The Eyes of An Apache Baby

Eight years ago this month Kara and I wrapped up four years of youth ministry at Fort Street Christian Church in Omaha, Nebraska.  It was hard to leave this incredible group of students whom we loved deeply.  We had some great times with those students.  Shortly after we told the kids we were moving to Arizona, one of our students wrote a poem for us.  She had experienced ministry on the San Carlos Apache Reservation the summer before and shared her feelings with us.  Here are her words...

The Eyes of An Apache Baby

By Amanda Brazda McAninch

We had to part and say goodbye, to the eyes of an Apache baby.

They're returning now and making it right, for those eyes of an Apache baby.

Solemn as it is we must respect their cares, for the eyes of an Apache baby.

Though we mourn and without doubt will miss,

They will not leave in vain, but for the eyes of an Apache baby.

The sparkle's gone along with absence of hope,
In the eyes of an Apache baby.

Their troubles long and hard to cure, you see, in the eyes of an Apache baby.

The wear and tear of abuse and neglect, in the eyes of an Apache baby.

Searching high, searching low, for a Savior, a friend,
A love, a treasure, a hope,

But failing to find enough nourishment to their sorrow,

In the tired eyes of an Apache baby.

Our leaders depart to stop shedding of tear,

To cease agony and pain; they see, and I've seen,

The eyes of an Apache baby.

Amanda (on the left) in Hallelujah Square on the
San Carlos Apache Reservation

Summer of 2003