Pacific Northwest Outreach

August – September Newsletter, 2016  Rick McPherson

When I was a kid, I distinctly remember the, “back to school,” blues.  The long summer days, warm weather and freedom were coming to an end and the monotony of school was just ahead.  I knew I would miss packing my lunch, (usually a bologna sandwich, oatmeal raisin cookies and an orange), meeting my friends and riding our bikes to the swimming hole, which was actually a neighboring farmer’s stock tank; and spending the whole day perfecting our “cannon balls” off the make-shift diving board.  To interrupt this bliss, with a return to school, was totally uncalled for and cruel, in my opinion.   But, nonetheless, it was back to school, ready or not, like it or not. 

Now, as I fast forward through the years, and they say that time goes faster as you get older; I’m looking at the summer months and the calendar is showing that Labor Day is just around the corner.   I’m saying, “What?  Where did the summer go? Wasn’t yesterday the 4^th of July?”  It seems like it was yesterday, but back to school is now on everyone’s mind. 

With the change of seasons we are now focusing on the last part of the year.  Recently,  the  TV station and tire company that sponsors the local  toy drive , which we have participated in annually, contacted me  to coordinate our participation in this year’s event; read, “Christmas!”  We are very grateful for this provision and know that the toys which we will deliver at the Holiday Season will be a huge blessing to Native American children, again.  But, between now and then we have work to do.  Our work is helping on Reservations with physical and spiritual gifts.  The loads of groceries, boots, household supplies, blankets, winter coats and hats are delivered and given free-of-charge as an expression of God’s love.  These physical gifts enable us to build friendships and trust with Native Americans and prepare the way for us to tell them of God’s love, acceptance and forgiveness.  We have the privilege of telling the wonderful story of the gift of God’s Son, Jesus, as the Savior of the world. 

Let me ask you to be a part of this vital ministry.  You can do it in two important ways.  You can PRAY for this work.  My oldest grandson gave me a black rubber wristband recently.  It has the words, “PRAY FIRST,” printed on it.  Since I put it on, I have been reminded of that truth multiple times.  How significant is that? 

You can also GIVE to this mission.  Your financial gifts are greatly appreciated and needed.  Will you chip in?  Your gift of $100.00, $50.00, $25.00 or any amount will go a long way in helping us, as we help Native Americans.  The expenses of maintaining our big truck are real.  Recently we had to repair the front suspension and brakes, which cost nearly $2,000.00.  You can’t go down the Interstate with bad brakes and faulty steering! 

So, in the midst of your back to school plans, remember your friends at Pacific NW Outreach, Inc. and the many Native Americans that we serve.  Remember, you’re a vital part of this ministry as you pray for us and send a financial gift to help fund this work.  Thanks again for your help… and God bless you!

Until next time, I’m going to make myself a bologna sandwich, eat a couple of oatmeal raisin cookies and an orange. 

*****

June – July Newsletter, 2016  Rick McPherson

Yesterday we went to the beach.  The sun was shining, the water was blue, and the sky was crystal clear.  At the end of the day we built a small fire.  I’m told that the three most soothing sounds are wind, water and fire. If that’s the case, we had them all.   When you add family, fish and chips and Tillamook ice-cream, you have the makings of a perfect day.  

I’m not sure that you could compare the Pacific Coast to the Sea of Galilee, because of the Tillamook ice-cream, but there are other similarities.  Maybe that’s why Jesus spent most of the three years of His ministry along the shore of this freshwater lake.  Here He gave more than half of His parables and here He performed most of His miracles.  Here He preached the Sermon on the Mount, called Simon Peter and his brother, Andrew, to follow Him, fed 5,000 people and calmed the stormy sea.    There was something that drew Him.  Numerous times, he left the crowds and the city to head for the mountains, the wilderness and the beach.  I would like to think He built a few fires and ate some fresh fish along the way.  In the midst of all the demands, Jesus knew how to get away and restore His soul. 

As I think and pray about our ministry and mission helping Native Americans, physically and spiritually, I see similarities to the life of Christ.  Much of our work is done in remote and rural settings.  Many times we’re in the mountains or at the shore.  The people we serve are needy.  They are hungry.  They are sick.  They are addicted.  They are demeaned.  They are imprisoned.  But, they are not forgotten! 

Every box of groceries, every pair of boots, every blanket, every winter coat or pair of jeans that we deliver is fulfilling Jesus’ Great commission, “Go, therefore and make disciples of all nations…”  Matthew 28:19.  The physical aspect of this ministry enables us to build relationships, trust and confidence so that we can tell the greatest story of God’s love, acceptance and forgiveness! 

And, you’re a part of it.  None of us is all of it.  But all of us can be a part.  By joining with others to pray for this ministry, you support and sustain us during the rigors of the battle.  We do get tired and your prayers do make a difference. 

Finally, your financial gifts enable us to continue.  It costs money to buy diesel fuel, tires, truck parts and supplies for these trips.  We simply couldn’t do this without people like you.  Will you prayerfully ask the Lord what you can do at this time and then do it?  Thank you for your partnership in this ministry and for your faithfulness. 

I’m hoping that the softness of summer will soothe your emotions and refresh you in every way.    Enjoy your vacation.  Eat well.  Sleep well.  Be well.  Maybe you’ll enjoy several bowls of your favorite ice-cream, too!

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April Newsletter, 2016  Rick McPherson

Last week our family visited Disneyland for Spring Break.  It was incredible!  I kept thinking this place is beyond description.  The lights, the sounds, the characters, the costuming, facilities, rides, stores, restaurants, parades and ambience are spectacular.  Not only were Mickey and Minnie available for photos but Goofy took time to pose with us, too.  I thought that was impressive until Chip and Dale came by our table at breakfast.  Then we bumped into Chewbacca and the Bounty Hunter and of course, had our pictures taken.  It’s not every day that a 7’ 3” Star Wars character puts his arm around your shoulder! 

When we entered the park, I noticed the words of Walt Disney on the sign,

“Here you leave today and enter the world of yesterday, tomorrow and fantasy.”

You can’t help but be impressed by the creative genius of this man and the entertainment empire that he has built.  It’s no wonder they’ve titled it, “The Happiest Place on Earth!”

But the words of that sign keep rolling through my head…leave today…enter the world of yesterday…tomorrow…and fantasy.  Wouldn’t it be nice if that was reality?  Imagine, leave today!  Live in the past!  Jump into tomorrow!  Fulfill your fantasy!  Wee! 

Now that we’re back home and our feet and legs have healed and the equilibrium is somewhat normal, life goes on.  Our “today” is filled with the work of this ministry as we help Native Americans both physically and spiritually.  You see for most Natives, today is filled with the challenges of alcoholism, health concerns, violence, suicide and drug addiction.  They do not have the option of “leaving.”

But let me be quick to add that your help is making a difference in the lives of Native Americans.  When you pray for this ministry and help financially, we are able to encourage and bless them with truckloads of groceries, clothes, boots, and household items that express the love of God in a very tangible way.  Most importantly we are able to deliver the good news of the Gospel message and tell the story of Jesus as our Savior.  And, that’s no fairy tale.

We are now approaching the nice weather months when we can travel and visit the Reservations for Pow Wows and Camp Meetings.  Will you help?   Please take a minute to write a check or go the Pay Pal link on our website: www.pacificnwoutreach.org and make a contribution to help Native Americans with their, “today.”  Your gift, whether large or small, will make a difference. 

On behalf of Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and all the gang here at Pacific NW Outreach…thank you!

*****

February Newsletter, 2016  Rick McPherson

The nature of our work involves heavy equipment.  Big trucks, trailers, fork-lifts and heavy pay-loads are all a part of what we do.  Taking donated groceries, household supplies, boots, winter coats, hats and gloves and pallets of Bibles and books to distant Native American reservations across the country requires transportation.  We burn lots of diesel fuel, wear the tread off tires and travel thousands of miles to accomplish our mission.  We depend on the physical part of our work to open the door for the spiritual.  Once the door opens we can deliver the truth of God’s love, acceptance and forgiveness.  It is not only a Biblical plan, it is a successful one. 

Having been with the mission for over ten years, I have logged thousands of miles behind the wheel and visited Reservations from the Dakotas to the Pacific Ocean.  Looking back through my log book I can recall some near-death experiences.  One time I fell asleep at the wheel at 3:00 AM driving westbound on I-84 at mile marker 95 adjacent to the Columbia River.  Another time I was southbound on Hwy. 95 in Idaho descending the White Bird Pass.  Both times I was thankful for the guardian angels that did their work and saved my life. 

We have always made it a practice to pray before every truck trip.  If you think this is perfunctory, you’ve never jockeyed a big rig down the Interstate.  So, when Doc and Don and I finished the load we closed the big doors, held hands and prayed.  Little did I know what lay ahead.  

As is normal in wintertime weather, it was raining hard when I left.  After my stop for coffee in Chehalis I made the turn to Hwy 12, westbound through Rochester to Oakville and on to Aberdeen.  The highway is just two lanes and has old-fashioned steel bridges with arches on both sides.  The guard-rails at the entrance and exit of the bridges end at the bottom of the arches.  The distance between the arches is for normal traffic.  But what was to happen in a matter of seconds was not normal.  My wipers were set on intermittent and as the glass cleared I saw a pilot pickup truck with a “Wide Load” banner across the front bumper. 

Immediately I saw a semi pulling a flat-bed trailer with the treads of a large excavator protruding past the sides of the truck… and, the bridge.  There simply was not room for the two of us to pass each other.  My first thought was, “this is it … I’m going to die!” 

I’m now convinced that those same guardian angels were on duty that day and they have the ability to shrink and expand steel.  Whatever they did, they did it right.  My life was saved. 

You’ve often heard me say that the best thing you can do for me and for this ministry is to pray.  So, thank you to the many people who have been faithful in asking the Lord to protect us.  I know I felt the effects of your prayers on that rainy day on Hwy 12, westbound for Aberdeen. 

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*bought the farm…buy the farm…idioms that were used in military context for soldiers who lost their lives in battle and the proceeds from life insurance policies were used to pay the mortgages on family farms.

January Newsletter, 2016  Rick McPherson

When you live in the Pacific Northwest, you get used to the rain.  You drive in it.  You work in it.  You live in it.  One local TV station spoofs the rain by making commercials of people doing all sorts of activities in the drenching, soaking rain.  They’re actually quite funny, if you have a weird sense of humor.  

But, last month was no laughing matter.  We had more rain in December than any month since Noah was around.    Over 15” is what they said.  That’s a lot of water. 

And in the middle of all that water we were taking trips to the Reservations and delivering Christmas loads with groceries, children’s toys, gifts, household supplies (blankets, pillows, sheets, and appliances), fresh produce, bread, Bibles and warm jackets, hats and gloves.  All of the loads were delivered as an expression of God’s love, acceptance and forgiveness.  

Back in November we had made our plans to serve three Reservations and God helped us fulfill our plans.  We were blessed to be chosen as one of the non-profits to receive a portion of the toys donated to the Les Schwab Toy Drive.  These toys, along with many others that were donated at our store, Low Prices, and given by customers and friends of the Mission, helped us make Christmas a wonderful experience for many Native American children.  Because of the weather and the late schedule for truck deliveries, we actually sent five large boxes of toys by UPS to a distant Reservation address.  Not quite like the Pony Express, but you get the idea!

You’ll see some great pictures of these outreaches on the back:

1.  QUINAULT RESERVATION, Lake Quinault, Washington
2. NEZ PERCE RESERVATION, Lapwai, Idaho
3. CELILO INDIAN VILLAGE,  The Dalles, Oregon

December Newsletter, 2015  Rick McPherson

November Newsletter, 2015 Rick McPherson

It is?  Excuse me, but yesterday was Labor Day and the day before that was Independence Day.  It can’t be the Holiday Season, can it?  Christmas?  New Year’s?  I’ve just gotten used to writing 2015 and now, 16?  My, my … time does fly! 

Don’t misunderstand, I’m not complaining.  Christmas and the Holiday Season are my favorites.  The lights, music, family, friends, food and festivities are the highlights of my year.  I love them all.  It just seems that they are returning a little quicker than ever before. 

With the schedule as busy as it is, we add to the mix our planned trips to three Native American Reservations.  Last month we outlined our plans to help the following:

Nez Perce, Lapwai, Idaho

Quinault, Lake Quinault, Washington

Yakama, Celilo Indian Village, Oregon

We’re working hard to build family food boxes, collect unwrapped children’s toys, diapers, unexpired baby formula, leather boots, knit-hats and new or gently used winter coats to be distributed before Christmas.  You can help us!  Spread the word to friends or your local church and tell them about Pacific NW Outreach, Inc. and what we do.  Then, pray.  Ask God’s blessings to be extended to the Native Americans that we serve.  Pray that  God’s love, acceptance and forgiveness will shine through everything that we do.  Finally, you can give.  Your financial gift will enable us to do this work.  The expenses of the ministry continue with our efforts to deliver these gifts to distant and difficult destinations.  Your gift combined with others will get the job done.  No one can do everything but everyone can do something. 

As the year comes to a close, remember your year-end giving.  Take advantage of the last few weeks of 2015 and send your gift to Pacific NW Outreach, Inc. today.  If you would like a tax receipt for your annual giving, simply call the office and we’ll send it immediately.  If you have a question about the last few ministry trips of this year, we’d love to hear from you. 

One last thing … enjoy!

Enjoy the Christmas Season.

Laugh with your family and friends.

Eat well.

Rest.

Sing.

Give thanks.

Be kind.

Slow down.

Hug.

Be generous.

Smile.

October Newsletter, 2015,  Rick McPherson

I like hats.  I collect them.  I wear them.   Since going bald about twenty years ago, I need them to keep my head warm in the cold.  Most folks know that if your head is warm, you’re warm!

Some hats are all about function and some are not.  Remember the hats the ladies used to wear to church on Sunday mornings?  Not really functional, but did they ever look good!  If you were caught in a snow-storm however, I’m not sure they would help.  

We have a friend of the mission who has been knitting hats for Native American children and adults for years.  Every year at this time we receive a box with about a hundred hats that she has knit and asks that we distribute them on the Reservations for Christmas.  I have personally delivered boxes full of hats and the results are always the same…big smiles and happy eyes!  When your head is cold and your ears are freezing, a beautiful, colorful, warm, hand-knit hat is a great gift.  

Well this year we learned that Dixie Potter, the hat lady, had suffered several strokes and had spent three months in the hospital and rehabilitation.  She told her care-givers,

“I’ve got to get better so I can get back to knitting hats for the children!” 

We now have the privilege of delivering Dixie’s hats.  Most of the people who will wear one will never know her story.  It may be one of those “secrets” that will be revealed in Heaven someday.  Rest assured that the One who takes perfect notes of these acts has already recorded it.  Perhaps there will be an awards ceremony and the hat lady will receive extra jewels in her hat, er, crown!

In the meantime, we’ve got work to do!  We would like to deliver our Christmas groceries, children’s toys and Dixie’s hats before the first of December.  You can help us!  Our target  Reservations for this year are:

1. Nez Perce, Lapwai, Idaho
2. Quinault, Lake Quinault, Washington
3. Yakama, Celilo Indian Village, Oregon

Please PRAY for these outreach trips and the Native Americans on these Reservations.  Pray for the salvation of souls and for the message of God’s love, acceptance and forgiveness as it is presented. 

Please GIVE to help us make these trips.  Your financial gift, no matter what the amount, is needed at this time.  Thank you for giving and caring…

September Newsletter, 2015  Rick McPherson

As a kid I never liked Labor Day.  Why name a day for work and then celebrate it nationally?  Mostly, I didn’t like it because it meant summer vacation was over and we had to go back to school.  Nobody ever asked me if I wanted to go, it was just a fact that school followed the holiday.   July and August were a memory and there was a September calendar on the kitchen wall with a red circle drawn around that fateful Tuesday.  Like it or not, ready or not, it was back to school. 

The halls and classrooms and gymnasium always had a unique smell.  The vice-principal stood on patrol and the new home room teacher wrote on the chalk-board, “Welcome, my name is Mr. Horton.”  At least that’s what I remember from 4th grade.  Had he not been my first male teacher, I probably wouldn’t remember anything at all.  What is in my memory are the books, reports, assignments, tests and report cards.  Learning had a curriculum and there was a master plan that I didn’t know.   Much later I learned that learning was a lifestyle that would never stop.

Now I’m reliving my childhood vicariously through my grandsons.  Nothing has changed much.  They too think that Labor Day is an intrusion into a perfectly wonderful summer schedule of camps, paintball, fishing and baseball.  Why bother with school?  But somehow I hear myself talking and trying to explain to them that there is indeed a greater plan and learning is a major part of it all.  Although they’re listening, I’m not sure they’re buying it, yet. 

Then I remembered these words that Paul the Apostle said to his young friend, Timothy.  “But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”  II Timothy 3:14-15

In our ministry here at Pacific NW Outreach, Inc., we are constantly learning. 

Everyday there are problems to solve, reports to be written (like this one), facts and figures to be processed,  projects to be organized, schedules to be  made, people to be coordinated and things to be learned.  It never stops.  Learning is a lifestyle. 

The Apostle was right when he said, “you must continue…”   Not only do we continue to work, we continue to learn.  We continue to learn the Native American culture, we continue to learn what works and what doesn’t, we continue to learn how to pay our expenses, we continue to learn how to save money, we continue to learn to pray, to forgive, to serve.  It never stops!

And many of you who receive this newsletter have, “continued.”    You have not stopped your lifestyle of learning, praying, giving, helping.  Thank you and God bless you for staying in school and not dropping out!

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