Hutchcraft Ministries' Summer of Hope is an all-out spiritual rescue effort to reach hurting and ignored young Native Americans. This year, God raised up 50 sold-out young warriors from 24 tribes for the On Eagles' Wings team! The team visited nine reservations and conducted 27 major outreach events in 26 days. Lives and eternities were changing!
Lanae, Daniel, and Cheri share their experience.
Lanae
O
n one rez, I talked with an older lady. When it comes to talking to people older than me I feel intimidated, but I knew that I needed to talk to her. I shared Jesus and what He has done in my life and then she started to pour out all that was on her heart. She was so burdened and hurt for her kids and brothers. I offered to pray for her and she said yes with tears in her eyes. I remember asking God to open her heart and told her that Jesus Christ was for her and for her family, while she listened and cried. On the third night, I talked with her for a bit and she introduced me to her daughter and niece. The three of them prayed to God to be saved. Through that, I saw God was in control and realized that once we trust and surrender, He hears our prayers. He definitely planned for her to be there, to save her and her family.
Daniel
The first reservation truly impacted me. These were the people who were involved in the Minnesota uprising and who fought for their freedom to live. This reservation seemed small, and it is small, moving this small tribe away from their people and their homeland in order to make sure they wouldn't act out of line. I saw this young man who seemed to have fun playing basketball during our events. On the last night, he gave his life to Jesus - he even followed the bus to tell us just how much it meant to him that we were there. With tears about to fall from his eyes, he told us that he would be a part of Warrior Leadership Summit (WLS) next year. It was hard for him not to cry, and it truly touched my heart, I knew that he had truly given his life to Jesus and I knew he meant what he said. He reminded me of when I first started a relationship with Jesus.
Cheri
This past summer was my third summer with On Eagles Wings and I can say that there is nothing greater than seeing God move amongst young Native believers. This summer had a deeper meaning for me as I traveled with my younger brother. I've seen him live his life away from Christ as he filled his life with drugs, alcohol and gangs. I was once the only believer in my family, but God softened my brother's heart and changed his life during the past year and he committed his life to Christ. I was deeply honored to read my brother's testimony and sit alongside basketball courts praying for him, as he gave his hope story to crowds on multiple reservations. Even more exciting, I got to see my brother stand up for Jesus and speak about Him unashamed. I am in my second year of Bible College and it is definitely a result of prayers, support and contributions to On Eagles Wings that I am where God has called me at the present moment.