Reconnecting With Our Partners
2024 Pine Ridge Vision Visit Day 2
Catching Up
The next day, our goal was to visit with friends whom we had formed relationships with from years past. Some of us were able to see Gabby, an 8th grader whom Jenny has stayed in touch with ever since she visited Lakeview Church with Henry in 2019. Another group got the chance to see Jenaya Newhouse, a friend whom Joe has known since 2016 since they served together in Pine Ridge with WYAM.
Over the last 4 years, Jenaya has lived in Pine Ridge as an educator and will be soon teaching full time on the rez. The road has not been easy. But despite the fatigue, Jenaya’s love for her students and the mutual spiritual encouragement she receives from her friend and roommate, Patty Hunt, keep her going.
Teen Time with Henry Brown
Pictured above: Pairing up and listening to our partners share their stories during Teen Time
After regrouping from our visits, our team attended Teen Time at the Reconciliation Center. Henry had invited Jenny to coordinate some activities for the teens and she led us all in a rousing game of yutnori (윷놀이) and a meaningful activity called, a story exchange.
Each member of our EW team paired up with a youth and we took turns sharing one story from our lives, retelling our partner’s story, and sharing a hope for our partner. It was an exercise that took courage, trust, respect, and empathy. By the end of it, we all felt grateful to have been heard.
Our prayer goes to these beloved children, this precious next generation. May they come to know the LORD as a loving father, faithful friend, and mighty deliverer. May they know they are cherished, that they are wonderfully made by the same maker as the very stars in the sky.
Hope, Healing, and Horses, Inc. with Cyndi Crawford
That evening, we visited our friend, Cyndi Crawford in Alliance, Nebraska to thank her for all she has given to Eagles’ Wings as our treasurer on the Eagles’ Wings board. Cyndi recently stepped down as our board member because she recently started her own nonprofit called, Horses, Healing, and Hope at East Point Horspice.
At the horspice, Cyndi helps improve and enrich the lives of abandoned, abused or neglected horses and facilitates faith-based therapy sessions with children who suffer from trauma. While a child walks privately with their horse around the gated arena, Cyndi encourages them to share what is on their mind and listen to what Jesus is telling them. With each interaction, Cyndi has seen how a child can build their trust in their horse, grow their confidence in themselves, and experience the love of Jesus.
It was powerful to see how God is able to connect Cyndi’s love for horses, children, and Jesus for His purpose. Through it all, Cyndi so authentically and fiercely follows the Lord in times of uncertainty and discouragement. From listening to her story, she is able to continue to face her fears (and encourage others to do the same) because she has experienced the goodness of God in her most painful moments. When we departed, Cyndi prayed for us one last time and we left with tears of thankfulness for the heartfelt fellowship we shared together.
Learn More and Give Support
Pine Ridge Reconciliation Center
Horses, Healing, and Hope
Website coming soon
