You Make a Difference
Laqueta, 10th grade, is in her Native regalia performing at our Native Heritage Festival this year.
“By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?” 1 John 3:16-17
Jesus’ parting words to us were, “Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to all creation” (Mark 16:15). Often times we read that and think that we must go overseas, live in a remote village and help our foreign brothers and sisters. While yes, there is much need overseas and we are called to help in faraway places, let us not forget that sometimes “going into all the world” means going next door.
Two hours north of Holbrook, Arizona is a small town located on Navajo reservation called Chinle. Many of our students at Holbrook Indian School (HIS) are from Chinle. If you were to drive through you would notice the roads become rough with potholes and when it rains the mud causes many to be stuck on their property, the cows graze freely keeping drivers alert, and hogan’s (a traditional dwelling of the Navajo people) are scattered throughout the vast desert land.
Chinle is only 1 of 326 reservations in North America. Native American tribes vary in their traditional beliefs, lifestyle and activities; yet most reservations share the common thread of economic challenges. Many families do not have electricity or utilities. The outhouses are used and multi-generations live together in small houses. Employment and education rates are extremely low. In contrast, the suicidal death rates, sexual abuse, and alcoholism are extremely high.
Only two hours away from us and we find a nation within a nation. They are all around the United States. So what do we do with this realization? Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “The ultimate tragedy is not the oppression and cruelty by the bad people, but the silence over that by the good people.” So we do what Jesus is all about.
Holbrook Indian School is a place of hope.
Our goal is to seek to provide a safe haven for our students to learn, live and grow in Christ by giving the tools and skills they need to face the challenges that confront them.
Throughout Holbrook Indian Schools’ 72 years, God has countlessly shown His desire for our mission and His children here. He uses people like you to do so. Did you know that HIS operates 80% off of donations from individuals with a heart for Native American youth?
It is because of your heart, your kindness, and your gifts that keep this mission alive.
Whether you give on #GivingTuesday, send monthly payments, or offer up daily prayers, you are not keeping silent in the midst of tragedy. This school may be out in the middle of the desert, but it is powerful to know that God is using people all around the country to make a difference in our students’ lives.