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Want to see where we will be working? Who we will be serving? Watch the video above.
On Saturday, June 8, 2013, at 4am in the morning, we take the first step in our journey when we board our bus (yes, bus!) in the parking lot of Grace Episcopal Church. We will have our hammers and nails, our sleeping bags and air mattresses, our snake bite kits and toothbrushes, our journals and our hearts. Our first stop will be for the night in Elk City, Oklahoma.
On Sunday the 9th, we will arrive in Crown Point, New Mexico, where we will enjoy dinner and Orientation and Worship, lights out at 11 pm.
During the week, we will be joyfully jumping from our sleeping bags at 7:00 am sharp ... ok, I added the joyful jumping but we will see. After breakfast, we will be further nourished by morning devotional before heading out to the work site.
Crownpoint is in the midst of the Navajo Nation, the largest reservation in the United States. Here, 56% of the people live below the poverty line, 44% are unemployed, and 38% of the homes do not have electricity or running water. But the numbers don't explain why. With only one grocery store, one gas station, and one Laundromat, the jobs in Crownpoint are few. And because many families do not have cars or money to afford gas, they cannot easily commute to the towns with jobs about 50 miles away. Also, consider that Crownpoint is located in the middle of a desert like setting far from many natural resources. The most common type of homes on the reservation are trailers, government built single family homes, and hogans.
On the worksite, we will first meet with the home owner and understand their story. Then our work will begin. It will consist of heavy home repair, remodeling, or new construction. The intent is not to simply do cosmetic work but to do work that will make a big difference in the life of our homeowner. Often lunch is offered by the resident with a homemade local meal.
After dinner, we will rock and roll with a Next Step Band and worship team. Though the work projects are key, worship is a critical part of our journey and is woven throughout every step. Worship will start out with some fun games, then we will sing worship songs with our band. We will reflect on the day and on God's presence.
On Friday, the 14th of June, we will have a change of pace and celebrate with the community.
Saturday, the 15th, will come too soon. We will board our bus and begin our journey home.
Please pray for us and follow us.
-The YMO Team
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