I have been working on the Yakama Nation Reservation off
and on for the past three years. Whether it has been for a week, a summer, or
15 months, I have journeyed here many times and always found myself longing to
spend more time and serve in this community. My current 15-month internship
hasn’t quite ended yet, but I have found that my heart has already been filled
more than I previously thought possible. Since coming here, last May, I have
wrestled with what is the next step in my future, where was God going to call
me? The Lord clearly had a plan all along, a plan that has been unfolding since
I first stepped foot on this reservation on July 15th, 2016. I
without a doubt know that God is calling me to stay here. There have been
several ways that He has made this clear to me. The pit in my stomach that I
have every time I think of leaving. The connections I’ve made with both the
youngest, smallest children who abound in energy and the wisest elders that
have graced me with their company. I’ve known it from the times I walk down the
hallways of the schools here seeing children’s eyes light up, smiling from ear
to ear. From the most insignificant, halfway smirks that I find on the faces of
youth. To the proud faces of elders and adults who see their new wood shed,
built by teens from their own community. I can’t imagine ever being anywhere
else or being apart of anything greater. God has called me to this place. Not
to save anyone of my own power, but simply to be here and be used by Him in
anyway he sees fit.
If you’re not familiar
with the ministry I’m working with and the conditions of reservation life, let
me give you a brief summary. Hope Fellowship is the church planted by Sacred
Road. It is located within White Swan, a town on the Reservation. In White
Swan, nearly 100% of the population is deeply affected by alcoholism and/or
drug abuse. The reservation itself is located in one of the poorest areas in the
United States. In White Swan there is
approximately a 75% unemployment rate.
Most of the children in White Swan suffer from neglect and abuse. There
are no healthy evangelical churches in White Swan. Sacred Road’s goal is to
bridge the gap between Native America and the Church at large. Their goal is to
follow what the bible says and love our first neighbors well.
I’m afraid I need to ask
something of you now. For me to stay here I need the support of those that God
has seen fit to bless my life with. I need partners to step forward and help me
in serving the community here. I need support both financially and prayerfully.
I implore you to approach the Lord in
prayer and consider joining my support team. For me to stay, I must raise my
full salary, which comes to a monthly cost of around 3,000 dollars. This requires me
to put my faith both in God and His people. I truly hope you will work with me
in loving our first neighbors well. If you would like to financially support
me, please contact me so I can send you a support letter or go to Sacred Road’s
website at www.sacredroadministries.com,
go to the “Giving” tab, and choose me as the missionary you would like to
support. Additionally, if you wish to learn more about what I’m doing, get
clarification on support info, or personally talk to me about the work here. My
phone number is 813-368-6563 or my email address is tbelisario3@gmail.com.
I pray the Lord blesses you as much as He has blessed me.
Your brother in Christ,
Trey,
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