Navajo Nation in New Mexico

New Mexico is so beautiful and varied in scenery. We thoroughly enjoyed our time in this desert state and the Navajo Nation.

We stopped first in Gallup and had the opportunity to share in Rehoboth Christian School's senior Bible class about our experiences among the persecuted church. That evening we had the privilege of being half-time entertainment for Rehoboth's home basketball tournament final.

Dustin wowed the crowd on his 10 ft. unicycle then, before dismounting, shared his story and hope of the Gospel to a captivated crowd.

Something about speaking from 10 feet in the air with only one wheel beneath, gives extra credence to one's words. Many people afterward commented on how powerful the message was. In an area where suicide is 3x the national average, it was very special to have this ministry opportunity.

Next we went to Newcomb High School for a morning UniShow Universe assembly. The administrator loved it so much they wanted us to stay and present to the Middle and Elementary schools too. Due to their testing schedule, we weren't able to fit them in this time but will do our best to return in the future.

Inspire School Programs is a ministry that teaches Biblical principles in public schools through mentoring and classes. They hosted a few events for us in schools where they are working in the Four Corners area.

Koogler Middle School in Aztec was one of the Inspire sponsored connections. We did 2 assemblies in a row since the bleachers were too small to fit all 550 students at once. The students were very encouraging and thankful afterward and we even had a few students offer to join us on tour.

Inspire has only been working in Bloomfield Middle School for a few weeks so it was great to partner with them to bring more awareness to their presence on campus during the assembly we did there.

We also returned to Rocinante High School where we presented 2 years ago. It was great to be able to share in this alternative school and challenging students to persevere through life's challenges. Students again said how inspired they were following our presentation. Faculty who saw us 2 years ago expressed amazement at how much the production value of the UniShow has increased with our expanded team.

After each of these Inspire sponsored assemblies, leaders and mentors told us, some with tears in their eyes, how much students needed to hear the important message we shared in this creative way. They said our message tied perfectly into what they are teaching the students.

Before we headed east after a wonderful week based in Farmington, we played tourist and ate Fry Bread from a Navajo Flee Market in Shiprock. Then we stood at the Four Corners Monument where Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Arizona meet.

Hope Times Four

Since our outreach at the University of New Mexico was cancelled, we had an opening in our schedule. This of course was an opportunity to our New Mexico "agent" Mark, who has worked tirelessly to organize over 20 UniShow events these past few weeks.  While we were loading equipment into the community center for our UniShow event Friday afternoon, Mark was on the phone to Hope Christian School in Albuquerque booking two assemblies for Monday morning. "No rest for the righteous." He tells us.

So Monday morning, March 27th, we arrived at Hope Christian School at 6am to set up for two back to back assemblies for 900 junior and senior high schoolers.   

The chaplain said, "Our students, 6th - 12th grade were captivated by the skills Dustin displayed. He was engaging and urged our students to live for Christ. Excellent chapel services."

The Hope Elementary assistant principal came to check out the upper class assemblies.  She must have liked what she saw since she booked us for 2 more assemblies for elementary students the following day.  

Tuesday we were back at Hope Christian School at 6am.  The elementary gym was much smaller and only half of the 600 students fit at a time.  We presented two UniShow assemblies for enthusiastic and attentive students.  Even teachers told us that they, as well as the students, were inspired and encouraged.

 

More at Sycamore

Our final show in Farmington NM was at Sycamore Park Community Center on Friday, March 24. They had activities all week for students and families during spring break with the UniShow as the grand finale.

Because it was on the chilly and windy side outdoors, we opted to set up in their gymnasium. People were lining up to enter the gym 40 minutes before the show started and kept coming in even after we began. It was a bit cozy for the 200+ people who came but it also created a buzz and energy that was contagious.

Dustin shared a message of hope and wowed the crowd with his unicycling. It was great to partner with the center manager who has such a heart for her community and is creatively bringing hope and help to the area.

Convicted by Christ

The plan was to do an outreach outside on Fort Lewis College campus in Durango CO on Thursday, March 23rd.  However, the weather did not cooperate, and the rain and wind was not conducive to being outside performing or watching a performance.  Sadly, this event was cancelled.  But God had other plans and our plan B was most likely His plan A.

At the last minute we were invited to share instead at a weekly meeting called, Convicted by Christ for men who had been incarcerated.  About 30 men gathered and began the meeting worshiping enthusiastically, like men who had been set free, which they had, both physically and spiritually!

Dustin then did an abbreviated presentation, riding a few unicycles, juggling fire, then sharing his testimony and a message of hope in God's power to save and redeem.  He shared his favorite verse from Isaiah 40 about how when we stumble and fall, if we put our hope in God He will renew our strength and we'll soar on wings like eagles. As he shared the verse, a man stood up pointing to his shirt that had that verse on it.  These men know what it means to stumble and fall, and they are seeking the God who has picked them up and given them strength to start again on a better path.

The men were very responsive throughout the presentation, and seemed very encouraged and inspired.  This was one of our favorite events in the area.

They always end their meeting in a circle of prayer.

Sagebrush Trilogy

Sagebrush Community Church in Farmington NM hosted 3 UniShow outreaches during spring break.  On Monday, March 20th, the first day of spring, we presented the UniShow for the community of Aztec NM at Koogler Middle School.

Someone was excited to see the UniShow!

On Tuesday night, we presented in Hermosa Middle School gymnasium for Sagebrush Remix Junior Highers, some from the community and beyond.  One family drove an hour from a reservation to enjoy the show after hearing about it when Dustin was interviewed on the radio the week before.

Wednesday night, we joined Sagebrush Remix High School ministry for their weekly gathering.  It was a bit windy and chilly outside but it turned out to be a fun event and students seemed to enjoy the presentation and be really impacted by Dustin's testimony and the Gospel message.  

Dustin and the Remix High School gang.

In the Eagles Nest

On the final day of school before Spring Break in Farmington NM, we had the privilege of presenting a UniShow assembly for high schoolers at Navajo Preparatory School. It was held in their sunken gymnasium they call "The Eagles Nest".

To start out the assembly, a group of students did an interactive distracted driving presentation for their peers. Students rode scooters around a cone course while attempting to text as other students threw little foam balls at them. It was entertaining and informative and got the kids warmed up and hyped to enjoy the UniShow, which it seemed they really did.

At the end of the UniShow, the principal presented us with thoughtful gifts of a book bag, notebook and insulated cup complete with Navajo Prep "Fighting Eagles" logo on them.  She was very complementary, stating that the teachers never stay for assemblies yet this time they didn't leave. Another teacher said this was by far the best assembly the students have enjoyed in a long time. Dustin was thanked by one student "for a very nerve wracking show".  Now that's what we like to hear! 

"Rock with Wings"

On Thursday, March 16th we had an all school assembly at Shiprock High School in Shiprock NM. The school was in a beautiful setting with the 1,583 ft. sacred "Shiprock" or "rock with wings" in view as we drove in.

Art work in the gymnasium.

The student body president introduced the UniShow, then the fun began. Students responded enthusiastically to Dustin's tricks and stunts and listened attentively to the message he shared, challenging them to press on through life's struggles.  He told about the only thing he has found that filled the emptiness in his life.

 

Dustin's "help" getting on the 6 foot unicycle.

It was encouraging to hear feedback from the principal afterward that the show had a strong message but wasn't preachy.

After the assembly, students met Dustin and took photos.  Many students had fun trying out unicycles.  A few worked at it for over an hour as we packed things up, making great progress.

Yearbook students took photos of the UniShow.