Crown Point New Mexico: Brother, Bulls, & Being The Minority

Brother:

Dad, Peter, & Myself.

So we stopped in Crown Point New Mexico to visit my little...er young brother, Peter.  It was great to see him.  I feel that he has gotten taller, but either way he is doing very well!  It was great to see him and all he is doing in NM.  He is on a team with NextStep Ministries where he works with youth groups and families that come in to help out the community.  The area of Crown Point is a Native American Reservation and so they help out with work projects, community events, and anything else that people could need.  I've been following what he's been doing from a biweekly email they send out, but living and helping them makes the whole thing a reality.  The email has always had a section that asks the readers to pray for their plumbing situation, as their septic tanks are not working.  I read it and didn't see it as big of a deal until I made it there...They have 5 porta-potties which seems like plenty, but they have groups of around 60 or more HS students all using them with only a weekly disposal of wastes....Let's just say I've never been so exited to go to gas station bathrooms!  Other than that, the crew there is great and my littl...My brother is doing quite well.  In this adventure, the team invited my father and me to something I've never done nor thought I'd do...A rodeo. 

Bull Riding Rodeo:

So we were told that we had to really "experience" the rodeo, which meant getting to the fine establishment quite early to get good seats.  We got there around 5:30pm and waited for the fun to start.  I personally think we got there a bit on the early side as it didn't start till 8pm.  Anyways, this was mostly watching people riding bulls and try to be the best at riding bulls.  There are rules and regulations on bull riding, but essentially consisted on staying on for 8 seconds and doing it "smoothly."  But let's be real, we watch to see people fly off.  At least, that's what I did.  And the only thing that makes it more entertaining is when it is in slow motion!  Enjoy the Slo-Mo Bull riding video.  It shows how crazy people are out west, yet how durable the human body is.  Don't worry, the fall wasn't too bad, I would deem it a "G" rating, so fun for the whole family!  

They also had a fireworks show and a place where they burned an emblem of a bull with fire.  It was pretty rad.  It kind of looks like a cult or something...But it's cool, it's norming 'round the southwest.  

The Bull Emblem.

Being the Minority:

As I went to the rodeo, as well as just being on a Navajo Reservation, I experienced being the minority in this culture.  I think something that is very important for every person's life is to be the minority.  Being at a Reservation was just that for me.  I've been the minority at other parts of my life, but it's a really great reminder that there are different cultures and belief systems than my own.  And in that, it was a humbling experience to be a part of the amazing area of Crown Point New Mexico!  And I'm sure once when I get to Yuma (which is right by the boarder of Mexico) I will again have an opportunity that my culture may not be the main culture in the city!  Tomorrow is the day that I get to Yuma, I said my goodbyes to Crown Point and am now in Phoenix in a hotel.  Tomorrow is the move in day, and I am looking forward to finally making it to Yuma!