December 1

Navajo Nuggets

12/1/14

Navajo Rug- San Francisco Peaks

According to Scott, a missionary on this station, this whole area is a river of sand. The surface fluctuates due to precipitation, drought, winds, etc., so the buildings that are intended to stand the test of time should be built on a special floating foundation.

The region is hilly, and as the water flows through here, things can shift rather quickly. Most people in Tse Bonito live in mobile homes that must be leveled every few years. Our trailer hadn’t been leveled in awhile, and one end was about a foot lower than the other.  Our bedroom was at the bottom of the slope, making it easy to get into bed but hard to get out.  J  We needed a reset foundation of concrete blocks and skirting to make it right.

At least a trailer can be re-leveled. The buildings on the site also suffer from this shifting. For example, there is a giant crack down the middle of the aisle of our church.

When they built the new government building near here, they had to put piers 50 feet into the ground, and it is on tracks so it can adjust to the movement of the earth. (Don’t ask me how they do this.)

The Navajo Nation is literally and figuratively built on shifting sands. Many struggle because they strive to fit Christianity into their tradition. Our Father, God, is accepted as their creator god. They use the English word “pray,” but it might mean making an offering of corn pollen to the rising sun. Our church is planning a prayer walk down at the Nation’s offices this month. We’ll pray for the election of the President and the Holy Spirit to bring Salvation through Jesus.

With my brother
at CBU - our Alma Mater

As you know, I  was in California for two weeks. Thank you for your prayers for us during this time. My mom struggled so much with back pain, and now she is free from that physical agony. She had not built her life on shifting sands, but had trusted in Jesus as her Savior. The morning she passed, she looked different to me. I did not have words of my own, but I spoke God’s words to her – words of assurance and peace. My brother and I held her hands and prayed with her. Her blood pressure dropped, her breathing became shallow, and she relaxed. The Lord gave my mom and us peace in her passing. She was lying there surrounded by children who love her, and the next breath she drew was in the presence of the Lord and loving relatives.*

Prayer Requests:

ü  One of our missionaries here had several small strokes. Pray for him to rest and recover fully.

ü  Our classes as we present the Christmas story -- that they marvel with us that God sent His Son.

Window Rock and Code Talkers' Memorial

We drove through Sedona on our way back. Beautiful.

*Because He Lives (v.3)- Gaither

And then one day I’ll cross that river. I’ll fight life’s final war with pain.

And then as death gives way to victory, I’ll see the lights of glory and I’ll know He lives.