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How to Apply for Volunteer Time at the Mission
If you are interested in learning more about volunteer opportunities at the Mission you may request a Volunteer Packet by contacting the Community Services Manager, or by returning a completed application.
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Volunteer Opportunities at the Navajo Mission
Since the Navajo Lutheran Mission opened its doors in 1953, the Mission has been blessed with thousands of volunteers throughout the years. Many of the current buildings were built with volunteer labor, and have been repaired by volunteers over the years. School and church related projects are also offered by volunteer groups who come for a week or longer to assist the Mission with various needs. Although most of the groups come during the summer months, there are opportunities for service throughout the year.
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Areas of Volunteering |
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| The Mission offers many different opportunities for service projects during the summer and throughout the year. Some of these projects include: |
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- Vacation Bible School – we accept three sessions each summer
- Building projects such as roofing, carpentry, painting, remodeling
- Landscaping of Mission grounds
- General cleaning and organization of the School
- General office work such as soup label projects, mass mailings, special seasonal events
- Community Education projects such as health fairs, craft fairs or senior events
- Projects with the school children (music, drama, sports, etc.)
- Church Fund raisers or special events outside of the Mission
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| Many of these projects require special skills, so if you are interested in volunteering, please fill out the questionnaire found at the end of the page and send it to the Mission. |
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Volunteer Work Projects
Each summer, Christians of all denominations volunteer at the Mission. While the summer months are always the busiest, volunteers are welcome to share their talents anytime during the year. The mission complex is always in need of repairs, new construction, structural face lifts, and general cleaning. The 5-acre campus includes school classroom buildings, an office building, a school kitchen and dining room, a thrift shop, garage building, apartment buildings, a dental and medical building, school playground, and a church building.
If you or your church group are interested in volunteering at NELM, please contact us at the Mission office, or email Dr. Rev. Lynn Hubbard. |
Cost of Projects
The Navajo Lutheran Mission welcomes all groups, and requests that VBS groups bring their own materials for the children. When possible, the Mission may request that you raise the funds for any renovation or service projects that you volunteer for, in order to defray costs for the Mission.
Since the Mission incurs additional expenses for utilities, custodial services and staff time, a small donation for the use of the apartments is welcome! |
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Traveling to Rock Point and Community
Rock Point is located in a remote region of the Navajo Nation, 52 miles southwest of the Four Corners area and 50 miles north of Canyon de Chelly National Monument in Chinle, AZ on Highway 191. Volunteers typically carpool to Rock Point, AZ in cars, trucks, or vans from their homes or from one of the following airports: Cortez, CO (90 mi. NE), Farmington, NM (90 mi. E), Albuquerque, NM (275 mi. SE), or Phoenix, AZ (402 mi. SW). |
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Rock Point is a small community with a widely dispersed population. It includes a community school, a gas/convenience store, a post office, a senior citizen’s center, a laundromat, the Navajo Lutheran Mission, and the Mission Thrift Store. Rarely do cell phones get reception here, but payphones are available. Emergency health services are limited, and the nearest hospitals available to you are 90 miles away in Cortez, CO or Farmington, NM. |
Climate
The Navajo Nation is a high Plateau desert climate which is usually dry and dusty with occasional dust storms.
Rock Point sits over 5,000 feet above sea level in a beautiful location surrounded by spectacular red-brown sandstone mountains.
Average winter high temperatures are 44°F with the average lows around 18°F.
Average high temperatures during the summer are 94°F with the average lows being 59°F |
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Culture and Photographs
The people commonly called Navajo refer to themselves as "the Diné". The Diné are rather modest in dress, so please do not bring clothing that is particularly tight fitting or revealing.
Although you may come to feel very close to the people you meet here, please keep in mind that the Diné typically allow more physical space during conversations and tend to hug only members of their immediate families. Do not be offended if a Navajo person does not look you in the eye, as sustained eye contact can be seen as rude in Navajo culture. When you are uncertain as to what is most appropriate, simply ask.
Although children at the school are fairly familiar with being photographed, adults sometimes prefer not to have their picture taken. It is best to request permission before taking a photograph. If they seem reluctant, please accept that as a no. |
Similarly, when traveling near the homes of the Diné, please be sensitive to the fact that their hogans/houses are places they live, and not tourist attractions.
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Donations to the Mission
Many groups ask if they may bring other items to donate to the Mission and school. Donations are always needed. You may request a list of our most current needs from our office staff.
Additional financial gifts are always welcome to help cover the ongoing costs of operating the Mission and the school. As always, your gifts are tax deductible. |
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Reminder, to Apply for Volunteer Time at the Mission click on the links below
If you are interested in learning more about volunteer opportunities at the Mission you may request a Volunteer Packet by contacting the Community Services Manager, or by returning a completed application. |
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