Over spring break I had the privalege to take a road trip to the Pine Ridge Indian reservation in South Dakota. It was an incredible experience where we got to learn, bond, grow, and love. It was both heartbreaking and filling, tragic yet hopeful.
Road trip there, the whole group minus Yui at the Green Giant.
Photocredit: Yui Jo
The old railroad and grain mill.
Okaton, a ghost town worth exploring.
Luke and Ben, goofing off in Okaton.
Jenna and Buddy, our trusty dog for the week.
Photocredit: Yui Jo
Daniel with one of the puppies.
Photocredit: Yui Jo
Ben with some of the kids at the local school.
Photocredit: Yui Jo
Luke, Ben, and one of the kids being super productive during the lesson I was leading.
Photocredit: Yui Jo
My heart was stolen by this lively girl. KahRina is so special, beautiful, and loved.
Photocredit: Yui Jo
Will Peters and his grandson. He was a man of wisdom, it was so filling to hear him speak.
Photocredit: Yui Jo
Journaling, quiet time, coffee. Part of the morning routine.
Photocredit: Yui Jo
Ben on top of the cliff we climbed. It was an incredible view!
Photocredit: Yui Jo
Me and Soyoung! Both of us were so scared on top of the cliff.
Photocredit: Yui Jo
Luke.
Photocredit: Yui Jo
I love this woman and her hugs.
Photocredit: Yui Jo
Learning and grieving the history of the Lakota people and the massacre of Wounded Knee.
Photocredit: Yui Jo
Prayer walks around the res.
Photocredit: Yui Jo
Digging a hole for an outhouse.
Photocredit: Yui Jo
The first bit of meat I ate in over 2 years was venison sausage, shot by Justin.
Yes, it was delicious. (Yes, I did get sick.)
Photocredit: Yui Jo
Can't wait in line for the bathroom any longer!
Two bathrooms, one shower, no hot water, twelve people.
Photocredit: Yui Jo
My last photo of Pine Ridge.
Memories include: Playing soccer on the basketball courts, making dancing and cooking videos, picking out music, drawing with chalk with Kelsey and Molly, foursquare, hearing about Wade, listening to Henry and Jenny talk about how God has changed their lives, hearing the truth about Wounded Knee, building a relationship with Rick, Yui "breathing," whole-group affirmation and prayer, oatmeal every morning, having KahRina run into my arms when we returned to the school, doing dishes and cooking everyday, going on a slow run with Ben, having spicy food eating contests with Jenna, nighttime walks with Dana and Dan, mourning and lamenting the injustice and brokenness of the people at Pine Ridge, and knowing that Jesus can redeem it all.
