Navajo News - La Vida Mission
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Navajo News
A Publication of La Vida Missions, Inc.
Bringing the Gospel of Jesus to the Navajo
Vol. 59 No 1 www.lavidamission.org 505-786-5539 January 2021
All-in-One Christmas Drive-In Distribution
It was below the freezing point on the morning of Thursday, December
17th when our dedicated mission staff, with cold hands and almost frozen
feet but definitely with warm hearts, stationed themselves outside the Mis-
sion gym and clinic ready to serve our Native community family with some
special presents to cheer them up for Christmas despite this cruel pandemic.
This is the 12th covid-relief operation
that we have done so far since this virus many cars and trucks lined up waiting to be served
messed up people’s lives starting in March 2020. We
are certainly thankful to God for making these relief
operations possible by sending multiple individual
donors and agencies to partner with us and to
provide needed resources and services that we can
share with our community. Truly, HE has proven
time and time again to us, that He is Faithful and
True to His promise to be with us and to help us.
On this All-in-One Christmas Drive-in Distribution,
150 Christmas Bags and adult diapers from Partner-
ship with Native Americans were given to 150 elders
and seniors’ families and 155 bags of potatoes and
children’s diapers from Rocky Mountain Conference
Community Service Department were handed out. In addition, 155
families received Christmas canned treats and 130 families were
served with propane bottle refills of 2-20 lbs, 30 lbs, 40 lbs, to as
much as 100 lbs, courtesy of Safeway-Albertsons Foundations and
Southwest Paleontological Society spearheaded by Sherman Mohler,
SPS president. Our La Vida Mission students also drove in with
their families to receive their Christmas Gifts from “Toys for Tots” in
Crownpoint and from some student sponsors and mission donors.
Half an hour after 2 o’clock in the afternoon, just as we were
done with the drive-in distributions, with only the Nations’ Gas crew present and getting ready to leave,
Sherman Mohler and his two SPS friends Joe Reavis and Doug Wolfe drove in to the Mission with their
individual trucks loaded with donations of clothes, assorted food items and freshly-picked up oranges to
help with our community outreach. Sherman, with a beaming smile, said, “You’ve just given out all your
supplies, we’re here to replenish them”. Praise the Lord! Isn’t this wonderful! Truly, His coffers are full
and will never run out to bless His people. In the last 9 months, we’ve been able to help 2,200 families
with food boxes, water, basic essentials and around 750 families with propane refills.
With that latest delivery by Sherman and his team, we made 30 food boxes for shut-in, high risk elders in Crownpoint. We partnered
with the town’s Senior Center to help us deliver these 30 food boxes plus 30 Christmas popcorn tins to the homes of these special
group of elders. We also bought and delivered to the Crownpoint Senior Center sixty 5-lb bags of fresh oranges to give to each of the
other regular elders and seniors that they serve. Bess, the CSC super-
visor was so delighted and thankful for this late Christmas but early
New Year’s gifts to the elders that she loves so dear.
We ended the year 2020 with notes of thanksgiving and praise to
our Great and Gracious God from whom all blessings flow. And we
thank each of you our mission donors and supporters for keeping us
standing and serving the Lord and His children and people around us,
especially during this exceedingly difficult time. May our Heavenly Fa-
ther continue to bless each one of you
this new year and in the coming years.
– Dorie Panganiban,
LVM Outreach Director
Navajo News January 2021
From the Director’s Desk:
COVID-19 and La Vida Mission.
You have read of the changes that Coronavirus has made everywhere. The pandemic has affected every
person on earth. It has been reported that the Navajo Nation has more COVID-19 cases that any state in
the United States.
COVID-19 kills people (young, old, healthy, sick) – It kills. Some react with denial: “It doesn’t exist”;
“it’s just politics.” But it still kills.
Fear is everywhere. The stories filter in of illness and death. Some have hunkered down, vowing not to
have outside contact and I have noted with sadness that some of those people have become infected. People who become infected
are treated like it is their fault that they contracted the disease, even though they took precautions to avoid it. It is like they have a
label attached: “Unclean! Unclean!”
States and cities, churches and tribes, the business world, everywhere, everybody -- have been forced to relate to the issue. La
Vida is in this too, of course. School has been shut down, then opened a little (no dorms – bussed in one day per week) – then shut
down again. Because the Navajo Nation is on lockdown until mid-January, we will continue distance learning with no contact with our
students.
Precautions are taken, but we do not live on an island. During this time, we too have done a massive work to feed our community
and provide for their needs. Several times we have been concerned about infection and quarantined. Some, including Carol and I,
have been infected and have gone into isolation. Several of us interact with family and friends, business associates, and at times with
the public at large. Some of us have been infected and the appropriate actions have been followed.
What I have seen is that fear is close at hand. Fear for ourselves, fear for others. Some react to fear with braggadocio and throw
caution to the winds – not a good response. Some see danger in others, suspicion and hostility follows. It tends to divide us and sets
us in opposition to each other. So, what can be done?
First – do to others as you would have them do to you. We need to focus on those around us and as far as is in our power, to
protect them from danger, even from ourselves. When someone close to us becomes
infected, we need to show sympathy, not condemnation. And pray for them.
Navajo News Secondly, I remember a wise man (F.D. Roosevelt) said “We have nothing to fear,
except fear itself.
A publication of
And finally, and most important, we need to trust. I want to live, so do you. “I will
La Vida Missions, Inc.
trust, I will trust, I will trust in you,” Almighty One (see song below-- “I Will Trust”
January 2021 Vol. 59, No 1
by Lauren Daigle).
Navajo News is published monthly Job said “I know that my redeemer lives and that at the end, He will stand upon the
by La Vida Missions, Inc. earth.”
Bulk rate postage paid at And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God: I, myself, will
Phoenix, Arizona see Him with my own eyes – I and not another. How my heart yearns within me.” Job
La Vida Mission, a supporting ministry 19:25-27
of The Seventh-day Adventist Church,
serves the Eastern Navajo Nation. It op-
erates a K-12 Boarding school for Navajo
When You don’t move the mountains
children, clinic, water/mail/clothing ser- I’m needing You to move,,
vices and an evangelism outreach for the When You don’t part the waters
Navajo community. The mission is located I wish I could walk through
off Highway 371, 55 miles north of I-40, When You don’t give the answers
just south of mile post #56, or 50 miles As I cry out to You,
south of Farmington, New Mexico. I will trust, I will trust
Director I will trust in You
Pastor Steve Gillham I will trust in You
Editor
Gayle Smith Here at La Vida Mission, we “Will trust in You…”
Send address corrections &
correspondence to
Pastor Steve
P. O. Box 3308
Farmington, NM 87499 While our buildings here have propane furnaces, propane is expensive and we try to
UPS/Fedex Shipping Address supplement with wood heat. Wood stoves help us to stay warm and reduce our heating
Lake Valley Area
700 CR 7730 costs. We started the year with a big wood pile left over from last year’s donations of
Crownpoint, NM 87313 wood but it is getting perilously low now. If you can help us in this area, please contact
Telephone (505)786-5539 Pastor Steve at steve@lavidamission.org or office@lavidamission.org. If you would like
Fax (505)786-7650 to call, Pastor Steve’s numbers are 505-
E-mail: office@lavidamission.org 786-3004 or 505-786-3023. Since there
Website: www.lavidamission.org isn’t always someone available in the
Donation Information
office to answer the phone, please be
Make checks payable to:
La Vida Missions, Inc. sure to leave a call back number as our
Federal Tax Exemption #85-0168123 phones do not have caller ID and without
La Vida Missions, Inc. is a one there is no way for us to know how
nonprofit corporation of New Mexico. to contact you.
2
Navajo News January 2021
A Year in Review - 2020
You might wonder why we would want to look back at 2020, but it is always good, not only at the beginning of a new year, but
frequently, to look back and remind ourselves of the lessons we have learned and how our Father has led us in the past. So let us look
back, with grateful hearts, at the way God has led us, the blessings He has bestowed and the comfort He has given during the times of
hardship and pain.
December/January were busy and rewarding months. Last December, we took the students to the Montrose, Colorado church
– a church that has taken a special interest in La Vida for years. They treated us like royalty, sending us home with gifts and pledges.
Neal Kelley (one of their members and also a La Vida board member) comes down to see us almost every month, sharing food, clothes
and encouragement. He is usually accompanied by others such
as Don Steinert. Last year’s (2019) Christmas program included
both musical and skit performances from every class and sev-
eral of our staff.
The Crownpoint hospital extended an invitation to La Vida
Mission to participate in their New Year’s Employment Wellness
Day. We shared healthy food samples, recipes, a computerized
health age analysis, healthy living advice, massages, etc.
Continued on page 4.
In Memory of Bulletin Board
George & Margaret Armstrong by Lanny & Barbara Davis
Andrew Barbera by John & Robin Korponay Special Thanks to:
Larry Billips (Beloved Brother) by Richard & Judy Durham
Aunt Lita Castillo by Sal & Emilio Fariaz •Our Heavenly Father for providing our
Joanne Clifford by John & Robin Korponay needs.
Dr. Burton Everett by Darlene Everett
Tina Glendy by Richard & Judy Durham •Faithful donors who support LVM with
Anne Gutman by Morris Gutman prayers, financial and other donations
(including Box Tops for Education).
Wayne Hyatt by Lynette Hyatt
Albert Lind by Margaret Lind •Student sponsors and donors for
Barry Lizer by Art & Oradelle Lizer Christmas gifts for our students and their
Bonnie Lloyd by Harry Lloyd many contributions, prayers and letters.
Gladys Mather by Rita Vital
Larry McCoy by Nancy McCoy-Wearner •Toys 4 Tots for Christmas gifts for our
Brenda McDonald by Pat & Rhonda McDonald students.
Barbara Mitzelfeldt by Arloene Goley •Rocky Mountain Conference Commu-
Ronald Naumann by Steven Joseph & Sheryl Lynn Naumann nity Service for diapers and potatoes for
Karen Oberkramer by Randall Oberkramer Christmas drive in distribution.
Betty Oliver by Jim & Judy Culpepper
Thomas Pintacuda by Jay Pintacuda •The Kramer Family for a box of N95
Frank Putnam by Dr. Clare Putnam protective masks.
Carol Rickaby by Jerry Rickaby
•Greg Gosper for a box of N95 protective
Ed Roberts by Martie Hansen
masks.
Lyman Roberts by Martie Hansen
Darlys Robertson by Phil & Audine Dieter •Partnership with Native Americans for
Kenneth Smith by Lola Smith Christmas bags for Community Elders
Romulo Tabo, MD, beloved husband by Arlegie Tabo
Laura Stilson Tressler by Alan & Betty Dean •Karl & Katie Jo Schwinn for bringing box-
Harvey Weber by Phil & Audine Dieter es of donations from a variety of sources,
Wetzel Williams, MD by Richard H & Alta Jean Paul Family including the Delta, CO, SDA church.
Giving Fund
•Sussie & Mindy Thompson for toys,
Albert Willis & Albert Willis Jr. by Betty Willis clothing and school, dorm and art supplies.
In Honor of •Charlette Perry for 3 boxes of quilts and
throw blankets for outreach.
Dorothy Buell by Teresa & Bruce Hermsdorfer
Christs’ Workers by Newton Birge •Susan Bonjour for mini quilt blankets for
Philip & Yolonda Johnson outreach.
by Linda Stone
Irene Kalina by Andrew Kalina •Southwest Paleontological Society and
La Vida Staff and Students by Janet Claymore & Duane Ross Sr. Albertsons-Safeway Foundation for food
Our Hardworking La Vida Staff by Lorna Schoun boxes and groceries for High Risk Elders
Dick Stenbakken by Ardis Stenbakken and Fresh Oranges for Crownpoint Seniors
Pastor John Swafford by Margie Bird and LVM staff.
Thank you to all of the donors who make a difference at La Vida!
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Navajo News January 2021
Year in Review - continued from page 3
On January 25, the school took a trip to Grants and Gallup. They presented the entire worship service, with songs and Scripture in three
languages (English, Navajo and Spanish).
The highlight of February was the Wyoming Winter Retreat. Sixteen students and staff piled into the 12 passenger 4x4 van
and the Mini-bus for an all-day 12+ hour drive to Wyoming for a snow filled weekend retreat, themed “Fully Alive”. They arrived at the
Casper School about 11:00 pm. It was snowy and windy as they unloaded sleeping bags and slept in the warm gym graciously provided
for them for the night.
March brought the Pandemic. Our last school trip was to Cortez and Dove Creek Churches. The church members were delighted
with the students as they shared their talents. They sang songs and read Scripture both in Navajo as well as English. The Kindergarten-
ers and lower grades played bells and the older students played the chimes and recorders. The choir included all the students.
Spring break began on the way home on March 15. The students were dropped off, not knowing that they would not return until
next year. Then the Rocky Mountain Conference and the state gave the order to suspend schools and churches. Therefore, we decided
to do distance learning for our students so they would not lose their education, which turned out to be more expensive and certainly
more work than actually having the students in residence. The teachers made lessons for each individual student (lots of copying of
syllabuses, worksheets, etc.) and mailed them (or carried them to the students) and then provided the postage for the students to
mail the lessons back. We would rather use internet, but Hughes Net is so poor, even with their business plan, that we often cannot get
online.
Our last mission group for 2020 came from Frazier, Colorado. The group from Timberline Lodge Bible School worked on several proj-
ects. In addition to helping teachers in the classroom, their services were invaluable on the projects. They poured concrete, modified
the ark into a shop to work on large vehicles and installed the much needed garage door. The dilapidated old barn was given new life
after they repaired the roof and siding and painted it. They also worked on sewer lines and cut up firewood. The group was a God-
send!
When the pandemic hit the Navajo Nation, the elderly and others were suffering from being
restricted to their homes -- with lock downs, travel restricted to daytime only and none on week-
ends. Our help was needed. The students were gone so we raided our pantry – we had rice and
beans and a few other staples. We made up small bags of food and delivered them to those in
need.
That was our loaves and fishes that we brought to the Lord. After that first meager attempt to
help, the Lord expanded it….and more…and more! When people heard what was happening, do-
nations came – food as well as money. Since then, the Lord has provided through our donors over
and over again. We have been able to deliver thousands of food boxes as well as water, sanitizer, propane and other necessities. Every
time we think we are done, He sends us more. It has been amazing and awesome.
Our classrooms were empty in April. Students were studying at home and mailing in their completed lessons. Teachers were
communicating by phone, email and letters, thinking that this temporary order for no classrooms would end soon.
When the orders came for no school or church services, we did church outdoors in treehouse park. We enjoyed the park while the
weather was nice.
April also brought Dine’ Adventist Radio moving forward. Plans were made to install 4
production studios around the rez, one of which is at La Vida Mission. A pilot project was
begun to air one day per week on the Navajo Radio Station, KTNN, which reaches most of
the Navajo Nation.
June brought new additions to the family of God! On Sabbath, June 27, two Navajo
young men, Xavier and his brother Zachariah sealed their decisions to give their hearts and
lives to God and become members of the La Vida Church family through baptism.
Summer and fall was a busy time with COVID relief efforts. Over a thousand food
boxes were given out in addition to propane, sanitizer and other necessities. We were not
able to open our dorms and school has been primarily distance learning with periodic oppor-
tunities for our students to come in one day a week for face to face instruction. It has been
a challenge for the teachers and the students to continue their studies, here and throughout
the Nation. The teachers spend hours on the phone, going over the worksheets that are
mailed to the students, explaining concepts and answering their questions.
November brought us the RMC donation trucks. What a blessing and how excited everyone was to see all the donations! We
worked diligently to get donations distributed to the various departments and put away safely. We were fortunate to be able to provide
a Thanksgiving distribution in Crownpoint, serving around 275 families.
December 2020 is a time of rejoicing once again. A time to remember how much our Father loves us, a time to remember that
Jesus was willing to come down to Earth to save us. What an amazing thought! It is not the day of Jesus’ birth, we know this, but it is
A day, a season, set aside to contemplate this astounding fact. We didn’t have our students here this year to put on a play or a musical
program. But we were blessed by the opportunity to have a Christmas distribution to our local community, we were blessed with gifts
to give our students and we ourselves were blessed by a time of quiet reflection, a time to worship and a time to look forward to what
God has in store for all of us in the New Year.
Thank you for being part of our La Vida family, thank you for being part
of the story that God is writing here on the Navajo Nation. Thank you for
allowing God to use you to accomplish His work and His will. Some day we
will know the whole story and why things turned out the way they did, in the mean-
time we trust Him Who loves us more than His own life.
Pastor Steve
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