Tuesday brought more challenges on the reservation. There were spiritual challenges, mental challenges and physical challenges.
Spiritual/Mental challenge: I found myself waking up with sore muscles, tired spirits and a room full of others who have somehow managed to not be feeling the same things. This was my first challenge. How can I get myself wrapped around the thought of living this lifestyle? I know the Lord God will provide for me, but why doesn’t it feel like it today? Why does my heart feel heavy? I keep going back to what I’m here for, remembering that I need to be a better Christian, following Jesus and letting him guide me in my life. I am a person, who when he sees a problem, fixes it. That doesn’t mean it’s always the right solution, but it’s a solution still the same.
So how can I let go, not just on the outside, but truly let go? How can I see families living in houses that are in SERIOUS need of renovations and not be able to just go fix it up? It’s a struggle deep within me.
For the evening, we have all planned to spend supper with a different family, learning their culture, their personalities and their love. When we approached the elderly couple my family was going to spend supper with, there was a miscommunication along the way and the family wasn’t prepared for us. This was a bit disappointing, but we KNOW the Lord works in ways sometimes we don’t understand. Being the wonderful host Janelle is, she immediately had another family that we could spend time with. When we arrived at our second destination, we were greeted with SUCH GREAT hospitality it was warming to the heart. I know this family was planning for one guest and then suddenly they had FIVE. They didn’t blink an eye and welcomed us ALL into their homes and lives.
This family made an INCREDIBLE meal for us! The food was a typical Navajo supper, very authentic and bountiful and VERY good!! We all had a wonderful evening, and for me, I almost forgot where I was, that I was a thousand miles from the sanctity of my own home. Simply put, it felt like family. I felt like I belonged. Finally the feeling was clear, we’re not just here to help them with things they need, they are here to help us with things WE need. To remind us what is important, God, love and family. While I KNOW people have told us this before, hearing those things and feeling those things are two totally different things. This is exactly what I needed to feel and when I needed to feel it.
Physical Challenges: With sore hands, sore backs and a strong wills, two Father/Son groups , Rod & David Bergren, Bob & Preston Mesecher, took off for a farm where we were blessed to be able to help a man who has given so much to so many people. There were some fences to mend, gates to hang and walls to replace. I personally LOVE building things, and working on a farm is where I feel at home. The sun beating down and the air so pure every breath feels a blessing. (Even if it’s at a sheep farm, the smell doesn’t seem so bad.) This only adds to my wonderful experience I’m having here on Mission Navajo.
Cayleen went to SMASE’s (St. Michael’s Association of Special Education) campus. We got a tour of the facility and met some of the people staying there. Then we had several small groups go out throughout the campus and help with various tasks. Cayleen & Jessica cleaned out their computer supply room. They inventoried all the monitors, desktops and laptops.
We also went to the local grocery store to buy staple food items for several Navajo families. We had 15 carts full of groceries, which included hundreds cans of SPAM.
Bailee spent a LOT of time outside, without sun block, working the ground, tilling it to prepare for the garden they will be soon planting. Later in the evening, she wasn’t so happy about forgetting sun block.
Bob, Cayleen, Preston and Bailee Mesecher
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