Missions to the Navajo Nation

From July 6-17th of 2007, we went down to the Navajo Nation to help put on a Vacation Bible School for the children there, while their parents were in annual tent meeting. It was an awesome, and tiring, experience, that I am sure we will not forget any time soon. This missions trip was truly a blessed, yet trying one. Throughout the trip we ran into many obstacles, and encountered many new things.

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I believe that one of the main concerns of the Navajo people, especially when it comes to receiving the gospel, is that they do not loose their heritage and culture within this new world that they are stepping into. The Navajo culture is truly a rich one, that not only incorporates traditions, family, etc., but also many spiritual aspects as well. They are a people living within the fast pace world of the United States, yet still managing somehow to hold onto pieces of their culture, when a world wind of technology and entertainment seeks to blow it all away.

It was awesome to see how these American Indian Christians incorporated both into their lives, as the church held classes that taught those who were willing to learn, how to read and write in the Navajo language, and occasionally you could catch a bit of the sermon that night, being translated into Navajo, or a song being sung in Navajo. Every night they served Frybread, Navajo Tacos, and Mutton Stew, and fellowshipped a great deal with those around them, slipping in and out of conversations in either Navajo or English, which ever worked at the time.

Truthfully, the community seemed open and geniune, though also very worn, bogged down, and in need of some help. I hope to return to the reservation some day, and to learn more about the Navajo culture, but I am also very grateful for the bit of their culture that I have been given the priviledge of tasting, and will remember it, from here on out.

It is funny how different of worlds there are in one country isn't it? It goes to show, that there is much more than what you first see in the US, especially regarding cultures.