Dear Friends,

Recently several have written to ask what they can send to us to help in the ministry here. Well, immediately the word chocolate comes to mind. No no, just kidding! We have needs in several areas.

This is a small store on the mission that sells goods at a small price to the neighborhood. These things come in boxes from believers all over the US and Canada. It is run by a Navajo lady from our Chapel. She uses the money it generates to support herself and her sons. The items she can use are:

• Household goods: kitchen items, dishes, linens, pots and pans, towels, blankets, etc.
• Toiletries: soaps, shampoo, lotion, etc. (we live a long way from town so this is a real need)
• Baby: bibs, blankets, toys, equiptment, diapers, etc.
• Decor: candles, pictures, nick nacks, etc.
• Clothing: clean, no holes or missing buttons, new or used, in style, all sizes

We give each student in our school a gift bag of presents. All year we save toys, toiletries, games, puzzles, winterwear (hats, scarves, and gloves), and other gifts. Just before Christmas we assemble them into a gift bag. It is great for the students to find fun toys to play with immediately when they open their gift and not just the necessary items which are needed but not as exciting.

We need a lot of school supplies in August. Usually the amount of supplies we receive at that time is enough for the whole year. Several Chapels send money to fill in the gaps. We have enough pencils, pens, crayons, and paper for next year already. Contact Ruth Bloom for current needs if you are interested in helping in this area.

Although the teachers and staff receive monies from the Chapels and Churches they come from, they still end up in the low income bracket. The clothing that comes in the boxes is a great help to a tight budget and is very needed. We "shop" at a table in our mail room for things that we need for ourselves and our families. These items come from the boxes that are sent to the mission. As the boxes are sorted for the various ministeries some things are put on the table for the staff.