New Mexico Mission Trip-To Farmington

Last night we had a fantastic bonfire at Chief Faber’s home.  He invited a couple that he told us were the first Christian Navajos he ever knew.  He actually lived with them for some time in his younger years.  They shared their testimony with us after our devotions.  It was so moving to hear their story of deliverance.  They shared the state of the church in Dolce and how many feel Christianity is the white man’s religion.  They are truly saints, living a life for the Lord in humility.

We enjoyed smores over the campfire and the kids enjoyed playing with Chief’s pet wolf.

McGraw - "Da Wolf"

Yes, he is a full blooded wolf.  He absolutely loved the children.

We started our day out with breakfast and devotions by the Stricklands as Tim celebrated his 65th birthday today.  Since the men finished the playset a day early, many of us loaded up and went for a half day of work at Spirit Lake with Chief Faber.  According to Chief, legend has it that a man showed up at the ceremonial celebrations at Spirit Lake many years ago.  He stayed with the people and worshiped with them.  At the end of their time together, the elders watched the man walk out into Spirit Lake and disappear.  Many years later, the same men were given a Bible with pictures.  Opening the Bible, the men saw a picture of Jesus in the Bible.  They said, “Why is this man in your Bible?  He was just with us at Spirit Lake.”  The picture was of Jesus.  Because of this, Chief said many of the Jicarilla Apache became Christians.

In three weeks, many of the Apache meet here for three days for a celebration.  It is somewhat like Rock Springs Camp Meeting but very rustic.  He wanted us to help him rebuild his camping area where they put up two tents and one tepee.

This was what we started with...

We tore the whole structure down and found out what recycling really means.  The chief had us rebuild it with the same trees and lumber by reusing the rusted wire and nails, which we had to hammer to straighten.  We spent most of the day and got the structure redone much to Chief’s liking.  When the ceremony begins, people go to the woods and gather greenery to put on top of their structures.  He said the colors are beautiful and promised to send us a picture of the ceremonial grounds when all the native people are there in celebration.

Mission Accomplished!

We headed back to the church for lunch and then headed on our way to Farmington, NM where we will be staying for the next few days.  Rhonda, Shasta,&  Brittany  Benally met us at the hotel.  We went to eat with them to an authentic New Mexican restaurant,  It was amazing!!   We enjoyed seeing them and hearing about our projects they have lined up for us.  Chief Faber and his nephew Lonny  came with us to Farmington.  We ended the night with a swim at the pool, hopefully wearing out the kids for nighttime!

I’m sooo excited about getting to the Rez tomorrow.  They have been having cars getting stuck so deep in mud that they can’t get them out.  Don’t tell our rental car company though!  It is dirt roads for miles and no running water at all.  The church is one of the only places with electricity.  It’s going to be amazing!

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