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Serving the Navajo Nation
By John McDaniel
The past few years have been a challenge to
churches globally. We have had to adapt to
find a balance between government and God-
given mandates. On the Navajo Reservation
where God has called us to serve, we were hit
harder by the pandemic than most places in
the United States.

In response, the Navajo Nation began to
operate literally like a communist country. We
were told not to leave our homes. If we had to
leave, only one person could leave—and only
for work or for groceries. A daily curfew was
implemented with police checkpoints on the
road. If one were found guilty of breaking
curfew, he could receive a $1,000 fine.

The city of Gallup, New Mexico, is the place
where many people living on the reservation
go to get supplies and groceries. During the
early days of the pandemic, Gallup was packed
with people trying to find supplies that were
in limited quantities. There were long lines of
people waiting to get into stores to hopefully
get food and supplies—if they were in stock!
My father-in-law, Brother Jerry Begay, saw the
need and took the lead. He said, “Hey look,
John, there are more people in line at Walmart
than are in church!” So, he quickly hopped out
of the truck and began to preach to the crowd
of people who were standing in line—until
security showed up.

We have to be creative. We have to be bold.

We have to do something! We cannot just sit
around at home and go to church on Facebook.

People need the Lord!
John &April McDaniel & family
Initially we complied with the government
mandates because we were told it was only for
two weeks, but then it was two more weeks,
then two more months. We soon realized this
was not going to end anytime soon. We began
live streaming the sermons from Brother
Begay’s living room. It was different, but we did
our best. A few times we had people even show
up at the house for church!
We eventually opened the church doors again
when we got internet at the church for the
first time. We even upgraded to a tripod and
simple microphone to connect to my wife’s
iPhone. That is high-tech for the Rez! Our
church doors stayed open from the summer
of 2020 until the end of November when we
got COVID. We reopened again in January
2021 and have been open ever since. We have
seen souls saved, baptized, and even had one
complete discipleship training.

We trusted the Lord and saw Him do some
mighty works. We have also seen some
churches take a step backwards, and now they
only meet on Sunday mornings. They got
comfortable with just one service a week and
do not plan to add the services back. Let us not
quit or be less faithful; let us do everything we
can to get the Gospel out until Jesus comes or
calls us Home.

Jesus said in John 9:4, “I must work the works
of him that sent me, while it is day: the night
cometh, when no man can work.” W
26



Deputation from
My Perspective
by Jamie Bradley
As the wife of a BIMI missionary, I wear many hats: wife to Alan Bradley
since 2007; mother to Lila (11), Mollie (7), and James (6); and teacher to all
three. The Lord has called my family to New York City, which allows me to
also be called a missionary. I really do not feel worthy for the task He has
entrusted to me. When my sweet husband submitted to the Lord’s call on
our lives, it was not a surprise. The Lord had been dealing with me in His
own way preparing my heart for His will.

Since then, we have joined BIMI by the grace of the Lord. Taking that leap
of faith we call full-time deputation is not easy at first—selling our home,
saying goodbye to friends, traveling wherever my husband says for that
week, trying to decide how much stuff we can put in the van and how much is too much, packing
for me and three others and having one day to do a week’s laundry for a family of five! All this can
seem very overwhelming, but I can say confidently that God is so good to me. He gives me peace
when life is hectic. He shows me grace when I do not respond with love. He gives patience when I
have none left. I have learned to lean on Him more.

Going to new churches with small children is an adventure. These little people have personalities
all their own. Sometimes they are shy and other times they will shake every person’s hand. When
we walk into a new church, I remember 1 Thessalonians 5:17—Pray without ceasing. And as the
mother of those children, I cannot stop praying that they will be on their best behavior.

Homeschooling on the road is not easy. I learned that waiting to get to the hotel or Prophet’s
Chamber was better than trying to teach while riding down the road. It is important to do what
is best for our children. At first, I was afraid of
putting someone out and putting my children’s
needs last. I am their mother. It is my job to
put them first. I have found in my experiences
most people do not mind and they respect my
children’s schooling time.

When the Lord called my husband, He called
me too as his spouse. My husband always says,
“You are never going to do something great for
the Lord on accident.” On purpose I had to read
the Word to prepare and on purpose pray for
guidance. It is hard to practice this while being
a wife and raising children on the whirlwind of
deputation! I had to read God’s Word to prepare
and pray for guidance. God is good and will be
faithful to you as He has been faithful to us. W
Alan & Jamie Bradley & family
Number 2, 2022
BIMI 27