In God we Trust
On the 3rd day of camp (Wednesday, the 5th day of our trip), after we conclude our camp for the day, we were invited back to the church we partnered with. Yes, that Hogan-shaped church.
A few of our team members already there waiting for us coming from the park. That day they’ve been working on CPR training, and a handyman project, moving a large wooden “billboard” that was installed in the church's parking lot, to another side to suit the needs better. The church is planning on using this as a “screen” for movie under the stars events they were planning later in the summer and early fall for kids and families alike.
This day we were blessed with a flute presentation, from a flute maker. He happened to be the pastor of this church we partnered with. We didn’t know this beforehand, and when he offers, we gladly entertain his offer. He told us stories, traditions and significance of flute in Native Americans, especially in the Southwest, not just the Navajo but also their neighboring tribe Hopi. How to play it, and of course he played us some nice songs.
This was easily one of the best “after-camp activities” for this trip. Granted it's not always possible, and we plan on these things loosely, not to prioritize on these kind of things. But when we can, we’d explore, get some cultural experience, get to know the community better, learn some history and such.
At the end of his presentation, he gifted a flute to a young girl in our team. Such a nice gesture, and certainly caught us off-guard, especially for the girl.
If you’re interested in purchasing a traditional, authentic, hand-made Navajo flute, contact me privately, I’ll gladly put you in touch with this flute-making pastor.
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The other day we visited Explore Navajo Interactive Museum, conveniently located just across the street from the McDonald’s next to the park. Although small in stature, we learned a lot about everything Navajo. Their belief system, family traditions, clothings, history and such.
Right next to that, is Navajo Code Talker museum, which is even smaller. Located inside the trading post, and we had to go through the trading post to enter. I personally enjoy these museums a lot.
On Friday, our last day of camp, we spent quite a bit of time in this trading post, looking at jewelry, rugs, moccasins, and all kind of things for our team member to explore or purchase as souvenirs.
Of course, souvenirs purchases – and traffic ticket aren’t included in our trip funding.
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A pretty common question I get is how a trip funding work.
In short, it’s team funding instead of individuals.
So, team leaders calculate a budget needed for the team to accomplish the mission, then we divide it by the number of team members.
Say, the budget is $2,000 and we have 20 members, then each member is responsible to raise $100.
For PEACE Native America — at the time I’m writing this — our individual contribution is $850/adult and $350/kids under 18.
Some people may raise more, some people may be short, and that’s totally fine.
It’s not about us, and we work together as a team.
There are many ways to raise financial support.
Some might decided to pay for the trip themselves, while other relies completely on their financial partners.
One thing we don’t do is fundraising, because our church doesn’t believe in fundraising. We believe that giving should be just giving (fund raising is giving while receiving something back, nothing against it, just not the way we do it). Although we’re allowed to raise funds (garage sale, bake sale, etc) we just won’t say that it’s to fund a mission trip so that we won’t lead people into a “charity” purchase.
Some might struggle with the money, while others may feel uneasy asking for support. Others may fear or felt inadequate if they’re short on fundraising. Understandably, it may be one of the thing that may make some feeling uneasy about going on a mission trip, and many of our team members struggled with this too.
At the end of the day, it’s the part where we’re going to trust God.
For the very same reason, we’re told not to worry about anything, and how all expenses (except the 2 mentioned above: souvenir and traffic tickets) are included in trip cost. It's counter-intuitive of course, since we’re all accustomed to taking care of ourself. During this trip, we’ve all learned to trust God and let go of control and simply live and fulfill the mission works.
Where we calls, He will provide. For some of us, it’s a calling to reach out, and get more people involved in the mission, bringing awareness to their attention. For some others, it may be a calling to invest their money, or time, or energy, or simply a calling to get out of our comfort zone, beyond the comfort of our home field to an “away game” on a mission.
Where we called, He will provide.
He is faithful and worthy of our trusts.
I’ve been a living testimony of that for 4 trips now (I’m one week away from my 4th trip as I’m writing this).
In God we trust.
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This concludes Tuba City 2017 series, thanks joining me on this journey and for your support and partnerships through prayer and financial contribution.
Stay tuned for stories from YahTaHey trip in 2018!
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Below are some more photos from Tuba City trip in 2017
A few of our team members already there waiting for us coming from the park. That day they’ve been working on CPR training, and a handyman project, moving a large wooden “billboard” that was installed in the church's parking lot, to another side to suit the needs better. The church is planning on using this as a “screen” for movie under the stars events they were planning later in the summer and early fall for kids and families alike.
This day we were blessed with a flute presentation, from a flute maker. He happened to be the pastor of this church we partnered with. We didn’t know this beforehand, and when he offers, we gladly entertain his offer. He told us stories, traditions and significance of flute in Native Americans, especially in the Southwest, not just the Navajo but also their neighboring tribe Hopi. How to play it, and of course he played us some nice songs.
This was easily one of the best “after-camp activities” for this trip. Granted it's not always possible, and we plan on these things loosely, not to prioritize on these kind of things. But when we can, we’d explore, get some cultural experience, get to know the community better, learn some history and such.
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The Flutemaker show-and-tell of Navajo Flutes
He's showing various different kind of Navajo flutes.
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Closer look of the flutes
See the “box” he's sitting on? That’s a baptism pool.
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Close-up look of the flute
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At the end of his presentation, he gifted a flute to a young girl in our team. Such a nice gesture, and certainly caught us off-guard, especially for the girl.
If you’re interested in purchasing a traditional, authentic, hand-made Navajo flute, contact me privately, I’ll gladly put you in touch with this flute-making pastor.
- - -
The other day we visited Explore Navajo Interactive Museum, conveniently located just across the street from the McDonald’s next to the park. Although small in stature, we learned a lot about everything Navajo. Their belief system, family traditions, clothings, history and such.
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The Explore Navajo Museum
It says “People of the Fourth World” because in Navajo traditional belief system
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Inside the museum
The lady on the right is the tour guide. We were inside a presentation room that’s shaped and built like a hogan. This hogan is a common traditional size for a single-family and decorated with tools and furnitures commonly found in a real hogan. That basket on display against the wall is their weaved basket used to carry newborn babies.
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Right next to that, is Navajo Code Talker museum, which is even smaller. Located inside the trading post, and we had to go through the trading post to enter. I personally enjoy these museums a lot.
On Friday, our last day of camp, we spent quite a bit of time in this trading post, looking at jewelry, rugs, moccasins, and all kind of things for our team member to explore or purchase as souvenirs.
Of course, souvenirs purchases – and traffic ticket aren’t included in our trip funding.
- - -
A pretty common question I get is how a trip funding work.
In short, it’s team funding instead of individuals.
So, team leaders calculate a budget needed for the team to accomplish the mission, then we divide it by the number of team members.
Say, the budget is $2,000 and we have 20 members, then each member is responsible to raise $100.
For PEACE Native America — at the time I’m writing this — our individual contribution is $850/adult and $350/kids under 18.
It’s not about us, and we work together as a team.
There are many ways to raise financial support.
Some might decided to pay for the trip themselves, while other relies completely on their financial partners.
One thing we don’t do is fundraising, because our church doesn’t believe in fundraising. We believe that giving should be just giving (fund raising is giving while receiving something back, nothing against it, just not the way we do it). Although we’re allowed to raise funds (garage sale, bake sale, etc) we just won’t say that it’s to fund a mission trip so that we won’t lead people into a “charity” purchase.
Some might struggle with the money, while others may feel uneasy asking for support. Others may fear or felt inadequate if they’re short on fundraising. Understandably, it may be one of the thing that may make some feeling uneasy about going on a mission trip, and many of our team members struggled with this too.
At the end of the day, it’s the part where we’re going to trust God.
For the very same reason, we’re told not to worry about anything, and how all expenses (except the 2 mentioned above: souvenir and traffic tickets) are included in trip cost. It's counter-intuitive of course, since we’re all accustomed to taking care of ourself. During this trip, we’ve all learned to trust God and let go of control and simply live and fulfill the mission works.
Where we calls, He will provide. For some of us, it’s a calling to reach out, and get more people involved in the mission, bringing awareness to their attention. For some others, it may be a calling to invest their money, or time, or energy, or simply a calling to get out of our comfort zone, beyond the comfort of our home field to an “away game” on a mission.
Where we called, He will provide.
He is faithful and worthy of our trusts.
I’ve been a living testimony of that for 4 trips now (I’m one week away from my 4th trip as I’m writing this).
In God we trust.
- - -
This concludes Tuba City 2017 series, thanks joining me on this journey and for your support and partnerships through prayer and financial contribution.
Stay tuned for stories from YahTaHey trip in 2018!
- - -
Below are some more photos from Tuba City trip in 2017
 |
Handyman Project
We helped this church moved this screen to a more suitable place for movie night events.
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CPR Training
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Storytelling Session before Lunch Time
The kids are eagerly participating.
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