NSUMC MISSIONS
NEWS& REPORTS

THE LATEST ON LE CHEE
by Nancy McMahan

A diverse team from various United Methodist Churches came together for a mission trip during the second phase of the First Annual Central East District Mission Trip, September 1 and 2, 2006. The destination: Le Chee (pronounced Leche-E by the Navajo, it means “red sand”), just outside Page, Arizona, on the Navajo Nation Reservation.

Our mission was two-fold: complete Phase Two of this Mission by re-wiring a five-room home for its 8 family members, and provide a Vacation Bible School for Navajo children. Phase One of this Mission was re-roofing this home, which was completed in 2005.

On Friday morning, demolition experts – correction, make that willing participants from our group – assembled at the designated residence to remove family belongings and take down ceiling tiles, insulation and wallboard in one of the bedrooms.

Meanwhile, at the Le Chee Nazarene Church, others of our group prepared for Friday evening’s VBS. Since most of the Nazarene church kids had gone to Flagstaff for a revival service, some of our ladies passed out flyers in the community to announce our VBS. At the 4:00 pm start time, children were nowhere in sight, so we formed a circle and District Superintendent Sharon Ragland prayed for children to attend our VBS. At 4:30 children began to arrive. Eight kids provided us with much fun and laughter that evening. The Lord provided a rain shower followed by a spectacular rainbow as well! Nice touch for a successful day!

Twelve children delighted us with their presence on Saturday morning. The lessons taught that Jesus is our friend, helper and leader. Games and crafts continued the theme. Lunch was Pastor Evelyn’s homemade casserole and sloppy joes, which were an immediate hit with us all.

While VBS was in session, our men gathered to pray for knowledge of the Lord’s will as to how to bring the home renovation to completion. By Saturday afternoon the remaining rooms at the home were torn down to the two-by-fours thanks to the help of two Navajo teenagers, and re-wiring was completed. This family will have a three-week stay in a motel while new wallboard, insulation, light fixtures, and electrical outlets are installed. Resources from the federal government, and the Navajo tribe are being tapped to help the family, which has been living without running water, electricity or indoor bathroom facilities.

There were problems on this trip, but the Lord left us with plenty of room to demonstrate our dependence on him. Thank you, Jesus!

Those attending:
From the Annual Conference – Central East District Superintendent Sharon Ragland and her mother, Carolyn Koehn
From Cross Roads UMC – Lew and Ruth Dumbauld, and Coby Livingston;
From Gold Canyon UMC – Scott and Rosemary Anderson
From Los Arcos UMC – Rev. David Devine, Mary Ann Boyles, and Addie Epperly
From North Scottsdale UMC – Nancy McMahan
From Community UMC in Page – Pastor Evelyn Roberts