Over the weekend we visited First Presbyterian Church of Leupp on the Navajo Reservation. After lunch we gathered for small group discussion - a great way to get to know each other. In that group we heard from Natalie Begay, whose husband Raymond was the former pastor of the Leupp church.
Our first question for discussion was, “What kind of home did you live in when you were a child and how was your home heated?” Natalie shared that she had lived in a Navajo hogan - a domed wood and mud structure. There she lived with her mother and 11 siblings on one side of the hogan. Her father’s second wife and her four children lived on the other side. The hogan was heated by a wood fire in the center which was vented through a hole in the roof.
When Natalie was a young woman she married Raymond. She had two daughters, Eunice and Lorena. Through an unfortunate set of circumstances, her husband was sent to prison leaving her alone with the two girls and no means of support. In desperation, she returned to her original home but found no one. There she sat with her food running out. Finally, she was left with only a few potatoes. She cooked the potatoes, feeding the children but not taking any for herself. That evening, she happened to be listening to a radio program and heard these words, ”If you give your life to God, he will help you.” Her heart was touched and there she cried out asking God for his help. Then she cried herself to sleep.
In the middle of the night she heard noise and a knock on the door. In comes her brother with boxes and bags of food. Where did all that food come from? Apparently, earlier that night, a freight train had stalled in the area and because it could not be repaired in a timely manner the local people were told to take the food on board before it spoiled.
After this miracle of provision, Natalie dedicated her life and children to God. Her husband spent the next 15 years in prison. Through Natalie’s influence, Raymond also dedicated his life to God and when he finally got out they went together to Bible training school. Natalie raised two other children in need of a home. Her daughters, Eunice and Lorena continue to faithfully serve. They sing and minister to the Navajos. They also have traveled to Scotland and Jamaica sharing about their native culture and about Jesus. Eunice teaches the Navajo language at the school in Leupp. Her husband, Calvin, is now the pastor of the church and is building a new house for Natalie and Raymond.
A mother’s desperate cry to God was heard and answered, blessing Natalie her husband and her children. That blessing continues to spread to many on the Navajo Reservation and I believe it will continue for generations to come.
He will rescue the poor when they cry to him;
he will help the oppressed, who have no one to defend them.
He feels pity for the weak and the needy, and he will rescue them.
Psalm 72:12-13 (NLT)
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| Natalie Begay and Friend |
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| Members of Desert Hills Presbyterian share in tree planting. |
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