In The Gap Ministries is a small ministry here in Arizona, started by Robert and Liz Crews, that FBCScottsdale helps to support, primarily through the Endowment Fund. We recently received the following update from them, explaining how they are and what they are doing.
We are a Jesus loving, faith based, non-profit organization that serves the San Carlos Apache Nation. We run a workshop teaching wood working, fabricating, and welding skills to our Apache friends, assisting them in obtaining jobs. We spend time in the local community with kids and families on the reservation. Our desire is – through personal connections, studies, and mentorship – to equip and train others for ministry.
During the COVID crisis, we discovered a need we had never thought of – beds! In many families, there are up to 20 people living in a small single-family house, and there aren’t enough beds for everyone, not nearly enough and sometimes none. Most share a single mattress on the floor. We spoke with a friend who is a teacher on the reservation and asked her what she thought. She loved the idea, and went to the Tribe‘s “Healing Trauma-Healthy Schools” collaborative with it. The next thing we knew, we were presenting the “Beds of Hope” project to their next meeting. A 5-minute presentation turned into almost an hour of questions. Everyone was very excited.
That meeting has now turned into a list of families needing beds, and the Workshop started building twin and bunk beds for Apache families. Each family has at least 2 and up to 10 kids in the home. Each bed includes a Bible for them to keep and a verse hand-burned into a bed post. We have seen so many families lose their homes or be moved from places where they were living with nothing.
As you can tell, the need is great and we have a long way to go. Each twin bed currently costs approximately $250 and each bunk bed $500, depending on fluctuating lumber and bedding prices. This includes the bed frame, mattress, mattress protector, Bible, pillow, and sheets. There is a quilting guild in California who has been donating handmade quilts for each bed as well. It also includes pay for an Apache helper. He/she will learn carpentry skills and have a large hand in helping kids sleep in their very own beds. While providing for their family, they are also helping their own people by sharing the love of Christ.
The workshop has stepped up in training/discipleship and time spent with young men in need of Jesus. Several have come in and out but currently Boyo has asked to stay. We are currently working toward training him to be our foreman for the Beds of Hope project.
If you are interested in learning more about us or what we do, please check out our website at: www.inthegapministries.com.
We can also be reached by e-mail at: inthegapministriesaz@gmail.com
by mail at:
Robert Crews (Director)
182 E Halby Ct
Globe, AZ 85501
Or by phone at:
(928) 200-2071
