...By All Means
I Corinthians 9:22
First Nations Ministries
The San Carlos Apache Reservation is one of the poorest reservations in the nation. The Tribal Chairman cited unemployment at close to 75% when we met with him in 2007. We estimate it to be closer to 85% now. Jobs are available at the local casino, with tribal government or in Globe which is a 30 minute drive away and many don't have transportation to get there. San Carlos residents, 69% according to statistics, fall under the poverty level.
Alcoholism and drug abuse are rampant across San Carlos with abuse typically following. Suicide amongst Native teenagers is one of the top three killers and is four times HIGHER on reservations than the national average. Hopelessness is everywhere!
-
101 Suicide attempts in 2004.
-
25% of babies are born addicted to Meth.
-
50% of babies born test positive for alcohol or other drugs.
-
500 reports of child neglect in 2005.
-
Between two and five police officers cover 1.8 million acres and 13,000 people at any given time.**
In a country filled with Christian values. Native Americans have often been overlooked. They have been pushed off of their land and put away for "safe keeping" where a lot of people are "afraid to go out there" according to some Globe residents we've met. Yet only around 7% of Native Americans claim to know Jesus Christ as their Savior.
God wants to give people a hope that can only come from a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. We are trying to bring that hope to this nation within a nation....by ALL means!
**Stats from:
http://www.indian.senate.gov/public/_files/Kitcheyan040506.pdf
First Nations Ministries
PO Box 997
San Carlos, AZ 85550
928.475.3220
FirstNationsMinistries@hotmail.com
