Annual Navajo Outreach

ANNUAL NAVAJO OUTREACH
Sam Yazzie

This year's BAUUC Navajo Outreach touched 30-35 remote households during the recent holidays. Blake Adams and I delivered cheer over a period of five days between Dec. 21-Jan 1. We covered several communities in the northeastern region of the Navajo Reservation in Arizona.

We distributed 28 boxes of items collected by our Community Service Committee (CSC) members from our congregation and Interfaith Caring Ministries. In addition, we used money donated by BAUUC members and allocated from CSC funds to buy food that we distributed with the other items.

We found many of the Navajo Elders enjoying their grandchildren over the holiday break from school. Art and writing supplies, stuffed animals, and oranges were received graciously by shy, happy smiles and a "Thank You!" by the Navajo children. The mittens, beanies, and toys were also a hit with the children again this year. Their grandparent’s eyes twinkled as they replied, "A he hee" (thank you) when we gave them coffee, salty peanuts, apples, bluebird flour, jackets, sweaters, and other clothing, gloves, and colorfully knitted warm scarves to keep out the frigid northern wind.

We hope these photographs bring back to BAUUC and Houston a piece of the sweet simplicity of the Navajo lifestyle, the comforting serenity of their picturesque country, and the warmth of their cozy hogans that they shared with us so generously.

They and we are deeply grateful to all of you who contributed items and money. Thank you so much for your kindness again this year.