1. No. 3 Navajo Missions Internship Michael Hogan
Kayenta, AZ
(501) 242-1888 PO Box 1040
mhogan2@harding.edu Kayenta, AZ 86033
Over the past couple of weeks, we’ve had quite a number of things going on: a continued
bible study on the 12 apostles, teen classes on the Beatitudes, studies on Nehemiah, game
nights to bring the youth together more, another baptism, a holiday, and a military funeral.
But honestly, you can probably guess which two I think are the most important to go over.
Although the baptism was first, I’d like to share with you about the funeral first. It started
two days prior when I found out a family from Phoenix (six hours away) just lost their son
(Vaughn) who was in his mid-20’s and since they used to be members of the church when
they lived here in Kayenta, they desired for him to have his funeral there and to be buried
next to his father. Cory drove around trying to alert the men of the church of this sudden oc-
currence. Sadly the family felt the church building would be too small to house everyone so
they requested a large revival tent another church owned and just finished using; but the
church declined the use of the tent, saying they didn’t want to take the tent down and reas-
semble it at our church and if they wanted to use the tent for the funeral they had to have it
on their property. So the family moved the funeral to that church with only days left and we
were notified the day before.
Also driving in a day before was a small group from their home church in Arizona (Salt River
CoC); the preacher there was the one who was requested to officiate. And as soon as they
arrived that evening we all went to the family meeting.
As we walked up the driveway to their house, we shook hands
with the solemn relatives and as we entered the house, the
whole living room had relatives sitting along the walls in chairs
leaving a small pathway to walk around to shake everyone’s
hand; and so that’s what we did. Someone asked me if we were
some of his military or Marine friends and if that’s why we were
there; but I explained that no, we were just from the church and
there to help. We then found seat afterwards and the family
meeting started. Behind us in the kitchen a few family members
were already hard at work cooking for not only tomorrow’s fu-
neral, but tonight’s family meeting as well. They went through
the schedule and mentioned what was left needed and every-
one ate and went back to their individual homes for the night.

2. Navajo Missions Internship
Michael Hogan Page 2
We awoke early the next morning to go help out. Once we got their I was given parking du-
ty by trying to make sure everyone parked in organized lines so that no one would have
trouble getting in or out later. I stayed there directing people for two and a half hours and
by the time I returned the funeral had already started. But within 20 or so minutes I was al-
ready called away for another task. A veteran army commander for Kayenta asked me and
another guy to help with the flags. And so we assembled nine of the flags and planned to
set them up as the casket was delivered into a Marine hearse; but as we started to walk over
they were already pushing the casket in. The commander told us since they beat us, the next
thing was to go ahead and drive to the cemetery and set up there, so we all piled into his
car and rode over there.
Once we arrived we found out the veterans who were supposed to act as colorguard were
not able to be present as there was some mix-up and latency in communication. But when
we did arrive, 4-5 Marines did show up for their part. With the time that we had left the com-
mander instructed us on how to handle and what to do with the flags and we were ready.
As we were brought to attention, I witnessed the second saddest funeral I have ever seen as
we held the flags up. The Marines gave their 21 Gun Salute as they fired their guns into the
air, the bugle horn gave it’s melody, and the Marines took the flag off the coffin, folded it,
and gave it to the sister of Vaughn; all the while she was silently crying and what I pre-
sumed to be the mother wept loud tears.
It’s one thing to watch this in a movie, but it’s entirely different to witness it in real life.
And while death is now on our minds I want to offer you the en-
couragement of the opposite, life. Within the past two weeks a
young boy around the age of 13 (named Cvto, pronounced “Che-
toe”) or so was visiting his cousin’s grandmother (Pat, who is a mem-
ber of our church here in Kayenta). He was from a not so great fami-
ly situation, so this was also his first time at a church service and he
was eager to learn. He swallowed Bible lessons whole, saw care and
compassion being lived out, and he wanted to learn more. He went
to Bible Camp with us and in the next week after a day of board
games with the teens and a study on Nehemiah 2, he made a state-
ment after he got back. He wanted to be baptized, especially before
he left and went back home where he knew he may not be given
the same chance. So the next day Pat scheduled a Bible Study with
all of us on baptism.

3. Navajo Missions Internship
Michael Hogan Page 3
Cory then spent three hours carefully explaining with the scripture, not only the act of bap-
tism, but the commitment of it. By the end of it, he confidently vocalized that he was ready
and willing. So we called a number of the members to come witness and we praised God as
he was baptized.
But as always, trouble came soon to try and knock him off course. Once his cousin’s mom
heard he was baptized she feared her own son (who was also here with us) would try to
choose to be baptized as well (he wanted to, but was too afraid of his parents who despised
the thought); so she, who had custody of both, demanded that they both be brought back
the next morning. And being submissive, Pat brought took them back.
Thankfully Pat and Cory gave him enough applicable instructions to live out that he confi-
dently voiced his desire to do things like reading the Bible, going to church Sunday morn-
ings, and wanting to pray at the table before meals. But because his aunt despised this so,
she returned him to his own mother; and there we can only pray that she (Cvto’s mother)
can now be changed for the better, seeing that her son is wanting to make the difference.
Also if you would please pray for the family that recently refused Cvto due to his faith, and
Cvto’s cousin who wants to be baptized but is too afraid. Lastly please pray for Vaughn’s fam-
ily as they are currently grieving the loss of their son, and that they may seek out the Lord for
healing and help.
As always,
Shalom
Michael Hogan