Turquoise

            Many Navajo people have a turquoise bow guard or turquoise ring that they always wear.  Dan T.  said, “Through the years, whenever I came home [from boarding school] on holiday breaks or during vacation time, my father would always ask, “Where’s your turquoise watch bracelet?” 

           When I  first started teaching at a boarding school near Holbrook, a sixth grader in my class refused to take off her turquoise ring, even when reprimanded by the principal.  I didn’t understand what was the big deal at that time. 

            But now I know that it was her ‘protection’ and why Dan’s father asked him about his turquoise and reminded him that it was to be worn and not packed away. His father said, “You should wear it because turquoise is a very sacred stone and is used in many ways in Navajo Ceremonies.” 

            Dan’s dad further taught his children that the holy people above in the sky go across the morning when the dawn’s white light appears in the eastern skies carrying a buckskin bag full of riches. Once the holy people see you on the ground, the holy people recognize you if you are wearing turquoise and give you protection and blessings.  During this time of Covid, we are so blessed that God is our source of peace and protection. 

 

           We have been here teaching at Hilltop Christian School for eight school years. We encounter cultural beliefs like this every day. Many times we don’t even know of beliefs or taboos until a parent or Navajo Christian explains it.  For example, the Navajos believe that the Corona virus is a living monster.  They must call it by name (Dikos Nitsaa’igii -19 --big cough) and learn what it is trying to teach us.

 

            Shannon Francis in an NPR interview said, “Some of our teachings that I was raised with were that in times of pandemics, everybody would have to go into seclusion.  My mother said that this is a good thing because Mother Earth is getting a break from humans - from mining, development, digging her up; and so this is sort of a break for her. And the natural world is going to restore herself and start healing.” 

            Yes, this has been a challenging year due to Covid. The first of the year we saw our enrollment return to pre-Covid numbers. But the disease has swept through our families and staff, so we have had to adjust with learning packets and attention to distancing, masking, and not meeting together.  I see a lot of fear from the Navajo as they persist in wearing two masks, keeping six feet apart, and blaming others for their illnesses.  In our classes, we talk about God’s control and power in the universe.  My students believe that Mother Earth is alive, she has a heartbeat, and she does certain things. This is almost a Goddess Cult. We emphasize every day that God alone (the God of the Bible) is God.

            “Turquoise is the only gemstone that parallels life, culture and beliefs and the individuality of each person in our world” (Joe Lowry – Turquoise Museum.) We want to teach our students that we are all unique just as each turquoise stone is unique. But we go further in our classrooms to emphasize that not only are we unique; we are precious and loved by the Creator God. And there is only one way to be with Him, and that is through Jesus Christ. Navajos are generally amiable and accepting people, and they are willing to listen about Jesus; but it is infinitely more difficult for them to embrace Jesus as the Only Way. 

 

We have completed our eighth year at Hilltop Christian School (a ministry of Across Nations) in Tse Bonito, New Mexico.  A good way to wrap up a school year is to share the peaks and pits. Here are stories from various classes. As always, the names have been changed to protect privacy.

 

Class A Pit: This year was very difficult due to child behavior issues. One child said hateful, scary things to me (the teacher) every morning. Other children lacked supervision at home and were hard to instruct at school.

Peak: One mom responded, and we ended up having a more positive relationship. Another student loves the Bible and couldn’t get enough of it. I would ask him questions such as, “So, Pastor Sam, what do I need to do to be saved?” and he would recite: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.”

 

Class B Pit: I tried to memorize “Jesus Loves Me” in Navajo all year, and it just would not stick. Now I know how it feels to be a child trying to learn the times tables.

Peak: I had a picture of Jesus and Mary Magdalene after He had cast out the demons. The painting seemed to draw Rainie in so much that she couldn’t stop staring at it. Knowing her family background and seeing her attraction to Jesus, I asked her if she wanted the picture. She eagerly claimed it and hugged it to her heart. I gave her a New Testament written at her reading level.

 

Class C Pit: I had a trial with a severely divided class this year. Half were in school at Hilltop last year, and half had not attended school due to Covid. In addition, there were two students who disrupted the classroom constantly. 

Peak: I had some of the best kids I’ve ever had, and I learned to trust God in a new way, even when He was answering prayers in a wholly unexpected way.

 

Class D Pit: Because of Covid, most of the class had had no early childhood schooling, so we started the year from (before) square one.  Two students were especially immature and challenging.

Peak: The students made progress, and not one will be retained in this grade. I am pleased that many were able to make applications of the Bible stories into their own actions.

 

Class E Pit: I see confusion in the children as the Christian Faith is mixed in with Mother Earth Worship. In the Navajo Times newspaper, there is a section called “50 Years Ago.” Unfortunately, we are still seeing the same stories of corruption, lack of growth in independence and business, and brokenness in the news today. 

Peak: One of the interesting things we did in class was make a Time Capsule to be opened the year the children graduate from High School. It contained a mask, sanitizer, one of their A papers, a photo, and a tract telling about Jesus’ plan of love and salvation.

 

Class F Pit: This also was a challenging year for my class. The children are steeped in traditional Navajo beliefs and stories. They constantly talked about ceremonies, skin walkers and fears. There was spiritual curiosity but not spiritual growth. Brayden said he couldn’t pray because he didn’t have his feathers.  

Peak: Brenda, who came kicking and screaming to school every day in kindergarten, has settled down and become a solid student and a sweet girl who looks out for younger children. 

 

Class G Pit: The children were stressed at the end of the year because of rodeos and homework. We had many class discussions on choosing to change.

Peak: Arthur was caught swiping something from the prize bin. After a conference, there was forgiveness and restitution, and the class never brought it up again.  Arthur really learned about forgiveness and how Jesus forgives. He needed to feel that cleansing and forgiveness, and he verbalized his thankfulness for it. 

 

Class H Pit: This class needed to learn self-control, so that was a huge focus this year.

Peak: I am very concerned that these older children make a commitment to follow Jesus before they leave our school. Two students publically told the rest of their classmates that they were now Christians and wanted to follow Jesus. Salvation came to their house! One other child said she just wasn’t ready to receive Jesus. But at least she is being honest.

 

Pit: Our Principal who has served here for five years is stepping down. He has been doing a great job, but the stress has been intense. He will work here at Across Nations in a different capacity. We are earnestly seeking and praying for a new principal and some teachers for the coming school year.

Peak: God is in control. There are a couple of people who have already shown interest in teaching positions and who are praying about coming here for an interview. This is not a job; it is a calling. So, please pray with us that God provides just the right people for these positions. 

 

May God bless you all. Thank you for your prayers.