Planting Seeds in Navajo

Jesus often spoke of children, and the child-like faith, to teach his disciples about greatness and humility in God’s kingdom. Childlike humility requires us to place our faith and trust in the Lord. Childlike humility depends on God’s mercy for forgiveness and looks to Jesus Christ as the Savior who lived among us, God’s children, to redeem us.

In Navajo, New Mexico, Pastor Tim Norton often finds himself surrounded by children.

Shortly before Christmas, the children of Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran, with adult help, delivered 15 Christmas boxes to the elders in Navajo, filled with all things good and necessary, along with a few treats! After the event, Tim shared:

“It is difficult to communicate the emotions of this event with words. It is a highlight of the year for both the givers and the receivers. And we all end the day feeling loved, by our Savior, Jesus, and by the community, we are blessed to be a part of. It’s an amazing way for the generations to work together for the greater good of the community, one individual at a time.”

In Native American cultures, as in Biblical cultures, traditional beliefs hold that the job of parents is to “plant good seeds,” which means directing a child’s thoughts and actions on correct behavior. King Solomon said the same thing: “Train up a child in the way that he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)

It is through the building of community bonds and the leading of children that we see God’s Kingdom grow here on earth. And the Kingdom is certainly growing at Shepherd of the Valley! During the Christmas season, Pastor Tim had his largest-ever group for the Children’s message. Praise God for the little ones who heard about God’s love this Christmas season!

This growth and these lives changed come from the Holy Spirit working through individuals acting as Jesus’ hands and feet, serving their neighbor. And you are a part of this amazing group of people!

Pastor Tim is able to answer God’s call and fulfill His mission for the Navajo ministry because you understand the importance of his work and want to ensure that the Gospel is heard in some of the most remote places in America.

We are so grateful for your faithful and generous offerings to God through Lutheran Indian Ministries. He has clearly heard your prayers, and ours, for this ministry. And because of your heart for Native American people, our mission staff is reaching and touching more Native souls for Christ than ever before – men, women, and children!

We couldn’t do this without God’s blessings and your support. We praise God, and we thank you!

Yet, we understand that with this growth comes great expectations. God is calling us to faithfully follow His path wherever it leads and earnestly fulfill His great commission among our Native brothers and sisters. That’s why we need you more than ever.

I am happy to share with you that plans are already underway for Lutheran Indian Ministries to begin outreach to Native children and families in my Pawnee homeland of Oklahoma. And after a successful Sacred Ground conference in November with the Assiniboine and A’aminin tribes, He is calling our mission team to share the healing grace of Jesus with yet another reservation in Montana.

To do these things and more, I am asking you to be especially generous this month. Will you please, without hesitation, make a gift to Lutheran Indian Ministries?

Your gift today will support our efforts and uplift and sustain us as we do the Lord’s work among His Native American people. Thank you for your prayers and your provision.

Blessings to you, in Him.
Tim Young Eagle (Pawnee)

 

P.S. A good friend of the ministry recently said to me: “When the Holy Spirit is moving, the best thing you can do is get out of the way!” The Holy Spirit is moving among Native American peoples. I pray you will enjoy these Lenten reflections, written by our missionaries, as they share how God is moving in Indian Country. Your gift, today, will help to continue that movement!

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This Week in Native American News (2/14/2020): 2020 State of the Indian Nation, Education, and Doomsday Seeds

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Confession and Absolution - Week 6 (Monday Morning Devotions)