May 18

As you might have seen/heard on the news, the new President of the Navajo Nation, Russell Begaye, was inaugurated on May 12, 2015.  Nelson Betoney of Western Indian Ministries interviewed Mr. Begaye and the vice-President Jonathan Nez on our radio station KHAC a week before the inauguration. The interview flowed back and forth between fluent Navajo and English, but I can share with you are some of the quotes I heard in English. We sense a new hopefulness here.

Begaye: The Lord selects a new leader. God is always in control [of the ballots]. We’re His instruments to make a lot of these things come about.

We didn’t know if we would win because you never know how people will vote.

KHAC: What were you thinking as you were hearing the results come in?

Begaye: I was out at the Chapter Houses thanking people for the voting, so at first I wasn’t even in Window Rock listening to the results.

First I was thankful. I was thankful to the Lord for the results that had come in. I wasn’t thinking so much about being President at that time… I wanted the right words as I was going to speak to the people.

I was thinking, “God is in control.” I was thanking the people for turning out for the election. Forty-one thousand voters turned out. For me that [being elected the President] was not a concern right then. God gives you the mind of Christ and the energy and wisdom to do the job. God puts it in you. God is going to be leading out, whatever we do. I was just thanking the people.

KHAC: Have you been inspired by any Bible characters who were in government? Who is your example? Who do you relate to?

Begaye: I think Daniel is a good example. They were in enemy country and [Daniel and his friends] never abandoned their faith. They stood on the foundation of their faith. The [Babylonian] culture tried to bring them into their culture, but they were protected by the Lord. They came out as the smartest people -- standing on the Rock.

We are going to be standing on the Rock during our administration. Jesus is the Cornerstone-- the solid Rock.

Also I think about Josiah who took over the throne at such a young age. It is important to note that when these rulers took their eyes off the Lord, everything kind of collapses on them... The whole nation suffers, not just that king or leader. That is the work of God.

Those leaders had to depend on the Lord. I have to depend on God in the same way.

I have a Daily Bible verse Program into my phone. Today’s Proverb says: “The mind of man makes his plan, but the steps are directed by the Lord.” This is very fitting.

When we were elected, the news went around the world. The world heard from two people [myself and Jonathan Nez] who love the Lord who are going to lead the Navajo Nation. The New York Times and other major newspapers ran the stories.

So, I’m believing that as we keep ourselves in God’s hand, He’ll bless us beyond what you can imagine. It makes us feel humble and grateful. We really rely on prayer warriors.

KHAC: Mr. Nez, were you worried or nervous before the election?

Nez: For us, we slept well and were at peace, because we felt this was the calling of God. God is the One who bestows authority on leaders. You can see that truth in the Bible going back to the time of Samuel. We have been very open about our Christian faith.

KHAC: Some people thought you weren’t going to win at all, but you came up on top.

Nez: Yes, that is a miracle in itself.

KHAC: Share about your family.

Nez: We plan on sending our son, Christopher to Hilltop Christian School. Right now he’s homeschooled. They are always with me. He is seven years old, and he’s been all over the United States at his age. He’s seen Washington D.C., many times. One good thing about homeschooling is that we get to travel together. …We’re moving into our house now and getting situated.  Christopher is already a runner. He runs 5k already. He likes to go exercise with my wife and me.

KHAC: How did you select Mr. Nez as your running mate?

Begaye: It is privilege to have Jonathan Nez as vice-President. He is the best that the nation has ever had. He’s widely experienced as a county supervisor and a counsel delegate. He’s chaired the Budget and Finance Committee.

I asked several different groups as well as my own team who would make a good VP. They all submitted 4-5 names, and Jonathan’s name came in on every list. The Lord just brought us together. We complement each other and make a strong team. He’s young, so he brings a different perspective; but we are unified as we serve together.

Nez: We are working on several projects and continuing some initiatives that I started when I was on the counsel… All of the election was a miracle and a truly humbling experience. I am thinking of that verse in Romans 8:28: “All things work together for good for those who are called for His purpose.” I am looking onward to the next stage of my life as Russell Begaye’s vice-President.

Begaye: We have been asking who wants to help us in our administration and have gotten a lot of response. All the pastors – our pastors are the watchmen standing in the gap- really want to help especially to help build and renovate homes for our people. We are planning to partner with faith-based groups to help each other. We will be looking towards our brothers and sisters in Christ who want to help. We need the help of believers to do the things that our people need.

Begaye: People have told us, “We’re creating a Begaye-Nez prayer circle.” Thank you for your support and your prayers.

KHAC : Pray, all of you across the Navajo Nation, for our new President and vice-President and for the Navajo Nation.

April 27

Dear Friends,

Because of a persistent cough and larynx infection, I’m on voice rest this weekend, and you wouldn’t believe how difficult this is. Oh, sure, it’s easy not to say the loving words, but out fly the rebukes and remarks that are best left unsaid. It’s rather amusing (?) to hear Roger carry on both sides of the conversation. What does dear James say about the tongue? It’s such a little thing, but it gets us in big trouble when it reveals what is really inside. Ouch.

President-elect Russell Begaye

I have lots of random thoughts this week, some of which will spill over into the sequel. Monday we celebrate Navajo Nation Sovereignty Day. Some people would be surprised to know that there are several sovereign nations within the borders of the United States. Last week, Russell Begaye easily beat a former two-term Navajo Nation President to win the Presidential election. Russell Begaye, is a Christian. We will keep praying that through his leadership, the Dine (the People) will know that Jesus is the answer to their social woes. The Inauguration will be May 12^th.

With the warmer weather, the critters and stink bugs are starting to appear. These are the big, black desert stink bugs (Pinacate Beetles, darkling or clown beetles). When they are bothered, they stop and do a headstand as a warning. Further harassment brings a stink bomb emitted from the insect’s rear end. Yes, you can smell it. One girl told me that the stink bugs make medicine. I was incredulous, so I checked the source of all truth -- the Internet. And sure enough: “A teaspoon of stinkbug urine is used to cure thrush or prevent bedwetting. And it can also be used to heal measles and chickenpox. Since snakes fear stink bugs, stink bugs can also be used as snake repellent.” And here’s another warning for you: “Don’t throw stinkbugs into the fire or you will get a rash or sores.”

The Mission Organization Teen Mission finds the most out-of-way, rural, hard-places-to-live for their boot camps. They are looking for a location to train Navajo teens and others. Apparently the worst is the best. We had to laugh because they chose our site in Tse Bonito. So Western Indian Ministries will be making a proposal to work with the Teen Mission Organization.  As you might know, the original Teen Mission training facility is in Florida. It is a primitive camp with realistic conditions that campers might find on the mission field. Young missionaries learn teamwork and unity on the obstacle course and take classes in things such as Bible, music, construction, evangelism, and survival skills. This year at least 45 teams will be going to 30 countries to share Christ through disaster relief, sports, drama, and construction projects.

T* keeps me on my toes with the most interesting questions. Here’s one of his latest: Why are girls so bouncy?” When he asked, I looked around, and there they were, a group of young ladies bouncing. What would you have said?

Thank you for your gifts and prayers.

Until Soon...

May 3

Dear Friends,

I just finished Lila: a Novel by Marilynn Robinson. It was a good read. In one long, roaming chapter, Lila explores the present and her past while musing on theological questions. One of the characters wrote, “So things happen for reasons that are hidden from us, utterly hidden for as long as we think they must proceed from what has come before, our guilt or our deserving, rather than coming to us from a future that God in his freedom offers to us.” Such a grand thought: we are where we are because of the future God has planned for us, not our past failures or our ‘deserved’ blessings.

Leon, our WIM bookkeeper, just returned from the Philippines.  He had been on a mission trip for two weeks. Apparently the people of the Philippines are open to the Gospel at this time.  We’ll be hearing more about his opportunities and the trip. We at WIM are excited about sending out a Navajo missionary as the dine’ have usually been the mission field rather than the sent ones.

Another ministry here at WIM is the jail ministry. Lauretta and June hold a service there every week. June was having little luck in getting the half-dozen ladies to sing along with her. No wanted to participate. (Basically, they were just there to get out of their cells.) Lauretta sensed a spirit of heaviness. Boldly, Lauretta told the ladies that something was going on, and there was a feeling of heaviness on the place. The hardened ladies scorned Lauretta's words. Finally after the short teaching time, one of the ladies approached Lauretta and asked for prayer. After Lauretta prayed for her, the young lady’s name was called -- she was getting released right then! What a testament to the other women of God's care and power!

And in our area with these delightful children, our hearts hurt as we pray for them and their families. We’re holding them up when one says, “The hardest thing God wants me to do is about my mom. I have to not cry and I have to be brave.” Two others have been abandoned by the mom and several bluntly report, “I don’t have a dad.” In 90% of the families, one parent or grandparent does the parenting.

Traditional Hogan

Missionaries who have served on the Rez for almost 50 years say emphatically that witchcraft and casting curses on people prevails. The medicine men hold power over the people using fear. They sing a ceremony and command the petitioner to do certain things such as remain isolated and/or not use scissors for two days, or he might get hurt. One child who was taken to a ceremony has been crying, taking offense, misunderstanding kindness, and not paying attention. His academics are not up to the usual level. Are we facing a physical problem or a spiritual problem? I don’t have an answer for this one. It boggles the mind that a people who drive trucks and use the Internet have a religion steeped in demonic activity.

We finish this school year at the end of May. It’s been good, and we’re excited about adding two grades next year – going up to 6^th grade.

We’ll let you know if we plan to be in your area this summer.

We appreciate your gifts and prayers.

Navajo Nation - election results

Watching the Ballot Counting

May 11

Dear Friends,

We’ve never lived in a place where it snowed the day before Mothers’ Day. Of course, the ground’s warmth prevented it from staying, but we delighted in the swirling flakes three or four times throughout the day. Mothers’ Day was a treat also for me as I shared memories of my mom with my brother and chatted with the little brothers.

Cool Fish. It's going on a tee-shirt.

The Mothers’ Day sermon was from I Thessalonians 2:7-8: “But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children. Having a fond affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us.”

When making Navajo Fry Bread, the grandmas advise us to be very gentle with the kneading. They teach, “Treat it like a baby.” The Navajo way is gentleness and quietness, yet showing great manual skill such as in their weaving, jewelry making, and drawings. Even the Navajo handshake is gentle. In following Paul’s example, Roger and I want to exhibit the gentleness and nurturing of our Savior rather than the irritation and busyness of the disciples, who tried to turn the children away.

The boys like doing crafts.

Why do we feel we have to knead the life out of the dough, guaranteeing a tough loaf? Lighten up, and the bread will be good.

Prayer Requests:

1) We have two weeks left to teach this particular group of kids. Pray for His wisdom to grasp every opportunity for their spiritual and academic instruction.

2) Hilltop Christian School plans to go up to the 6^th grade next year. We’ve got the staff in place, so pray for our new staff as they prepare this summer to come on board.

The girls sing more than do the crafts.

Honking the horn of the Sheriff's car was super.

Fry Bread

Fry bread is quite a process, but so worth it.

3) Concerning our summer, we are praying for travel plans – where to visit to share our ministry and raise support. We’re also hoping to visit family. Pray that God will open doors for a fruitful, yet restful summer.