Spur Ministries Newsletter- June 2009

Statistics state the fact that Native Americans are faced with some of the worst housing and living conditions in the United States. Spur Ministries and other ministries that work on Arizona reservations see these facts firsthand on a weekly basis. Other facts that factor into the state of poverty are *50% unemployment rate, **low income per capita ($7500 annually), minimal existing jobs or new jobs created and lack of public utilities. Tribes are unable to fund new housing needed for existing families and the list is growing continually. Existing housing funded by the government back in the 1950- 70’s are now in dilapidated conditions. One area on the Navajo Reservation where Spur Ministries is doing missionary work has been set back in development by a ***federal freeze that had been in place for about 40 years. Even if the freeze was immediately lifted there still remains the fact that affected families would have 40 years of catching up to do. Here is where Spur Ministries and partnering ministries are making a difference for families on the reservations.
Our foremost work is in spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Our desire is that individuals would make a commitment of faith and baptism to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We are using the Navajo Hogan Project (subsidiary of Spur Ministries) as a tool to make inroads onto the reservations and as a testimony of our faith and commitment to the peoples of the reservations. Along with ministry partners from Florida and Pennsylvania we completed our first project in December 2008. We felt the Lord’s hand upon us during the duration of the project because local businesses donated needed supplies, equipment and manpower at crucial times. Still, there were times when we didn’t know if the funding would be there, but the Lord provided in His time. Since then word has spread about our work and we have been inundated with requests for help building more homes for Navajo families. With much prayer we are now ready to take on our next hogan project.
Ray Johnson, a single father from White Cone, Arizona, is raising 2 of his 4 children with help from his mother in a wooden shack strapped together with little or no insulation. Ray is an unemployed carpenter who drives 100 miles one way when work is available. With lack of jobs in the White Cone area Ray has turn his attention to raising his boys and caring for his mother’s property. Mr. Marty Etsitty a Navajo Pastor in White Cone estimates that there are less than 80 jobs available for an estimated population of 1600 in an area covering 300 sq. miles. Spur Ministries accepts God’s calling to take the reins in providing Ray and his family with adequate housing.
Currently, we have 5% of the estimated $23,000 needed to make the hogan (house) a reality. In faith we will soon be going to White Cone to stake out the foundation for Ray’s new home. We are asking for prayers and support from you. Please pray for us as we follow Gods’ leading in ministry. Pray that God will touch the hearts of people who will help with finances and work teams. We also invite
individuals or mission teams that are willing to come out and help build new hogans. Please write donation checks to Spur Ministries- in memo put Navajo Hogan Project. Contact us at:
Spur Ministries
C/O Steve Thompson
3453 Spur Lane
Show Low, AZ. 85901
(928) 205- 1279
azspur2002@yahoo.com
www.spurministries.com
View video on youtube.com @ URL- spur ministries Navajo hogan project
Spur Ministries is a non-profit organization with 501(c) (3) status