Navajo Nuggets: April 12, 2015

Easter Sunday dawned beautifully over Mary’s Hill here in Tse Bonito. The sun rose into a cloudless, blue sky. It first lit the distant, forested hills. Then the hills on the far side of town glowed before the town of Window Rock completely brightened. Behind us, backlit by the rising sun, stood a cross. Musical praises ascended to the Lord in Navajo and English. The words, the beauty of the place, and the town below us reminded us of what God has done and what God still wants us to do. Pastor Dave preached on the applicability and power of Christ’s resurrection in our lives today --a glorious beginning to a weird week.

Arizona

We weren’t quite ready to get back into the classroom. And I wouldn’t wish a water main break on anyone, but it was a nice relief to be able to send the children home on Monday after a half-day due to water issues…then trudge the muddy road home for a needed time of rest and reorganization. Well, actually, R helped with repairing the water pipe, which entailed an 8 PM trip into Gallup.

Siblings

The week’s schedule was already irregular due to the TerraNova Testing. Testing creates an extra tension in the classroom as the students face questions they don’t know or can’t remember. They probably did just fine.

This week we watched “Ragamuffin,” the Rich Mullins story. This prompted us to do more research about Rich and his connection to the Navajo Nation. He lived for a short time in a trailer just across the wash from Hilltop Christian School while ministering to Navajo children. He had dreams and plans for even greater ministry with the Navajo, which were never realized because of his death. Rich, who had many struggles in life, understood the basic truth right – Jesus loves me. How I respond to His love is my responsibility. The nugget of our message to these precious children is: Jesus loves you.

Friday was another irregular day. Because of an “active shooter” incident, several areas of town were road-blocked in or out and many government buildings were under lock-down (including schools). The school and the children were never in real danger, but we took precautions. So, parents gathered up kids throughout the afternoon; and other children, who always get picked up on time, had to remain with us until their parents were able to come. The older ones were nervous. I didn’t tell my young ones what was happening, but they sensed the differentness.

Reading Buddies

When you teach, no week is just a regular week; there is always something different going on. I don’t like surprises – good or bad. I wish for that smooth week with no interruptions or surprises, but no learning occurs without tension. So, what should we pray for… a smooth week or growing through the tensions?

And some heartbreaking news, another young man known to several of the staff families has taken his own life. Please continue to pray for the family and friends and the Nation that is drowning in hopelessness.