My family would like to share with you our thoughts about the short term mission trip to Little Black Spot Mountain. We initially had not thought about going on this mission trip. However, we heard that the team was short on the required number of people. They needed at least twenty people. Our family of five would make the team even at twenty. My wife and I gathered our kids together and sharing with them the Palm mission trip. We told them to pray about for the night and we would discuss it again. The next evening, I ask my family to cast their vote to see if we should go. We voted in favor of going but with much reservation. So that night, we prayed together and ask God to lead us by faith. Our journey had begun.
Before the actual mission trip was the mandatory training. These meetings allowed us to get to know the team and work as a team. We learned about the Navajo culture, their history, their economic and spiritual condition in preparation for the trip. Three things I learned most about the training are unity, flexibility and how tough it would be to share with the Navajo. The part I worried most about was the sharing. Pastor Howard warned us that the Navajo people are very quiet, to expect one word answers, and not be discouraged if they are not very responsive. We prepared as much as we could with the assignment that was placed upon us, but our family really did not know what to expect from this trip. We were anxious because we have never been to the reservation before, and know so little about it.
The day came for the trip, we all gathered in the airport early in the morning to catch our flight. Our team was together, physically and spiritually, from that point on until the end of the trip. One lesson God has taught us is how important the team was to each other. It is so amazing how God brought together this group of people from different churches. God really taught all of us how important our actions and words are to each other. The words of encouragement lifted our spirits and helped bond our team. I found a lot of joy working with this team. The spirit of God was truly leading all of us.
The most nervous time for us on this trip was the first day of VBS, where we meet the Navajo people for the first time. One of the reasons why I had hesitated going to this mission trip was that I did not initially have a burden for the Navajo people. How could I? I never met one. Well, as it turns out, after finally getting to know some of the Navajo kids and adults, it was already time to go. The kids were so precious and friendly. The adults have had their share of hardships. Here again, God taught me that we should not base our burdens on our own feelings. We need to align the center of our hearts with what is in the center of God’s heart. And at the center of God’s heart is the burden for all His lost. As I mentioned earlier, I was nervous that the Navajo were very quiet. Praise God, through God’s work and the commitment of PaLM and all the supporters to continue their relationship by coming back each year, the heart of lot of Navajo’s were already opened for us to get to know them and to share the Gospel with them.
The enemy does not want us to share the Gospel with the Navajo. There is a spiritual battle out here. Please pray that God will continue to open doors for PaLM to continue the relationship with the Navajo. We pray that God will open the hearts of many Navajo people to forgive what has been done to them, whether by America or by missionaries; that God will heal them and draw them to Him.
My family thanks God that we did not miss His fishing trip to Little Black Spot Mountain. I pray when God presents to you an opportunity to go with Him on His fishing trip (mission trip with PaLM or otherwise), you do not miss it. If God is at the center of it, it will be the best fishing trip you can ever go on. You will come back with incredible fishing tales. A great joy for me was to see my kids grow in Christ during this trip. I ask my daughter what is one thing she learned from this trip. She said, “When I faced difficult moments, I always know that God is there.”
Jonah 4:10 But the LORD said, "You have been concerned about this vine, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight.
Jonah 4:11 But Nineveh has more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left, and many cattle as well. Should I not be concerned about that great city?"
Part or whole?
Who is in control?
Is it God or me?
Sometimes I wonder.
Dependency is not always comfortable,
Because often I think I am more than capable.
Of using whatever I possess,
To work hard to obtain and ensure success.
Accomplishing tasks single-handed,
Falls short of the model God intended.
Because our Creator lives in community;
The Father, Son, Spirit - in unity.
Twenty from New York were destined to be,
Of one heart and mind - a community.
Living, serving, and playing together.
Each with a unique personality and character.
God fits all the pieces to create a new whole,
Every imperfect part possessing a role.
Each had a purpose and is part of a story,
To shine for Him and to bring Him glory.
I am learning to trust and follow His lead,
Allowing me to more accurately perceive,
A reality that is not limited in view,
Of the mighty and wonderful things God truly can do.
