I received an email from Ben Farrar today who pastors in Eagle Butte, S.D. It is an email full of need and prayer. Sadly, it is a regular reality for many First Nations People.
Yet, the situation is not too big for God though. Please read and pray. Thank you.
(Following is the email from Pastor Ben)
Dear Friends,
Recently, a crisis has arisen in Eagle Butte, SD. On Wednesday, around noon, one of the girls in our high school died. There were rumors that it had been a suicide, but nothing had been confirmed.
But now we have our answer. In the past 24 hours, no fewer than 5 other girls have been admitted to the ER, all of whom had taken an overdose of medication in an attempt to commit suicide. Upon questioning these girls, it was revealed that they had entered into a suicide pact with the girl who died on Wednesday.
In small towns like ours, where everybody knows everybody, one suicide can have a devastating impact on the community. Often, there are several people who are considering suicide at any given time, but they never build up the nerve to attempt suicide-until something like this happens. When one person commits suicide, those who had been considering it begin to see this action as a more real possibility. One suicide can become many suicides in a matter of days. Thankfully, the first five attempts have been unsuccessful, but the next ten might not be so fortunate. In this way, the devil turns one death into a massacre.
Pray for this city. Pray for anyone and everyone in Eagle Butte and on this reservation who is considering suicide right now. Pray that God will open their eyes to the truth: that suicide is not the answer to the suffering and shame that plagues their lives. Pray that they will seek salvation in Jesus instead of in death. I beg you, join your prayers with ours in this, and God may yet save the lives of many.
Yours in Christ,
Ben Farrar