Missionary contact in San Carlos Apache Reservation Carla Kinney, far right, along with her parents Carl and Judy Kinney on the left, with Wings of Faith volunteer pilot Bruce Nelson at the San Carlos Apache Airport after he delivered a 550-pound load of food.
San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation
Wings of Faith volunteer pilot and board member Bruce Nelson, along with his wife Cyndee, flew to San Carlos Apache Airport on July 3rd to deliver 550 pounds of non-perishable food. Carla Kinney, the missionary contact on the field, and her parents Carl and Judy met them.
As the group unloaded the boxes from the Nelsons’ Cessna 180, Carla shared her heart for her people on the reservation. The huge San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation encompasses 1.8 million acres across three regions of mountain country, desert and plateau landscapes. With some 12,000 Apaches living there, Carla, her family and other missions-minded believers travel long distances to minister and deliver the good news of the Gospel.
Carla is especially concerned about the youth, many who are abusing drugs and/or alcohol. Just recently three kids, who were not Christians, died in an alcohol-related car crash. And Carla’s 18-year-old son Jon is picking up the mantle having recently attended Warrior Leadership Summit 2015, a five-day leadership conference for Native young people of any tribe, aged 16-35, who want to grow deeper in their relationship with Jesus Christ. There are bright spots with some Native youth wanting the better life that is found in Christ. Carla’s son has organically started a youth ministry to meet this need.
Carla’s prayer requests are for the spiritual darkness to be lifted off the Reservation, especially for the youth, and for unity among the believers there. Pray for the growth and protection of the church at the Apache Full Gospel Tabernacle in San Carlos.
Carla’s praise report is on behalf of her mom, who after being unable to walk following a stroke, is now walking again. Praise God!
Chinle Indian Reservation
We received an update from missionary Davidson Davis, also on July 3. Davidson is pastoring at Amazing Grace Church in Lukachukai, Ariz. Up until last year, Davidson was a team with his father. His dad was the pastor at Amazing Grace while Davidson traveled throughout the Reservation, evangelizing to remote areas. In February 2014, after Davidson’s father went to be with the Lord, Davidson added the church pastorship to his evangelistic outreach efforts.
Davidson needs a sound system that he can take to rural areas for tent meetings, as well as 8-10 fluorescent safety vests for his crew. He also asked Wings of Faith for more backpacks than he received last year, when he had to turn away many kids coming for his help. He would like to receive 150 backpacks for boys and 150 for girls.
As soon as the Wings of Faith backpack ministry is completed in August, we will begin to harness our efforts toward our annual Christmas Airlift. Davidson expressed the important need of blankets for the elderly. Out in the remotest parts of the Reservation where there is no electricity, the elders are asking for blankets to help them keep warm through the winter.
Also for Christmas Airlift, the teenagers could use basketballs, volleyballs, soccer balls, etc. These gifts will help the teens get some fun exercise and encourage a healthy lifestyle.
Please pray with us that all the needs of these faithful, God-honoring Native Americans who are ministering to their own people will be met in super abundance!
If you would like to make a financial or another kind of donation for the Native Americans that WOF ministers to, please contact us here.
Thank you for your generosity and may God richly and abundantly bless you.
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 (NIV)
