Transition is Hard

Transition is hard. I miss my son. I miss Oklahoma.

I kept waking up all during the night with one prayer on my heart. Over and over again I asked God, “Why have you brought us here?”

I had imagined what our ministry work would be here, but we’ve only been to the reservation once. So far, my days have consisted of helping with bookwork and pulling weeds.

“Why have you brought us here, Lord?”

God woke me gently in the morning with His answer: “Discipleship Training School. You must prepare the way.”

God reminded me that if the weeds around the base are not pulled, nobody will want to come here. If the books are not up to date, no one will be able to come here. Much preparation must be done before students – future disciples – can arrive for training in January.

In addition to whispering these answers in my ear, God also greeted me with Galatians 6:10: “Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.”

That’s where we all have to start – at home. And this is our new home, so we will start here.

God Speaks Through Others

In helping our base director, Millie, mail out newsletters to supporters, God reminded me how important the DTS (Discipleship Training School) is to the Hopi people.

Millie writes in her letter: “Six out of twelve Hopi villages: We now have Eddie from Mishongovi, Nita from Bacavi, Mayo from Hano, Bailey from Old Oraibi, Elnora from Hotevilla and Skip from Polacca who have all successfully done our DTS (Discipleship Training School). That means that we’ve had Hopi students in six out of twelve villages in Hopiland. … There is a time coming when we will have Hopis from the other six villages as well! Many more Hopis will come and learn and disciple their own nation!”

God also used Millie’s letter to remind me that I will begin jail ministry soon. This ministry is vital in lifting our Hopi brothers and sisters up to stand against oppression in their own nation. As we were speaking about the jail ministry Thursday during morning worship time, a woman whom Millie and Will met at the jail several years ago called on the telephone. She was shouting victory in Hopiland! She had just stepped out in faith last week and wrote to the Hopi governor and tribal council members about the strongholds – alcohol, violence, etc. – that plague her people. She was singing praises to the Lord for giving her strength to tell them about the Living God! She said if Will and Millie had never introduced her to God while she was in jail she was sure she would not be alive today.

These are the testimonies I needed to hear. I can’t wait to see what God has in store next.