Uppii Kanni

Procrastinating is not worth practicing. The work is delayed, for the time being, but the work still exists, waiting to be completed. So please accept my apologizes for not updating my blog until now.

Anyway, a few weeks ago, I had the privilege of working for a few days in Crystal, New Mexico at Uppii Kanni. There, I helped indoors and outdoors on a home which, according to Betsy Newman, one of its owners, has been built on nothing less than prayer and faith.

The home’s name originates from one of Betsy’s daughters.

As a young girl, Cheryl meant to say: “Up the Canyon” to describe her longing to visit this plot of land, before the house was built upon it. But instead, she pleaded: “I want to go Uppii Kanni.”

Grandma (Betsy’s mother) misunderstood. “What kind of candy would you like?” she asked.

“No!” Cheryl continued to protest. “I want to go Uppii Kanni.” Later, Grandma understood.

When they began throwing out names for their plot of land, Betsy reminded Al Newman, her husband, of this story, and both of them thought it was so cute that it just stuck for their place.

For Al, a Najavo Code Talker who served in World War II, and Betsy, who has assisted WGM with Najavo translation, Uppii Kanni has become their place, their home.

As I mentioned earlier, I considered it a privilege to help them. As my reward, I had no contact with the outside world. Without Internet, cell service, or even a television hook-up, I had the opportunity to leave behind all work and other responsibilities and worries behind, to fully enjoy and relish within this genuine treat of a retreat.

Yes, walking around in the dark, gripping a flashlight was not always ideal while I prepared to sleep or to read a book. Yes, using a regimented amount of electricity from a generator limited my abilities to use plug-ins for charging my razor and camera whenever I desired. Yes, choosing to use an outhouse was an experience that I partook in only once. But I am fortunate to have sacrificed these simple luxuries of life, for a few days.

Had I not gone, I would have never heard how Al’s heroic service protected America from the Japanese. I would have missed how Betsy’s Christian service sheltered others from the Devil. I would have never learned how to properly wash, varnish, “chink,” and seal wall boards. More importantly, I would have never learned about Uppii Kanni. Most importantly, I would have missed encounters with God.

I am guilty of a crime, alongside all of society. Honestly, if we take a good, long look at ourselves, we will discover that we have become too attached technologically. Even as I type, I am reminded that the world needs our attention. Though the lost may never audibly cry out, they are desperate, and they are not certainly crying wolf. They are searching for the answer and solution to life’s problems that we already know and claim: a relationship with Jesus Christ.

The Sunday before leaving the New Mexican paradise, I visited Holiness Mennonite Church, where Pastor Steve concluded his message with the following quotes about how we are needed to stay in touch and plugged in with such efforts of reaching this planet for Christ.

“We are concerned about things that won’t last forever. … There are people where there is dancing [in the clubs and bars] … Jesus came to save. … If we are going to say that we are going to follow Him, we need to walk with Him.”

“I stopped claiming it, and I decided to start living it. … It’s hard sometimes. Some people don’t even say thank you. … But in the end, you know that He is happy, because you lived like Him.”

If we are willing to speak up about our faith with as much enthusiasm and determination as little Cheryl wanted to go to Uppii Kanni, what kind of difference will we make by showing Jesus to others?

How many people will approach you in Heaven, stating: “You are the reason I am here. Thank you.” How many?

We will never know what kind of a difference we are making on Earth. So we might as well keep working and spreading His Good News, as we have been commissioned to do.

Joey :)