Ya'at'eeh

yáʼátʼééh    It's the most common greeting offered among the Dineh (Navajo) people.  (and the most mispronounced phrase by Anglo people).  I feel honored every time a member of Native Grace Fellowship greets me with ya'at'eeh instead of "Hello" or "Hi".  Pastor Norman Mark taught me that this greeting goes far beyond a quick "hello."  (I'm hoping I remember his explanation correctly!)

The word "ya'" refers to the heavens above us--the sky and all creation.  'at'eeh means "It is good."  So when we greet someone by saying ya'at'eeh, we are telling them that it is good that they are in the world.  We are glad that they are part of Creation.  That it is good that they are in our world--a part of our lives.  It's a celebration of being a part of each other's world.  Way better than"hi, how's it going?"  Especially if you don't actually wait to hear the answer to the "how's it going" part...

Today my thoughts are focused on the Dineh people and the Navajo Nation.  All residents of the Navajo Nation are being told to stay at home except for essential trips for groceries or medicine.  There are at least 26 diagnosed cases of COVID-19 on the reservation and many more are expected.  Some of the cases are traced to a church revival meeting, others to travel.  Community is highly valued by the Dineh, and so a shelter-at-home order must feel terribly isolating.  I am praying for all the people's safety, health and mental health as they enter this challenging time.  Ya'at'eeh....It is good that you are a part of our world.

Not much in the way of church updates today--yesterday's post was enough for a while!  Hope's Kitchen is carrying on with the mission of feeding whoever comes to our door.  Donations of chocolate milk and salad from the Towaoc school has added a fresh treat to the sack lunches.  We are receiving our usual donations from the grocery stores, and we are receiving unsolicited financial donations from church members and from the community.  You'll be pleased to know that we have plenty of funding to continue feeding people for a long time to come.

I pray that you are all safe and well.  I pray that you are able to say Ya'at'eeh--It is good that we are a part of each other's world.

Prayer Requests:  for the Dineh people and the Navajo Nation; for Louella Begay (Native Grace member) who is recovering from a car accident; for all medical and emergency services providers, including Jen Gaddis, Ty Sprague and Chris Ludington; for all who are ill; for beauty, balance and harmony

The Beauty Way   - a prayer to restore balance and harmony                                            

 In beauty I walk

With beauty before me I walk
With beauty behind me I walk
With beauty above me I walk
With beauty around me I walk
It has become beauty again                                                                                                      It has become beauty again                                                                                                      It has become beauty again                                                                                                      It has become beauty again                                                                                                

Hózhóogo naasháa doo                                                                                                          Shitsijí’ hózhóogo naasháa doo                                                                                  Shikéédéé hózhóogo naasháa doo                                                                                    Shideigi hózhóogo naasháa doo                                                                                                T’áá altso shinaagóó hózhóogo naasháa doo                                                                 Hózhó náhásdlíí’                                                                                                                       Hózhó náhásdlíí’                                                                                                             Hózhó náhásdlíí’                                                                                                                      Hózhó náhásdlíí’

Ya'at'eeh
Peace and all good,
Pastor Jean