Our decision to stay in Bernalillo turned out to be the right one! We got to watch the Superbowl for one thing! But more importantly, even today the trip from Bernalillo up to Shiprock involved going through some snowy weather with the road a little snow-covered and slushy. Since it was day, we were able to enjoy some beautiful scenery along Highway 550. The terrain was very hilly with lots of red rock. Some areas were covered with sage brush and cedar trees. We stopped in Cuba to stretch our legs and were greeted by a flock of ravens!
We made it to Farmington, NM about 10:30 AM. Roger and Carol were in the pickup pulling the trailer and they headed straight for Shiprock. The rest of us when to Safeway to get groceries for the week! We had two very full carts! We finally were on our way to Shiprock by 12:00 Noon.
Once we all made it to the ministry site we unloaded the groceries, made a quick lunch and met with Frank H, coordinator to talk about the projects we will be doing during the week. We did some scouting out of what is involved in the projects. Several members of the group jumped right into helping with the Thrift Store next door to the dorm. They began making signs advertising the big blue jeans sale. We are advertising the sale on the local Navajo radio station.
We will be tackling several projects during the next four days. We will be doing a small renovation project in the kitchen area of the dorm where we are staying. This involves removing a large, commercial vent hood that is not functional and installing some new kitchen cabinets. We will be painting the Fellowship Hall at First United Methodist Church here in Shiprock. And we will be working on some interior projects in a home located about eight miles outside of town. This will involve insulating and dry walling two bedrooms.
Next we took Frank H. and the four guys and went back to Farmington to Home Depot to buy supplies for these projects. While the guys were gone we had visitors. Pastor Norman Mark and his wife Rebecca from Dowozhiibikooh Christian church came to pick up the copy machine that we brought. Darlene asked her Pierce UM church if she could offer a copy machine that had not not been used for a couple years. Through conversation over supper Pastor Norman revealed that his church had been praying for a copy machine for four years. He was very grateful. We also received the blessing of Pastor Norman sharing his mission of sharing Christ's love with his Navajo Nation.
The guys returned with new kitchen cabnets and all the supplies we will need this week.
We look forward to 'getting to work' tomorrow. The house site: Darren, Brooks, Roger. Painting at the church: Alesia, Darlene, Nora, Kathy, Lisa, Phil, Sam. Jeans Sale: Carol & Betty. Cooking: Nancy.