Mission to Ganada, Arizona was a wonderful blessing. The Ganado Mission has over a hundred years old of history. The first church was built in 1906. It is also hosting the Sage Memorial Hospital right now. The current standing Ganado Presbyterian Church was built in 1941. However, the church has been struggling. There has not been a pastor for over ten years. The congregation was small. Our goal as a mission team was to host a VBS (Vacation Bible School) for the neighborhood children. Other responsibilities included evangelizing in the local markets, and sharing the gospel through performances at the local senior centers and child care centers.

                During the first two days of mission, we prepared our hearts for God’s plan and prayed for the people’s hearts. We visited local native sites, such as the Spider Rock in Chinle and the White House in Canyon de Chelly. A local Navajo Christian named Mannie described the conditions and struggles of his people. The Najavo Indians called themselves the Diné, which mean ‘the people.’ Many of them struggle between tradition and Christianity. They are not willing to let go of their belief in spirits and cultural rituals. One common practice was syncretism. They will go to church and pray to God, but they will also trust in their local Medicine Man who calls on spirits and curses. On top of that, many families have broken relationships. Many fathers are alcoholics; others leave their families. During our week, we witnessed countless stories ourselves. One girl, Tamera, described her love for God but also how her four brothers beat her up. We heard of the problems teens have with their step fathers and mothers. We were stunned by the brokenness among the Diné.

               After learning the heartaches and the struggles of the Diné, we felt the heart of God for this land and these people. We began each morning of our ministry by visiting senior home centers and child care centers. One site we visited was the Cornfield group nursing home. All the elderly were in wheelchairs. We performed several body worship songs and skits with the gospel message. Even though most of them could not talk, their eyes swelled up with tears as our team gather around to pray for them. Another site was the Chinle Hospital. There, I met Edward Perkins, an elderly man who was suffering from diabetes and arthritis. We chatted about his two sons and daughter. He was thankful for my prayers. I also met an elderly man named Henry; when I approached him, he asked me to go and pray for others because he already received prayer from another team member. At that moment, I realized how much hope and joy our team was bringing to the hospital through our prayers.

                We also had the opportunity to visit child care centers. At the Karigan Child Care Center, children from K to fourth grade sat around the room as they watched us performed the pantomimic creation skit. They were fascinated. Some children even knew and cried out what God was creating at each day. We then invited them to dance along with our team as we teach them the VBS song, “Amazing Grace.” At another center, Fort Defiance Child Care Center, we also got to make visors with the children. Kory, a young 3 year old kid, gave a big grin as I waved his arms and lifted him into the air during the VBS songs. I was thankful to see the gospel sowing seed in these children’s hearts.

                In the evenings, we set up a three night VBS for the children. On the first evening, rain came and interfered with our ministry. Many children did not show up because the rain made traveling unsafe. Yet, God faithfully brought those whom He desired to hear the gospel message. And after our prayers, God graciously provided wonderful weathers for the next two days. In three days, we taught the children three topics: creation, corruption, and Christ. We performed the creation skit, King of Hearts, and other fun, children-oriented performances. We taught the children how God created the world, how sin entered the world, and why Christ came to the world. I, along with several other brothers and sisters, took care of the older teens (junior high to high school). We got to follow up with some kids whom have been coming up every year. We played games with them and talked to them about their family history.

                During VBS, I got to know three teenagers, Terence, Benjamin, and Alex. They have heard the gospel but they are still struggling between tradition and the Christian faith. When I asked them the meaning of sin, some of them avoided my questions. Others refuse to comment on their willingness to follow Christ wholeheartedly. Yet, I was blessed by their grandmother Nali. She has been a faithful Christian and member of the Ganado Presbyterian Church. Even though the VBS run late into the night and she was tired, she brought her grandchildren to learn the gospel. At the last night, she brought me a native Navajo necklace and called me her grandson in her Navajo language. I knew that God has heard her prayers and was blessing her grandchildren with our team. We also met Kyle and Nicole, whom were still in high school and were working for the Ganado Church as students. They had a baby but were not married yet. They have never heard the gospel before. Even though they were not ready to respond, I saw how powerfully God was working in our team by sending us all sorts of people who needed to hear His message.

                During mission, we also had a chance to share the gospel in the marketplaces. Many people were available for conversations but not many hearts were open to the gospel. Two brothers Eric and Rick tried to sell us jewelries as when my partner Joanne and I greeted them with the gospel. We also met a young man named Randall with tattoos on his arms and a marijuana leaf on his hat. Even though he was not openly hostile to the gospel, he ignored message we were sharing. Finally, my heart was broken when I met Emeran. Half-consciously, Emeran was leaning against the wall of the supermarket. He did not even have enough strength to wave away all the flies resting over his body. As Joanne and I shared the gospel with him, he claimed that he knew Jesus died for his sins. Yet, he also confessed he has been drinking and his family has abandoned him. He did not care for our message. He simply wanted money and food. We gave him the little food we have and prayed for him. I saw how alcoholism is destroying his body and soul. My prayer was that God will touch his heart and the others that we have met.

                Overall, The Navajo Indians faced many struggles and spiritual warfare. Tradition and other faiths such as Mormonism compete against Christ and the Gospel in the community. Alcoholism and domestic abuse enslaved the people. However, I saw God using us and other missionary teams to bring light to the Ganado Presbyterian Church and the neighborhood. By the time we left, we cleared the trash and waste over a barren field in the church compound. It will be used as a therapy horse track for handicapped children. We also heard that a pastor is coming to the church. God has heard the prayers of the local congregation and our mission team.

Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20)

Psalm 62

For the director of music. For Jeduthun. A psalm of David.

 2 He alone is my rock and my salvation;
       he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.

 3 How long will you assault a man?
       Would all of you throw him down—
       this leaning wall, this tottering fence?

 4 They fully intend to topple him
       from his lofty place;
       they take delight in lies.
       With their mouths they bless,
       but in their hearts they curse.
       Selah

 5 Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;
       my hope comes from him.

 6 He alone is my rock and my salvation;
       he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.

 7 My salvation and my honor depend on God;
       he is my mighty rock, my refuge.

 8 Trust in him at all times, O people;
       pour out your hearts to him,
       for God is our refuge.
       Selah

 9 Lowborn men are but a breath,
       the highborn are but a lie;
       if weighed on a balance, they are nothing;
       together they are only a breath.

 10 Do not trust in extortion
       or take pride in stolen goods;
       though your riches increase,
       do not set your heart on them.

 11 One thing God has spoken,
       two things have I heard:
       that you, O God, are strong,

 12 and that you, O Lord, are loving.
       Surely you will reward each person
       according to what he has done.