|
|
Mission Trip Reports Trip Reports Home
Navajo Nation - BIC, New Mexico
American Indians
Youth Group
| Trip Dates: | 7/17/2010 to 7/24/2010 |
| Age Group: | Senior high school students |
| Status: | Completed |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Reports for Navajo Nation - BIC, New Mexico Trip |
|
Do I have to go home?
17
|
|
7/24/2010
By: Ron Blue, Pastor, Participant
|
|
Heartland Community Church- Medina, OH
|
Do I have to go home? No…really. I need to stay here for a few more days. Thursday night I got the opportunity to transport children to and from the mission base for the program. The kids I worked with all week have so little but seem more content than I am with all my material blessings.
One of my personal highlights this week took place Wednesday night. The theme for the program that night focused on “planting seeds of faith.” I did an object lesson on the parable of the farmer sowing seeds (on the path, rock, weeds and good soil) using those objects. I actually planted seeds in the middle of the gym floor underneath a spotlight that happened to be shining down in the dimly lit facility. The 40+ kids were all huddled in a circle intently watching the activity taking place before them. For those 3 or 4 minutes, each kid seemed to grasp the gravity of the result of what can happen when we hear the Word and follow it. Sweet….
Other highlights of the week include: watching the kids participate in the drum circle, jumping off a huge rock in Navajo Lake, the twins (see my pictures, I’m trying to fit them in my suitcase), hiking on top of DZ mountain, being with my wife all week, watching Sarah and Nate be impacted by the Navajo, the prayer circle in the hogan, my “Navajo Nikes” from Oz, Mike’s leadership (our project leader), and watching our teens tackle the impossible by managing 40+ Navajo children each night. The list goes on and on.
|
|
Ending the week
16
|
|
7/24/2010
By: Jen Blue, Participant
|
|
Heartland Community Church- Medina, OH
|
This week has been a huge learning experience for me. Not only did I learn a lot in ministry, I was also introduced to the Navajo culture. Oz, Fran, Leroy, Howard, Tyler, Michelle, and Shirley are wonderful Navajo Christians who have treated us like family throughout the week. They have taught us about their culture and how they have maintained their Navajo heritage and incorporated it into their Christian faith. The Navajo Christians are deeply connected to God, the Creator, as they place a high value on honoring all that God is and what He has created. Oz noted that the early missionaries stripped the Navajo of their rituals and culture and forced them to incorporate a Western style of worship.
The goal of the BIC Mission Base is to blend Navajo culture and Christian worship. He notes that alot of pain and agony could have been avoided over the last 400 years if the early missionaries had honored their Navajo ways. Hmmm... maybe that is a lesson we need to live by everyday as we try to connect to all people to Christ.
On Wednesday night Oz and Ralph led a drumming circle that impacted everyone. They have a large drum that 6-8 people can sit around. They sang Navajo worship songs as well as English songs that praise Jesus with the beat of the drum as the only instrument. The Navajo men led the drum circle and sang with beautiful rich Navajo voices. Everyone got to participate in the drumming. It was truly a worshipful experience.
The youth on our team have been an inspiration to me. All of their parents should be proud of their behavior and perseverance throughout the week. Ministry is not always easy nor is it easy to connect with so many people from a completely different culture. But the kids truly connected with God by loving the Navajo people. They have positively influenced everyone’s lives, including mine! I am so honored to be serving with them. I love every one of them!
We have had amazing experiences together. We have seen God’s creative beauty from the Navajo people, their incredible DZ Mountain, Navajo Lake, drumming circles, and old hogan homes. We have seen tremendous perseverance by the Navajo people despite their poverty. The ongoing work of the local missionaries to impact their lives for Jesus is truly inspiring.
|
|
Moved with the Compassion of Jesus
15
|
|
7/22/2010
By: Steve Shurance, Participant
|
|
Heartland Community Church- Medina, OH
|
Yestarday was quite the spiritual adventure for me, and I believe the others on our Team as well. Each day seems to bring new challenges and opportunities for growth. Our Team which has turned into Team: Heartland, Mike, Leroy, Tyler, Jackson, and all the others who God is using to impact each other’s lives. It seems as though I have known some of them my whole life. As I look back my intentions for this mission trip were: How can I help others? It is turning into: How much is my heart like the heart of Christ?
Yesterday morning our devotion topic was “Moved with Compassion”. Did I get a dose of the real thing last night! On Monday we had a young man, Isaiah, who is about thirteen years old come to the teen group. I picked him up on my route with the Blue Boat (blue van). I could tell he was a leader and may have some type of attitude issues (don’t we all?!). Isaiah did not come back on Tuesday as he was out of town. On the pick up trip yesterday I saw him at his friend Ryan’s house, and Ryan came to VBS Monday, Tuesday and last night. Ryan said Isaiah was not going with us last night. On the return trip, Nate, Jacqueline and I had just dropped off the last child, and as we were turning the bus around at the end of the street I noticed Isaiah in Ryan’s drive so I stopped to speak with him. I told him we enjoyed having him on Monday and invited him to the Community Gathering for Thursday night at the mission. He said he would think about it.
Following last night’s VBS drop off runs, Ralph and Oz, who are Navajo leaders on the BIC missions base, came to our building to lead our group in a Drumming Circle. The Drum Circle is an expression of worship using a large drum with many drummers. Wil, Bryan and Jim were invited to take part in the Drum Circle for the first song along with Oz, Ralph and Leroy - the veterans. I listened to the first song and thought, “Cool, maybe I can get in on this in a couple of songs.”
Ralph handed out lyrics to the second song. They were in Navajo. I intended to follow along as the song progressed. That didn’t happen. Soon into the song I could tell I was feeling very emotional and went into the hallway. I began to weep thinking of Isaiah and the future he had to look forward to if he did not know Christ personally as his Savior and Best Friend. Earlier this evening Jacqueline shared with the group how she felt toward some of the children, and how she was seeing the many needs in their young lives. I think my emotions were tweaked seeing the love she was developing for the kids. I thought I would simply compose myself and return to the Drumming Circle. I tried but could not return without breaking down again.
My thoughts now are, “Wow, how could Christ be so emotionally involved in each one of our lives and care so much for us?” I think I experienced a portion of what Christ has always felt for each of us every day of our lives. Jacqueline and I, as well as the whole team have been and continue to be Moved with Compassion.
“Isaiah, if you attend the Thursday night event at the mission, Jim and I have a plan. You will not leave without knowing how much Christ loves you and wants to be your closest friend.”
|
|
VBS gets better and better
14
|
|
7/21/2010
By: Josh Schorr, Participant
|
|
Heartland Community Church- Medina, OH
|
Wow!! Yesterday was amazing. VBS went so much better and yesterday morning was a blast! Yesterday morning we went to Angel’s Peak and it was just beautiful. It was so awesome climbing those moutains!! We got back and did setup for VBS. It went so much better than the first day. The only problem was that a few kids were trying to escape through the gym doors, but we got the situation under control. One girl named Ayiana was just chillin’ with me and talking to me everyday. She was just so cute!! Today was the last day I would see her because she is going camping tomorrow. She gave me a huge hug before she left! Yesterday was a great day and I hope tomorrow is the same :)
|
|
Rockin' out with Leroy
13
|
|
7/21/2010
By: Jim Clardy, Participant
|
|
Heartland Community Church- Medina, OH
|
Last night, Jordan and I spent the night in the meeting room…..you see, Jordan and I are the smart ones. It is much cooler in that room and we sleep on nice, comfortable couches (not together, on separate couches….just to be clear). I was awakened at 6:45 AM by Leroy Lopez, a local Navajo man who helps out at the BIC base.
Leroy and I have spent the last few days bonding, sharing and realizing that we have a lot in common. We began to realize our commonalities based on music. Ever since our first night together in the car, we have been “rocking out” to the rock n roll we listened to in the 80’s. It has been a great experience to get to know a 100% Native Navajo and learn that we have a lot more in common than differences. Leroy has been a great help and addition to our team. He is also my friend.
After breakfast yesterday we loaded up in the cars and headed out to Angel’s Peak State Park. Those who had the pleasure to ride with Leroy and me, (Jacky, Nate, Colin, Meagan and Wilson) got a little taste of the fun Leroy and I have been having when we cranked the stereo. We all did several sing-a-longs to Journey (Don’t Stop Believing, Faithfully, Wheel in the Sky) it was great fun belting out the songs with everyone in the car.
When we got to Angel’s Peak, a sense of awe came over me……it is amazing what the Great Creator has done. I am humbled that I have had the opportunity to witness some of His handy work….the canyon was breathtaking!
After some individual and group pictures, Mike led us in a devotional. We again focused on the theme of Jesus as our Friend. I am glad he stayed with the topic. I have learned to change my thought process about my relationship with Christ. I know Jesus wants to be my buddy. I know that the Creator of the Universe just wants to hang out with me. Jordan made a great analogy of Jesus being kind of like our dog who is always waiting for us to come home and give us love and kisses. Jesus is always waiting for us to come and see him to give us love and kisses too!
While praying, I told Jesus that I am tired of trying to spend time with Him and always failing. I told Him that I want to hang out with Him, but I need His help. While sitting there, I know that the Holy Spirit was working on my heart. I know that with His strength, my selfishness and laziness that I have struggled with ever since I can remember, will be changed into a desire to hang out with my friend, Jesus.
We went on to hike a trail that took us out onto a postcard-like scene. The hike was great and a lot of fun, especially watching Jordan run everywhere and seeing Nate, Wil and Jordan do their “special” dance on the top of a peak in the middle of a beautiful canyon.
VBS yesterday was much better with the teens. Steve Shurance set the tone early and the kids were much more receptive and engaging. We had fun playing pool, foosball and ping pong and eating bagel bites (I think Steve had at least 12!). Jacqueline did a great job leading all of us in making tie-dyed tee shirts.
Last night Leroy cooked up a special aromatherapy of sage brush to help me with my sinus problems. He got sage brush from the desert, boiled it in water and then I put a towel over my head and took deep breaths of sage-steam. It was incredible! It helped my sinuses almost immediately! Most of the group got in on the act and took a turn as well after they saw the great success I had.
We ended last night playing some music and doing some more sing-a-longs (Bohemian Rhapsody (led by Ron Blue), Piano Man, Free Fallin, The Lion Sleeps Tonight, Lean On Me, No Woman No Cry and Don’t Stop Believing.
It was a great day!
|
|
A great day
12
|
|
7/21/2010
By: Elisa Holley, Participant
|
|
Heartland Community Church- Medina, OH
|
First I have to say that I’m actually surviving without my phone. I don’t even notice I don’t have it! Yesterday morning we went to Angel’s Peak which was beautiful. We were climbing on the mountains and I chickened out and didn’t go as far as everyone else because I felt like I was going to fall.
VBS yesterday was much better than it was Monday. The kids were still wild but they actually listened to us today. They tired me out in the beginning when we were playing games. There was a cute little girl in my group that was sitting on my lap the whole time and my legs were falling asleep. The kids seemed to have fun tonight!
|
|
A new day in New Mexico
11
|
|
7/21/2010
By: Jordan Helderman, Participant
|
|
Heartland Community Church- Medina, OH
|
Yesterday started off with me waking up upstairs because Jim and I wanted to sleep in the coldest room of the entire place. I kept thinking that a spider was going to be on my leg in the morning so I woke up really scared. After the awesome waking up part, we all got in the vehicles. I went with Mike and we were off to Angel’s Peak. It was soo beautiful! Nate, Wil, and I ran to all the mountain tops, following the path of course, but moving quickly. THE MOUNTAINS WERE AWESOME!
When we got back to base we started setting up for Vacation bible school. Me and Meagan Clardy set up together. She is my “Assistant Governah” (who is apparently from Britain and tallks in a british accent all the time; and with me saying “Oh my goo” we make a great team). Sarah Blue and I practiced for the puppet show. We started VBS and the kids were alot better behaved today :)
I danced like a maniac and busted some major dance moves today. After singing and dancing, we did the puppet show and it was great. Then the kids played a game with me while the other groups were having a snack. The game was me running away from them as they chased me. When they finally caught me they clung to me and hugged me and hit me. I really connected with my group and many of the other kids there. Then we came back to the our building and I destroyed Nate and Wil in pingpong. The trip is going great and everything is going perfectly.
|
|
A crazy first day!
10
|
|
7/20/2010
By: Sarah Blue :), Participant
|
|
Heartland Community Church- Medina, OH
|
OH MY GOODNESS. Our VBS was great but crazy! ;) It was a lot of fun meeting all these kids at the VBS, but it was sooo tiring. My favorite part of the day was going to Fran and Oz’s house. They are local Navajo that work with the BIC. Fran and Oz make jewelry and are also making moccasins for seven of the guys in our group. Oz also makes some pretty cool drums, drumsticks, and some other stuff I can’t really think of right now ;) At the back of Fran and Oz’s house there is a hogan - a mud hut that was built for sacred ceremonies. I can’t wait until we have a prayer circle in the hogan. I just had a really fun experience today looking at the jewelry in the gift shop and I can’t wait to see how the day goes tomorrow!
|
|
A full first day yesterday!
9
|
|
7/20/2010
By: Meagan Clardy, Participant
|
|
Heartland Community Church- Medina, OH
|
Today was another fun, busy day. My day was started off with one of my favorite things...chocolate chip muffins! After breakfast we had really good meditation time. I really thought it made an impact on all of us. We talked about friendship and how God just wants to be our friend.
We then had some free time, and me and Sarah had an hour long game of pool because no one could win :) We also got to go to the gift shop here. It was full of beautiful beaded jewelry and pottery. I wanted to take it all home! For early dinner a Navajo lady who lives here made us some awesome meatloaf! It was really good, we ate all of it! We then set up for VBS and practiced what we were going to do with the kids.
When we picked up the kids for bible camp all of our vans were full, we had about 40 kids there. We all met new people and it was a lot of fun. It was really interesting to see how different it is here then it is back at Ohio. It was so fun but the kids made us all exhausted! We’re now all back at our place and ready to go to bed! I wonder what we’ll do tomorrow
|
|
Getting oriented to the week
8
|
|
7/20/2010
By: Colin Berger, Participant
|
|
Heartland Community Church- Medina, OH
|
It was an another early 7a.m. wake up call for all of us. We all dragged ourselves up the stairs to get our choices of life, cinnamon toast crunch, or our mini wheat cereals and our breakfast drinks of milk or orange juice. After breakfast we had our daily devotional / bible study. Today most of us read John 15:15, which read “Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for I have heard of my father I have made known unto you.” After our 45 minutes of meditation time, we all convened back into the conference room and talked about what we read and talked about how we felt about that passage. Then after our devotional / bible study we headed to the gift shop around 10 in the morning. We got down to the BIC office and gift shop. When we saw the many pieces of sterling silver, blankets, shirts, and the hand made pots, we all were amazed. Everything in the shop was hand made by local vendors and even some of the Navajo people at the mission. By the time we all were finished buying our gifts and sending the postcards, it was 11:30.
Everyone then went back to our building to eat a quick lunch. For lunch today we had sandwiches with turkey, cheese, mustard, mayo, doritos, and lays potato chips. When everyone finished eating we all started to prepare for our vacation bible school. With just about everything figured out, we had to finish some of the last minute details, that included how we are going pick the kids up in what cars, and what we are going to when the kids arrive while the drivers are still picking people up.
Today we were also lucky to have a local, navajo woman cook for us. She cooked an amazing meatloaf! Unfortunately we quickly burned through our time eating and preparing and before we realized it was time for us to go and pick the people up. It was about 6 p.m. when all of the drivers and kids arrived. It was crazy trying to organize the young kids, teens, and adults. Once we got to our groups everything settled down and we got to our teaching and having fun. The night went by so quick. 8 o’clock came quick, much to our delight. We all were exusted and were ready to hit the hay.
|
|
An awesome first day
7
|
|
7/19/2010
By: Bryan Simmons, participant
|
|
Heartland Community Church- Medina, OH
|
What an awesome experience we had yesterday worshiping God with our Navajo brothers and sisters in Christ. Worship songs were led in the Navajo traditional way (around the drum circle) and were sung in the Navajo language. We were blown away by how real the love of God was felt and expressed together across different languages and cultures.
Yesterday afternoon we went out on the reservation to pass out fliers announcing the Vacation Bible School for Children, Youth and Adults. We look forward to meeting with them. Last night, we were blessed to talk with the Gomez family about their faith and their experiences.
I had the wonderful opportunity to learn how to speak the Navajo language from Tyler Gomez. Together we read from the Navajo Bible and at the end, we sang one of the praise songs that we sang around the drum circle during the service. Amazing!!!
How amazing is our God who reaches across nations, through many different cultures, to meet us individually in order that we might accept His son Jesus. It is so incredible that we all praise Him together regardless of the language we speak!!!!
|
|
Starting a great week!
6
|
|
7/19/2010
By: Wil Riegelmayer, Participant
|
|
Heartland Community Church- Medina, OH
|
Today was a great day. It was our first full day being on the reservation. We woke up nice and early in order to get ready for the day. Nate and I struggled to get up like always; neither of us are good at waking up early in the morning. Then we had breakfast. After breakfast we meditated. It was really nice and relaxing. We all spread out and relaxed while we read scripture. It was a cool time I got to relax which I do not do very often. I spent time just thinking about my faith and talking to God.
Next we went to the church service it was awesome. I had a really fun time. A few of the men including Mike, our project leader, went up and were playing this massive drum and singing music in English and in Navajo. Then Pastor Duane talked to us about not passing up chances. This really spoke to me because I can relate with this. Sometimes I pass up chances I get that would help me become closer to God. God did however give me a chance to go on this trip and I am truly glad.
A little later, Jim, Nate, Jacqueline and I went with a Navajo named Leroy and we drove all around Carson which was part of the reservation. We gave out pamphlets to families to attend our VBS. This was great getting to meet Leroy and see the landscape. It is beautiful. All of the families we met were all very nice.
At the end of today we spoke with Leroy’s family. They were great. His dad had a ton of stories about their history to tell us. It was really interesting. I am really looking forward to this week being an amazing time.
|
|
A full first day
5
|
|
7/19/2010
By: Nate Blue, Participant
|
|
Heartland Community Church- Medina, OH
|
Today was our first whole day here at the reservation. We had to wake up at 7... I’m not a morning person so that was bad! But after an hour of trying to wake up we meditated on our own with one of three bible verses. During the 40 minute session of meditating, I and many other people felt like we really connected to God. It was quite the experience, especially since it was the first time I’ve ever done that.
After meditating, we had our orientation with the pastor here and the other mission group here. He explained about the culture and things we would be doing here and I got really excited! After the orientation we played a lot of pool and ping pong! It was so much fun to do while we are just relaxing and getting to know each other better.
This evening, Jacqueline, Wil, Jim, and I and Leroy Lopez (a Navajo native) drove around the reservation to houses passing out flyers to people inviting them to the vacation bible school we are doing this week! It was quite the experience seeing where these people live and just introducing ourselves to them and inviting them to come out and get to know God better. I can’t wait for tomorrow evening to start!
|
|
Our first day
4
|
|
7/19/2010
By: Jacqueline Yurkoski, Participant
|
|
Heartland Community Church- Medina, OH
|
Today was our first full day at the B.I.C! We were up early and were able to enjoy each others’ company at 7 a.m. After shooting some pool and playing some ping pong after breakfast we had our orientation with the other church here who is doing a work camp. Pastor Duane gave us the low down on all the right and wrong things to do around here. Around 1 p.m. we all got ready for church. It was a very casual service, which was very nice since it was already a bazillion degrees out. The Navajo people say that we should not put on a different shell to go to church. Come as you are because that is what God intended.
The service was like nothing else I have ever experienced. The main men in the community sat around a drum and spoke to us and God through their traditional Navajo tunes. The drum beating affected all of us on more than just an emotional level, but a spiritual one too. The entire church service was a lesson on life, and that there are endless ways to worship; and none are wrong.
Later in our day, when it started to cool down, we were all ale to split up in our cars and travel to different ends of the reservation and personally hand out invitations for our VBS that runs from Monday thru Friday for children, teens, and adults. I am a wee bit nervous to see who will come tomorrow. We are all hoping that a lot of people will come. It will make for a very awesome evening and an overall “cherry-on-top” for our mission trip :)
|
|
Departing Soon...
3
|
|
7/16/2010
By: Ron Blue, Pastor
|
|
Heartland Community ChurchOhio
|
Well Heartland - the day is finally here! Our group is probably as well prepared as we have ever been for a mission trip. The kids and adults are excited and ready to experience the culture and life of the Navajo reservation.
We have an exciting schedule ahead of us for the next few days. Arriving in Albuquerque tonight, some last minute shopping tomorrow, orientation, church service and pot luck Sunday, a trip to Sante Fe Monday and then Bible school Monday night...
I encourage you to come back to this page daily and read about our adventures and experiences. If you would, could you pray for our team for unity, focus on hearing the Lord's voice and attentiveness to meeting the felt needs of Navajo.
|
|
Word from the Lord for our team and trip
2
|
|
7/12/2010
By: Mike Cory, Project Leader
|
|
IHOP Atlanta- Lawrenceville, GA
|
SMALL STRAWS IN A SOFT WIND
In the sweet presence of the Lord I could feel Him drawing us to Himself so that we can develop a more profound relationship with Him. He is about to take us higher and deeper in our understanding of what He is doing in, around, and through us. He is looking for places of desire for more of Him that He can fill.
Philippians 1:6 "...being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ."
|
|
Excitement in preparation for our trip!
1
|
|
7/10/2010
By: Mike Cory, Project Leader
|
|
IHOP Atlanta- Lawrenceville, GA
|
Hello everyone! The group at HCC and I are busy preparing for our trip. I sense an eager excitement in the Lord over our trip. The group and I are excited as well! I feel one of our biggest purposes during the trip will be to make real relationships with the people we meet and share the love of God with them in tangible ways. The Navajo people have a role in God's Larger Story and they are all called to be sons and daughters of the King! I leave in 4 days and a wakeup for New Mexico and the group comes in a week. It's going to be an awesome trip.
|
|
|
|
|
|
FREE!
Missions Trip Debrief from
Missions Resources .com
|
“50 Questions?”
to ask your student when they get back from
their Short-Term Missions Trip experience...
Every transition in life has its set of challenges,
difficulties, and benefits. Returning home from a mission’s trip is
no exception. Coming home with such a life-changing experience
requires more than the usual “Welcome Back” greeting. Get your
FREE
“50 Questions?”
now! |
 |
|
|
The Art of Listening Prayer - by Seth Barnes
|
|
This interactive devotional is for the person who isn't satisfied with a dry faith. If you're dying to hear God's voice, the good news is that you can! Jesus is the door, and He has opened it up to you.
Don't Miss Out on Hearing God's Voice!
The Art of Listening Prayer |
|
|
