Getting To Know Pine Ridge

2024 Pine Ridge Vision Visit Day 1

Preparation

Learning from Lorraine Green, EW Advisor, in Rapid City, SD
Left to right: Jenny Chang, Christine Jun, Anna Kim, Pastor Benjamin Tam, Dr. David Jun, Joe Park, Stephan Choe, Mike Chang, Lorraine Green

On our first day together, we reunited with our dear friend and advisor, Lorraine Green, who so graciously welcomed us to her home in Rapid City, SD. Lorraine spent 30 years in Chad as a missionary and continues to use her extensive experience as the former Sr. Director for Global Ministry (TEAM) to mentor and encourage ministry leaders today.

After serving us heaping plates of eggs, bacon, sausage, and cinnamon rolls, Lorraine shared about her experiences leading cross cultural missions in Chad, the state of the persecuted church today, and some of the real barriers to following Jesus on the Pine Ridge reservation.

These barriers include:

Remaining hostility and distrust towards churches and outside organizations due to historical trauma and exploitation.
The wide range of denominations and spiritual/cultural identities that are complex to navigate and negotiate.
The reluctance of standing out and working towards personal or spiritual growth for fear of derision or resentment.

As Lorraine shared, I was convicted of the privilege I have and how comparatively easy it is for me to practice my faith when so little is at stake. In light of this, Lorraine directed us to 1 Peter 3: 18-17 and gave us a needed jolt for us to remember that suffering is in fact a part of the life of a Christian, and, in the midst of extremely difficult circumstances, do good — for there is yet purpose through it all.

After filling up with the word on our hearts, prayer on our lips, and a full breakfast in our bodies, we headed out for a two hour drive from Rapid City to Pine Ridge. The snow capped Black Hills and herds of cattle flew by, and before we knew it, we were welcomed by Pastor Dan and his staff at the Pine Ridge Reconciliation Center where we would stay for the next few days.

Snack Pack Deliveries

Once we got settled in at the Reconciliation Center, Henry Brown, our treasured friend who has spent 30 years serving the youth of Pine Ridge, invited us to accompany him and his staff, Whitney, on their weekly snack pack delivery.

Every Friday, the center provides food for 70 children to help them have something to tide them over for the weekend. On the way, we were also able to invite the older kids to the Teen Time program that would be restarting up again for the first time in a few months.

In between visiting families, Henry stopped to share stories about Pine Ridge and helped us get to know the community through his eyes. He took us to the park and playground where he first started Kids Time years ago. He showed us where the whole tribe comes together for pow wows each year. He drove us by the high school where the community was already starting to gather to cheer on the Thorpes’ basketball team.

Henry also opened up to us about the many boarded up homes where residents had been evicted for drug use. He even pointed out a deserted street that once had been a brand new development that Bill Clinton once visited in 1999.

It can be difficult to not look away from the stark reality of a place preyed on by violence, addiction, and steeped in a historically traumatic cycle of broken promises and abuse -- some of which happened at the hands of those that had called themselves Christian. And at the same time, there’s more to the story.

Because, what I remember most from our drive wasn’t the broken windows, the food insecurity, or the seemingly limited presence of local business. It was Henry’s voice turning to Joe and asking, “Do you remember this house? This is where this child lives. Do you remember this child? This is where they live now.”

We witnessed such a deep level of familiarity and committment that Henry has with the children and families of Pine Ridge. I’m so grateful for his heart to include us and give us the opportunity to connect us with the children he continually strives to mentor.

Basketball, Bulgogi, and Abram Neumann

After returning to the Reconciliation Center, Jenny and Christine started preparing a delicious Korean feast with Joe’s hand-marinated bulgogi. The rest of our team joined Henry at Pine Ridge School to catch the best high school varsity basketball game I have ever seen.

Honestly, it was better than the Superbowl. Rez ball is exhilarating. It’s fast, thrilling, and filled with loyal fans. It was truly a treat to see. But what was even better was a totally surprise run-in with the BigCrow Family, a family we have gotten to know and love over the years.

We joined up again for dinner where we were able to visit with and pray with Chantelle and Michelle’s family, precious friends that we had met from previous trips. That evening, a young man who most of us had not met before also joined us for dinner. His name was Abram Neumann.

Abram is a kind and humble follower of Jesus who spends each day meeting the physical and spiritual needs of the people of Pine Ridge. Abram’s first came out to Pine Ridge when he was in High School on a mission trip and has since spent the last decade meeting people where they are and showing them who Jesus is. The most powerful story he shared with us was how he witnessed the incredible transformation of the border city of White Clay.

Now Abram spends his time organizing recovery groups, sheltering those experiencing homelessness, and teaching the Bible out of his ministry, Iglutheca. Where does Abram’s motivation come from? For Abram, it’s all about what would Jesus do, saying, “If Jesus were to come now, where would he go? He would be here.”