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Pueblo Mission

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jackq

jackq

Jedi Knight
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Returned last nite from a 10 day mission trip to Pintado Pueblo here in New Mexico. Last year our crew from Bugs4Christ built a 73 VW Bug from the ground up(body off resto) and gave it to a young guy and his family. His name is Ben Bennett, a wonderful Navajo. This year I took a pal named Bill Ricter..a crusty Vietnam vet like me..but he was Navy and did his tour as a helicopter door gunner and is highly decorated. We went as carpenters and were blessed with the honor of tearing down a makeshift awning and constructing a new one for three sisters. The youngest is 92. They never married, don't speak English...and never leave the Pueblo. No running water or electricity. They were given a nice solar set-up but use it for one light and an old radio to keep up on news of the Pueblo. They never stop smiling. I towed an 18 ft. trailer loaded with as many tools as we could lug. Thank God we took a generator and air comp...one of hundreds of things we took. I noticed the flyswatter they used was almost finished, and for some reason I took a few with me with my shop logo, name etc. When I gave them one they reacted like I had given them gold. I was stunned...and humbled. Later I saw they cherished bits of wire as it is used for almost any repairs. Luckily I had a 12 pound roll of brand new steel baling wire. Through Ben(last years VW recipient and translator) I managed to explain we wanted to give them the wire. It was almost too much for them to imagine. Excuse me for rambling...and for some may not be PC to talk about a Mission..but here it is. Its not about Bill and I and the guys who drove from South Georgia to represent Bugs4Christ..or about the 50 some men,women and children who flew from Atlanta Ga. from Sugarloaf United Methodist Church to minister to these people, play games, hold VBS classes and numerous other things like feed as many as 200 Navajo..per meal...three times a day. AND...I rescued two staving abused pups..littermates. Near death they are now at my shop clean, fed and happy. Tomorrow the vet visit. to those of you who care, please take a minute to say a prayer for these fine proud folks...and hold them in your hearts. Again, if I have offended anyone...try to forget you read this.
 
Jack - congrats on a job well done. No PC problem at all.

What can we do to help the people there?

Tom
 
Know the feeling and emotions well, Jack. Good on ya for giving.

:cheers:
Mickey
 
Failed to mention that this wasn't the only project we did...numerous other major and minor builds and repairs. The only problem was all the food we ate during and after jobs. These folks love to feed you. The fry bread and Navajo burgers are delicious..The missions are once a year, but as we're closer than the folks in the South, we'll go back up in a couple of months with stuff we're donating and start on the tire/car repair shop that will be built on the Pueblo. Have all the equipment...just on the hunt for a metal building we can find that won't be too costly...hopefully one ordered and refused after completion.
 
Jack, please keep up the good work and by all means please keep sharing with us! What you do is so inspiring. I know I look forward to hearing more. :smile:
 
Great job! ( and doing good is never politically incorrect)
 
My two new pals...and they're looking for homes...or hopefully one home. Very attached to one another, as you can see.
 

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Jack- repeating the praise for your efforts! Is there a 501-c-3 you know of that directs aid specifically to this Pueblo?? I used to give a little to the Southwest Indian group but quit that when I saw they were not able to meet the BBB charity guidelines...and they spend over 40% of income on fundraising. Send it via PM if you don't want this thread to wander further off course. (sorry we can't help with the dogs)
 
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