He Is Risen! Easter Celebrations Navajo Style

He Is Risen! A Blessed Eastertide to all of you and your families. As you can see, we had much to celebrate this past Easter. Two children were received into God's family through the waters of Holy Baptism. We celebrated Navajo style by butchering a sheep and grilling the meat. It was the double joy of worshiping our Risen Lord and watching His Kingdom grow as two others received forgiveness of their sins and His Holy Spirit.

Many of you may have already heard that on New Year's Day I fell on ice while shoveling snow in our driveway and broke my femur. It was kind of ironic, considering our last newsletter shared about the cold temperatures we can get here in winter. Although it was a challenging couple of months, I am walking again and able to do pretty much everything as normal, save for running.

I had planned on accompanying one of our church members, Timothy Yazzie, to our Lutheran Indian Ministries staff meeting in late January, but I was unable to travel. Timothy went on his own and was encouraged, as well as encouraging, to the other staff members.

In the month of March, a team of six people from Risen Savior Lutheran in Wichita, Kansas, came out for the second time. They helped us by wood-hauling (an activity I was unable to do for the latter part of the winter) and cleaning around the church, as well as leading activities for the children. It was a joy to have them back a second time, and we hope to see them again.

We were also blessed with a visit from Karen Higgins, a Lutheran Indian Ministries staff member living near St. Louis. Karen took some great pictures and got some video footage that I put together in a short presentation for Immanuel Lutheran Church in Albuquerque, a very generous supporter of God's mission at Navajo.

One more visit that took place recently was from a Lutheran Indian Ministries staff member who happens to be my brother-in-law, Clarence De Lude. Clarence, who serves as missionary-at-large on Oahu, Hawaii, was part of the servant event to Minto, Alaska, last summer. Clarence has also met our congregation members at prior staff meetings. Clarence preached on a Sunday morning and shared a Native Hawaiian chant expressing the Love of God to His children near and far off.

As you can see, we have much to be thankful for in the last few months. Thank you also for our prayers and support of this ministry. God is good.

Please thank God with us for:

• The two children received into God's family on Easter Sunday.
• The visits and service of the team from Risen Savior, Karen Higgins, and Clarence De Lude in March and April.
• Timothy Yazzie's desire to serve the Lord in ministry.

Please intercede with us for:

• Continued growth for Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church.

Tim Norton, Navajo, New Mexico

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