04/25 /03

Dear 	

	 I have volunteered to participate with a group of other Christian adults and teens that will be traveling this summer to Canyon Day, Arizona to serve among the Apache people on the White Mountain Apache Reservation.  I feel a connection to the Native American people and their plight has always been something close to my heart. By serving on the reservation this summer I will experience a long held dream of experiencing the life and culture of Native Americans, while getting an opportunity to help ease the suffering that has become part of their every day life. I will be part of an outreach that is working to break down dividing walls and to heal scars caused by years of cruelty, ignorance and misunderstanding. 

The trip is being organized locally through the South Congregational Church in Peabody. South Church will be acting in partnership with a short term mission organization called Forward Edge International. Forward Edge has worked for years to establish a permanent relationship with Apache Pastors and Christians on the reservation and is responsible to provide logistics such as food, housing and transportation. They act as a bridge between a local church and the Apache people. There are a variety of ways in which we will serve, such as children's ministry, repairs to poor elders homes, construction work of a local Sunday school, but a primary focus will be to establish trust and minister the grace of God in the midst of a high rate of alcoholism and teenage suicide. 

I write this letter in the hope that you may be willing to share this opportunity to serve the Apache people with me. I am now in the process of trying to raise approximately $700.00 - $800.00 needed for travel, food and lodging costs. Would you prayerfully consider sharing a portion of those expenses with me? If you are unable to at this time, I understand, but ask that you would be willing to pray for a safe trip and that our efforts would be a blessing to the Apache people. Thank you for your willingness to share in this venture with me.

Personal Salutation

If you would like to contribute financially, please make your check payable to South Congregational Church Mission Fund and return it in the self addressed envelope provided. All support donations will be applied first to those you wish to sponsor.  Excess funding received will be utilized for group transportation and ministry supplies.

For more information about South Church or our mission program please call 
Ray McDaid at (978)  745-1990