Like "the devil"
Our trip to Gallup was a reminiscent of my first trip to Shiprock a couple years prior. We left quite early in the morning and managed to get to Flagstaff before stopping for lunch there.
We pulled in to our hotel in Gallup in the afternoon, I got about an hour of nap before the rest of our team start arriving.
After checking-in and a little rest time, we head off to Gallup city center to get dinner and some cultural fix. In Gallup city center between Memorial Day and Labor Day, from 7 to 8 in the evening the public can see various Native American dance and music performance. Not just Navajo, but also Pueblo and many other tribes.
It’s free of charge, of course donations always appreciated. There are Food trucks and restaurants nearby where we can easily get food and take it to the plaza in front of the courthouse where the performance takes place.
After the performance, we spent a little bit of time at the Navajo Code Talker memorial, situated right next to the plaza. Then we went back to our hotel. It’s time for us to hit the bed after a long ride from California.
- - -
YahTaHey, New Mexico.
This little community 15 minutes north of Gallup is located at a Y-junction between Gallup, Shiprock and Window Rock (capital of Navajo Nation) is home to 580 people (as of 2000 census). Sometimes written as Yah-Ta-Hey, or Yahtahey — and often get mixed up with Navajo greeting Yá’át’ééh.
According to wikipedia, English name for this place is an approximation of a Navajo greeting, though the actual Navajo name Tʼáá Bííchʼį́įdii means “like the devil”, the same Navajo name is used for town of Aneth, Utah.
It’s close proximity to Gallup made this trip probably the most convenient as far as logistic. On the way to church/campsite from hotel we passed by a Walmart, 2 grocery stores, a shopping mall and many gas stations. The only other team that has a situation as convenient as ours was Fruitland. Speaking of which, both teams were originated from the Tuba City 2017, and ended up in similar situation. Short drive from hotel, having a base camp in a major city (arguably, Farmington has more amenities than Gallup), campsite inside church facility.
- - -
Come Sunday morning, as we’re conveniently just 15 minutes away and service starts at 11 AM, we were in no rush at all. After breakfast at the hotel, I got to spend a few minutes in the hotel’s “gym” before our call time for morning devotion.
The hotel we’re staying at decorated it’s lobby with tributes to honor Navajo men and women in the military. The meeting room where we have our devotions and team meeting is decorated with tributes to the code talkers. One of our team member, the site co-leader traced her ancestry on one of the framed wall art with names of her relatives who was in the service.
After our morning devo and meeting, we took off to the church and greeted by the pastor at the door. Interestingly, he’s a native Hawaiian (and so does his wife), was born and raised in California before moving a little bit here and there and now shepherding a church in New Mexico serving the Navajo community.
One very interesting story on his journey is how he lost over 100 lbs, he said he was living an unhealthy life, had bypass surgery, and God turned his life around. What an amazing guy. This motorcycle-riding pastor — who always smile at the end of every single sentence — also told us a story of God’s protection when he had a motorcycle accident which would possibly take away his life of left him paralyzed, but he stood up just with some minor scratches. And by the way, he’s also packing something everywhere he goes. A common practice in the area considering wildlife and such.
We also got introduced to S, a young minister from Indiana sent by this church’s denomination to help churches in the area. He’s temporarily based off in Albuquerque, and his next assignment is to rebuild and relaunch youth and kids ministry in this church in YahTaHey. When we were there, he’s in the process of remodeling the “apartment” (more of a guest house) where he’ll be staying for the duration of his mission in YahTaHey and will be the hub for kids and youth (up to college-aged) ministries. It’s located in the church facility, next to the pastor’s residence which is right next to the main church building that houses the worship center, a few kids classrooms and a multi-purpose room.
S reminded me a lot of J and T we’ve met a year prior in Tuba City (read the story here). All three of them have high vision of their calling to the Native Nations and to engage the youths in the area. They come from all over (the South, Pacific Northwest, and the Midwest) with different backgrounds, and at such a young age dedicated their life for life of missions. Perhaps the only difference is that S is a couple years older (or so), finished with college and is now a full-time minister. T was in the process finishing college and becoming a full-time minister, while J mentioned that he’s not pursuing ministry career, but loves to do these to fill his college summer break with something positive and to give back to the community. Much respect to three of them!
Throughout the camp, S is pretty much becoming one of our team member. Although unfortunately he went down with strep-throat so he had to sit out Wednesday and Thursday before coming off the bench on Friday.
- - -
The service itself is different than what I’ve experienced in the 2 years prior in Shiprock and Tuba City. Service starts with worship songs in Navajo, led by the ladies with tambourines.
Then we have a little break (which is a common practice in churches in this area) where congregation chit-chat beyond “hi” although we didn’t get coffee breaks like we did in Shiprock and Tuba City. Then service continued with worship in English with pre-recorded songs and lyrics on-screen.
After the service, we head off to the multi-purpose room for lunch where we get to know more of the congregations. Yep, Navajo Taco is on the menu! Since church service started pretty late, we didn’t make the frybread the way we did in Tuba City. They’re already pre-made and ready to serve by the time we finished service around 1 PM.
- - -
Later in the afternoon, we get straight to work, unloading boxes from our cars, and prepping the parking lot for basketball camp. First, we cleared all the debris, then setting up the 2 portable hoops.
Inside the multi-purpose room, we get boxes of crafts ready, as storytelling crew prepare for the first day's story in the main chapel. The church's proximity to Gallup really help with this church's infrasturcture namely internet connection. Reliable internet connection and access to the church's projector inside their main chapel helped us with presentation for story time and basketball coaching, a luxury we didn't have in most other sites.
- - -
We then wrapped up the day with a visit to Window Rock, AZ the Capital of Navajo Nation, a short 30-minutes drive from YahTaHey before heading back to Gallup and stay the night. Ready for day 1 of camp the next day.
We pulled in to our hotel in Gallup in the afternoon, I got about an hour of nap before the rest of our team start arriving.
After checking-in and a little rest time, we head off to Gallup city center to get dinner and some cultural fix. In Gallup city center between Memorial Day and Labor Day, from 7 to 8 in the evening the public can see various Native American dance and music performance. Not just Navajo, but also Pueblo and many other tribes.
It’s free of charge, of course donations always appreciated. There are Food trucks and restaurants nearby where we can easily get food and take it to the plaza in front of the courthouse where the performance takes place.
After the performance, we spent a little bit of time at the Navajo Code Talker memorial, situated right next to the plaza. Then we went back to our hotel. It’s time for us to hit the bed after a long ride from California.
- - -
YahTaHey, New Mexico.
This little community 15 minutes north of Gallup is located at a Y-junction between Gallup, Shiprock and Window Rock (capital of Navajo Nation) is home to 580 people (as of 2000 census). Sometimes written as Yah-Ta-Hey, or Yahtahey — and often get mixed up with Navajo greeting Yá’át’ééh.
According to wikipedia, English name for this place is an approximation of a Navajo greeting, though the actual Navajo name Tʼáá Bííchʼį́įdii means “like the devil”, the same Navajo name is used for town of Aneth, Utah.
It’s close proximity to Gallup made this trip probably the most convenient as far as logistic. On the way to church/campsite from hotel we passed by a Walmart, 2 grocery stores, a shopping mall and many gas stations. The only other team that has a situation as convenient as ours was Fruitland. Speaking of which, both teams were originated from the Tuba City 2017, and ended up in similar situation. Short drive from hotel, having a base camp in a major city (arguably, Farmington has more amenities than Gallup), campsite inside church facility.
- - -
Come Sunday morning, as we’re conveniently just 15 minutes away and service starts at 11 AM, we were in no rush at all. After breakfast at the hotel, I got to spend a few minutes in the hotel’s “gym” before our call time for morning devotion.
The hotel we’re staying at decorated it’s lobby with tributes to honor Navajo men and women in the military. The meeting room where we have our devotions and team meeting is decorated with tributes to the code talkers. One of our team member, the site co-leader traced her ancestry on one of the framed wall art with names of her relatives who was in the service.
After our morning devo and meeting, we took off to the church and greeted by the pastor at the door. Interestingly, he’s a native Hawaiian (and so does his wife), was born and raised in California before moving a little bit here and there and now shepherding a church in New Mexico serving the Navajo community.
One very interesting story on his journey is how he lost over 100 lbs, he said he was living an unhealthy life, had bypass surgery, and God turned his life around. What an amazing guy. This motorcycle-riding pastor — who always smile at the end of every single sentence — also told us a story of God’s protection when he had a motorcycle accident which would possibly take away his life of left him paralyzed, but he stood up just with some minor scratches. And by the way, he’s also packing something everywhere he goes. A common practice in the area considering wildlife and such.
We also got introduced to S, a young minister from Indiana sent by this church’s denomination to help churches in the area. He’s temporarily based off in Albuquerque, and his next assignment is to rebuild and relaunch youth and kids ministry in this church in YahTaHey. When we were there, he’s in the process of remodeling the “apartment” (more of a guest house) where he’ll be staying for the duration of his mission in YahTaHey and will be the hub for kids and youth (up to college-aged) ministries. It’s located in the church facility, next to the pastor’s residence which is right next to the main church building that houses the worship center, a few kids classrooms and a multi-purpose room.
S reminded me a lot of J and T we’ve met a year prior in Tuba City (read the story here). All three of them have high vision of their calling to the Native Nations and to engage the youths in the area. They come from all over (the South, Pacific Northwest, and the Midwest) with different backgrounds, and at such a young age dedicated their life for life of missions. Perhaps the only difference is that S is a couple years older (or so), finished with college and is now a full-time minister. T was in the process finishing college and becoming a full-time minister, while J mentioned that he’s not pursuing ministry career, but loves to do these to fill his college summer break with something positive and to give back to the community. Much respect to three of them!
Throughout the camp, S is pretty much becoming one of our team member. Although unfortunately he went down with strep-throat so he had to sit out Wednesday and Thursday before coming off the bench on Friday.
- - -
The service itself is different than what I’ve experienced in the 2 years prior in Shiprock and Tuba City. Service starts with worship songs in Navajo, led by the ladies with tambourines.
Then we have a little break (which is a common practice in churches in this area) where congregation chit-chat beyond “hi” although we didn’t get coffee breaks like we did in Shiprock and Tuba City. Then service continued with worship in English with pre-recorded songs and lyrics on-screen.
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Navajo hymnal book
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After the service, we head off to the multi-purpose room for lunch where we get to know more of the congregations. Yep, Navajo Taco is on the menu! Since church service started pretty late, we didn’t make the frybread the way we did in Tuba City. They’re already pre-made and ready to serve by the time we finished service around 1 PM.
 |
Navajo Taco
Taco meat, beans, lettuce, and tomatoes on top of a Navajo Frybread.
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- - -
Later in the afternoon, we get straight to work, unloading boxes from our cars, and prepping the parking lot for basketball camp. First, we cleared all the debris, then setting up the 2 portable hoops.
Inside the multi-purpose room, we get boxes of crafts ready, as storytelling crew prepare for the first day's story in the main chapel. The church's proximity to Gallup really help with this church's infrasturcture namely internet connection. Reliable internet connection and access to the church's projector inside their main chapel helped us with presentation for story time and basketball coaching, a luxury we didn't have in most other sites.
- - -
We then wrapped up the day with a visit to Window Rock, AZ the Capital of Navajo Nation, a short 30-minutes drive from YahTaHey before heading back to Gallup and stay the night. Ready for day 1 of camp the next day.
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Navajo Nation Capital
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Window Rock Tribal Park & Veteran Memorial
The Window Rock in the backdrop.
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Window Rock
The town is named after this rock formation.
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