On February 5, a small team went to the Hopi Reservation to bring wood for elders. Because the winters are harsh, this was incredibly important. Along with the wood, Bertha, a 95-year-old believer who has not been able to read the Bible for about 10 years, received an audio, solar Bible in the Hopi language. Nancy, an elder on 1st Mesa received a shed with the wood, and the village of Mishongnovi received wood as well.

On the last evening, we were invited to join Lynette's family as the Kachinas were coming to Shungopavi for the first time of the year.

Thank you for your prayers and gifts to make this all possible! Go to https://clr.cm/BTVc for more information on our Adopt an Elder program.

​RestoringTouch is involved in meeting genuine needs of the elderly in traditional villages through our Adopt an Elder Program. With your generous contributions we are able to assist the elderly with certificates from the Kykotsmovi Store on Third Mesa for food, propane, etc. We also provide coal, blankets, and much more. (Click here to read more)

Current Elders
We currently have 12 (a few pictured below). All the elders receive at least a $100 certificate from the Kykotsmovi or Keams Canyon stores. Our hope is to have 30 elders.

• Meet the elders (Scroll down the page)
• Click here for more information​
• Donate

​We thank the team for their sacrificial giving to the week on Hopi land (AZ), Navajo (AZ/NM), the Zuni Pueblo (NM), and in Joseph City (AZ). We also thank the many who assisted in giving and in prayer. Here is a very brief overview…
 
Tuesday | On Hopi, the team multiplied into a work team and a visitation team. The Hopi villages are rebuilding after a long season of Covid. Delvin, an assistant admin. in Mishongnovi on Second Mesa, worked with our men getting the Mishongnovi community building ready for a new season.

We visited, encouraged and prayed with Bernalda in Old Oraibi; Harlan, chief of Walpi on First Mesa; Bertha Kinale, the very first traditional Hopi friend from Walpi; and at the Hopi Cultural Center we encouraged Molly (Hopi Chairman’s Admin) and her daughter, Laila. We freely gave as we saw the need.
 
Wednesday | We connected with Thelma and Vonda Claw (and Zoe and Aden) in Window Rock (Navajo capital), for fellowship and prayer. Everyone was physically and spiritually refreshed. They then drove to Gallup and treated the team to dinner!!!
 
Thursday | We prepared for the Family Fun Night event in Zuni and touched base with Zuni Governor Arden and a few of members of the Tribal Council.
 
Friday FFN | The Zuni have come through a long and difficult season and we brought a wave of joy! As the young were enjoying facepainting, giant jumpers, snow cones, and more, others were enjoying a memorable Bingo! Arden, the Zuni Governor, really connected with the people, which was something we had prayed for.

We also distributed many personal LuminAID solar lights.

​The difference between the beginning of the event and the end was incredible and their appreciation was visibly expressed. We saw a dramatic change in everyone! Great work team!

PS. Congratulations to grandparents Loyd and Marnella (bottom row) and to Jalen and Cassie for Ellie Kucater-Yepa, born 2 days after we left!

Click here to donate. Every part of your tax deductable donation will be used exclusively for these events.

• Video of past events

​A few Links

• ​Our Native American page
• Map (Hopi and surrounding area)
• About the Hopi
• ​Visiting the Hopi
• Adopt an Elder
• About Window Rock

The Need​​​

• Native Facts​​
• The need in Native America​

We recently traveled to the Hopi, Navajo, and Zuni reservations to meet with a few of our friends. We presented a special plaque to Zuni Governor Arden and Hopi Vice Chairman Craig for their gifts to the DL in Dharamsala, India in April. We also connected with our elderly in Walpi and Old Oraibi. It was a great (but short) trip!

Coming up... We're planning a special celebration with the Zuni tribe in NM in mid-July. The day will include a Family Fun Night for the entire family and ending with a feast. Our plans also include a visit to the Hopi villages in AZ. More information coming soon!

Top L to R | Craig Andrews, Hopi Vice Chairman and Molly Andrews, Hopi Chairman Chief of Staff (Mishongnovi); Bertha Kinale (Walpi); Harlan Makala (Walpi); Poleahla family (Old Oraibi).
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Bottom L to R | Arden Kucate, Zuni Governor and Cheryl; Thelma Claw (Navajo); First Mesa; Window Rock.

​Thelma Shesche

​Periodically Adopt an Elder spotlights a Pueblo elder. This time we are spotlighting Thelma Sheche, a very special, traditional elder of the Zuni Pueblo Tribe in New Mexico.

Thelma is a 93 years old member of the Zuni Sun Clan. Not only is she a long-time traditional midwife and Zuni Practitioner and has traveled to many different regions for fairs, museums, and shows with  her Olla Maiden Dance Group. (Below, Heard Museum). Thelma is well known for her Zuni fetish carvings and is possibly among the last of the true, traditional elders in the Zuni Tribe. One of her most exciting events (which she always talks about) was her visit to New York City where she met Johnny Carson at a show!
 
We honor Thelma as an outstanding person with a heart for her people, and people everywhere!

​Previous (Bertha Kinale, Hopi)
For more information, visit Adopt an Elder
Visit the Zuni Pueblo online