Building Stories of Faith
I
“
had been praying and asking God to strengthen my faith." These were the words that led to the start of a two-and-a-half-year building project headed by a semi-retired surgeon who had a desire to help Native American children and grow in faith. Since then, God has led Randal Schafer to the near completion of two triplex apartments on behalf of a little school in the desert in northern Arizona. It’s a school with a mission, and the project required a person on a mission. It's a project that has grown his faith while also building the ministry at Holbrook Indian School (HIS). Randal Schafer, a semi-retired surgeon and supporter of Holbrook Indian School, has headed the HIS triplex building project since 2019. Back in 2019, Schafer had a desire to grow his faith but was not sure how. He had already been involved in various mission projects. As Shafer’s focus turned toward the Native American people, he found himself in contact with HIS principal Pedro Ojeda, who told him about a need for
30 Pacific Union Recorder
Holbrook Indian School
staff housing at the school. HIS needed funds and labor for the construction of two apartment buildings. It was one of the school’s most pressing needs at the time, but it was a need it could least afford in terms of time, labor, and cost. Heading this project would not only have to be a volunteer role, it meant efforts such as recruiting labor, budgeting, and fundraising. After visiting Holbrook to scout the land and speak with staff, Schafer decided to take on the challenge and accept the call. Here are a few of his stories of faith along the journey. __________________________________________ A great foundation In late July 2020, we were getting ready to pour the concrete for the footings and floor of the second triplex. At that time a group of volunteers from the Newbury Park church in the Los Angeles area was helping. Concrete contractor Lyndol James asked me if there was
