When Native American drums speak it is not always good news. Things are going great but the ministry is not without heartaches. Last week, we experienced a tragedy that left us all shocked.

A month ago, two of our Tarahumara Indian ladies came to church, both with new babies. We were really excited and Deb had a good time with the ladies holding the newborns and making over them. She gave them baby blankets and sleepers that were provided by friends in the US.

Then last week, we had to travel to renew our permission papers to minister in Mexico. While we were gone, one of the babies became ill and suddenly died. On Sunday, when we arrived from the van route, Deb met us with tears in her eyes and shared the tragic news. Another Indian lady had arrived early and shared what had happened, and that Rosa, the mother, would probably not be coming for church.

Rosa and her family live very primitively in a remote area and she is not yet saved. They took the baby to the witch doctor that the Indian people use. After a time they took her to the medical clinic in town, but it was too late. The baby was buried in a small wooden box, wrapped in the blankets that we gave her. It was the best they had.

When the service began that Sunday morning, Rosa did in fact come. Deb was able to minister to her and love her for Christ. Rosa had a frightened look in her eyes and was deeply hurt. It was difficult to see the two ladies that morning, one with her new baby and the other without. If anything good can come from such a thing, it is probably that Deb was able to build a bond with the ladies that has drawn them closer. Please keep Rosa in your prayers. Perhaps in time, God can use the experience of her baby’s death to draw her to Christ.

Life may allow us to believe we have a long time on this earth. But tragedy rings true with the reality that our life really is but a vapor, and each day precious.

About the author, Craig Chambers, is the President of Mission Del Rey, an Arizona non profit organization preserving and advancing the culture of the Tarahumara Indians through traditional skills. Native American drums, rawhide lamp shades and other hand crafts are available through the mission store at www.missiondelrey.com