A few years ago Ken travelled to Arizona by himself to make plans for our first VBS on the Navajo reservation.  On that trip Ken met a lady, Sarah, who lives with her daughter and seven grandchildren in an older single wide trailer.  Since then, we have been able to connect with this family on each of our trips to the reservation.

It has been our desire to orchestrate an opportunity for this family to have a home built for them.  Last year we connected with a missionary in the area with the hope that he would be able to build a home for this family. We were discouraged as this plan did not pull together as we had hoped.  Sometimes I get frustrated trying to understand why God does not arrange things as we think He should.  I know that He is sovereign over all things, but I just don’t get it sometimes.

Upon our arrival to the reservation this trip, we stopped to eat dinner with Sarah and her family.  To our surprise, a youth group from Southern California had arrived a few days earlier to begin construction on a new home (hogan) for them.  We ate dinner with them on their new home foundation!  God is so amazing.  He brought together a Seventh Day Adventist church from California and an Assemblies of God church in Arizona to build a new house.

We serve an amazing God who is much bigger than our plans, denominations or limitations.  We are so thankful that God has allowed us to be a small puzzle piece in His big beautiful plan.  What an amazing plan He has for each of us.  As we begin this trip in Arizona, I am grateful for   His reminder that He has all things under control.

“But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.” Psalm 13:5

THE TEAM
In July 2012, God provided a team of 16 believers from El Dorado County and the Sacramento Valley to serve on the Navajo reservation in Arizona.  We were blessed that God chose each member of this team for a specific purpose.  Each member brought a unique set of skills and gifts to the project.  As usual, we were received warmly by the members of the Navajo speaking church in Cedar Ridge (Bodaway), AZ.  The team spent many hours serving together and worshiping the LORD with the members of the Navajo church.

CONSTRUCTION
The construction team used their talents as they worked tirelessly to purchase and install new exterior doors and pour three cement slabs for improved access.  All concrete was mixed by hand without the convenience of running water.

BICYCLES
Prior to the trip, over 30 bicycles were donated and many hours were spent restoring them.  The bikes were taken to Arizona and were received warmly with great appreciation from the children there.

VBS
We spent three days filled with songs, games and Bible stories with over 40 precious Navajo children during Vacation Bible School.   The lessons, from the book of Daniel, encouraged the children to place their faith in God even in the most difficult circumstances—just as Daniel did.  Of course, we often think that the LORD taught us more through the children than we taught them.  It is so encouraging to see the LORD in the lives of the
children and our team.

Please download the attached update (flyer 2012) as a reminder to keep Bodaway in your prayers.

We picked up a cousin who lives nearby.  He was a big 12-year old boy; quiet and sweet.  His name is King and he seems to take care of the smaller kids.  He told me that he gets into a lot of fights, but he was really a pleasure to talk to and my heart is heavy for him.  He’s going to school but has only made it through the fourth grade; the kid is bigger than me!  The parents don’t come out of the houses when we pick the kids up.  Apparently the native kids have made arrangements for us to pick up others and they are waiting outside or come out of the house when we pull up.  Then they cram themselves into my truck and we take off.

Ashkii is three years old and part of this family.  He’s small and super active; the long drive is a challenge for him.  When we finally made it to the turn off, I let him steer the truck on the dirt road to church.  We both had a great time with that. 

Making it to 2:00 was a little easier today and I have learned to back off of the kids a little.  Instead of trying to make them behave I try to do something to alleviate the root cause. 

Ashkii is disruptive and his sisters don’t let him out of their sight.  Because they take care of him, they aren’t able to participate in most of the activities.  I tried to take him from them and they wouldn’t let me.  I assured them that I would stay close so that they could see him and they let me hold him while they participated.  He resisted at first but then I just put him on my lap and whispered in his ear that I loved him and I was going to stay close and we could watch together.  He became calm and held my hands and rubbed my arms.  They think my hairy arms are funny.  Then he rubbed the whiskers on my face as I hadn’t shaved for a few days.  He finally just held my hands and was so still for such a long time.  I was thankful for the opportunity to be in touch with my heart.

We had a blowout on the way to the highway on the way to take them home for the day.  The roads are rough and some of the rocks are pretty big and my tires were pretty old.  Thankfully it was not a big deal, but it changed my schedule for the next day as I would have to get new tires before another one failed.  This was neither in the time budget nor the financial budget, but thankfully it all worked out.  I had to let the kids know that I wouldn’t be able to pick them up the next day as I would have to drive an hour in the opposite direction to get tires for the truck.  They were so disappointed.  I received a voicemail from their grandmother on Friday and she told me that they were going to another VBS at a church much closer to their home and I wouldn’t need to pick them up.  Thinking long term, they really would never be able to make the 45 minute trek to ‘our’ church on a regular basis, but this other church was closer to their home so there would be a better possibility of their regular attendance.  It was bitter sweet.

Six of the kids in my carpool are part of a household of eleven that live in an old metal trailer with no running water and a solar panel for electricity.  Two of the residents live in the old Chevy van which sits beside the trailer.   They live with their mother who I’ve not seen – she just sends the kids out. 

Overall, the kids are getting a little more familiar with the schedule and I would say the chaos level was a little improved today.  There were 37 kids in attendance.  Several sibling groups will not separate and the older kids watch after the younger.  I keep reminding myself that God is bringing these kids and they are here for His purpose.  There is such a need and the workers are few.  Thank you Lord for being in control.

It was a good day at VBS and the kids were loved.  I wish that I were more patient and compassionate.  I’m amazed at the patience of our team and the love that they are able to produce for these kids.  We are growing closer as a team too.  It’s nice.  Billy and Rose stayed with us at the church this afternoon.  Billy cleaned up and visited with the guys while Rose and the girls made beaded jewelry and got to know each other.