Armor of God VBS on Navajo Reservation

This summer I was privileged to serve our Lord Jesus Christ through the organization Native American Youth Ministries (NAYM). Mark and Nancy Smith along with their two sons, Ben and Travis, have been supported by Glade Run for many years and are doing work that blesses both Navajo and Hopi Tribes throughout Arizona. I joined them to help teach Vacation Bible School (VBS) on a Navajo Reservation near Pinon. Although our time seemed plagued with trouble from the beginning (see “prayer request” email), Jesus is forever faithful to the work He calls us to do.

From June 26 to July 2, 2005, we lived on the property of the Ranger Family, a ranch deep in the heart of the most northeast reservation of Arizona. Their ranch can only be reached by a 20 mile long dirt road and consists of crops as well as sheep, horses, cows, rabbits, dogs, & cats that roam free about the desert and come to the family for water. We gave new meaning to the word “tent city” by setting tent trailers around an open field behind the Ranger house to protect us from the wind and then placing our tents inside of the circle. Also, large tent canopies were set up around the ranch to be a home for the kids coming to VBS.

Each day between 70-100 youth came from all over the reservation to hear the good news of Jesus through song, drama, crafts, games, and Bible lessons. Just like Glade Run’s VBS, we started at 9 AM with worships songs full of motions and cheer. We were reminded that there is nothing to fear from “Psalm 27,” that God can heal from “Blind Man,” and that the Holy Spirit works through all languages with a mix of Navajo songs. Also, high school youth performed dramas daily that showed how to use each piece of God’s armor (see Ephesians 6) to stop the plans of Satan and further God’s truth.

Then the 4^th to 6^th graders would come to Bible class with my co-teachers, Julie and Laura, and I. We taught them stories from both the Old and New Testament, which demonstrated how believers used the armor of God. Most of our kids never heard of David and Goliath or even Paul and Silas, but now they know five stories that show the power of God. The kids loved doing puppet shows to tell the stories, acting with funny motions to learn Bible verses, and answering questions to win an array of prizes including gum and Christian temporary tattoos.

Later in the morning, they designed crafts that went along with our theme for the day, like the Helmet of Salvation and the Feet of Peace. They closed each VBS with parachute games, kick ball and more songs.

When the VBS ended, the rest of the day and evening became free time. Coming from my busy Philadelphia schedule where time to rest is nonexistent, I had difficulty accepting “be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 37:7). But God blesses us when we do wait on Him. In addition to having deep time in God’s Word, I spent these idle hours getting to know Navajo people and customs. Two fourth graders (Amanda and Sean) and I spent time talking, playing, and growing together. Mike, a Navajo believer who came to teach an adult VBS class, and I spoke of Navajo traditions, cultures, witchcraft, and love of the earth. He gave me a present of sage at the end of the week and encouragement that will stay with me always. In addition, I learned to make fry bread, a traditional kind of taco, from Connie and Barbara, women of the Ranger family. And I laughed until I cried along with the church families and their kids as we fought the dust storms and coated one another with bug spray. What a life God has for us when we turn off our TVs and spend time waiting on the Lord!

God Bless, Kelly Jean Norris

Fun Facts

< Our teaching team was made up of two distinct groups: home-schooling families with moms, dads, and kids ages 4-18 and high school youth, some of which have been serving in this VBS for five years.

< In addition to worship, craft, games and Bible, this VBS included a daily drama to demonstrate how God works in contemporary culture.

< In the afternoon, we had time to get to know Navajo families.

< We reached approximately 100 youth over the week as well as many of their parents.

< Each kid got a bag of school supplies at the end of the week including pencils, paper, markers, rulers and more!

Prayer Requests

< Pray for Mark and Nancy Smith who have several other work team projects and ministries planned yet this summer.

< Pray for Amanda, Sean, Cody, and Ricky, 4^th – 6^th graders in whom I saw real growth this week. May God’s word encourage them every day.

< Pray for Josh, a college aged young man who decided to stay for the next few weeks to continue the good news of Jesus Christ in the children. He will be staying with Barbara Ranger, the grandmother of the Ranger family.

< Pray for the fires in Arizona, which are still only 40% contained. We could see Black Canyon Fire stretching on for miles and miles on our way home from the reservation.

< Pray for me as a go into a different time of ministry: taking class at ASU with science teachers from around the country.