A year and a half has passed since I first began this ministry at Sun Valley. Throughout that time, I have seen many miracles take place. However, a more recent one has put me especially in awe of God and his care for even the small things in our lives.
I have worked down in the elementary building since July 2010 and never have we had warm water. In fact, the water in our sinks has always been freezing, which brings no desire to the children to wash their hands. Illness is easily spread and no thorough hand washing takes place. This past December (in the midst of a cold winter and snow-covered ground), I left for Christmas in North Carolina. Upon my return I turned the knob and warm water came gushing out! I have no idea how it happened. Nobody on campus claims to have done any work on the water system. My children have now been washing their hands for longer than ever! Often I even have to tell them to come out! It’s truly amazing.
Another blessing has been with my personal shower. It was awful! The water pressure was horrible and the shower head shot water in every direction except onto my body! One day while attempting to shower I noticed a stream of water actually being shot over the top of my shower door and onto my bathroom floor. At that point I removed the head completely and took a shower in a stream of water, as if I was under a sink. Friday afternoon I wrote a note to the maintenance men here at Sun Valley asking if they happened to have a better shower head lying around. One of my friends told me that I would probably not get a new shower head, but that they would most likely just soak mine in CLR. Stink! My showers have always been short and unpleasant. Upon my return from work, I found a new showerhead attached with four different streams and water SHOT out! I guess water pressure hasn’t been the problem for the past year and a half! It’s been my shower head! My shower lasted twenty minutes last night…a record.
On the topic of my classroom here at Sun Valley, God has been doing some mighty things. My kids have been more engaged than ever in Bible class and are hiding the Word of God in their hearts more and more each day and they memorize scripture. However, several students are still struggling in the basic academic subjects. My boy is failing several subjects (yet at least has an A in Bible where he’s engaged!) and is struggling on understanding basic concepts. I have been tutoring him on Thursday afternoons since October but recently he has stopped reacting. Come Thursday we have spent the whole week together and another hour after school is just too much. The administrator here is going to try to help me out and have another male on campus assist him. Please keep this boy in your prayers, as family life is rough and he is very easily frustrated. Mom’s living in a hotel and anger is quickly released through this boy. He breaks pencils, pulls out his hair, and punches the wall. He is very interested, as stated earlier, when we discuss the Bible, but cannot seem to find God’s peace in his life. I pray constantly for wisdom with this one and I know that, in God’s timing, He will reveal to me His desires for this child.
Speaking of prayer, my new year’s resolution this year was to find myself in God’s word every day. It gets tough (even working in full-time ministry) to reserve time for my own personal growth in the Word. Often I have tried to read a bit and pray at night, only to find myself passed out before completion. I have decided to set my alarm and coffee maker to go off at 6:00. Every morning since I returned from Christmas break, I have been spending time with God over a cup of coffee. The time from 6-6:30 is cherished. I find myself craving more and more! However, come 6:30 I have to get ready for work. Since I have started this, my attitude has improved, my desire for God’s wisdom has increased, and my prayers life has improved. I encourage everyone to set aside a time like this to spend with our Lord.
God has been so good here at Sun Valley Indian School. My class size has decreased but my relationship with these students is increasing. I just hope that through God’s use of me as a tool, these children’s lives will somehow be impacted for the eternal kingdom.
I could keep typing on and on about God’s provision but my computer keys are not working properly! Ugh. Guess I’ll be calling Dad soon to figure out what’s wrong… J
Janna, we too had little water pressure out of our kitchen sink....or so we thought. When we were moving out, Jeanette came over the help clean and took off the facet head to our sink....can you imagine how clogged it was. I think there is just so much yuck that goes through those pipes that they need the heads cleaned out every so often! Glad you found the solution to a warm shower and a tranquil time with God! Blessings, Miss you all!
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