Dear praying friends
We are fast approaching the end of another school year. We will have three seniors graduating on May 13th. We have had a great year but face major changes with a number of staff leaving. Douglas', Niningers, Ribbeys and Michelle are all leaving at the end of school. As of now we have no firm replacements for them. We need a kindergarten teacher, HS teacher (either science or math or English), 2nd grade teacher, maintenance man and bookkeeper. Also, a bus driver but we are going to try to get a local Navajo to do that. Please pray for God to supply those needed.
We enjoyed the fellowship of a youth group from Kenosha, Wisconsin last week as well as the Scotts from Iowa and the Nelsons from Kansas. We made good progress on the new house as well as the new computer lab. The youth did special chapels and crafts with our students.
We have been excited about new outreach into the community. The mission ladies are reaching out to unchurched neighbors with a Wed night craft class. About 7 or so ladies have been coming on a regular basis. These are people who have never come to church or a Bible study. However, most of them came to our Easter sunrise service because of relationships built on Wednesdays. There is a prayer and share time at the end of the craft class. Pray for salvation for these ladies.
We have a number of youth groups lined up for the summer. We anticipate getting a lot of work done and ministry in the community. However, with so many leaving it will be more intense for those left. Pray for endurance.
We praise the Lord that Ranson has gotten some relief from his back pain and is now working in the bus barn again. He anticipates being full time there in the fall. Please pray for him and Lula and support them if you can.
We have approved the construction of a shop building which will house our auto mechanics and wood shops. We have started a fund for financing the construction – probably next year. Contributions to the fund should be marked "shop fund". We have already had some interest in teachers for these programs so we are quite excited that this is God's time. We are still waiting for ACSI approval for using this for reaccreditation. It should be approved any time now.
Even though we are facing significant staff turnover, there is no sense that God is indicating any major change in ministry or programs. We are instead excited to see how God is going to supply and what great things He has in store for IM. Thank you, though, for praying for us and please spread the word about the positions that need filling.
John & Ruth Bloom