The Gift I received from being part of the Navajo Mission 2013

I have been privileged to see God glorified and magnified by the events of the past 5 days.  Throughout our visit, the BABR staff witnessed as to how the LORD led them to serve at BABR and why they were committed to do so for as long as He called them too.  Their joy and enthusiasm was contagious and we had deep respect for their role in serving Him.

          Our team also, through prayer and commitment to serving God, worked in beautiful concert together to serve and make the Retreat a wonderful experience for all involved.  This was made possible by God’s grace and was lovely to witness.  As leader, I never heard a cross word or complaint from anyone!  All problem solving was done gracefully and solutions were quickly reached as our primary intent was to serve the Navajo women by serving God first!  Wow!  What a blessing to be part of the trouble shooting and to feel the Holy Spirit’s guiding hand!

          The Navajo women were so delighted and happy to come to the Retreat to fellowship, worship and learn about God’s teachings!  Their joy was evident on their sweet faces and they were very gracious with all the team.  Many new friendships were formed between the women and the team. As leader, I felt very privileged to witness our team bonding with the women.

          In reflection of all these events, the Holy Spirit taught me how all this fit together as the body of Christ in action to glorify and magnify the LORD.  Vertical action represents glorifying the LORD and horizontal action represents magnification of the LORD.

          The BABR staff, because of their commitment and dedication to the LORD, formed the foundation to make the Retreat possible.  They committed their energy and attention to doing the LORD’s will (vertical action) and the result was BABR and the women’s Retreat (horizontal action).  Our team, because of their desire to serve the LORD and their commitment to prayer (vertical action) were able to come together and learn to work as a team dedicated to gracefully serve the Navajo women and to show them the LORD’s love and generosity (horizontal action).

          The Navajo women, many who are pastors’ wives, Bible teachers and first timers,  came to the Retreat because they love God and desire to worship Him above all (vertical action).  They experienced love from the staff and from the team and immensely enjoyed the fellowship of their old friends, new friends and the creative crafts and hilarious games that were played!  Laughter and singing abounded! All of this was the horizontal action of magnifying the LORD. 

          But wait!  This isn’t the end of God’s plan or the end of how the body of Christ is working!  The glorification of God and the magnification of His love becomes an ever ending ripple effect as each person shares their story about God touching their lives in some way because of the Retreat.  The staff was encouraged and greatly pleased at how smoothly the Retreat went and how God was present and will continue on, fortified, to share the Gospel and have other God centered events at BABR.  Our team was amazed and overjoyed with God’s power and Presence in all aspects of the Retreat and are enthusiastic about continuing to serve Him however He chooses.  And the Navajo women will share their stories about how they were filled up with His Grace and how they were encouraged by Leslie’s teachings on how to soar through their problems on the updrafts of God’s endless love.  And personally, as leader , I am renewed and am rededicating my life to serving Him, the King of Kings, LORD of LORDs, ruler of heaven and earth.  I look forward to my next mission and next adventure in serving our God!

 

Linda Martin - Team Co-leader

Mission Set-up Photos

Dining Room set up and waiting for our Navajo friends
 

Craft projects ready to go!

Gift tables

Registration tables

Kitchen Crew

Kitchen Crew

Team takes a coffee break

A Meaningful Experience

It is just about time to depart. The final details of packing and deciding if I should take up the space in my luggage for a blow dryer.... are looming over me. More than that I am starting to feel a bit sad to be away from my family and especially my husband. Yet, I am reminded of that strong tugging I felt on my heart the Sunday morning I first read of this trip in the church bulletin. I began to love the Navajo women as I worshipped that morning.

I am anxious for Friday when I will finally be able to begin to serve the ladies for whom I have been praying for months.

For me involvement with this mission trip is all about making connections with God's people. I have been abundantly blessed as I have enjoyed Lillian's humor and our common teaching background, Lisa's sweet sharing in my love for the pioneer lifestyle, Linda Swinscoe's tender care and concern for my daughter's health concerns as she has been through so much more with her own daughter, the opportunity to serve along side my sister-in-law Karlene, Barbara and Linda Martin's loving leadership of our team.... and it goes on and on.

I especially grew to care for each team member as we shared our testimonies, laughed together playing games, and worked side-by-side in our preparations. It is truly wonderful to realize each of our unique backgrounds and the beautiful way God has woven us together into one team like an intricate quilt made from many different fabrics. I am thankful for each woman on this team and cannot wait to meet the Navajo women where I hope to create new connections.

I am already starting to think about the next opportunity for this trip!


Laurie Campbell

Team Portraits

 

 

 

Super Supporting Men Teammates

Photo Essay



Team Meeting



Karlene and Kathy Orr



Mavany and Barbara




Craft Team hard at work



Leslie and Linda preparing crafts



Gifts Committee hard at work
 




Generously donated gifts



Packing Mission Supplies

The adventure begins!

Out of my Comfort Zone

When I was asked to be a co-leader for the Navajo mission two things happened; I felt honored to asked – then the fear set in. Being an introverted, shy woman who lacks self confidence, clearly the enemy of our souls saw an opportunity for attack…once again.  What if I fail?  What if I mess up?  What if…and what if…?

 

My first challenge was to come up with a budget…oh my gosh! I have to calculate mileage, gas and meal prices, airline costs. This is one of the reasons I retired from the financial industry…figures, formulas…ugh! So many questions for dear Mary who has always faced this budget…thanks for your patience with me.

 

I prayed for perseverance and God delivered me. Each step of the way, each struggle, each fear, God was/is with me. He encourages me daily and has shown me I don’t need to have confidence in ‘me’, I need have confidence in God in all things, big, small, all. He is the lover of my soul, He is the friend of my soul.

 

I prayed to The Lord, and He answered me, freeing me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4

I am ready, willing and able to serve the Navajo women along with our team. May God be honored.

Barbara Pillsbury

Mission Schedule

There is so much to look forward to!  I have been anxiously waiting for this next week to get here.  We have such a great team that God has assembled, each with our own unique gifts and ministry. What a wonderful time in the Lord we are all going to experience.

Karlene and Linda

 

We are leaving 5:00 a.m. (yes a.m.!)  Wednesday morning for the airport.  After landing in Albuquerque we will rent a van and drive 2 hours to Broken Arrow Bible Ranch.  The rest of Wednesday we will meet with the ranch staff for orientation and set up our activities.  Thursday we have been given the day to get acclimated to the high elevation (7500). We will visit the historic Hubbel Trading Post and then drive around the rim of Canyon De Chelly.

Friday begins early as we setup for the arrival of the Navajo Women.  The retreat begins with registration at 1:00.  At 6:00 p.m. we will serve dinner.  7:00 p.m. starts our worship time and then Leslie will speak about “Trusting God.”   At 9:00 p.m. the craft session begins. The Navajo will be making frames out of scrapbook materials and paper printed with scriptures.  

Saturday begins with our serving breakfast at 8:00 a.m. followed by worship at 8:45.  Leslie will be speaking about the “Character of God and His Strength.”  10:45-12:30 is the second craft session when the women will make mason jar pin cushions.  At 1:30 is worship that will lead into Leslie’s teaching on “God is Able!”  The retreat will close with more worship, testimonies, and with a special prayer time.

 

Sunday we will have a debriefing after breakfast and then begin our journey home.

Karlene Campbell

My First Mission

I had to pray a lot about going on this mission trip because I knew it would completely take me out of my comfort zone.  I had been praying about being able to do some kind of kingdom work for the Lord, but I never expected this.  As I met with our team members and saw the excitement of those who have been on this mission before, I knew this would be such a blessing to everyone involved.  As my husband Zack saw the excitement grow, he decided to join the other three men on our team.  I am excited to share this opportunity with him since neither of us has been on a mission before.  We are looking forward to being able to show God’s love to these women.

Linda and Sandra

For months our team has been blessed in receiving many generous gift donations and now we have enough to give at least one gift to each Navajo woman attending this conference.  On Friday, April 12^th many of our team members gathered at Sandra Lee’s house to sort and wrap all the gifts.  I was amazed at the abundance of wonderful items we’ll be able to present to these Navajo women.  It was a wonderful time of fellowship and fun getting to know the personalities of our team members a little better.  

 

Linda Swinscoe

  

"Above the Storm" Teaching Theme

 

Leslie, Linda, Barbara

I am blessed to be teaching the women and am really excited to see what God will do with what I have prepared.  I will be teaching three times, each on the theme of Soaring Through the Storms of Life.  The illustration for the entire weekend is this:  When storms come, most living creatures run for shelter.  But the eagle flies into the storm, catches the unique updrafts of the storm, and soars.   We will be looking at 4 Bible characters and the updrafts of their storms.   Joseph, who caught the updraft of God's sovereign plan; Job, who caught the updraft of God's character; Paul (in the verse about his thorn), who caught the updraft of God's resources; and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, who caught the updraft of God's presence.  My prayer is that the women will leave empowered by the fact that whatever storms they are facing in their lives, God will give them updrafts so they can soar.  The final statement of the retreat is, "My God is able to (fill in the blank with your need)!  But even if He does not, I will dance in the fire with Him!"

 Satan has been busy with attacks.  Please pray for the women who attend; for protection for the team as we travel; that we as a team would reflect God; and that, most importantly, lives would be changed (ours and their's) and God would be glorified.

 

Leslie Campos

 

On Eagle Winds

Thank you for the blessing of your continued prayers for our team and for the Navajo women. May we offer our prayers back to you in thanksgiving for your faithful partnership of our mission. For the Navajo women, also for you;
 

On Eagle Wings

 When threatening clouds

hover, do not fold up your

wings and run for cover.

Like the Eagle, spread your

wings and soar above life’s

troubles. For the Eagle

knows, the higher he flies the

brighter the skies become.

There is nothing in life the

Creator ever asks us to bear

that we cannot soar above on

wings of prayers.

 Barbara Pillsbury for the Team

April is here! The Excitement Builds!

Throughout our team meetings as we prepare to serve the Navajo women, we have shared our testimonies with each other and our fears, our shortcomings, and our personal  prayer requests. I came across this excerpt from a previous devotion and it spoke to not only our group but any follower of Christ in regards to service and ministry:

 
If you're not involved in any service or ministry, what excuse have you been using? 

 

Abraham was old; Jacob was insecure; Leah was unattractive; Joseph was abused; Moses stuttered.

Gideon was poor; Samson was codependent; Rahab was immoral; David had an affair and all kinds of family problems. Elijah was suicidal; Jeremiah was depressed; Jonah was reluctant; Naomi was a widow. 

John the Baptist was eccentric to say the least; Peter was impulsive and hot-tempered; Martha worried a lot. The Samaritan woman had several failed marriages; Zacchaeus was unpopular; Thomas had doubts; Paul had poor health; and Timothy was timid. 

That is quite a variety of misfits, but God used each of them in his service. He will use you, too, if you stop making excuses.

We continue to uplift each other in prayer and thank our Lord for the opportunity to make new friends in Christ, deepening our commitment to Him as we commit to each other in service and ministry. 

April is here! The excitement builds!

 

Mavany for the Team

Author of Christianity

We read in Acts 10 of Cornelius's vision. Later in the chapter we read (read vs. 25-28)(34-35).  “As Peter entered his home, Cornelius fell at his feet and worshiped him. But Peter pulled him up and said, “Stand up! I’m a human being just like you!” So they talked together and went inside, where many others were assembled. Peter told them, “You know it is against our laws for a Jewish man to enter a Gentile home like this or to associate with you. But God has shown me that I should no longer think of anyone as impure or unclean. Then Peter replied, “I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right.” 

Does this scripture not speak to our mission to the Navajo women? 

We read from a wonderful book written by a Chippewa from the Leech Lake Reservation in northern Minnesota. He is married to LaDonna, a Navajo woman. He has been a conference speaker for Promise Keepers. The book is Whiteman's Gospel.  A passage that stood out was from pages 21-22. "What many Native North Americans and white men fail to understand is that prior to the introduction of Christianity into the cultures of Europe, most Europeans were involved in the same kind of animistic forms of worship common among Native American tribes, the Israelites, and others who embrace spirit worship worldwide as alluded to in Romans 1:18-23."

"Anglo-Americans must also see themselves as products of missions, unless they have Jewish blood. If someone had not brought the gospel to their ancestral people, many would not be Christian today. The white man is not the author of Christianity, God is. The white man is only the messenger to bring the gospel to this part of the world."

 

Mavany for the Team

Training Meetings Continue

We are preparing our hearts for what we are about to Go and be apart of! Such an exciting time to be serving Our Lord! 

Our testimonies have bonded us to each other and what a Joy it is to hear how The Lord has worked in each of our lives. Beautiful testimonies of faith, restoration, and the never ending love that God has for all of us!  

Mavany

 

A lot of the planning has been put into action and each team has enjoyed working together to provide fun and inspiring activities for the Navajo Women.  Mavany has brought great insight for all of us into the Navajo Nation and their culture.  What a Blessing! 

We are all joyful and excited as April 24 comes closer and we prepare to minister and go to New Mexico!

Thank you for your Prayers and continued Support!

Karlene for the Team
 "Rejoice in the Lord Always!"  Philippians 4:4

Fantastic Tribal Donations to Navajo Mission

Barbara and Lisa with Tribal Councel

donations for the Navajo mission. 

God Has Called Us to Go!

Today was another of our Training Meetings - such excitement is in the air as we are finalizing all of the crafts, gifts, and items we will be presenting to the Precious Navajo Women in April.

We have been sharing our testimonies, which has really bonded us to each other. God has done some mighty and wonderful things in each of our lives!  We serve an Almighty God my Friends!  

Linda Martin brought in slides to show of the last Mission in 2011 and we were able to see how things are done there at Broken Arrow Ranch.  It was a Joy to see all the happy faces of those whom we will be serving. 

Prayer is needed, Friends!  Please remember Leslie Campos in your pray time as she finalizes the messages she will be teaching.  Pray for our minds and hearts to be focused and unified. Above all pray for the Navajo women we will be reaching out to through worship and in serving. Pray that their hearts will be open to more of the Lord and that His presence will fill that place with His love, peace, and joy! 

Our devotional this week echoed the theme that is reoccurring each Sunday - God has Called Us To Go!  Go tell of His wonders and His love.  Go tell of what He's done for you. Go show yourself and serve as He served. Live as He lived.  Love and He loves!  That is truly when we are most like Jesus is when we pick up our things and - Go! 

God has called each of you!  Yes, you!  He has anointed you!  Luke 4:18 Jesus says: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me, to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free.” We are most like Jesus when we go and proclaim! ... Even here at Home! 

1 John 2:27 “As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as His anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.”  

We are anointed when we abide in Him and Him in us -  So go!  Live like Jesus, share like Jesus and above all love like Jesus. 

 “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15

"Rejoice in the Lord Always!"  Philippians 4:4

Blessings! 

Karlene for the Team

Preparations Continue - March 7, 2013

  

With several meetings under our belt as a whole team and by sub committees, we are getting more and more comfortable with each other and the excitement is building to see this all come together. 

The plane tickets are purchased but the response to requests for monetary donations are uneven, causing concern for some. Reading in Phillipians 4:14-20 we are reminded of the earliest missionaries' struggles and learn to rely on God to meet our needs. "Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only;  for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever." Amen.

Mavany for the Team

 

Training and Connecting Continues

We are up and running at “full speed ahead!”  Such an exciting time to be praying, planning, and watching God provide what is needed! Funding is beginning to come in for some of our team members and it is so thrilling to watch God supply what is required for this Mission.  

All the team members are connecting with each other on various smaller teams to create an inspiring and meaningful time for the Navajo women we will be serving.  Thank You to all who have committed to come along side us in this ministry through prayer and/or financial support. 

“Finally, our friends, please pray for us. This will help the message about the Lord to spread quickly, and others will respect it, just as you do.  I pray that the Lord will guide you to be as loving as God and as patient as Christ.” 2 Thessalonians 3:1&5

"Rejoice in the Lord Always!"  Philippians 4:4

Karlene for the Team

Support Letters are Being Sent

As we prayerfully send out our letters of request for support to our friends and families, we are often plagued by thoughts of doubt, or discomfort to ask anyone for anything. The enemy sees this opportunity to trip us up early in the process of this mission. But we can replace Satan's lies with God's truth. 
 

John 15:16  (NLT)

16 You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.

 

Keeping our eyes on Him as we reflect on the mission ahead is key. As we ponder the unknown opportunities in a strong traditional native culture we can be encouraged by this verse found in 

Romans 1:19-20

They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. 

I believe many tribes & nations worshiped the Creator...Grandfather, but to interact with them sharing through service and friendship a personal relationship with Jesus who can transform their lives, is a special privilege.

Mavany and the Team

Team Assignments - 2nd Meeting

We are so excited about our mission trip  April 24-28, 2013 to Broken Arrow Ranch in New Mexico!  Our team of 13 women and 3 men will be presenting a retreat for the precious Navajo women! 

At the second meeting, we were given our job assignments to begin making arrangements for the many details needed to create a wonderful experience for the Navajos.  Planning has already begun for prayer and devotions, worship music, arts/crafts selections, and many other activities that we will be providing while we are there.

Please pray for us as we will be sending out donation letters within the next few weeks.  May God open the hearts of those receiving these letters so that our Mission will be fully funded.  We also covet your prayers for the Navajo Women we will be serving.  

Thank you for coming along side of us in this ministry as we strive to serve others in Living Like Jesus.

 

Karlene for the Team

The Adventure Begins ... The Team's 1st Meeting

At the first gathering of the 2013 Broken Arrow Ministry team, there was a sense of anticipation and excitement as each arrived to discover who made up this team of 13 women to share the joy of knowing God with the over 100 Navajo women who are preparing to attend the retreat in April.

 

 

With no time to spare, we introduced ourselves, rolled up our sleeves and began considering the many tasks ahead. Our assignments have been made with prayer being everyone's number one responsibility! 

 

Oswald Chambers offered this appropriate observation:

As servants of God, we must learn to make room for Him. To give God “elbow room.” We plan and figure and predict that this or that will happen, but we forget to make room for God to come in as He chooses. Would we be surprised if God came into our meeting or into our preaching in a way we had never expected Him to come? Do not look for God to come in a particular way, but do look for Him. The way to make room for Him is to expect Him to come, but not in a certain way. No matter how well we may know God, the great lesson to learn is that He may break in at any minute. We tend to overlook this element of surprise, yet God never works in any other way. Suddenly—God meets our life “. . . when it pleased God . .”

 

 

We are praying for friends, family, and anyone else to consider supporting us with commitment to pray and/or with financial contribution to this special ministry.

 

Mavany for the Team