This Issue (April, 2007)

La Vida Update

Pathfinders and Adventurers have one more Sunday session to complete honors in Leathercraft, First Aid, and Dogs. Last month Adventurers visited homes on the Reservation offering Community members free copies of The Great Controversy.

The Parks family, Doug (Mission Board chairman), Brenda, Sierra and Dane, joined in at LVM School Science and Math Fair March 2. Brenda was a Fair judge.

David James, Dane, Sierra, and students, Diondra and Deidra, take part in the Frog Hop exhibit.

LVM offices plan to be moved to their new location, next to the cafeteria, soon after Spring break.

Adriel Heise, noted local photographer, during his latest visit offered to shoot a new aerial photo of the entire Mission campus for use in our promotional materials.

back to top

New Mexico Travelers Return

(L-R) Jake, Lane, Diondra, Arickis and Jensen at White Sands.

A God Story:
One stop, during the upper grade student’s ten-day class trip around New Mexico, was at a laundromat. The attendant was gone and the bill changing machine didn’t work. The kids really needed coins. Their teacher and trip leader, Charity Garcia, suggested that they pray but the students didn’t go for the idea. However, Charity prayed, tried for change again and her money clanked swiftly back to her. When the kids saw what happened, four out of the five heads went down to pray—and it worked. They got their coins. One student held out while another told him to quit trying to do it his own way. The bill changer continued working. It was like being at God’s “slot machine”. They learned that God does answer prayer. All through the rest of the trip God answered “quarters and laundromat” prayers.

Arickis places arrowhead-weapon on Peace Pile monument at Fort Sumner saying, “I won’t fight white people anymore.”

At the Carlsbad Seventh-day Adventist Church students stepped out of their comfort zone while they took the church service. Charity told them to remember, 1 Tim. 1:7, “For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” They saw that God helped them. They were afraid, but He met them where they were at.

Lane takes bike ride on a tight wire at Explora! in Albuquerque, NM. This was the most popular educational stop on the trip.

back to top

Sharing a Touching Letter

Mail delivery is a much-appreciated event at the Mission, for staff as well as community families with a mail box outside our office. As office staff open the familiar donation envelopes, sometimes there is a note of appreciation for work done at the mission, or a prayer request, or a reminder that LVM is being remembered in prayer. Many of our donors are older people who have been giving to La Vida for a number of years. Often the handwriting is shaky but the messages are firm and meaningful. We want to share a letter from one of our faithful donors:

Dear La Vida Missions, I am writing you this little note to explain why you haven’t heard from me lately. Some problems have come into my life. As you know, my wife has been ill for 28 months now and I have been the care giver, and now I find I will require some medium level surgery. Also, we have been experiencing some heavy financial problems as of Nov. 2006. Please forgive me for not sending my donations and please pray for God’s healing powers to be on my wife and myself. Also, please ask God to help us resolve our financial problems by giving us the wisdom and knowledge we need and showing us where and how we can obtain the needed funds to recover, both financially and healthwise, with your prayers. And with God’s help we know it’s possible.

P.S. I feel so bad for not being able to contribute at this time…. It seems so strange and heart breaking not to be able to contribute after being able to every month for over 50 years. Please pray for us as we pray for you. When we read this letter our hearts were touched, both by the long time faithfulness as well as the personal needs of this dear couple. We invite the rest of our supporters to hold up these faithful friends of La Vida in prayer, even as you pray for La Vida. May God bless them and help them in their need and may each of us take as seriously as they do the burdens He has laid on us to bear. We are constrained to pray with Paul, “I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints….” Phm. 1:4 & 5

back to top

Students Invited to Passion Play

Larry Howell, La Vida Mission accountant, has again invited students, parents and staff to the Passion Play of the Four Corners at the Farmington, New Mexico, Civic Center. Larry has had a part in the performance for 7 years, playing the part of doubting Thomas, Moses, Boaz and two or three members of the Sanhedrin. This year he is playing Ephriam, one of three merchants. Thirty-eight churches are involved in presenting this Easter pageant that has changed the life of many people with a powerful message of Christ’s passion. Mary Howell, Larry’s wife, has made costumes for the play. As some costumes are sent to other countries, new ones need to be made. Larry explained that this play is now presented in other countries, including India, Malasia, Africa and South America. In India 20,000 to 30,000 people came to see the play performed in a soccer stadium and up to 6,000 attended dress rehearsal. The play, written by Stan Burgett, takes place in the aisles as well as on stage. Passion Plays Ministries International (PPMI) is a non-profit organization.

back to top

LLU Dental Team Returns

Seventh-grader, Jensen, photographed Jamie (his sister) and Diondra with dental hygienist, Adrianna, during their visit to the Loma Linda University Dental Student Clinic held March 19–20. Dr. Rick Grebowski and five students worked long days caring for students, staff and community. Students look forward to interaction with the Loma Linda dental students who give them attention outside the clinic as well as in the dental chair. We thank our visitors for their time and services.

back to top

Four Students Need a Sponsor

Kudy, 4th grade

Jerdino (left), 3rd grade

Diondra, 5th grade

Lane, 7th grade

back to top

In Memory of

back to top

Bulletin Board

Positions to Fill:

• Cook
• Teacher
• Administrative Assistant
• Bible Worker
• Plant Services Director
• Boys’ Dean beginning in Aug.

La Vida Needs:

• Boiler system
• Farm tractor, 60+ hp with PTO
• Hyphercator (for clinic)

Special Thanks to:

• Our Heavenly Father for providing our needs.
• Faithful donors who support LVM with prayers, financial contributions, and other donations.
• Student sponsors and their contributions, prayers and letters.
• Brock Lynch of Sea Minerals for ammendments to use in agriculture program.
• Betty Adams for Pathfinder shirt.
• Ted, Sussie & Mindy Thompson for children’s clothes, toys and towels.
• Sandy Davis for a box of clothes.

back to top