Diaries from the Southwest – Fall 2024
September 19, 2024 – The first day of work at the Community Pantry was a busy one! The team packed 10 pallets of commodity boxes for the Grants Pantry and the McKinley County Mobile distributions. One of the main goals of the trip was to recover four of the hoop houses used for growing some of the Hope Garden’s produce. Because of the strong winds and heat in the area, the coverings quickly tear and disintegrate. Part of the team spent all day removing what was left of the old coverings so the frames would be ready to apply the new coverings.
Tuesday was a picture-perfect day following a bit of rain in the morning for a trip to Window Rock and Canyon de Chelly. The jeep tour through the Canyon with its gorgeous canyon walls, the ancient Native American ruins, and the petroglyphs never disappoint.
Wednesday we welcomed four more members to our crew. Phil Cacossa worked with the Pantry staff and ANA through the spring and summer to figure all the correct materials needed to recover the hoop houses, including the four coverings – each 38′ x 34′. The crew worked quickly and efficiently so that after lunch they were ready to pull the first covering over the frame. Everyone gathered to watch the big event which was accomplished as planned! The rest of the crew spent the day helping to fill more commodity boxes, fill baskets for the clients who came to pick up food, worked on filling Food for Kids bags, and repacked hashed brown potatoes, sliced cheese, frozen peaches, and began work on a huge bin of refried beans.
At the end of a very busy day, we were all exhausted but still smiling!
September 17, 2024 – The seventeen members of DPC’s Mission/Cultural Trip to the Southwest, left DPC early on Saturday morning.
Early Sunday morning, we traveled to the Laguna pueblo where we worshiped at the Laguna Presbyterian Church. We were mindful that at the same time we were worshiping, our congregation was hearing Rev. Dr. MacHenry “Mac” Schafer’s sermon. Our visit to the church was made possible by one of its elders, Nelson Capitan, who shared some of the story of why the Presbyterian Church was accepted in the community and some of the sad history of uranium mining in the community.
Next we traveled to the Acoma pueblo for a tour and lunch, followed by a stop at El Morro National Monument. Not only did we enjoy the Inscription Trail with all its petroglyphs, but a very informative presentation on the history of how camels were used in the early settling of the West, including three camels!
When we arrived at our hotel in Gallup, NM and had reliable cell service and we learned that DPC members approved the call for Mac to become our new Senior Pastor! The gorgeous rainbow made a for a very special ending to the day.
