SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER 2010
Newsletter
Fort Defiance, Arizona
Greetings Brethren,
We sincerely
thank each of you for your prayers and need you to continue praying for the
work here on the reservation. In these last two months our attendance has
increased, some due to the clothing give-a-way which we had in August and also through
our daily prayers and efforts. Our Sunday morning attendance now averages
around the lower twenties. What a great encouragement that is to the church. My
prayer request is for their dedication and humbleness which seems to be a
challenge we all deal with at one time or another. But I believe it is through
your prayers that will make the biggest difference.
Family time
I thought it would be nice to just enjoy some family time
outdoors. We decided to go fishing the first Saturday of September at a lake
just a half hour away call Bowl
Canyon. Although Pam had
to work until noon that gave me some extra time to dig out our fishing gear.
Pam was excited about her first fishing trip and so she invited Sheena Currier (a
teacher from the school) to join us. We all had a great time and we each caught
a fish.
Little did we know, but
this would be the beginning of our Bible studies with Sheena. She is a young
lady from Pennsylvania who decided to come to Fort Defiance
to teach. She said it has been hard being without family and has even thought
of going back. I asked if she was going
to church, and she said no. We invited her to come Sunday (Sept. 5) and she has
not missed but one time. Our Bible studies have come along well and on October
22, 2010 Sheena Currier obeyed the gospel. Pam has invited her over a few times
just to bake cookies and to spend some time with the family. Sheena does very
well with kids and has really made a connection with our little Lilia.
Student Council
With no one stepping up Pam was asked to take over the
student council program this year. One of the activities that I helped with was
building a float. This gave me a chance to get to know the students and some of
the parents. We provided the space for the float building knowing that there
were many not familiar with where the church of Christ
is. It was another way to let students and their parents know where we are and
what time we meet for services and Bible classes. We hope that over the years
we will be able to build a relationship with the students so they will feel
comfortable with us when the time comes for them to make their decision to follow
Christ.
Old Testament classes
These monthly classes have been the greatest, it
allows the reservation congregations to unite together and be built up in
Christ. The latest addition to the preachers on the Navajo reservation is
Apache Crying Bear who has replaced Bud Paine in Kinlichee, AZ. Apache and his
family would like to be more involved with all the congregations who meet every
third weekend of the month. It was a blessing to have him come join us. He also
brought with him several boxes of books he was willing to share.
Mark Teske and Larry McWilliams from Brown
Trail came out to Kayenta to finish out the book of Numbers and did a great
job. We just want to say thank you for all the work you put in to share with
us.
Adding to the One Body
Some of you may know Arlinda Bilagody who is
originally from Tuba City, AZ
and has been working here in Fort
Defiance, AZ for many
years. Arlinda is one who has stayed with the church all these years and says
she has watched preachers come and go. She told us she was hoping we will be
here for a long time and I told her, that was the plan. After meeting Arliinda she kept in touch with us while we
were still in school at Bear
Valley.
In the Photo
to the right is Jessica (Arlinda’s daughter). She is sixteen years old and in
these last six months has been more
interested in Bible studying. A couple of months ago she felt that she was
ready to really start moving forward in her spiritual growth. I have had some
personal one-on-one studies with her and she seems to always have some great
questions. As we talk, tears begin to flow down her face. I ask her what was
going through her mind and she said she didn’t know if she could do to it
because the repentance was hard. I told her the repentance is always the
hardest and reassured her that she was not alone. I shared with her my
experience with making my decision to follow Christ and how I had to count the
cost. I knew her heart was in the right place and told her she had the right
attitude and this would be the biggest decision she would ever make. On October 29 Jessica Lee has joyfully made
her decision to follow Christ.
Final
Words
These last
two months have really been busy for us, which is great news. We are studying
with many others and pray that the seed planted will have the opportunity to
grow. Although we may be able to have one or two studies with some and see
their positive reactions, finding the time in their busy life to further study
is another challenge.
Again,
please continue to pray for the work here. Your involvement means everything to
us and we thank you for all the encouragement and support you send our way.
With love in Christ, Terry & Pam Laurence
Fort Defiance church
of Christ
PO BOX 556
Fort
Defiance, AZ 86504
Phone 928-729-2165 Cell
480-634-0124
Email Address: laurence_terry@yahoo.com
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