Vacation Bible School for Apache Children

25 July 2008 - The Baptist church Becky and I have been attending here in Creede have teamed with a Baptist church in northern Alabama to provide the children on the Apache Indian Reservation in Dulce, NM with a Vacation Bible School. The church in Alabama began running the VBS in 2001 and planned to do it for 5 years at which time they would turn it over to the local church. Eight years later they are still making the trip. What a great group of Christians they are!! They brought most of the supplies with them on their flight and rented two 15 passenger vans to transport the children to and from VBS. The church here in Creede took the large items from their VBS (both churches had the same theme for their own VBS) and provided additional resources to assist the Alabama group run the classes.

Becky and I drove down after church on Sunday to help get everything set up and assist the Alabama group in planning that evening and then get all of the children registered and off to a good start on Monday. Monday was mostly dedicated to putting up a large tent (Dave) and helping out with the kids followed by preparing dinner for all the staff (Becky). In addition Dave managed to remove one large snake that created quite a stir among the ladies present. Getting the tent ready was a true exercise in patience and teamwork among the men as there were no instructions and no one who had erected the tent previously!! Eventually we succeeded (sorry about no photos) and it proved invaluable for the craft classes as the sun was hot. Becky and I were VERY aware of the rise in temperature associated with the 2000 foot drop in altitude.

Here are shots of some of the activities and the children attending. We had 59 children the first day and expected to have around 80 by mid-week. Becky and I were only able to stay 2 days (only hotel in the area was fully booked!) but enjoyed the fellowship and children while we were there. It was great working with all the children that looked as though they could have been Becky's nieces and nephews!!

Here are two shots showing the 'theme' of the VBS.






Big sister helps register her little sister.



Perhaps the youngest one attending looks back at the other children during music time in the sanctuary.




Another shot of music time as the Alabama group leads the way.



One of the age groups (children were sorted into 4 groups by age) line up to go into the story time activity.


These four are discussing the VBS version of softball - the large yellow blow-up is the ball and foam 'noodles' were the bats.


More baseball groups.




Here an older group prepare to burn up some of their excess energy.


The little ones enjoy Music Activity as they learn the hand motions to the songs.



The next shot was taken early in the day. Note the kids in the two back rows sitting while the other children stand and join in. These are the 'older' kids who are afraid of being 'uncool'.



If you look at the kids in the back you will see the same ones who were sitting before are now standing and joining in. Amazing what seeing a bunch of adults making a fool of themselves does to teenagers. In these situations it is all a matter of 'whatever it takes' if you want to get through to the kids. The group from Alabama have obviously worked with teens before!!

Colorado Sand Dunes

24 July 2008 - This will be my last post for today. When we all met in Monte Vista one trip we all agreed on was one out to view the 'highest sand dunes in North America'. About an hour away they were worth the trip to this National Park. One interesting fact that was not obvious was the water you see in the photos washes the sand down stream and then the wind 'recycles' it back onto the dunes.



Becky walks across the stream (this was a surprise!!!) that made us begin our trip across the sand with wet feet. We were later told the stream begins the season much larger than when we were there.




This shot and the one following is meant to provide some perspective of the dunes size. The small dots in the distance in both photos are people walking up the dunes.





The Florida Crawfords enjoyed the sand dunes and the day was sunny so mom had to provide some shade for Matty.

A Bit of Matty

24 July 2008 - Alright, I could not resist these 'extra' shots of Matty. He manages to make even Grandpa look better!!! He really is a happy little fellow and we miss him terribly. We DO have some great memories of their visit to sustain us though.

Creede on July Fourth

24 July 2008 - We were scheduled to work one of our two '5 hour days' on the 4th of July plus we were driving back from Monte Vista after our parting visit with the kids but were told we should definitely not miss the parade in town so we got up early and drove back. A friend we had met invited us to join her for the best seat in the house for the parade so we relaxed and enjoyed the day. The county population is around 450 (year round residents) and the attendance for the parade is estimated to be over 10,000! Can you imagine? I wasn't sure I believed that until I saw the crowd in the street and now I am a believer. They started getting in place 2 hours before the parade and filled the streets as they found first a parking space and then a favorite spot for their chairs. As you can see it was pretty much an old time parade with no fancy floats but lots of participants and fun for all ages. The last shot attempts to capture the size of the crowd.

Matty in Monte Vista

18 July 2008 - Thanks to mom and dad and lucky scheduling, Becky and I were able to steal a little more time with Matty as the family headed back to Florida from northern Colorado. We met in Monte Vista, CO and Dave II booked us into an old motel (recently remodeled).

They had left much of the original furniture in place although it was not being used which added significantly to its atmosphere. Of course the real atmosphere was created by our Matty.




BEcky and Matty check out the latest fashion and news in a magazine.




Matty and Mommy share those happy moments after a bath. Matty loves it!!! (and Mommy).




A small setting area outside our rooms on the landing.




The original bar still stands in the lobby - what wood!




We all needed a walk around town after our evening meal so we checked out several blocks of the residential area. I could not give up Matty so I carried him as we walked and he was so enthalled by the scenery and thrilled by the excitement he fell asleep in my arms. It being my last chance for awhile, I decided to just hold him until he awoke. Here we are in the hotel enjoying each other's company - well one of us is.

Creede's First Eagle Scout

18 July 2008 - Becky and I have been attending the Creede Baptist Church for some time now and when a young man stood up and asked for volunteers to assist him in completing his Eagle project I could not resist responding. With my time as Scout Master and watching my son, James, earn his Eagle in Scouting it was a natural match. Turns out Creede has never had an Eagle Scout - the young man's mother first drove him to South Fork (20 miles away) as a Cub Scout and then as a Boy Scout until there were enough boys to form a troop here in Creede. He is now coming up on his 18th birthday and needs only his Eagle project to complete the requirements.

The town was given 26 acres to build a recreation complex and they have built an arena so far. They were in need of a shelter to get in out of the weather and had purchased a canvas quonset hut over a year ago but after putting up the frame interest flagged. Our task was to put the canvas on the structure! As you can see, the mission was accomplished! Hot dogs and hamburgers were served for lunch and the weather was perfect (absolutely no wind!!!). Congratulations to all.

We took the hut from a frame to a building needing only the 'garage door' installed to make it complete. However, it already provides an 'out of the weather' location for an upcoming fundraiser.