Every summer the youth at The Fountains participates in a one-week mission trip to serve communities in need. In 2018 and 2019 we went to Tsaile, AZ to work with the people of the Navajo Nation in various construction related projects. As we all know, COVID restrictions prevented us from traveling in 2020 and this year we had hopes of heading to Shiprock, NM to continue our work with the Navajo people. As concerns about the spread of the Delta variant continues, the Navajo Nation decided to extend their restrictions by implementing curfews, limiting travel to essential activities only, and not allowing outside work teams to enter.
As much as this was disappointing news, our Youth Leadership Team decided to create a new opportunity for service. With the shortage of water throughout the Navajo Nation, and the devastating impact that COVID has had on its people, portable handwashing stations have been developed that are now in high demand. In cooperation with the Red Feather Development Co. (https://www.redfeather.org/), our adult leadership and youth are being trained to assemble these handwashing stations here at The Fountains.
Here’s our new plan:
- Over the course of four Sundays in August, volunteers will gather in the Connection Center to assemble these handwashing stations.
- The donations we’ve received toward the work team will cover the cost of at least twenty units. Additional donations are always welcome to allow us to expand our reach for this much needed sanitation device.
- This is no longer just a Youth project – but intergenerational! Everyone from The Fountains is encouraged to sign up to help on one (or more) of the Sundays in August to help with the project. We’ll also be inviting participation from our interfaith partners in Fountain Hills.
- Right after church (about 10:45), those who’ve signed up will meet in the Connection Center to be guided through the preparation and assembly process. Refreshments and a time of devotion (thanks to our partnership with Sierra Service Project) will also be offered.
Once all our handwashing stations are completed, we will transport them to our friends at Red Feather who will deliver them to the Navajo Nation.
If you would like more information or to sign up, please reach out to Sally Lloyd (210-621-8863) or Linda Rode(480-868-8023).