The Messenger - June 23, 2011 - Our Church's Outreach to the Navajo
By the time some of you read this article, Toni Nilsen and I will be driving 6 of our young people to a Mission Trip in Window Rock Arizona. These 6 young people are: Mary Ortiz, Michael Ortiz, Kee Nilsen, Andrew Neuenschwander, Justin Norton, and David Sjosted. We will be working with an organization called "Youth Works" that has established a good relationship with the Navajo people in that area. and we will be worshiping in the Navajo church that Toni's grandfather has served for decades.
According to the "Youth Works" web site, there are 298,215 Navajo people living throughout the U.S., of which 173,987 are living within the Navajo Nation boundaries and 131,166 living in Arizona. The Navajo economy includes traditional work such as sheep and cattle herding, weaving and jewelry making. Coal and uranium mining have more recently become part of the economy in this mineral-rich land. Sustaining a viable economy in the Navajo Nation has become more challenging as the population has grown. Due to the remote geographic location, some communities lack modern conveniences such as utility services and plumbing. The unemployment rate has been steadily increasing to what is today nearly 50 percent, and 43 percent of Navajo individuals are living below the poverty level.
Youth Works focuses on two primary areas of ministry: children and home improvement. Their work with children consists of a hands-on program known as Kids Club. Kids Club offers high-energy games, crafts, skits, songs and interactive lessons all designed to help kids learn about Jesus. Work projects include minor home repair and painting projects. Each teenager’s willingness to undertake these "menial" tasks reveals the love of Christ and brings a new sense of hope to those they serve. .
Evening activities during a Youth Works week are designed to give participants insight into the lives of local residents and the culture of the area. These activities normally include a hike up to local landmark, a demonstration of tribal dances, and a community Bar-B-Q. There should also be a little time to shop for souvenirs.
Due to multiple church groups and varying needs of the community, Youth Works cannot confirm exactly what service our youth will be involved with, but we are proud of these teenagers who have stepped up to serve, and we believe that they will show a flexible spirit. They are going to need that flexible spirit in the small van through which we travel and the hard floors where we will sleep when we arrive. Thus, I hope you'll pray for them and us to have a truly blessed week.
Rev. Dr. Sunny Kang, a very gifted Korean-American, will be preaching for me this Sunday, and I will look forward to seeing you on the 3rd of July.
Have a blessed weekend!
Neal
Re-enactment
of the Signing of
the Declaration of
Independence
On July 2nd, we will be
celebrating with the
"Re-enactment of the
Signing of the Declaration
of Independence" and
everyone is invited. Our
children will re-enact the
famous event and we will
have hot dogs and games.
Please join us as we
celebrate our national
holiday. See Sue Headley
for more details.
Calendar
Sat, Jun 25
3:00 pm - Fishfest 2011 Concert
Sun, Jun 26
Youth Mission Trip (through
July 2)
8:30 am - Adult Sunday
School
9:30 am - Worship
11:00 am - Worship and Music
Meeting
7:00 am - Bible Study at Carrow's
6:30 pm - Youth Movie Night
7:00 pm - Prayer Group
Thu, Jun 30
7:00 pm - VBS Meeting
Sat, Jul 2
11:00 am - Children's
Independence Party
8:30 am - Adult Sunday School
8:45 am - Summer Choir Begins
9:30 am - Worship
Erik Larson is
the interim editor of the
Messenger.
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Presbyterian Church of San
Pedro