In May our biannual distribution in conjunction with our fellow ministry laborers Operation 29:11, Midwest Foodbank and Native American Emergency Relief was held at the Wings of Faith Hangar in Holbrook, Ariz. What a blessing for the neediest people on Native American Reservations in Arizona and New Mexico!
More than 3,500 items ranging from Navajo Bibles, food, beverages, clothing, cleaning and household supplies, personal hygiene and grooming products, toys, water barrels and even a few computers were distributed to 35 ministries that serve in 61 locations to 9,300 people!
Here are just a few testimonies from the field about how God used these goods. Thank you for your support that helped meet these and many, many other needs. (Please note that the photos are from the entire area served, and not necessarily from the specific mission where the photo is place. But they are all from thankful hearts!)
American Indian Christian Mission (AICM)
AICM is a boarding school providing the Word of God, education, three hot meals a day and housing. One recipient of a Navajo Bible said that she will use her new Navajo Bible to read to her mother, who is always asking about Bible verses and stories. Her mom is 83 and doesn’t speak or read English.
Assist To Independence
Assist To Independence makes home visits to elderly and people with disabilities on the Navajo Reservation, Hopi, Southern Paiutes tribes to teach independent living, self-empowerment and self-determination. Folks really appreciated the pinto beans as most families can use pinto beans in all their meals, and the cucumbers and onions are fresh produce that they lack most of the time. The ones who took the Bibles distributed them at their churches. Most really like that it has both English and Navajo languages in it. Artemio took about ten bibles to his church as he is very enthusiastic about his church involvement and being able to help others with food and also distributing the Bibles to not just elders but young people as well, who are learning their language.
Bethel Navajo Assembly of God
An evangelist ministers throughout the Reservation on a voluntary basis. He took some of the pinto beans and was able to provide some meals during his tent revival meetings.
Holbrook Indian School
Students were thrilled to have mango dessert that cafeteria workers made from the mangos they received. They also enjoyed the bananas in blueberry and strawberry smoothies! The beans will be a blessing for summer program students.
Everyone was especially excited about the computers and the printers. Before receiving the printers, students had to leave the classroom walk across the street to the administration office to print their papers, which wasted valuable classroom time. The iMacs received are making it possible for upgrades and an expanded graphics design program. The students couldn't believe that someone would give them computers and are excited about taking graphic design next school year.
Native American Christian Academy
Families were very thankful to have food to take with them for the long summer break. All students are low income and live in poverty so summers are long for them when there are more mouths to feed. Most of the students are not able to take advantage of summer feeding programs because they live in distant communities.
Navajo H2O
Non-perishable food was distributed to several locations: (1) Bluewater American Indian Mission Church in Prewitt, NM (2) Baca Navajo Sr. Center in Baca Chapter Area, New Mexico; Navajo Reservation. (3) Thoreau Navajo Sr. Center, Thoreau Area, New Mexico, Navajo Reservation. (4) Sand Mountain Church of God, Ramah Navajo Reservation, NM.
Navajo New Testament Bibles were given to 10 Navajo children and young people at their promotion celebration at Bluewater American Indian Mission Church, to the congregation of Sand Mountain Church of God; Ramah Navajo Reservation and are still being distributed via Navajo H2O.
2 boxes of emergency blankets went to the Navajo Reservation to be distributed as needed. One is on hand at Navajo H2O to be distributed as needed.
Two Boxes of Teddy Bears: One box was distributed to the expecting moms and their children at Navajo H2O's "Celebrate Life Baby Shower.” One Box is on hand with Navajo H2O to be distributed as needed to children in crisis situations.
Seedlings are being taken care of by Navajo H2O in hopes of a large harvest to share with the Navajo and other tribes in the area. Seeds are also being propagated for the same purpose.
All baby items and any hygiene items received were given to the mom's and families of new born and expecting families at Navajo H2O's Celebrate Life Baby Shower in Baca Area, Navajo Reservation, Prewitt, NM.
New Hope Pregnancy Center & New Hope Ranch
About 20 people gratefully received the produce items. These families, for the most part, cannot afford fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, bananas and mangoes. The produce helped nourish families physically and at the same time ministers were able to spread the love of Jesus and nourish them spiritually.
Catholic Charities Holbrook
A single mother with 5 children (two under 3 years old) comes into Catholic Charities to either eat lunch, get bread & sweets (day old from local store), groceries or diapers. Recently her whole family (mom, grandmother, sister and children, brother and her family) got evicted from their house. Because she and her boyfriend were the only two working, they stayed in Holbrook and lived in a motel for about a month. They came in for assistance with a Security Deposit when they were ready to get their own place. We were able to bless them with a blow up mattress, new towels and food received from the distribution.
Snowflake Church of Christ
People are very appreciative of the items received since a large number of them live off the grid and are not able to store a lot of food items that are perishable.
You Can Help!
Wings of Faith is an all-volunteer, faith-based 501(c)(3) organization. Please pray for our volunteers, for the ministries we bless and for the people in dark places who need to receive the Savior’s love. You may also contribute with a financial donation in any amount, whether one time or on a recurring basis. Please click here or mail a check to Wings of Faith Ministries, P.O. Box 524, Tustin, CA, 92781.
Thank you and may the Lord bless you greatly!
John 1:1 in Navajo
Hodeeyáadi Saad jílįÌ, Saad éí Diyin God biÅ‚ hojílÇ«Ì, índa Saad éí Diyin God jílįÌ.
And in English:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
