Faith in Action...Navajo Family Missions Series Day 3... Taking Christianity Into the World

This is Day 3 of the Navajo Family Mission Series of our Weekly Family Trip To Serve the Navajo People of Pueblo Pintado. It is about sixty people who for an entire week lay down their jobs, vacations and responsibilities to be the very hands and feet of Christ. This is their story. Jesus often withdrew to the solitude of the desert to pray and be strengthened. Come along side us and see the changes of hearts, passions and lives as God joins us on our journey To catch a further look at our vision for our work there visit http://www.hiscpa.com/blog/2009/07/30/casting-a-vision-navajo-family-missions-taking-christianity-into-the-world/  If you and your church are encouraged by our journey, join us as we look to revival for the Navajo People, by taking Christianity Into the World

Day 3 - July 13, 2009 - Monday - Jesus Gives Us The Power to Be Thankful

Power Verse: Colossians 3:15 "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful."

Tami D. and Grace started the day for the kids by painting their faces. They let them pick out their favorite colors.

Elizabeth T. was a crew leader for the 3rd graders. They went to arts and crafts first where they made tie-dyed shirts using marble, sharpies, and alcohol. They skipped a section and doubled up with the 2nd graders for outside games with Pam. They played 3 games - one where the girls threw two sponges at the boys and then, they swapped places. Then, they did three-legged races with the boys against the girls and hula hoop races. The snack this day was cookies. Each group ate the snack made by the group before them, and then, made the snack for the next group. There were some cookies left over that they gave to the women in the Women's Bible Study. Lunch was then served. After lunch, the 3rd graders went to drama where Susan used sign language to help the kids learn the Bible verse. She talked about being thankful for what you have. Then, she got the kids engaged in a drama of the 10 lepers bundled up in a group. Jesus heals them and they are let loose. At the closing, Susan had a competition to see who could say the Bible verse the loudest. She ended the day with the song Forever.

Lynn who led Cheddars shared that in the very first rotation for the day, all of the girls came up to her and gave her a huge hug before leaving the class. She was so amazed by the openness of the girls to giving affection because of her former experiences with the native cultures. Her husband is Cherokee, and he was raised on a reservation in Oklahoma.

At the Senior Center, Bertha came by in her pickup with her 5 year old grandson Layton to speak to Denise. She was shepherding sheep that day and was not able to participate in the activities at the Senior Center. Denise enjoyed seeing all of her friends that she had made last year and was surprised that she remembered all of their names.

In the Women's Bible study, we studied about Eve and how God had redeemed her life even though she failed at obeying his Word. She still became the Mother of all of the Living even though she had to leave her perfect home in the Garden of Eden. She also was still able to be with her husband even though their perfect communication skills were broken. Marlene shared with her that she goes to church and studies from a Navajo Bible.

The construction crew went to Home Depot. Nathan was able to connect with his contact to get the lumber needed to build a 13-post porch for David. The man gave them the lumber at a 25 percent discount, and the store manager took the tax off of the purchase. Nathan had two gift certificates that he was able to give to a Navajo guy and his wife for insulation that they were buying. The Navajo man's face beamed with joy over the blessing of the gift certificates. They then went to Wal-Mart to get cheese for Tom and t-shirts. They helped a guy and his wife who were having trouble getting chairs in their trunk to fit everything in their car.

In the afternoon, Tony, Adam, Lee, and Quinn Shoveled gravel to build an exercise path on the reservation. That afternoon when some of the girls were resting in the cabin, 2 Jehovah's Witnesses, Mary and Toni, knocked on the door. Elizabeth E. talked with them about what we were doing at the reservation.

David shared that right before he left to go on the trip, God spoke to him in that still small voice to bring a jump rope. We were able to use the jump rope as one of the rotations in the afternoon, and the kids really enjoyed that activity.

Our skit that evening was based on the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Quinn was Sadrach, McKenna was Meshach, and Lauren was Abednego. John D. was the narrator. He told us that the dungeon was heated up to 8 times the temperature that they usually heated it up to, and that the king threw the 3 men into the fire. Nothing happened to the men in the fire. They did not burn. Andrew who portrayed God in the story appeared to protect them from the fire. John D. told us that when we are thrown into the fires of life - relationship issues, family issues, job issues, etc. - that the God of John 3:16 who was raised from the dead to give us eternal life is powerful enough to protect us.

In the cabin that evening, Beth shared that we had planned meals for 30 less people than what showed up for dinner. This was truly a fishes and loaves story where God multiplied the food so that no one was allowed to go hungry that evening (even though Tom out of the goodness of his heart had to give a selfish Carol a larger serving because to her, Tom makes spaghetti like her Mom used to make it).

Dare to Attempt Something so Great for the Kingdom of God that it is doomed to failure, lest Christ be in it!

John Dillard is an Christian Speaker/Author and Certified Public Accountant in Duluth, GA. To See how he takes Christ along with him to work visit http://www.hiscpa.com/  and for his latest book Overcoming Life's 9/11's: Job's Journey and a Voice of One: Nehemiah's Prayer visit http://www.john-dillard.com/  or call John Dillard CPA today at 770.814.9304 (All Rights Reserved)