December 16, 2002
Texans carried presents from afar
on mission to New Mexico children
___By John Hall
___Texas Baptist Communications
___HOWE--Bearing presents from afar, Texas Baptists brought the gift of Jesus' love to Native Americans in New Mexico this holiday season.
___Volunteers from five churches north of Dallas, including First Baptist Church in Howe, Parkside Baptist Church in Denison and Fairview Baptist Church in Sherman, partnered to provide Christmas for several Native American tribes in north central New Mexico.
BILL ROBERTS puts together a box to transport presents to Native American children in New Mexico.
___Church members ministered at Tinian Baptist Church, Eagle Spring Baptist Church and Tohajiilee Baptist Church on Native American reservations near Albuquerque Dec. 7.
___The area is largely undeveloped, and many people live in traditional adobe houses, said Bill Roberts, a member at First Baptist Church in Howe and a Mission Service Corps volunteer who is coordinating the event. Some homes lack electricity and running water.
___Residents transport water from Albuquerque to the reservation in milk cartons. They use the water to drink and for their livestock because the local water supply is contaminated by arsenic.
___Suicide and alcoholism are common on the reservation, Roberts said. Clans constantly bicker, preventing the completion of a new water system, he said.
___Residents of one community share a solitary sink and towel, Roberts said.
___"It was heartbreaking to see the things going on in the area," said Earnest McLaughlin, a member at First Baptist Church in Howe who has traveled with Roberts to New Mexico twice.
___"They've lost hope," said Bettye Roberts, Bill's wife. "They have no hope. They need Jesus."
___Church members gathered clothes, sweaters, blankets, toys, stuffed animals and hygiene supplies to hand out on their trip. They also will distribute some food.
___Volunteers told the Christmas story with puppets and led the children in singing Christmas songs. Other activities included games, piñatas and Bible studies for all ages.
___The trip is the latest and largest effort to help the Native Americans in the region under the Roberts' direction. The couple began working with Native Americans when they lived in New Mexico and have taken several trips back to the area since moving to Texas.
___"We're taking the love of Jesus," Roberts said. "'From Texas with Love' is our theme, but it's really from God with love."
___
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