6th December, 2007

BRIAN NIXON

Navajo Mountain, Utah

I just spent the last two days trying to say one of the most beautiful words in the Navajo language, Yá'át'ééh.

It didn't work, at least to the point of fluidity.

Yá'át'ééh is the Navajo word for "hello." Traditionally, Yá'át'ééh is used as a greeting or an expression of kindness and love towards another person.

Though I never mastered the word (at least to my liking), I must say that through the course of my two days with people from the Navajo nation, I did feel expressions of kindness and charity, bringing back memories of my childhood.

Growing up in New Mexico in the United States, I had many Native American friends, many of which were Navajo. I had my first taste of the Navajo culture through my neighbors, school buddies, and their families.

Their culture was, in a sense, part of my culture; and to this day, I am quite appreciative of this, garnering a life-long love of the original inhabitants of the United States.

So when the chance came to minister in a remote town in southern Utah, I jumped at the opportunity.

The Navajo (or Diné, meaning, "the people") tribe is the largest Native American group in the Unites States, numbering somewhere around 300,000 people. The Navajo nation sits on approximately 26,000 square miles in the four corners region of the United States.

The geography has some of the most breath-taking scenery in the southwest, from the Grand Canyon region, weaving through the Painted Desert, climbing up monuments and down canyons, to Shiprock, New Mexico, and up to the Lake Powell region of Utah.

Colors of red, purple, blue, green, and brown are found everywhere, from the red-clay earth to the cloud-peppered sky.

There are several sacred mountains of the Navajo people, and on this most recent trip, I found myself staying at the foot of one: Diné/Navajo Mountain. The other mountains are Dibe Nitsaa, Sis Naajini, Dzil Naoodilii, and Tsoodzil, Dookdoosliid.

Navajo Mountain sits five miles past the Arizona border, creeping ever so slightly in the state of Utah. It is a majestic mountain, and on this current stay, covered with snow.

This mission trip was sponsored in part by the Christian Missionary Pilots (CMP) and Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa (CCCM). Our group of 12 delivered Christmas stockings, supplies, books, curriculum, and other Church related needs.

Like most mission trips, it was our group that was ministered to by the people we came to encourage; we were the recipients of love and ministry here in the midst of the Navajo nation.

The wonderful people were blessed that we were with them. For many, our presence was more appreciated than the goods. In particular, they were very receptive and thankful for the music, led by a team from Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa.

Both services were on what the Navajo call, "Indian time." We began the service at 11am and it went to nearly 2pm. In the evening, the service began at 6pm and went to 9pm - a time of praise and worship in both English and Navajo.

After the morning/afternoon service, we had a fellowship time, eating Navajo tacos, blue corn, sheep, and Navajo fry bread.

In all, our group helped lead Sunday school, play music, teach at the Sunday morning service, and led a prayer service for the sick. Yet, we all walked away asking ourselves, "how can we do more?"

There is still a great need in the various reservations found throughout the southwest, not just for Bibles, but also for everyday items such as shampoo, soap, and other essential goods.

As an example, one Navajo man came up to Bill Kayter, from CMP and CCCM, and told him that he is the third generation of Navajo from this community that have received packages from CMP. He told Bill the thing that he remembers the most is the shampoo.

Darlene Fuller, daughter of the local pastor, Warren Fuller, said that there is a great need for people to come to lead VBS, teach Sunday school, and provide essential, every day needs for the people.

One Navajo woman, named Alexandra, told two of the team members, Melanie Nixon and Felice Ip, of the hardship that drugs and alcohol play in the lives of many Indian communities. With tears in her eyes, she asked for prayer for family and friends.

As a matter of fact, one of the reoccurring themes the Navajo asked for was prayer.

Though many of the Navajo in this community were, by earthly standards, poor, they were rich in love, community, and faith.

As an expression of their love, they gave out handmade necklaces and jewelry to all the participants. This is, of course, a true expression of gratitude in that many of the Navajo make their living off jewelry and the arts. In a way, they were giving us their livelihood, a grand gesture of kindness and affection.

Sadly, our trip was too short. We needed at least another week to continue our fellowship, service, and assistance with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Upon leaving the Navajo nation, I thanked the Lord for providing this opportunity, and thought of the Scripture in Galatians,

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 4:28).

This article first appeared on Assist News Service. Brian Nixon is a pastor, writer, musician, and family man. He currently resides in Costa Mesa, California.

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