God’s Compassion: COVID-19 and the Navajo Nation
COVID-19 has touched every continent on earth, and America is leading the pack with the number of confirmed cases of the virus. Our COVID numbers could be due to the high number of tests being given, among other variables, but it stands to reason that every American has been impacted by the virus. We all have family or friends who have had coronavirus. No place in America has been impacted more than the Navajo Nation. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Indigenous people are three times as likely to succumb to the virus than others. They are also at higher risk of developing serious complications from the virus. Throughout the summer of 2020, the Navajo Nation had a higher per-capita infection rate than any state.
What does that look like? The Navajo Nation covers 27,000 square miles across Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico and is home to approximately 173,000 people. At the time of this writing, the Navajo Nation has seen over 1,184 deaths and over 29,774 cases of COVID-19. These statistics are accurate but sound clinical. The statistics are so much more than numbers. Each number represents a person, a family, and a community that has been affected by COVID.
There are many contributing factors as to why COVID-19 is wide-spread in the Navajo Nation. Roughly 30% of homes do not have electricity or running water, making sanitation challenging. Many Navajo homes are intergenerational, with extended families living in one dwelling, making it difficult to isolate a sick family member. There are only five hospitals on the Navajo Nation with just over 200 beds. Covid-19 patients have overwhelmed the healthcare facilities, and many people cannot gain access to the hospitals. Depression has increased in Navajo Nation households due to the frustrations of the lockdowns and feelings of isolation.
Navajo pastors are ministering to their communities in the best ways they can. Joe and Gerri Begay are the pastors of Grace Fellowship Community Church (GFCC) in Chinle, Arizona. In their November 2020 newsletter, Gerri writes:
Grace Fellowship has not had a Sunday service since March, as we have complied with the ongoing ‘stay home’ and weekend lockdown orders imposed by our Navajo Nation government. Our church does not have access to the technology to meet virtually. We keep looking for ways to encourage one another and to be Christ’s hands and feet in our community.
Vehicles lined up in Shiprock, NM to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
In January 2021, a GFCC member writes:
Our Navajo people are going through hard times with COVID-19, other health issues, and losing loved ones. The restrictions of daily curfew, social distancing, masks, and weekend lockdowns continue. The weekend lockdowns restrict us from traveling to the border towns to do our shopping. Some people don’t have phone services, electricity, or running water in their homes. It makes it hard when a family member or an elder gets sick. By the time they get to the hospital, it is too late. The sadness comes whenever someone gets admitted to the hospital and is not allowed to have visitors. Many die alone. Their funeral is often at the graveside, with only a few family members in attendance. All we can do is pray for them and encourage them with the Word of God.
Gerri Begay also updates the community in January 2021,
As ministers of the gospel, we intercede daily for all that is happening in our world. There are so many people fearful of the uncertainty of the future. As Christians, we all need each other and should care for one another. On our Navajo Nation, there are over 30 ministers who have died from COVID-19. Some of them died with their spouses and families. Many remain frustrated.
People across America have been given the opportunity to respond to the needs of the Navajo people, and many have responded. Christians have poured out God’s love on the Navajo people in many ways. Four Corners Home for Children has received masks, hand sanitizers, food items, cleaning supplies, etc., to distribute on the Navajo Nation. We also partnered with Franklin Graham’s Samaritan’s Purse to distribute Navajo Bibles to the people. COVID-19 is a brutal virus, and we pray it is soon a thing of the past, but it has brought unique opportunities to minister to people. It is a special honor to minister to the beautiful people in Navajoland.
I will close with the words of Gerri Begay, which should encourage us all:
We appreciate each of you for your prayers and financial support and for standing with us during this difficult time. Please continue to pray for the Navajo Nation and for many more people to be saved. “We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
Navajo Nation Vice President, Myron Lizer with Franklin Graham.
Samaritan’s Purse provided Covid-19 assistance to the Navajo Nation.
Photo provided by: Navajo Nation office of President and Vice President