Fae Sommers reflects on an unforgettable road trip: You can learn a lot about someone in 300 miles. Lukas, Jonathan, Micah and I stayed with our host father, pastor Daniel Smiley of Black Mountain Mennonite Church. On our second day with him, we packed all 5 of us into his pickup truck for a road … Keep reading »
Navajo Nation
A Spiritual Connection with the Earth
Micah reflects on our visit to Cliff Palace, an Ancestral Pueblo archaeological site in Mesa Verde National Park: The story I would like to reflect on today took place at Cliff Palace, a cliff dwelling of the Pueblo people who are the original ancestors of many tribes. Our park ranger, Ian, talked a little bit … Keep reading »
Teaching Others
What happens when thirteen eager Goshen College students step off an Amtrak train in Albuquerque, New Mexico to begin experiencing Indigenous cultures in the Desert Southwest? We’ll let the students themselves tell you their stories… Reflections from Julia: We, the Hopi Navajo SST class, have been together since the beginning of … Keep reading »
New Beginnings in the Southwest
Welcome to the 2023 Hopi Navajo Study Service Term! This summer’s group from Goshen College begins their adventure aboard an Amtrak train headed west. The students start in the lush green farmland of the Midwest and travel across the country to the desert Southwest. We, the directors, will meet them when they disembark in New … Keep reading »