four years while a student at IBC. During the summer he has had opportunity to preach at several churches, while continuing to teach the "middlers" in Sunday School at the same church as Adrian.
The most rewarding ministry he has been involved in
has been assisting various people in need
on the Navajo Reservation
through work projects,
helping those who were unable
to help themselves with such things as
home maintenance and construction.
The gratitude of those he helped has been a real source of encouragement to him.
Prayer Request
Vernon would like prayer for his family (wife and two children) and future ministry.
"The Lord Spoke Through You, Brother"
Currently Irvinson Jones is studying church constitutions, by-laws, as well as seeking to hone his sermon preparation skills through working one-on-one with a local pastor.
Last semester Irvinson taught the book of Hebrews in a local church setting.
Through this experience
he was able to improve
his message preparation skills.
As a result of numerous other opportunities, he is receiving more and more invitations from all over the Navajo Reservation. Though he rarely hears directly how the Lord used him in any particular person's life, he often hears "through the grapevine" that God spoke through him.
This past summer he saw
at least one decision for Christ and
several recommitments at a camp meeting
where he ministered.
Practice and Belief Must Match
Garrett Wauneka found it instructive to study and then teach the book of Colossians.
Christ must not only be prominent, he discovered,
but preeminent, exalted above all others.
Garrett was in charge of the Wednesday evening devotionals for a local church this past semester.
Several weekends ago Garrett returned to his home area of Window Rock, Arizona, the capital of the Navajo Nation. Standing in the shade of a large tree near his home were several guys gathered around a pick-up truck, drinking and talking.
Garrett joined the group
and struck up a conversation,
eventually challenging them to consider
what they would do
with Jesus Christ.
Though none made decisions for Christ at that time, he was encouraged to be able to make immediate use of some of the things he had just learned in class at Indian Bible College.
This semester he is hoping to get an evangelistic Bible study going in the immediate area around the school, targeting especially Native Americans. The first step toward that goal Is preparation through prayer, followed by making specific contacts in the community.
Prayer Request
Pray that he would remain a faithful follower of Christ.
As a Little Child . . .
This past semester Marie Villavicencio taught first through fifth grade Sunday School. Through the life of the Apostle Peter, they learned of sin, forgiveness, and restoration.
Marie was amazed and encouraged to see the child-like faith and trust which her students evidenced. When she asked for prayer requests, one shared concern for a sick grandmother; another wanted prayer for a neighbor or
relative's salvation. Their openness and trust was a challenge to Marie's depth of Christian experience. She also learned that even children have serious concerns and difficulties.
Marie was rewarded for a job well done
by learning along with the students
as she prepared and taught each lesson.
This semester Marie is working with the Hope Cottage women's shelter.
Prayer Request
She would like prayer for time management as she struggles to meet the needs of her two children, as well as to keep up with studies and work.
"Scary" People are Really
Just Like You and Me
As a freshman from Washington State, Rachel Ferguson has jumped in with both feet! Her work with the Hope Cottage and local rescue mission has been well received. Her heart has been moved as well by working with a local youth group.
She has challenged some of the church kids
to venture beyond their comfort zone
and recognize that those
who may be less fortunate than they,
have the same needs.
Rachel is striving to communicate that though some people may appear scary from the outside, they are really very much like you and me on the Inside. Her former life in drugs has uniquely prepared her to minister to those who are down and
out and has burdened her to help others reach out.
Prayer Request
Pray for Rachel's obedience to God, willingness to listen to His voice, and that God may be glorified in all she does.
Pray that each of the students would remain open to the Lord's leading in their lives and faithful to the calling of God on their lives. Several students are struggling to juggle family, work, and school responsibilities.
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