Idaho Conference youth gave their spring vacation in service to an Arizona church for the second time. Instead of going abroad, the group of 20 students and adult sponsors traveled from Gem State Adventist Academy in Caldwell, Idaho, to Kinlichee, Arizona (near Ganado in the Navajo Nation) to make needed improvements to the Kinlichee Seventh-day Adventist Church building.
The Sabbath offerings usually amount to just a few dollars, so the local church is unable to maintain the facility on its own. The group replaced the roof and painted walls. In addition, the group led out for the Sabbath morning worship service, and the students went door to door through the village of Kinlichee, handing out literature supplied by the Pacific Press Publishing Association and offering to pray with the people.
The trip was part adventure, part service and part education. After the building project was completed, the group was able to visit Canyon De Chelly National Monument, Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site, and Grand Canyon National Park. The grand vistas of the canyons only encouraged them to look higher to the grand possibilities of becoming partners with Jesus Christ in sharing the gospel with the whole world.
The Kinlichee Church before a new coat of paint (it had been worked on by the group in 2004). (Nic Edge)
The newly painted and reroofed Kinlichee Church stands as a light to the community and Navajo Nation. (Andy Bryson)
Clint Lawson, Casey Michel, Calvin Tabor and David Bryson begin removing the old roofing. (Nic Edge)
Candace Simmons, Katie Gatton, Ali Edge and Bethany Capener prepare the walls for painting. (Nic Edge)
Clint Lawson of Jamison, Ore., and Kimberly James of Caldwell, Idaho, carefully setting the shingles. (Nic Edge)
The Kinlichee Church is a beehive of activity as students from the Idaho Conference improve the building. (Nic Edge)
According to David Bryson: A rare shot of his father, Pastor John Bryson working. (Nic Edge)
The Idaho Conference Youth Mission Trip group stands in front of Nazlini Canyon in the Navajo Nation.
