"The body is a unit, though it is of many parts... So it is with Christ."
1 Corinthians 12:12
After a welcome good night's sleep, the team rose fairly early on Sunday. Unless you are downright comatose, it's hard to sleep in here in Hopi. At this time of year, the sun rises early and with so much sky visible, it gets light way before Dawa peeks his head over Third Mesa. But whether you are a night owl or an early riser, it is worth it to get up to witness the spectacular dawns that range from radiant golden skies to salmon kissed clouds against a backdrop of brilliant turquoise.
It has become something of a tradition for Hopi VIM to start Sunday with a hearty breakfast of blue corn pancakes at the Hopi Cultural Center and this year was no exception. In spite of the distinctive blue color they are incredibly delicious and filling. We never walk away hungry.
After breakfast we headed off to Sunday worship. Teams in past years have visited a number of churches on and off Hopi. The Mennonites, Mormons, Assembly of God and Baptists all have a presence on the reservation along with several non-denominational Bible churches. There is no United Methodist church in Hopi and until today we have always believed that Hopi VIM was our denomination's only representatives in Hopi. Based on a recommendation from some of the HMS teachers, we decided to visit First Mesa Baptist Church in Polacca this year and discovered that its pastor, Taeil Lim, comes from the Korean Methodist Church!
We were greeted warmly with open arms, enjoyed a very uplifting service and shared Communion and a light lunch afterward. The service was a beautiful mix of Baptist and Methodist traditions, liberally sprinkled with hymns sung in English and Hopi. The Hopi language hymnal, Lomatuawh Tatawi, contains many recognizable old favorites, translated phonetically into Hopi so it was easy to sing along for the most part. Singing "How Great Thou Art" in Hopi puts a lump in my throat every time. We parted with many new friends and feeling especially refreshed and blessed.
The rest of the afternoon was spent in the HMS kitchen, preparing food for the first of 2 community dinners. This is our way of welcoming our Hopi neighbors into our home away from home, introducing ourselves, greeting friends new and old and enjoying each other's company for a while. We have always been warmly welcomed into everyone's home during our visits here and this is also a way for us to return the favor.
Monday was our first day of VBS and project work. After setting up the community room in the school for VBS, most of the team welcomed the kids as they trickled in throughout the morning and quickly got everyone engaged in a variety of activities revolving around the the central theme - "God's Amazing Love". Each day will focus on a different aspect of God's love for us shown through the gift of our beautiful planet. Today "God Loves Animals" and in additional to sharing songs and snacks, activities included painting a wooden articulated lizard and making "fruit snakes" out of strawberries, bananas, grapes and cable zip ties. :-)
Since the rest of the team had the kids well occupied, Norm and I began painting the exterior of one of the school buildings which has gotten a bit weather-beaten over the years, fortunately starting on a short section that remained in the shade all morning! It is heartening to see evidence of our past visits... the small tree we transplanted that first year in 2006 and feared would not survive is now taller than I am. The irises we transplanted alongside the gymnasium are likewise thriving and I smile every time I walk by the parking lot and see the stones still lining the sidewalk that we moved and arranged on our first visit 8 years ago. It doesn't seem that long ago.
The weather has been exceptionally nice so far. Temperatures have ranged from mid-80s to mid-90s with a pleasant breeze most of the day. There have been enough clouds to keep things reasonably comfortable although the sun is still strong and we have to remember to really slather on the sunscreen and remain hydrated. One team member each year is designated the "Water Watcher" and is responsible for nagging everyone to keep drinking. And although it has only rained briefly once since we arrived, there have been scattered rains around the Mesas and it's enough to cool down the evenings due to the rapid evaporation. Today it was cooler here than back home if only by a couple of degrees but the lack of humidity is the real blessing. All of the jokes about the dry heat are true.
After lunch, half of the team was treated to an extended tour of the area, from Polacca, Tewa and Hano villages on and around First Mesa in the east, through Sipaulovi and Mishungnovi and Shungopavi on Second Mesa, to Old Oriabi, Hotevilla and Bacavi on Third Mesa in the west. We also had the opportunity to speak directly to several Hopi artisans about kachina doll carving and pottery making.
After dinner every evening, the team gathers to discuss the events of the day, to share where we have each seen God in our daily journey and to talk about the "pocket reflections" Jill distributes each morning. This is also an opportunity for everyone to share their joys and concerns, as well as plan for the following day before everyone heads to bed and a well earned rest.
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