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UIM International has some of the finest missionaries in the world. I know that's a bold statement, and I don't make that claim carelessly or boastfully. I am humbled.
In 2011 UIM celebrated fifty-five years of God's faithfulness to Himself. We rejoiced in hundreds who have served the Lord and thousands who have come to faith in Christ Jesus through the sacrificial service of these choice servants of the Lord---not perfect people but true instruments of God's grace.
The history of ministry to the indigenous people of North America predates UIM. David Brainerd reached hundreds of indigenous souls on the northeast coast of the United States, giving of his life and dying at the young age of 29 on October 9, 1947.
In UIM we celebrate those who give their lives in faithful sacrificial service. Read more as we feature a precious and faithful couple who continue to serve at an age when most would have "retired" long ago and "enjoyed the rest of their lives." Not Leon and Sandra Friend. Though "well up in years," they remain wholehearted in the work of proclaiming the Gospel.
Other "long-termers" in UIM are Glenn Marshall and his dear wife, Shirley. Few know the Navajo language; even fewer Anglo missionaries know the "ins and outs" of this wonderful, though complicated language. Navajo Code Talkers were critical to the World War II victory in the Pacific. Read with interest Glenn's excellent ministry of Navajo language instruction. Glenn is being used to promote and preserve Navajo.
I encourage you to connect with Leon and Sandra Friend and Glenn and Shirley Marshall. Like David Brainerd, they tirelessly give of themselves every day. Unlike Brainerd, God has graciously granted them many years of fruitful, though not always easy, service.
This is your UIM Connection! Be challenged and inspired in your own service unto the Lord!
Grateful for all who faithfully serve our Lord Jesus,
Daniel P. Fredericks
UIM Executive Director
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Friends' Ministry Trail
Leon Friend was involved in outreach ministry among the people in the Mariano Lake area of New Mexico beginning in May 1958. In 1975 he and Sandra joined UIM. When the people of Mariano Lake expressed their desire that the Friends move to their area, Leon and Sandra sought God's will concerning a move to begin a church work. They purchased a church site and began church-planting efforts in August 1962.
In 1963 the Friends learned that Sandra was losing her vision from Stargardt's Disease, caused by recessive genes. In 1967 it became necessary for them to make a ministry move to accommodate Sandra's visual handicap. The move was to Albuquerque, New Mexico, to establish a ministry to the 19 Pueblo tribes. Leon also became involved in a chaplain ministry in the Indian hospital to reach Pueblo people, since their reservations were largely closed to Protestant mission ministry. In addition, he and Sandra established a literature ministry to complement their efforts, mailing up to 6,000 copies of "SMOKE SIGNALS" to reach people. This ministry was successful in bringing open doors for Bible study in homes within several of the pueblos.
In late 1989 the Lord urged the Friends to move to Tahlequah, Oklahoma, where the Cherokee Nation welcomed Leon to begin a chaplaincy ministry in the Cherokee Nation Hastings Hospital. Not only did this present a great ministry challenge but also enabled the Friends to be near Sandra's elderly parent, who had become established in the Go Ye Village Christian Retirement Center. The chaplaincy ministry is very solid, flourishing, and fulfilling. Having been in the chaplain ministry at the Cherokee Nation Hastings Hospital for twenty-one years, Leon has seen the population of the Cherokee Nation enlarged by at least 21,000 new babies!
The Friends' ministry trail has been long and somewhat winding; it has given them opportunities to proclaim the glorious Gospel and God's all-sufficient Word of grace to many different Native tribal peoples.
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Leon and Sandra Friend
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Glenn Marshall -
Learning and Tutoring the Navajo
Language
For decades Navajo students were discouraged from using their own language. Schools punished students for speaking their Native language. Some years ago the Navajo Nation decreed that Navajo language classes MUST be available in schools. That has helped remove the stigma associated with their language that was, by implication, considered inferior to other languages. Few Navajos can read their own language; fewer yet are able to write it. Thus, a major goal is helping Navajo adults learn to read and write their own language. When UIM missionary Glenn Marshall can help someone learn to read the Bible in Navajo, he is rewarded. While a student is reading from the Navajo Bible, Glenn has a chance to explain what the Bible is saying, so Bible study usually accompanies tutoring. Though Glenn is not as fluent in Navajo as he would like, using the language has enhanced his rapport with the Navajo community. It has also provided him with friends whom he might barely know otherwise, both Navajo and non-Navajo. Sometimes it also gives him a chance to be an encourager. Tutoring non-speakers enables missionaries or professional people to pronounce Navajo correctly and use greetings appropriately. The language is important for knowing a people, and the fundamental skill enhances relationships. Their language includes a wide range of relationship terms that are important to know and use. Glenn knows to address older women as "Mother" even though they are younger than he. Whether teaching Navajo parents and their children, missionaries or professional people, Glenn is allowing the Lord to work through him to be not only a language teacher but a messenger of the Gospel to the people in the Gallup, New Mexico, area.
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Glenn Marshall teaching
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