The first time I rolled up to Many Waters Mission, I was intrigued. The old brick building, which was formerly a Catholic school was admittedly a bit spooky, and most of the missionaries serving there were old enough to be my grandparents. I couldn’t help but wonder what the story was behind this place and the people who continued to live in there. I would soon find out.
In the early 1980’s, Don and Lynn Cartwright and their three children left their comfortable life in Ohio and loaded up a blue bus and headed to the Navajo Reservation in the remote southwestern desert. They did not know where they would end up much less how they would make a living, but they were convinced that God had called them. At this time there were very few Christians among the Navajo, for most adhered to the traditional religion and were hostile to the “white man’s” faith. In fact, many Navajo at the time were afraid of white people because they believed if they were to touch one they would contract an evil spirit. To make matters worse, the few churches that did exist were comprised basically of young Christians who were still very concerned about these traditional fears. Even many pastors had very little understanding of the Christian faith. I can only imagine what a harrowing venture this must have been.
When they arrived, they first stayed at a church in Twin Pines, New Mexico, and then proceeded to a church on a mountaintop in Wheatfields, Arizona. It was here that they spent their first winter stranded in a blizzard among strange people of whom many did not even speak English, and all were unaccustomed to their presence. Accommodations were rustic; they stayed in the bus until it became too cold, and then were permitted to stay in the church which had a wood burning stove. This and the fire where they did all of their cooking was the only source of heat. Food was an issue, and on a few occasions even survival became a question. (As I learned this story, I couldn’t help, but think that this makes EM’s short-term mission trips seem pretty plush.) However, through the Lord’s provision and the assistance of the local Navajo, they did survive and built lasting relationships with the local church.
They lived out of the blue bus in Wheatfields, for about two years until it became clear that there ministry was to continue, but it would no longer be in the heart of the reservation. They moved to the edge of the reservation and eventually purchased the old school where they live to this day. This school is located in Waterflow, New Mexico where three rivers converge; hence the name “Many Waters Mission.” While it is not actually on the Reservation, it is definitely in Navajo country. When the Cartwrights moved here, there was a serious problem with alcoholism and homelessness in the area. Alcoholics were getting killed about every day because they would walk in front of cars at night. Many Waters Mission soon became a full-fledged rescue mission and alcoholics and homeless were consistently taken in off the street.
Today, Many Waters Mission does not serve as a rescue mission, but it continues to serve the area by distributing food and supplies. Each week Navajo pastors come from miles around to receive pastoral training. Don and Lynn are involved with nearly 30 churches across the Rez, many of which they’ve planted and assisted by recruiting teams to build churches.
In my recent trip to the Reservation, I stayed at the mission, and Don and Lynn and Steve and Rosalie, who work with the mission, took me to several of the churches with whom they partner. These churches continue to live amidst hostility from traditional Navajo, but it is evident that through Don and Lynn’s obedience to God’s call, the gospel has been advanced and many lives have been changed. For me, it was meaningful just to watch and learn about the work of God. I gleaned much from my conversations with Don and Lynn about their spiritual journey.
It is our goal to recruit several teams to serve on mission trips to the Navajo Reservation in the upcoming summer and in the future, and I can’t help but feel honored to have a part in continuing the work that God has doing here. While there are many more Christians than there were in the early 1980’s, traditional Navajo spirituality is still the dominant religion, and the local churches and pastors are faced with continued economic oppression and spiritual attack. It is my prayer that through our presence, we can encourage and undergird these brothers and sisters who are faithfully serving among their people.
To read further about Don and Lynn’s beginning among the Navajo you can read Lynn’s book entightled God Knows Where I AM.
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