Chatting about Crisis + Care Pt I: The Outlands Response February 2024 Newsletter

AI artistic portrayal of Tuba City, AZ -- my birthplace in the desert

I had the joy of sitting down just yesterday for a lovely conversation (I wish we had coffee at the time; of course, tea for me please!) with one of my closest friends, Nic. He is more of a brother to me. We grew up together! He has a cool perspective: he saw firsthand how this whole dream developed, from when we were hooligan children running around and getting into trouble, all the way up to where I am today as a thriving 30-year-old in Denver.

One thing remains constant: I am still daydreaming about the REZ! **

**Tessa's Note: the word "rez" used throughout this conversation is a reference to the 326 U.S. Indian Reservations, government-allotted swathes of land held in trust for Native American tribes. Learn more.

What a fun time to reconnect with Nic and chat about all the things that have led up to this point, what I'm involved in right now, and where I envision the Lord is leading me into the future. I wanted to share our conversation here, as I think it will provide an excellent perspective into what makes Tessa and her heart tick for Native America.

So grab some coffee or tea, and enjoy this lighthearted but engaging sibling banter!

Here you will read Part I of our conversation with Part II to come soon.

Wind River Reservation in central WY, the size of states RI and DE combined. Matthew Staver, New York Times.

Nic: Man, I remember growing up together. You were always the caretaker in our little gang! When I first introduced you to my now-wife when we were all in high school, you know what her first impression was? Tessa is so merciful. But really, how is it that you came to CARE for Native America?

Tessa: Oh wow, I did not know your wife said that! That means so much to me, thank you.

Well yeah, so fun fact: I was actually born on the REZ! My parents moved to the Navajo Reservation when Mom was 6 months pregnant with me. This was my parent's last grand adventure as they were finishing their graduate educations, launching into full-time careers, and welcoming parenthood soon. Mom worked in the local hospital as a midwife during our time there, and Dad was the resident Internet guru at the local high school. This was 1993.

If I had to describe that place in two words, it would be desert ghetto. (I don't have any memories from that early time of my life, but I've been back several times since.)

This is where I am from, it's my birthplace. I know God planted the seed of care for Native America when I was born in the same desert ghetto as my Native companions. God has always given me a heart for the marginalized, those who find themselves on the fringes of society. Because that’s me, that's my story too!

Nic: I feel like I am so unfamiliar with what a REZ is actually like, what it feels like to live there, and what dynamics are really at play. What is the felt NEED on the REZ?

Tessa: Hmm good question! Yeah, so the REZ is an inner-city ghetto dynamic that plays itself out in the middle of nowhere, isolated and forgotten.

Reservations are desolate places, poisoned with generational abuse, trauma, bitterness, and hopelessness. Every conceivable social ill can be found on the REZ: gangs, domestic violence, unemployment, homicide, substance abuse, cartels, high school dropouts, teen pregnancy, suicide, etc. The Rez is a very spiritually and emotionally sick place.

Add on the layer that less than 3% of Native Americans are firm born-again Christians. This means there’s an unreached people group right HERE in our own backyard!

Third-world reality in America, incredibly shocking poverty + hardship not even found in the worst inner city ghettos.

Nic: Wow, that feels daunting, such a big thing to take on! Oh my goodness. What do you want to DO to address these BIG needs? What's the PLAN?

Tessa: Here's the vision: I want to see Natives becomes skilled crisis specialists! These are folks who come from these same desert ghetto environments and understand what this life is really like. Know the nuances, have met their neighbors! What an incredible, seriously undervalued resource to their own communities. I want to see Natives help Natives.

We would train these Natives in whatever skills they know will serve themselves, their families, and their communities. This could be in the trades like auto mechanics, carpentry, masonry, etc. But more so in crisis intervention, victim advocacy, emergency medicine, and pastoral care! This help would even extend to crises beyond their own REZ communities.

Of course, in order to really see the lasting impact in these REZ communities and beyond, the Native individuals involved need to first be healed and transformed themselves. And I believe there's only one Resource who can address that need: Jesus Christ, the True Healer and Shepherd of our souls. So this is so much more than crisis response teams!

I want to see Natives disciple Natives, all to the glory of the Kingdom of God! These teams of crisis specialists will be like little "churches" running around, sharing the love and hope found in the healing only Jesus can provide. Water for our thirsty souls in the desert ghetto.

[STAY TUNED FOR PART II OF THIS CONVERSATION.]

Eagle Spirit Singers and Dancers, Wind River Reservation. Photo: Wyoming Office of Tourism

How to Partner

I am so honored and humbled to have the support of so many wonderful people. Thank you sincerely from the bottom of my heart for coming alongside me in this bold endeavor.

May God the Father be praised for the fruit produced by these small but mighty efforts.

Let's connect! Please reach out to engage on any of these topics in greater detail. I would love to sit down for coffee (tea for me please!) sometime soon, I'm excited to hear from you. 

Prayer is and will always remain my biggest need. Sign up for in-the-field text prayer updates! Send a text message to the phone number 81010 with the code @k8fhc9a in the message to opt into text notifications of all major ministry developments.

I invite you to partner with me financially in this important work. Please prayerfully consider a treasured monthly partnership or a welcomed one-time gift – whatever the Lord leads you to provide will be a tremendous blessing to this blossoming work. All donations are tax-deductible through the 501c3 non-profit organization, Urban Skye.

Click Here to Partner Financially

I welcome your active partnership as this task should only be done together. Thank you so much!!

God's servant for your sake,

Tessa