"She was only four. She was explaining the things that happened to her... like it was normal. It broke my heart."
There were lots of broken warrior hearts on this next reservation - Brighton.
In the next to the last month of their training at our Leadership Center, our students go for a 3-4 week internship with some reservation partners we trust. Brighton Rez is one of them.
Missy (Lakota) was one of the four assigned here. You could tell by all the hugs she got our first night. She left a piece of her heart here. So much so that, after the summer, she will be back here, discipling the young women she learned to love during her internship.
Her heart was broken for two girls she talked to here - both wanting to hear about Jesus, but holding back because of the cost.
Chris (Cherokee) loves basketball - and basketball players. Chris remembers being lost and deeply wants guys like him to find Jesus. God's used him to reach several. He knew God was working in the hearts of the players that final night. He asked them if they wanted to go forward during the invitation. The peer pressure was too great. Seeing guys say no to Jesus breaks Chris' heart.
But then there's the good news. Our local host - who has a strong and long youth ministry here - told the team that he was able to set up a get-together with them next week. He said, "You opened that door tonight." Opening doors - that is part of the lasting legacy of an On Eagles' Wings visit.
There was a four-year-old girl stuck in Brianne's (Lakota) heart. "She was explaining things that have happened in her life. And she was explaining it like it was normal. It broke my heart." So much hurt here.
There were many significant Jesus-conversations those three nights at Brighton. But not as much of a public response as the team usually sees.
The lady Anna (Hopi) was with had been deeply moved by Anna's story on night 2. The next day she was even telling others about Anna's story of finding hope in Christ. She went forward at invitation time with Anna by her side. The lady said she is heartbroken for her people. Now she has Hope to give them.
Before our last event at Brighton, I had encouraged the warriors to pray a prayer that changes how you see the people who come. "Lord, help me see what You see when You see them... and break my heart for what breaks Yours."
At our debriefing time, we heard a lot of stories about people they had prayed for who had stopped short of beginning a relationship with Jesus. As they poured out their hearts, it was clear that God was answering that prayer. They now share that part of their Savior's heart that is broken for every lost soul.
Another one of our youth ministry leaders/hosts told the team about the grandmother who had changed his life. He said she came from a very traumatized home - "imagine these giant chains on these individuals."
She had told him about her first interaction with a Christian as a young girl. "The seed was planted. The first person that was ever kind to her, that loved her unconditionally. Tonight you showed these young people unconditional love. You are watching chains get broken. I am a first generational person of freedom because of that woman and what she invested in my grandma."
"What you do matters." Yes, it does. And what you do matters, praying friend.
* Names & locations changed for privacy.