Each time we go to the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation, I learn something new; experience something new, God always has something there for me. This trip was no exception. Sharing the experience with “newbie’s” or people there for the first time is so awesome. Either they get it or they don’t, really no in between. It is not a criticism but an 
observation. I have seen people deeply moved by what they have seen and others who may have enjoyed the trip, but it does not affect them the same. The first day we were taken on a prayer journey through the neighborhoods in San Carlos, stopping in several to pray for the areas and specific requests shared by Diana Lawrence, one of the Directors of A.R.M. (http://www.azrez.org/). It is an eye opening, heart wrenching experience hearing some of the stories of abuse, pain, suicides, etc. Then, that afternoon we went out on the bus and sang songs, did a bible lesson and played with over 45 kids in one of the neighborhoods we had just prayed over. That night, when we debriefed, our team was left speechless. It is difficult to comprehend what happens there and then to spend time with the kids who are directly affected by it. We talked and prayed and talked some more, late into the night. Tom and Connie (pictured above left) dove right in and played with the kids, did more than we asked, they were amazing. God was so faithful on this trip, through some painful times for Tom, we all prayed and God held back the pain. 
The second day we went to the San Carlos Apache Cultural Center run by Herb, a very interesting Apache man who allowed us to ask tons of questions and talked to us for a long time. The Cultural center takes you on a small tour of the history of the Apache people you don’t find in our history books. How they were placed on reservations, different tribes who were enemies, so there was suspicion and distrust among themselves. They were given rations, not enough for all of them and they waited in huge lines seen (pictured here to the right) just to get them. We saw such similar pictures and stories to things we saw in Australia with the Aboriginal people, so very sad. The next afternoon was out on the bus again but a different area, different kids. There was a young mom (I’m guessing 16-17) who brought her 3 month old daughter on the bus. While mom made a bracelet (the craft for the week), we took care of the baby.
Tom and Connie were both overwhelmed by what they saw and learned about, and are praying for how God will use them and change them due to this trip. Robert and I, both certain that God wants us there, working on that reservation, with His people. Still patiently waiting on His perfect timing…
Your prayers sustain us; we could not do this alone. 1 Thessalonians 1:2 “We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers.”
observation. I have seen people deeply moved by what they have seen and others who may have enjoyed the trip, but it does not affect them the same. The first day we were taken on a prayer journey through the neighborhoods in San Carlos, stopping in several to pray for the areas and specific requests shared by Diana Lawrence, one of the Directors of A.R.M. (http://www.azrez.org/). It is an eye opening, heart wrenching experience hearing some of the stories of abuse, pain, suicides, etc. Then, that afternoon we went out on the bus and sang songs, did a bible lesson and played with over 45 kids in one of the neighborhoods we had just prayed over. That night, when we debriefed, our team was left speechless. It is difficult to comprehend what happens there and then to spend time with the kids who are directly affected by it. We talked and prayed and talked some more, late into the night. Tom and Connie (pictured above left) dove right in and played with the kids, did more than we asked, they were amazing. God was so faithful on this trip, through some painful times for Tom, we all prayed and God held back the pain. 
The second day we went to the San Carlos Apache Cultural Center run by Herb, a very interesting Apache man who allowed us to ask tons of questions and talked to us for a long time. The Cultural center takes you on a small tour of the history of the Apache people you don’t find in our history books. How they were placed on reservations, different tribes who were enemies, so there was suspicion and distrust among themselves. They were given rations, not enough for all of them and they waited in huge lines seen (pictured here to the right) just to get them. We saw such similar pictures and stories to things we saw in Australia with the Aboriginal people, so very sad. The next afternoon was out on the bus again but a different area, different kids. There was a young mom (I’m guessing 16-17) who brought her 3 month old daughter on the bus. While mom made a bracelet (the craft for the week), we took care of the baby.
Tom and Connie were both overwhelmed by what they saw and learned about, and are praying for how God will use them and change them due to this trip. Robert and I, both certain that God wants us there, working on that reservation, with His people. Still patiently waiting on His perfect timing…
Your prayers sustain us; we could not do this alone. 1 Thessalonians 1:2 “We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers.”
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