Today has been another full day, tea and a chat twice, once at the flea market this morning and then at the ceremonial dancing tonight. It has been a long hot day and we are exhausted.
In between we headed south to Zuni Pueblo on the Zuni Reservation to their fair. It was extremely hot as we went from stall to stall. We were made to feel very welcome and they even gave us free lunch!
Everyday we are developing stronger and stronger ties with the folks here and we even had guys turn up at the flea market and the town square tonight to seek us out - people we met at the detox or In school or Care 66. One guy had even read the whole of 'Once an Addict' book we gave him in the detox. He enjoyed it and asked for prayer.
Tomorrow will be another full day - Calvin's church in morning, Kit Carson reconciliation and then church on the Rez in the evening.
Good night everyone - pictures hopefully uploaded by Sue tomorrow.
Saturday 31 August 2013
Friday 30 August 2013
A whole week in and extremely busy!
Thursday morning began with some time together doing devotions and then took an hour or so to rehearse some drama. We had a quick lunch of delicious homemade Turkey soup and then took off down old Route 66 to the Manuelito Navajo Children's School. We set up in the gym for an assembly for the whole school. There are kids ranging in age from about 3 to 18!
Chris and Sue led the session with help from the team who did a drama and singing. We then split into two groups, a younger and an older one.
We left after a couple of hours. It was a really positive time and we really feel we have a growing connection with these people. One of the teachers expressed their thanks for the Notebook computers we were able to give them and explained to me what a massive difference it will make to the older kids.
We then had a brief window of time to explore downtown Gallup and check out the Electric Store and the Route 66 trading posts. We ran out of time and had to grab a Wendy's burger (some of the team were desperate to have a baconator!) begore our next event.
The boys went off to the town square and set up tea and a chat at the ceremonial dancing whilst the girls led a ladies meeting at the church. The guys were really blown away by the conversations and opportunities to share Jesus that they had and were able to pray for the folk they met many of whom sadly were drunk.
Afterwards we regrouped and a car load went off for a late night Walmart run for supplies and petrol.
FRIDAY .... We had an early start leaving for the detox centre at 8.00am. This was the day we were supposed to have gone to prison. On arriving at the centre I think we were equally, if not more, apprehensive as we would have been on entering the prison. It was an awesome time. The men and ladies split up and went into see the respective sections inside. We were able to chat and pray with them and the girls even sang a couple of songs and we left copies of 'Once an Addict' in several of their hands. We were also were able to help the centre in a practical way, Alice, Margaret and Julie went off to get shoes and blankets for the girls.
The ladies at the detox remembered us from the flea market. They told us that everyone was talking about us saying that there was a group of Brits in town!
The visit made an amazing impact on the team. Unforgettable.
We had lunch, devotions and some planning and then headed off for another night on the town square doing tea and a chat at the ceremonial dancing. It was quieter tonight but there were still some meaningful talks and we were still able to pray with folk, even meeting some of the people who were in detox earlier in the day.
We then had a late meal together with a church family at the Golden Corral, all you can eat buffet.
Now we are back at church and pretty shattered, another full day ahead tomorrow!
Please continue to pray for stamina - we have more openings than we have time for but we are just amazed how things have really opened up for us!
Chris and Sue led the session with help from the team who did a drama and singing. We then split into two groups, a younger and an older one.
We left after a couple of hours. It was a really positive time and we really feel we have a growing connection with these people. One of the teachers expressed their thanks for the Notebook computers we were able to give them and explained to me what a massive difference it will make to the older kids.
We then had a brief window of time to explore downtown Gallup and check out the Electric Store and the Route 66 trading posts. We ran out of time and had to grab a Wendy's burger (some of the team were desperate to have a baconator!) begore our next event.
The boys went off to the town square and set up tea and a chat at the ceremonial dancing whilst the girls led a ladies meeting at the church. The guys were really blown away by the conversations and opportunities to share Jesus that they had and were able to pray for the folk they met many of whom sadly were drunk.
Afterwards we regrouped and a car load went off for a late night Walmart run for supplies and petrol.
FRIDAY .... We had an early start leaving for the detox centre at 8.00am. This was the day we were supposed to have gone to prison. On arriving at the centre I think we were equally, if not more, apprehensive as we would have been on entering the prison. It was an awesome time. The men and ladies split up and went into see the respective sections inside. We were able to chat and pray with them and the girls even sang a couple of songs and we left copies of 'Once an Addict' in several of their hands. We were also were able to help the centre in a practical way, Alice, Margaret and Julie went off to get shoes and blankets for the girls.
The ladies at the detox remembered us from the flea market. They told us that everyone was talking about us saying that there was a group of Brits in town!
The visit made an amazing impact on the team. Unforgettable.
We had lunch, devotions and some planning and then headed off for another night on the town square doing tea and a chat at the ceremonial dancing. It was quieter tonight but there were still some meaningful talks and we were still able to pray with folk, even meeting some of the people who were in detox earlier in the day.
We then had a late meal together with a church family at the Golden Corral, all you can eat buffet.
Now we are back at church and pretty shattered, another full day ahead tomorrow!
Please continue to pray for stamina - we have more openings than we have time for but we are just amazed how things have really opened up for us!
Thursday - cont..
Thursday 29 August 2013
Photo's - Wed.
Wednesday 28 August 2013
Keep up the prayers!
Today has been a really great day ... we started with our devotions studying Acts. It was really encouraging and challenging and set us up for another day of ministry.
Our first event was singing at the hospital where we were welcomed by the Hospital Chaplain Chris. We had met her two years ago and so it was great to meet her again. We set up in the foyer which is a large area with seating.
At the end of our songs we noticed a lady who had sat listening to us was dabbing her eyes and so Alice went across to speak to her. She immediately said she knew she needed forgiveness! She gave her life to The Lord there and then. We prayed together and Alice also prayed for healing.
We then went up to the third floor and sang again. We were asked to go and sing outside the door of a little girl who was in isolation, we could see her through the open door and we sang 'Great Big God' and 'You are wonderful'. We left her with a balloon flower and a red nose!!! She was beaming.
In the meantime the lady who had given her life to The Lord was introduced to Peewee and she told Peewee that as she was prayed for her legs were tingling and she started to move her legs in a way she hadn't been able to for a long time. We believe she has been healed too. Praise God for answered prayer!
Our next job was to shop for food and cook for 40+ at Care 66, the home,ess centre. We hit Walmart and loaded a trolley and then headed back to church to peel veg and practice drama.
We headed down to the old Lexington Hotel now home to Care 66 to cook. We took over their kitchen and set to work. We met Keith, the resident chef, who made us really welcome and helped us find our way around.
We served the meal at 5.30pm and then sat and chatted to the folks and invited them along to the church two doors away where we took the whole service.
It was a really powerful time of worship, drama and testimony and ended with one guy committing his life to The Lord and many others receiving prayer.
For those of you who are praying for us please continue - it looks as if our prison visit for Friday is definitely off but there is still a slim chance for next week, please pray for that. But Friday has now been filled up with fresh and exciting opportunities including the detox centre, a funeral here at the church and the detention centre and then tea and a chat at the ceremonial dancing on the town square! Busy and exciting.
Our first event was singing at the hospital where we were welcomed by the Hospital Chaplain Chris. We had met her two years ago and so it was great to meet her again. We set up in the foyer which is a large area with seating.
At the end of our songs we noticed a lady who had sat listening to us was dabbing her eyes and so Alice went across to speak to her. She immediately said she knew she needed forgiveness! She gave her life to The Lord there and then. We prayed together and Alice also prayed for healing.
We then went up to the third floor and sang again. We were asked to go and sing outside the door of a little girl who was in isolation, we could see her through the open door and we sang 'Great Big God' and 'You are wonderful'. We left her with a balloon flower and a red nose!!! She was beaming.
In the meantime the lady who had given her life to The Lord was introduced to Peewee and she told Peewee that as she was prayed for her legs were tingling and she started to move her legs in a way she hadn't been able to for a long time. We believe she has been healed too. Praise God for answered prayer!
Our next job was to shop for food and cook for 40+ at Care 66, the home,ess centre. We hit Walmart and loaded a trolley and then headed back to church to peel veg and practice drama.
We headed down to the old Lexington Hotel now home to Care 66 to cook. We took over their kitchen and set to work. We met Keith, the resident chef, who made us really welcome and helped us find our way around.
We served the meal at 5.30pm and then sat and chatted to the folks and invited them along to the church two doors away where we took the whole service.
It was a really powerful time of worship, drama and testimony and ended with one guy committing his life to The Lord and many others receiving prayer.
For those of you who are praying for us please continue - it looks as if our prison visit for Friday is definitely off but there is still a slim chance for next week, please pray for that. But Friday has now been filled up with fresh and exciting opportunities including the detox centre, a funeral here at the church and the detention centre and then tea and a chat at the ceremonial dancing on the town square! Busy and exciting.
Tuesday 27 August 2013
Photo's - Tuesday
Chilling in the Gym after soccer skill training.
All change! A set back ...
After such an amazing day yesterday, as we were worshipping during our devotions today the phone rang with some bad news. Calvin rang to say that the prison has gone into lockdown! That means no visitors ... We really need your prayers please. We were scheduled for Friday and Calvin is really working hard to get us in even if it means on another day. Disappointing especially as we had had such a good day yesterday inviting the guys along and seeing how excited many were about our visit, it seems so cruel.
Meanwhile if we don't go on Friday another opportunity has opened up for us to go into the detox centre and detention centre which is fantastic!
Today has been another brilliant day of new opportunity. After breakfast we travelled west and crossed the border and a time zone back into Arizona to the Sun Valley Indian School. A boarding school for Navajo children run by Christians. We set up in the Chapel and then had lunch with the kids, spent some time playing with them in their playground in the baking hot sun and then took a session with the whole school and staff. We sang, did a drama skit, showed one of our mission films, talked about the UK, preached and had a Q and A session. It was really good to have freedom to talk to the kids about Jesus.
We then went into the classrooms to see the different things they are learning about including working with wool and weaving! The guys took a soccer session in the gym. We left behind soccer gear, games and gifts for the staff and a financial gift. We all felt extremely blessed by the day and the welcome we had received.
On our way home we stopped off in Holbrook to show Steve the Wigwam Motel and have tea in Romas.
We are now back in Gallup extremely tired ... tomorrow is going to be a very full day. Please pray for our stamina.
Meanwhile if we don't go on Friday another opportunity has opened up for us to go into the detox centre and detention centre which is fantastic!
Today has been another brilliant day of new opportunity. After breakfast we travelled west and crossed the border and a time zone back into Arizona to the Sun Valley Indian School. A boarding school for Navajo children run by Christians. We set up in the Chapel and then had lunch with the kids, spent some time playing with them in their playground in the baking hot sun and then took a session with the whole school and staff. We sang, did a drama skit, showed one of our mission films, talked about the UK, preached and had a Q and A session. It was really good to have freedom to talk to the kids about Jesus.
We then went into the classrooms to see the different things they are learning about including working with wool and weaving! The guys took a soccer session in the gym. We left behind soccer gear, games and gifts for the staff and a financial gift. We all felt extremely blessed by the day and the welcome we had received.
On our way home we stopped off in Holbrook to show Steve the Wigwam Motel and have tea in Romas.
We are now back in Gallup extremely tired ... tomorrow is going to be a very full day. Please pray for our stamina.
Meeting the Mayor and more .... A breakthrough day!
Today is Colette's birthday which we celebrated with birthday cake for breakfast and a plan to go out for a meal tonight.
Our programme began with a meeting with the Mayor of Gallup, Jackie McKinney. We went downtown to the Mayor's office and went into his chambers and sat around the table with him.
It was an awesome occasion and the Lord showed us such favour through this man.
Jackie is quite a character! He wears his hair long in a sophisticated pony tail and is a real cool guy. He is a long term member of the CMA (Christian Motorcyclists Association). During the meeting his mobile phone rang and released a great deal of laughter as the ringtone was of a lever action Winchester! We are, after all, in the real Wild West!
We had a fantastic discussion about our visit and he gave us the green light to work in the open air around the city including setting up tea and a chat at the Ceremonial Dancing in the town square and other possible openings to visit the detox centre etc. Without going into too much detail it was a real breakthrough not only for us but for Dennis and Peewee here at Joshua Generation. He also wants to see us on Tuesday next week. We ended the meeting laying hands on him and praying for him.
From there we got coffee in a coffee shop in the centre of town. Noticing a guitar and drums we asked if we could come along in the evening and set up a cafe church to which we also got the green light!
Moving on from there we went to Care 66 on Route 66 which is a homeless shelter (the old Lexington motel) making a real difference in people's lives. We are going to cook a meal for them on Wednesday so Julie took a look at the kitchens and worked out a menu. Two doors away from this old motel is a little church which used to be the home of Joshua Generation and where there are still strong links (it was the building they temporarily used for church when they had to leave their current building). After we have fed the folks at Care 66 we are going to invite them to the church where we will put on a programme.
From there the team split into two and Dave, Alice, Mark and Julie headed out to the prison whilst the rest of the team headed the opposite direction down Route 66 to the Manuelito Navajo Children's home.
The Manuelito team were able to meet up with the teachers, children and houseparents and plan for our other visits. They walked around the classrooms and chatted with Jim Christian the Headteacher who gave them a warm welcome. We are definitely seeing the fruit of being consistent and regular with our visits out here.
The 'prison team' headed east to Grants and met up with Calvin. We were taken through security and in to meet the Prison Governor. It was a great meeting, full of favour and we were able to share with him our plans for which he totally approved and asked if we would be able to make more visits! From him we then went around the inside of the prison visiting the 'pods' and meeting face to face with the inmates inviting them along to the various events we are putting on in the gym on Friday. We walked through the exercise yards where the prisoners came up to the fence and we posted our flyers through the chain link fencing and chatted to them. The last category were the women who all came out in the sun to meet us. Please pray for many to come along - we are in prison all day and evening on Friday doing three long sessions.
The thing that really touched us was the guys who came right over to Julie and I and asked if we were the people that had given them the Alpha course - one was beaming as he said how much he was enjoying it. They love Nicky Gumbel! Some also recalled our last visit and even told us what we had done including details of our dramas - really blew us away knowing that we had an impact. God is good! Such an encouragement.
Back in Gallup we regrouped and did some planning for the next few days and eventually headed out to Earls Family Restaurant for dinner. Such a cool place where the Navajo come around the tables selling their jewellery. Final event of the day was a trip to Walmart for supplies, drama props and craft material. Thanks for your ongoing prayers
It was an awesome occasion and the Lord showed us such favour through this man.
Jackie is quite a character! He wears his hair long in a sophisticated pony tail and is a real cool guy. He is a long term member of the CMA (Christian Motorcyclists Association). During the meeting his mobile phone rang and released a great deal of laughter as the ringtone was of a lever action Winchester! We are, after all, in the real Wild West!
We had a fantastic discussion about our visit and he gave us the green light to work in the open air around the city including setting up tea and a chat at the Ceremonial Dancing in the town square and other possible openings to visit the detox centre etc. Without going into too much detail it was a real breakthrough not only for us but for Dennis and Peewee here at Joshua Generation. He also wants to see us on Tuesday next week. We ended the meeting laying hands on him and praying for him.
From there we got coffee in a coffee shop in the centre of town. Noticing a guitar and drums we asked if we could come along in the evening and set up a cafe church to which we also got the green light!
Moving on from there we went to Care 66 on Route 66 which is a homeless shelter (the old Lexington motel) making a real difference in people's lives. We are going to cook a meal for them on Wednesday so Julie took a look at the kitchens and worked out a menu. Two doors away from this old motel is a little church which used to be the home of Joshua Generation and where there are still strong links (it was the building they temporarily used for church when they had to leave their current building). After we have fed the folks at Care 66 we are going to invite them to the church where we will put on a programme.
From there the team split into two and Dave, Alice, Mark and Julie headed out to the prison whilst the rest of the team headed the opposite direction down Route 66 to the Manuelito Navajo Children's home.
The Manuelito team were able to meet up with the teachers, children and houseparents and plan for our other visits. They walked around the classrooms and chatted with Jim Christian the Headteacher who gave them a warm welcome. We are definitely seeing the fruit of being consistent and regular with our visits out here.
The 'prison team' headed east to Grants and met up with Calvin. We were taken through security and in to meet the Prison Governor. It was a great meeting, full of favour and we were able to share with him our plans for which he totally approved and asked if we would be able to make more visits! From him we then went around the inside of the prison visiting the 'pods' and meeting face to face with the inmates inviting them along to the various events we are putting on in the gym on Friday. We walked through the exercise yards where the prisoners came up to the fence and we posted our flyers through the chain link fencing and chatted to them. The last category were the women who all came out in the sun to meet us. Please pray for many to come along - we are in prison all day and evening on Friday doing three long sessions.
The thing that really touched us was the guys who came right over to Julie and I and asked if we were the people that had given them the Alpha course - one was beaming as he said how much he was enjoying it. They love Nicky Gumbel! Some also recalled our last visit and even told us what we had done including details of our dramas - really blew us away knowing that we had an impact. God is good! Such an encouragement.
Back in Gallup we regrouped and did some planning for the next few days and eventually headed out to Earls Family Restaurant for dinner. Such a cool place where the Navajo come around the tables selling their jewellery. Final event of the day was a trip to Walmart for supplies, drama props and craft material. Thanks for your ongoing prayers
Monday 26 August 2013
I'am a Christian
Another one of our video's this one is the team sharing the fact that we are Christians!
Sunday 25th in Gallup
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| Rev Calvin Robinson (Chap) with Lilly and the team |
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| Mark sharing his testimony |
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| Dave preaching |
Our schedule is getting pretty busy now which is great. Tomorrow we meet the Mayor!
Sunday 25 August 2013
Greetings to Salvo!
Hi Salvo home there in Thundersley ... here we are posing with the cards that you kindly gave us. We were all touched by your kind thoughts and just wanted to give you a mention.
Day 1 - Part 2
After a scenic tour we managed to find the fleamarket where the good folk of \Joshua Generation for Jesus had already set up a canopy and stand for our outreach. So we unloaded all our goodies - tea bags, Hobnobs, balloons and hung our banner up.
We were soon in business with children crowding around excited about the balloons with their parents and grandparents blown away that we were giving away 'free' tea and biscuits!
We struck up some great conversations and were even able to pray with some of the folk who came by.
Although it was a little overcast at the start when the sun burned through the clouds it was extremely hot and sunny.
We gave out lots of invitations to the families to come along to the fun day and soccer school that is planned for Labour Day as well as invitations to the services here at the church. Some folk may even come along to a service we are holding right up on the north side of 'rhe Rez' later in our time here as we found out that the people at the market travel some distance to it from all over the reservation.
We left after a number of hours and had a Subway before heading back to unpack our boxes and prep for Sunday until Tuesday. We had a 'little' rest and then met up with the church folk for devotions and a Navajo Taco meal followed by rehearsal of dramas and songs.
Finally at about 8.30pm we made our first visit to Walmart - only short as we were pretty worn out to say the least.
We were soon in business with children crowding around excited about the balloons with their parents and grandparents blown away that we were giving away 'free' tea and biscuits!
We struck up some great conversations and were even able to pray with some of the folk who came by.
Although it was a little overcast at the start when the sun burned through the clouds it was extremely hot and sunny.
We gave out lots of invitations to the families to come along to the fun day and soccer school that is planned for Labour Day as well as invitations to the services here at the church. Some folk may even come along to a service we are holding right up on the north side of 'rhe Rez' later in our time here as we found out that the people at the market travel some distance to it from all over the reservation.
We left after a number of hours and had a Subway before heading back to unpack our boxes and prep for Sunday until Tuesday. We had a 'little' rest and then met up with the church folk for devotions and a Navajo Taco meal followed by rehearsal of dramas and songs.
Finally at about 8.30pm we made our first visit to Walmart - only short as we were pretty worn out to say the least.
Saturday 24 August 2013
Arrived!
Phew! Finally arrived after 30 hours of being awake and travelling! We rolled into the car park at Joshua Generation for Jesus greeted my Dennis and Peewee. It was actually 3.45am Gallup time - although we all thought it was 2.45am as we had crossed and then recrossed a time zone through Arizona.
We had to keep swapping drivers as we travelled north from Phoenix on the Interstate 17 and then picked up the Interstate 40 (Route 66) heading back east from Flagstaff to Gallup.
Our hosts have done us proud with beds all made, lots of extra bathrooms and beds and living areas, breakfast room etc.
One prayer need is for Margaret who lost her phone on the flight. We think a helpful hostess who lifted her bag into the locker may have tipped it out by accident.
We quickly got to bed and set our alarms for 7 so that we can get to work straight away at the flea market - so here we are eating bagels and prepping for our first outreach.
More news to come later today.
We had to keep swapping drivers as we travelled north from Phoenix on the Interstate 17 and then picked up the Interstate 40 (Route 66) heading back east from Flagstaff to Gallup.
Our hosts have done us proud with beds all made, lots of extra bathrooms and beds and living areas, breakfast room etc.
One prayer need is for Margaret who lost her phone on the flight. We think a helpful hostess who lifted her bag into the locker may have tipped it out by accident.
We quickly got to bed and set our alarms for 7 so that we can get to work straight away at the flea market - so here we are eating bagels and prepping for our first outreach.
More news to come later today.
Friday 23 August 2013
Day 1
It is 8.25am and we are in a cafe at Heathrow with bags checked and boarding passes at the ready!
Thanks to Tony Cable, who drove us over with no hold ups we were early to check in.
And thank you for all the texts and 'likes' on Facebook, comments etc, keep them coming, it really is a blessing.
Thanks to Tony Cable, who drove us over with no hold ups we were early to check in.
And thank you for all the texts and 'likes' on Facebook, comments etc, keep them coming, it really is a blessing.
Thursday 22 August 2013
Almost gone!
 It's the final countdown ... we leave the church at 5.00am tomorrow to drive to Heathrow. We touch down in Houston and then get an onward flight to Phoenis, Arizona to pick up our rental cars and head out to Gallup, New Mexico!
It will be a L-O-N-G day ... in fact the first time we have attempted to do it in one. So please pray that the team, especially the drivers, get some sleep on the flight and that we don't get delayed anywhere especially on arrival through US security.
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Do remember that we are 6-7 hours behind you so our blogging will be done when you are fast asleep! But please do check back from time to time and we will try and keep you up to date with our mission news.Final Preparations ...
We spent all day on Saturday 10th August together planning and practicing and getting photographed! Now for packing ....
Our flights leave Heathrow on the morning of Friday 23rd August - it is all getting very real now, we value your prayers and support so much.
Thank you for reading and please keep in touch.
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