A Busy Day

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I don't really know how to put today in words, so I'm show you instead...
The church garage has turned into a warehouse for the
Navajo COVID Relief Project sponsored by the
Mountain Sky Conference UMC, Native Grace Fellowship,
Christ UMC in Salt Lake City, and FUMC of Cortez!

The goal is to get food, cleaning supplies, water and other necessities like diapers
to elders and families on the Navajo Nation who have been unable to get supplies due
to the COVID-19 crisis.  As of April 30, there are 2,141 postive COVID-19 cases on the reservation.  71 people have died.  The Navajo Nation has a nightly curfew from 8pm-5am
There is also a weekend curfew from Friday at 8pm until Monday at 5am--all in an effort
to reduce the spread of the virus.
Our project is targeting the SE Utah portion of the reservation,
   where most Native Grace Fellowship members live.
Pastor Norman Mark "supervising"
86 boxes of cleaning supplies
went with 86 food boxes to elders in the
SE Utah portion of the Navajo Nation.
Supplies will be distributed weekly as long as
we have financial support and
donations coming in

Rebecca Mark thanks Cortez Milling for their
DONATION of Bluebird flour!
Dianna Yazzie from Native Grace Fellowship
packs food boxes today


Pastor Jean bossing the poor delivery guy from Shamrock foods.

Theresa Filfred packs cleaning supplies
before personally making deliveries to elders
on the reservation
Pastor Craig Paschal from Mancos UMC
lends a helping hand
Before the box-packing can happen,
rice, baking powder and other
commodities had to be broken down into
smaller bags.  Here's Jane Anderson working on bagging rice.
Oh look!  It's Jane again--with Nancy Hoffheins--
pouring hand soap into smaller bottles.
 (they were kinda messy, but don't tell anyone!)



Sally Selah got in on the action with dish soap

Mary McKean brought her sister along...then made
her scoop lard all afternoon!



Friends from the Bridge shelter volunteered.
They said it was their way of thanking the church
for all the help they've received. 
This is Javier.
(he also cleared snow off our sidewalks this winter)
Chris is also from the Bridge.  He used to
work in a box factory, so he felt right at home!


Jennifer Paschal from Mancos UMC works
with Eldon Yazzie from Native Grace.
We all wore nametags because it's hard
to recognize people behind their face masks and sunglasses!

It was hot.  It was hard work. 
And it was absolutely worth it!
Check out ksjd.org for a story on the COVID Relief project!

Send donations to:
First UMC of Cortez
PO Box 1016
Cortez, CO 81321

Please keep praying for our Dineh friends and neighbors!

Peace and all good,
Pastor Jean




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