| News
Archive - Article 40
I'd Rather Have Water!
5/13/02
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Jimmy Jones
and Tim Burdashaw with bottled water to be given away during
Kid's Kamp. |
During the week of April 30th – May 4th, 2002, Operation
Compassion sponsored Celebration of the Nations, a weeklong event
leading to the dedication of the First American Dream Center in
Gallup, NM. As part of this Celebration, Jimmy Jones, Director of
Christ Central Mission Station in Columbia, SC, held a Kid’s
Kamp for the Navajo children each evening.
 |
Jimmy Jones
presenting the
gospel message. |
Jimmy Jones is a specialist in the field of children’s ministry
and brought his team of thirty-three to the Navajo Nation. Their
plan was to inundate the children with food, toys, candy, special
prizes, inflatable rides and the gospel message. Unfortunately,
the high winds during the week prohibited the use of the inflatables.
However, that did not dampen the spirit of the children or the workers.
 |
Navajo children
enjoying
Kid's Kamp. |
Each evening was filled with anticipation of what new surprise
Jimmy and his staff had prepared. The children were excited as the
numbers of children swelled every evening. One by one the children
were in awe as Jimmy had them sitting on the edge of their seats.
It was amazing to watch the children respond to the gospel message
of Jesus as the altar call was given and children would crowd around
the workers seeking a personal encounter with a risen Lord.
 |
Little children
respond to the gospel. |
At the end of each session, Jimmy would take the children to the
cafeteria for a hot meal prepared by the volunteers from the local
churches and guests. Before the children were dismissed they would
each receive a large bag full of candy, chips, toys of all kinds
and a bottle of water.
On Thursday evening, Jimmy noticed a little boy had left his gift
bag and went back for more water. As Jimmy approached the little
boy, he noticed his arms were full of water and he could not possibly
carry it all, including his bag. Jimmy asked the little boy to put
down the extra water and only take one bottle like the other children.
Then he could carry his gift bag as well. However, the little boy
had a far more pressing need than the gift bag on his mind. His
reply to Jimmy was “I’d rather have the water!”
 |
Navajo boy
responds to the
altar invitation. |
When Jimmy enquired further, He found out the little boy lived
without running water and his family, mother, father and siblings,
needed the water more than he needed the toys, candy and other prizes.
Needless to say, the little boy went home with a couple of cases
of water as well as his gift bag.
Sadly, this story can be repeated many times over throughout the
Navajo Nation. Many families, especially, the elderly and widows
do not have running water and in many cases no electricity. In fact,
there are more than 20,000 widows that do not have running water
or electricity and no one to help them.
 |
"I'd
rather have water!" |
Operation Compassion is working ahead of a five-year plan to supply
fresh drinking water to the Navajo Nation through the First American
Dream Center. The goal is to purchase a 6,000-gallon tanker, several
3,000-gallon stationary tanks and multiple 50-gallon tanks for the
Navajo Nation. The plan is to provide the 3,000-gallon stationary
tanks in central locations for the families to come and fill their
50-gallon tanks and return home with fresh drinking water. The 6,000-gallon
tanker would supply the central locations with fresh water several
times a week.
 |
Jimmy Jones
praying with
little Navajo boy. |
Your financial support of this vital, life-giving project could
keep another Navajo child from having to say, “I’d rather
have water!”
Tim Burdashaw
Communications Coordinator
Anyone interested in donating finances or products or providing
a corporate lead may contact:
Operation Compassion
David Lorency, President
114 Stuart Road, NE
Suite 370
Cleveland, TN 37312
423.728.3932 - Office
423.596.4200 - Fax
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