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Yuma Lutherans spread faith on Navajo reservationJun 05, 2009 (The Sun - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- A Lutheran missionary group from Yuma was in northern Arizona this week to share their faith with the Navajo people. About a dozen volunteers from Calvary, Shepherd of the Hills and Zion Lutheran churches were at the Navajo Evangelical Lutheran Mission in Rock Point, which is on the Navajo reservation in the Four Corners region. "We are helping them teach their summer school and are providing Bible studies," said Calvary Lutheran Pastor Michael Joynt during a phone interview from the reservation. Joynt said the pay phone he was using was the only phone for miles in the high desert, and added there was no reception for cell phones. "We were looking for a place to do a short-term mission trip to serve people who had needs as well as to spread the gospel, and this is a long-standing Lutheran mission in a relatively underserved area. We are always looking for ways to serve God by serving others, and this is a chance to do so while providing our members an opportunity for spiritual growth." Joynt said they are in the middle of nowhere. "It is a relatively desolate area in the high desert, but it is beautiful." The group is hosting some studies, and Joynt said there are many people attending. "I suspect many of these kids are unchurched, and we hope we have proclaimed the gospel clearly to both children and adults in this region and to have served their needs in other ways as well. Christ first came to serve us so that we may also serve, and the primary way we serve God is by serving each other." Joynt said he is very impressed with the Navajo people. "I've talked to them about their culture, and my impression of the Navajo is that they are a very friendly and open people. They still have a lot of pride in their culture and language. It has been a great experience to meet members of other churches and to meet the Navajo." Apryl Brand, a member of Calvary Lutheran, set up the journey because she has had previous experience doing mission work around the world in places like China. "This has been an absolutely wonderful experience," said Brand. "Out of all the volunteers, I am the only one who has been on a mission before. I have been around the world a few times. They are so excited about being able to come and have the opportunity to serve the lord in this way." Brand said the volunteers had very long days during their stay at the mission. "We are up at 6 a.m. every morning and by 6:30 a.m. we go to the cafeteria to make breakfast for the children. This is a very poverty-stricken area, and most of the children are on government programs." Brand said many of the Navajo have to travel long distances to find work. They are often away from their children during the week and only return during the weekends. While they are away, their children usually stay with grandparents who are generally very poor. "The grandparents don't have a lot of money to take care of the kids, and some do not even have running water, gas or electricity in their hogans, which is their traditional house. For income, many Navajos raise sheep and then use the wool to make beautiful rugs. "They also make silver and turquoise jewelry and beadwork. Some of them do have jobs, but in the outlying areas, there are not many jobs." Brand said she has been planning the excursion since August to make sure it went off just right. "Our goal is to serve the Navajo people this week in any way we can, but our main focus is to support them spiritually. We want to tell them about Jesus. Just a smile and a handshake convey a lot even if you don't speak the same language. It can open the door to a better world. We do this out of love." Chris McDaniel can be reached at [email protected] or 539-6849. To see more of The Sun or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.yumasun.com/. Copyright (c) 2009, The Sun, Yuma, Ariz. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. |