This week has been a roller coaster!
So Elder Gwilliam and I were just out at Thatsaburger (where we get free burgers and Navajo Tacos galore) and two disheveled Navajo walk up to us hesitantly. They introduce themselves as Rodney and Martha, a married couple from Mesa, Arizona. Then they go on to tell a crazy story. They had just finished hitchhiking from Mesa a few days ago, and they literally had only the clothing on their backs, and their phones (which didn't work on the rez). They asked if we were Elders from the church. "Yes! We are!" I told them. They immediately had a look of relief and told us that Martha had a house over in Black Rock Acres (an area close to the middle of Fort Defiance that has a LOT of gang activity and is very ghetto), and that if we had ANY food to spare, it would be amazing.
So Elder Gwilliam and I were just out at Thatsaburger (where we get free burgers and Navajo Tacos galore) and two disheveled Navajo walk up to us hesitantly. They introduce themselves as Rodney and Martha, a married couple from Mesa, Arizona. Then they go on to tell a crazy story. They had just finished hitchhiking from Mesa a few days ago, and they literally had only the clothing on their backs, and their phones (which didn't work on the rez). They asked if we were Elders from the church. "Yes! We are!" I told them. They immediately had a look of relief and told us that Martha had a house over in Black Rock Acres (an area close to the middle of Fort Defiance that has a LOT of gang activity and is very ghetto), and that if we had ANY food to spare, it would be amazing.
"It's the day before Thanksgiving, and we have no food.
I am traumatized," Martha explained to us, "We had $13.50 left and we
were just spending $10 on our last chicken meal together here, we figured we
may as well eat. We just don't know what to do."
Immediately, we took them to our truck, where we happened to have a TON of
thanksgiving food we were giving to another family earlier that day. When we
gave them the food, Martha was SO happy, and couldn't stop thanking us.
"We are going to get you a thanksgiving feast tomorrow," I told them, "we will bring you to one that we were invited to!" When Martha heard this, she literally began to cry, telling us that she couldn't believe it.
"We are going to get you a thanksgiving feast tomorrow," I told them, "we will bring you to one that we were invited to!" When Martha heard this, she literally began to cry, telling us that she couldn't believe it.
It was extremely humbling to see these people who literally lost EVERYTHING in
a matter of days become so grateful for some rice and beans, and a promise of a
hot meal.
They took us to their home and we helped them chop wood to keep warm for a few
nights.
The NHA (Navajo Housing Authority) had taken ALL of Martha's appliances in the
home, so they literally had the clothing on their backs, a pillow and blanket
on the carpet floor, a can opener, and a wood stove. So we brought them over an
extra crock pot we had, and a pan to heat up rice and beans on the wood stove!
They were so excited and grateful!! I can't imagine a better thanksgiving
experience.
The next events with them that ensued consisted of Elder Gwilliam
and I making visits to them, helping them get settled in a little better,
bringing them care packages from ward members, and teaching lessons with them.
The first lesson we had with them that night was incredible. They told us that
they KNEW the Lord was blessing them. We told them that Christ was there
strengthening them, and that God was truly watching over them. We taught them
about the gospel and have told them what they need to start doing! Rodney
turned out to be an inactive member of the LDS church, and Martha had been
going to church in Mesa, but didn't ever get baptized. They both wanted to
learn more! We taught Rodney how priesthood would bless him and his wife, and
Martha about baptism and the blessings Christ will bring to her life if she
follows His will. They were very happy to be learning about their savior.
Thanksgiving was crazy! I missed my family so much ALL day!!! It was really hard being away from them. But we got to eat at a member's home so it made it a little better. We played this REALLY nerdy board game called Avalon and everyone was arguing and getting heated and goofing around, so I felt RIGHT at home! It made the whole day so much better. I miss nerdy board games with my family!!
More about Elder Gwillaim, he is a chef. That's right, a chef. So I hit it lucky! He worked at a ton of places including Olive Garden, so I am a happy camper. Also he goes home in 3 months, so he is very experienced and knows his way around missionary work. I am learning a lot from him, and we are doing very well here at Fort! He is really relaxed and it makes it a lot easier to be happy and work hard here. We get along very well! He reminds me of a mix of Derek and Thomas. He is smart and goofy and fun to chill with like Derek, but crazy and spontaneous like Thomas. It's great!
This week we are finishing up lessons with Hashke! She is the 9-year-old girl who is working to be baptized! We will be baptizing her in a week or two, and I am so excited because it will be the first baptism I was involved with from beginning to end!
Also we are teaching a new family, Brother and Sister Deschine, and their daughter Audrey.
They are Navajo (of course). Sister Deschine graduated from Harvard, so she is very intellectual. She doesn't want to give up her traditions and culture, but she invited us over showing large interest in the Book of Mormon and Jesus Christ. Brian is a drummer for traditional ceremonies, he is very involved with that. He sang us a Navajo prayer the first time we met and it was really really cool!! Audrey is a normal 16-year-old, she is a Junior in high school, and she has a ton of questions and always texts us to see if we are coming over for lessons! They are the first investigators I've had who show honest interest and follow up on all their commitments. We had a bible study with them the other night, and they REALLY enjoyed it! They thought Laman and Lemuel were hilarious! We were all so involved in the story that we read a couple chapters! They promised to keep reading, and they have! They came to church for the first time yesterday, and they enjoyed it! We invited them to the Harvey's tonight for dessert and games. Family night!
Just wanted to say to everyone:
We really do take everything for granted. That is cliche and overused, but come to the Reservation for one week and you will know exactly what I mean. These people are suffering. There are alcoholics, torn families, and horrifying stories everywhere. More commonly than not.
Thanksgiving was crazy! I missed my family so much ALL day!!! It was really hard being away from them. But we got to eat at a member's home so it made it a little better. We played this REALLY nerdy board game called Avalon and everyone was arguing and getting heated and goofing around, so I felt RIGHT at home! It made the whole day so much better. I miss nerdy board games with my family!!
More about Elder Gwillaim, he is a chef. That's right, a chef. So I hit it lucky! He worked at a ton of places including Olive Garden, so I am a happy camper. Also he goes home in 3 months, so he is very experienced and knows his way around missionary work. I am learning a lot from him, and we are doing very well here at Fort! He is really relaxed and it makes it a lot easier to be happy and work hard here. We get along very well! He reminds me of a mix of Derek and Thomas. He is smart and goofy and fun to chill with like Derek, but crazy and spontaneous like Thomas. It's great!
This week we are finishing up lessons with Hashke! She is the 9-year-old girl who is working to be baptized! We will be baptizing her in a week or two, and I am so excited because it will be the first baptism I was involved with from beginning to end!
Also we are teaching a new family, Brother and Sister Deschine, and their daughter Audrey.
They are Navajo (of course). Sister Deschine graduated from Harvard, so she is very intellectual. She doesn't want to give up her traditions and culture, but she invited us over showing large interest in the Book of Mormon and Jesus Christ. Brian is a drummer for traditional ceremonies, he is very involved with that. He sang us a Navajo prayer the first time we met and it was really really cool!! Audrey is a normal 16-year-old, she is a Junior in high school, and she has a ton of questions and always texts us to see if we are coming over for lessons! They are the first investigators I've had who show honest interest and follow up on all their commitments. We had a bible study with them the other night, and they REALLY enjoyed it! They thought Laman and Lemuel were hilarious! We were all so involved in the story that we read a couple chapters! They promised to keep reading, and they have! They came to church for the first time yesterday, and they enjoyed it! We invited them to the Harvey's tonight for dessert and games. Family night!
Just wanted to say to everyone:
We really do take everything for granted. That is cliche and overused, but come to the Reservation for one week and you will know exactly what I mean. These people are suffering. There are alcoholics, torn families, and horrifying stories everywhere. More commonly than not.
Thank God for the things you
have. Even a warm house where you don't have to chop wood to stay warm. Or
running water. Or a family that is together. The list doesn't end.
Enjoy every moment with your family, cherish them.
Be happy, know that Jesus Christ died for you and that YOU are special.
If you don't know that for yourself, then kneel down and find out.
Love you all, and I miss you all.
Write me for Christmas, I love to hear from you :)
Have an amazing week,
Elder Hilton.
Enjoy every moment with your family, cherish them.
Be happy, know that Jesus Christ died for you and that YOU are special.
If you don't know that for yourself, then kneel down and find out.
Love you all, and I miss you all.
Write me for Christmas, I love to hear from you :)
Have an amazing week,
Elder Hilton.
A Pendleton pure wool blanket and a cachina doll! Instead of buying fancy clothes, the Navajo buy these expensive ($300) pendletons! Warmest blankets of all time! Cachina dolls are sacred and said to watch over the home. Nice foggy weather.
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