Ya eh tay (Welcome/Good)

On July 11, 2008 16 youth and 18 adults from St. John’s, Kingston, St. Andrew’s, New Paltz, Christ the King, Stone Ridge, the Mid-Hudson Bluegrass Association and two Native Americans from Alaska traveled to St. Christopher’s Mission in Bluff, Utah. Our group included the Rev. Gwyneth MacKenzie Murphy, the Rev. Deacon Robin Beveridge, the Rev. Alison Quin, the Rev. Duncan Burns and Pete Peters.

This was the eighth year that some of us have led vacation bible school to the Navajo at Montezuma Creek, Utah and the first year that we used the "Dancing With the Spirit" music program. A Lakota woman once taught me that when we begin mission work our primary objective is to develop relationships. This brings unity to our lives and to the lives of others

The Navajo culture is very spiritual, but very different from our culture. We learned about the beauty of creation in a timeless atmosphere. Robert Maryboy, gave us a brief understanding of the culture through his art. The Navajo "Beauty Way" gives rest to the soul and can bring us back into harmony with the earth. We quickly learned to slow down and listen instead of talking.

Jeff Anzevino and Rich Hines taught guitar at St. Christopher’s in Bluff. Pete and Lewis Peters, from the Artic Circle in Alaska, taught guitar and drum at Montezuma Creek. We had the best turnout in 8 years!

Seventy Navajo children participated in the Vacation Bible School and guitar camp. Leah Siuta helped to teach Godly Play to thirty four children and Lily Henderson, the indigenous missioner at St. John’s. Andy Burns and Robin Beveridge led our arts and crafts projects, which are always popular with the children. The whole staff of adults and youth helped with Bible stories, sports and serving lunches to the kids.

We highlighted our program to parents and friends at two community suppers during the week. Barb Burns and Carol Maxwell helped to feed over 150 people that attended. The Navajo really enjoyed their cousins from Alaska, and were appreciative that we left ten guitars for the school music program.

Our building team, headed by John McGahan and Bill Beveridge built a Baptismal Font for St. Christopher’s Mission. The team also cleared the mission of debris from the recent construction at the medical building.

Special thanks to Val Stetson and the Mid Hudson Region, the Rev. Ian Corbett, the Rev. Dick Synder, Belle Mickelson and the Rt. Rev. Mark McDonald.

Hozhoogo Naninaa Doo (Walk in Beauty),

The Rev. Duncan A. Burns (Muscogee Creek)

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