No. 3 Navajo Missions Internship Michael Hogan

Kayenta, AZ

(501) 242-1888 PO Box 1040 mhogan2@harding.edu Kayenta, AZ 86033

Over the past couple of weeks, we’ve had quite a number of things going on: a continued

bible study on the 12 apostles, teen classes on the Beatitudes, studies on Nehemiah, game

nights to bring the youth together more, another baptism, a holiday, and a military funeral.

But honestly, you can probably guess which two I think are the most important to go over.

Although the baptism was first, I’d like to share with you about the funeral first. It started

two days prior when I found out a family from Phoenix (six hours away) just lost their son

(Vaughn) who was in his mid-20’s and since they used to be members of the church when

they lived here in Kayenta, they desired for him to have his funeral there and to be buried

next to his father. Cory drove around trying to alert the men of the church of this sudden oc-

currence. Sadly the family felt the church building would be too small to house everyone so

they requested a large revival tent another church owned and just finished using; but the

church declined the use of the tent, saying they didn’t want to take the tent down and reas-

semble it at our church and if they wanted to use the tent for the funeral they had to have it

on their property. So the family moved the funeral to that church with only days left and we

were notified the day before.

Also driving in a day before was a small group from their home church in Arizona (Salt River

CoC); the preacher there was the one who was requested to officiate. And as soon as they

arrived that evening we all went to the family meeting.

As we walked up the driveway to their house, we shook hands

with the solemn relatives and as we entered the house, the

whole living room had relatives sitting along the walls in chairs

leaving a small pathway to walk around to shake everyone’s

hand; and so that’s what we did. Someone asked me if we were

some of his military or Marine friends and if that’s why we were

there; but I explained that no, we were just from the church and

there to help. We then found seat afterwards and the family

meeting started. Behind us in the kitchen a few family members

were already hard at work cooking for not only tomorrow’s fu-

neral, but tonight’s family meeting as well. They went through

the schedule and mentioned what was left needed and every-

one ate and went back to their individual homes for the night.

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We awoke early the next morning to go help out. Once we got their I was given parking du-

ty by trying to make sure everyone parked in organized lines so that no one would have

trouble getting in or out later. I stayed there directing people for two and a half hours and

by the time I returned the funeral had already started. But within 20 or so minutes I was al-

ready called away for another task. A veteran army commander for Kayenta asked me and

another guy to help with the flags. And so we assembled nine of the flags and planned to

set them up as the casket was delivered into a Marine hearse; but as we started to walk over

they were already pushing the casket in. The commander told us since they beat us, the next

thing was to go ahead and drive to the cemetery and set up there, so we all piled into his

car and rode over there.

Once we arrived we found out the veterans who were supposed to act as colorguard were

not able to be present as there was some mix-up and latency in communication. But when

we did arrive, 4-5 Marines did show up for their part. With the time that we had left the com-

mander instructed us on how to handle and what to do with the flags and we were ready.

As we were brought to attention, I witnessed the second saddest funeral I have ever seen as

we held the flags up. The Marines gave their 21 Gun Salute as they fired their guns into the

air, the bugle horn gave it’s melody, and the Marines took the flag off the coffin, folded it,

and gave it to the sister of Vaughn; all the while she was silently crying and what I pre-

sumed to be the mother wept loud tears.

It’s one thing to watch this in a movie, but it’s entirely different to witness it in real life.

And while death is now on our minds I want to offer you the en-

couragement of the opposite, life. Within the past two weeks a

young boy around the age of 13 (named Cvto, pronounced “Che-

toe”) or so was visiting his cousin’s grandmother (Pat, who is a mem-

ber of our church here in Kayenta). He was from a not so great fami-

ly situation, so this was also his first time at a church service and he

was eager to learn. He swallowed Bible lessons whole, saw care and

compassion being lived out, and he wanted to learn more. He went

to Bible Camp with us and in the next week after a day of board

games with the teens and a study on Nehemiah 2, he made a state-

ment after he got back. He wanted to be baptized, especially before

he left and went back home where he knew he may not be given

the same chance. So the next day Pat scheduled a Bible Study with

all of us on baptism.

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Cory then spent three hours carefully explaining with the scripture, not only the act of bap-

tism, but the commitment of it. By the end of it, he confidently vocalized that he was ready

and willing. So we called a number of the members to come witness and we praised God as

he was baptized.

But as always, trouble came soon to try and knock him off course. Once his cousin’s mom

heard he was baptized she feared her own son (who was also here with us) would try to

choose to be baptized as well (he wanted to, but was too afraid of his parents who despised

the thought); so she, who had custody of both, demanded that they both be brought back

the next morning. And being submissive, Pat brought took them back.

Thankfully Pat and Cory gave him enough applicable instructions to live out that he confi-

dently voiced his desire to do things like reading the Bible, going to church Sunday morn-

ings, and wanting to pray at the table before meals. But because his aunt despised this so,

she returned him to his own mother; and there we can only pray that she (Cvto’s mother)

can now be changed for the better, seeing that her son is wanting to make the difference.

Also if you would please pray for the family that recently refused Cvto due to his faith, and

Cvto’s cousin who wants to be baptized but is too afraid. Lastly please pray for Vaughn’s fam-

ily as they are currently grieving the loss of their son, and that they may seek out the Lord for

healing and help.

As always,

Shalom

Michael Hogan