It was dark at camp in Oak Flat when we noticed a dad and his son with two friends. We approached them and introduced ourselves as Oak Flat accompanists.

Jon recognized the dad as a member of Apache Stronghold — defenders of Oak Flat. We saw they were constructing a structure out of branches. “Come join us Thursday for my son’s first sweat,” he said. Glancing at each other without time to discuss, we said we would be honored.

We receive invitations all the time. Some turn out to be sacred, even transformative. Saying yes to an invitation when the details are unclear can be unsettling. It involves saying yes to ambiguity, yes to possible risk, yes to yielding control.

Jesus calls us to accompany, to walk with those who struggle for justice. In the Gospel stories, rarely did Jesus give much instruction. Rarely did Jesus offer assurance that following will be comfortable.

Over the past few years, Apache Stronghold has been reaching out to people of faith — pray-ers — to join in their efforts to protect their sacred land in Oak Flat or Chi’Chil Bildagoteel.

Since time immemorial, Apaches have come to this sacred land for ceremony, prayer, gathering food and medicine and to remember ancestors who lived and died on this land.

For decades it has been known that large deposits of copper exist under this land in Arizona. However, mining companies did not have access to mining until language was slipped at the last minute into an omnibus defense bill in 2014 — creating a path for the U.S. Forest Service to transfer the land to Resolution Copper.

This is one more example of bypassing, disrespecting and taking from Indigenous people without acknowledging their spiritual practices rooted in reverence for this land.

When Thursday morning, July 4, came, many male relatives, teachers and friends had arrived for the sweat, setting up tents and tending a sacred fire. With no instructions except the advice watch and listen, we walked over to join the group as they began this coming-of-age ceremony for a 12-year-old Apache boy.

We followed the lead of others in preparing ourselves before entering the sweat lodge. We hadn’t thought of sweating as sacred. But as sweat dripped from our bodies, we recognized the importance of the moment to this young man as we struggled together in the heat and steam.

Sitting in the dark, everyone was invited to share wisdom that might benefit this 12-year-old on his life’s journey. We felt a beautiful and mysterious invitation to reflect on our own coming of age and the role of elders in our own growth.

After the blessings and closing words, we were offered the hospitality of food, water and kindness. To be included was overwhelming. Something within us will never be the same.

Apache Stronghold invites others to accompany them in the struggle to save the holy ground of Chi’Chil Bildagoteel. As outsiders, it may not feel personal or meaningful to say yes to this invitation. Not yet at least. Perhaps understanding the sacredness of Oak Flat becomes deeper and more personal after sweating on that sacred earth — joining the sweat, tears, and prayers of Indigenous sisters and brothers.

One can only imagine how many sweats, prayers and ceremonies have happened on this land for generations — how much the ancient oaks have witnessed.

What might Mennonites and other Christians learn from accepting the invitation to accompaniment, presence and solidarity with Apache Stronghold and Oak Flat?

Can we learn to receive invitations as a gift rather than a burden? What if we said yes to invitations as a prayer, trusting that Creator God will provide what is needed and accompany us on the journey?

Sarah Augustine, executive director of the Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery, encourages us to approach invitations to solidarity without counting the cost, knowing the road ahead is not clear. Saying yes is an act of faith.

For us, Apache Stronghold was the soloist, and we were the accompanists, not on the piano but on the holy ground of Oak Flat. We listened for cues from the soloist, watched, listened and played along.

We invite you to:
— Pray for Oak Flat, pray for Apache Stronghold as they protect sacred Oak Flat from mining;
— Organize a group to sign on to the amicus brief in support of Apache Stronghold’s religious freedom case to the Supreme Court;
— Sign the petition at apache-stronghold.com/take-action.html;
— Support the Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery; join the Repair Network;
— Donate to COFA (Chi’chil Bildagoteel Oak Flat Accompaniment) at dismantlediscovery.org/donate;
— Volunteer to serve or tap shoulders of those who could serve in accompaniment at Oak Flat.

Jon Zirkle is a member of Assembly Mennonite Church in Goshen, Ind. Paul Neufeld Weaver is a member of First Mennonite Church in Bluffton, Ohio.