Navajo Mission Report translated by Joshua Jong

Navajo Mission Report

translated by Joshua Jong

"For Christ's love compels us..."(1Corinthians 5:14)

This past short-term mission to Navaho Natives (June 20-July 4) began compelled by Christ's love. We confess how Christ led us, worked through us, and did amazing things among us(Joshua 3:5).

Two newly established young churches (S.I. Bethel Church and Fruit Bearing Church) prepared the mission trip, and six other pastors joined to support. Just before the trip UMC pastor Lillian M. Hertel suffered Bronchitis and dropped out, but we still had 11 women, 7 men (7 adults from PCMC), 9 children(ages 4 -10), and 3 youths. All together 30 people participated in the short-term mission.

Prior to this, on mission trips, I have focused on clergy seminars, consultations, and counseling of missionaries. However, on this mission trip I participated as a support person, and not the leader. In addition, it was a mission trip where unexpected are expected, for there were several different church groups, diverse in experience and age, in addition to the natives. So I completely relied on God to lead, protect, and provide.

The goal of this mission trip was making Christ' Love Known to the people. And from the planning and preparing stages of the mission trip, there were spiritual attacks. Someone had severe backache making the trip questionable, someone had a car accident, and at a church a prominent church leader opposed the mission trip. Some were concerned about the shortage in mission fund, and then there were subtle tension between few participants. Finally Rev. Lillian M. Hertel suffered bronchitis. However, Christ's compelling love brought us together in unity of heart, mind, and vision.

For over a month, we gathered every week, worshipping and preparing for the mission trip. On the 29th of June, we arrived in Albuquerque. Then we drove for an hour and 40 minutes, arriving at the mission center directed by Rev. Ducjae Lee from Cuba, New Mexico. S.I Bethel Church commissioned Rev. Taesug Oh to this mission field. So Rev. Oh was joined by Rev. & Mrs. Gyunghwan Kim(S.I. Bethel Church) and Rev. & Mrs. Daesun Jung, driving a large van with various materials for the mission trip. They drove for 33 hours, and arrived safely in Cuba, New Mexico on the 29th of June at 11:30p.m.

On the first day, June 30th, we drove into barren land to visit houses without addresses, inviting children to our VBS program. Our Lord certainly sent angels to guide, so we may not get lost and also to protect us from stray dogs that could have potentially bitten strangers like us.

On July 1st, we began the first day of VBS. Our children invited native children to join and then participated in leading body worship. We witnessed our children serving wonderfully, and right away we knew that other adults' concerns and opposition to taking children to mission were pointless. Once again we experienced God's grace, children ministering to other children. God used them to open the hearts of native children. We witnessed our Lord's hand in that. On July 2nd, more children came as first day attendees invited their friends. There were some injuries. Solomon suffered a cut on his forehead. However, he was strong and helped others to calm down. It was truly our Lord giving him strong heart. On the third day, everyone was physically tired and became somewhat sensitive but they were still supportive and patient with one another. Then, there was native kid who had a minor cut on his lips. Thankfully his mother was present and she assured us not to worry. On another day, there was a child with rashes and the swelling of face, but other children fanned him to cool him down and prayed together around him. It was a blessing to witness their care for each other. It was an amazing moment of grace, witnessing what happens when our Lord's love compels us.

Some team members met God more intimately during our morning and evening worships. Some made new commitment to serve their churches more faithfully, and some received answers to prayers during an overnight prayer. Many team members shed tears during our daily debriefing and sharing time because of our Lord's grace for the day. We all experienced how everyone, transcending age or profession, is so valuable in doing Lord's work.

Many wonderful memories....youths who made prayer requests as they shared their life stories during youth group gatherings, shedding tears while exchanging farewell hugs, VBS("God, I, Community" theme) games, body painting, nail art, hair cuts, balloon arts, cotton candies, body worship...we received more love than we gave. They were truly precious moments.

Our team returned home on the 4th of July, but I remained in Albuquerque for Sunday preaching, seminar, counseling, consultation, and supervision. On Sunday, July 5th, while being with retired pastors, exhorters, and other lay ministry persons after Sunday worship and seminar, God confirmed that I was sent there by the Lord. God used me to open the hearts of the people, sharing problems that were deeply buried and hidden from each other. Then, the presence of empathy made them realize the importance of unity. It was all through God's grace and providence that all this happened. As I counseled individually those who were weary and afflicted, I sensed God's love for them, sending me and making use of me. They were also strengthened and encouraged in realizing God's love for them. My smart phone case with phone, a credit card, and driver's license in it was stolen in Albuquerque. And it was a miracle done by the Lord that I was able get on my return flight. This past short-term mission in New Mexico was a time of grace, filled with life, Christ's love, adventure, relationships, and dreams. This would not have been possible without intercessory prayers. I thank you all again for your prayers. The Lord who began the good work in you will carry it on to completion (Philippians 1:6).

I pray this prayer in Isaiah 11:9, "They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea."