Sarah's Diary

Sarah's Diary is a story, although fictional, based on a collection of accounts of the lives of teens on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Sarah's story could be that of any girl in her mid-teen years living in a home where abuse, rape, drug and alcohol abuse, irresponsible adult behavior and hopelessness reign. It is not an exaggeration. This is reality--the sad reality of life through the eyes of a high percentage of youth trying to survive in a hostile environment filled with hatred and selfishness. Since the first of this year (2015), teen suicides have increased to new heights on the Reservation. Within the first four months, more than 200 teens have attempted suicide; we are aware of at least 15 that have succeeded. This should tell us it’s time to stop watching from the outside and get involved in rescue efforts for those who are hurting and dying, for those who are innocent victims of all forms of abuse, and for those who are willing to rise up as leaders among their own people. Those of us who know Jesus Christ as Savior and understand the power of the Cross have an obligation to reach out to those who have either not heard the message or have rejected it in favor of the cyclical lifestyle of poverty and abuse. To be honest, nothing can take the place of the message of salvation through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. There is no other agent, belief, ritual, counsel, or influence that can match the power of the Risen Christ to effectuate change in an individual and ultimately an entire people group. The time to remain on the sidelines is over. We need to get down and dirty in ministry. Radical. Persistent. Passionate. There is an answer. There is hope. Learn more as you read Sarah's Diary and what steps are being taken to address this painful reality of life on the Reservation.