On our drive to the reservation we stopped in Flagstaff for gas. During our stop my wife was cornered by a drunk guy asking for money so I had to come to the rescue. Then after I filled up our vehicle a man named Jack came and talked to me. He was an older man driving a beat up Ford Bronco. He parked at the gas station and had no money for gas. He was just waiting there for help and you could tell he was embarrassed to even have to ask. We filled up his tank of gas and while doing that he shared he was in Flagstaff to visit his wife who is in an alcohol recovery program. Jack said he has been sober for ten years and drove out to visit his wife to try to save his marriage. I told Jack about our group and that we would be praying for him and his wife Pamela. Today if you have a few moments I encourage you to pray for them as well.
Our time Saturday at the Camp Meeting was a great cultural experience for our group. Everyone got to use an outhouse, eat fry bread, and get to know many of the Navajo people. Some of our group took the kids during the meetings and sang songs, played games, and has some Bible lessons with them. The rest of us attended the meetings and some even got to sing and share. In fact, one of the leaders of the meetings asked Don if he knew him during one of the services. Afterwards they were talking and found out they went to Moody Bible Institute at the same time and did some Native American ministry together back in the early 90s. It is amazing how connected we are in the Kingdom of God.
The teaching was very challenging. The last speaker talked about peacemaking and reconciliation. One issue that happens in Navajo Nation (and also in most churches in America) is that we don't deal with issues between each other well. Instead of going to the person, then taking two or more witnesses as Matthew 18 calls us to do we just go somewhere else to find peace. You see, we look to a new place for peace instead of realizing that true peace is dwelling in us through God's Spirit. That is why God gives us instruction on how to walk through conflict. Gossip doesn't bring peace, avoidance doesn't bring peace, running away doesn't bring peace. We need to be the people of God who through much grace and love are honest and direct and strive for peace in our relationships with one another. He ended by talking about our most important relationship and that is ours with Jesus Christ. Are you at peace with God? Are you reconciled to him through the blood of Christ?
This is our home for the week. There is dust everywhere and in everything!
Our group singing some songs at the Camp Meeting
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