'Wooden Shoe People' aid Indian school

Grand Rapids, MI June 23, 2007 - One of YouthPartnersNET's Native American Ministry Partners, Rehoboth Christian School, made The Grand Rapids Press. What does a school in New Mexico have in common with a community in Michigan?

Members of the Christian Reformed Church and Dutch community in West Michigan are partnering with local contractors to change the landscape in Rehoboth, NM once again. A 1200-seat gymnasium is being built as part of a 40,000 square-foot sports and fitness center featuring outside athletic fields for Rehoboth Christian School. In 1903, the CRC bought a 320 acre ranch near Gallup, NM and launched Rehoboth, named after a biblical site in the book of Genesis, as part of its missionary efforts to American Indians in the region. The school opened with six students and now provides outstanding education and opportunities to 409 children.

The CRC in Grand Rapids have had many church members visit Rehoboth and find themselves immersed in the culture and community, making it their new home. The Navajo call them the “wooden shoe people”. At the same time, many Rehoboth students land in Grand Rapids for college. Rehoboth is allowing students to dream beyond what they normally would and this Dutch community is providing a place to learn in both communities.

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