Kayla’s Story

 

I have been coming to Pine Ridge 1 with Youth Works for three years now…

 

As we are sitting in the van riding home from the first of two trips to Manderson in the summer of 2013, I am reflecting in awe. I am remembering the mental snap shots, the simple conversations and the laughs (lots and lots of laughs).

 

In looking back, I feel so incredibly blessed. This experience has truly been the best thus far! The staff was INCREDIBLE! From the time we stepped out of the van they welcomed us with open arms, we were treated as valued with unique with amazing gifts and talents to share. I remember so many moments of just sitting or walking and chatting, hysterical laughter and enough inside jokes to last a lifetime, all thanks to a staff that was willing and ready to accept us for who we are and encourage us to express ourselves in the truest possible way.

 

It is difficult to describe this trip. There are no words really to explain the feeling of peace I felt this week amidst all the chaos in seeing and feeling the Holy Spirit moving, breezing and shaking through Manderson. God was so remarkably present and active and that was clear in so many ways.

 

One of the moments that I have learned from and will cherish the most is one afternoon while we were playing with the kids. One of our adult leaders and I were swinging a jump rope while the kids took turns jumping. As I looked at the line that was formed I saw pain; I saw a lot of kids who could be mean or tough as a means of covering up their hurt. These are kids who don’t necessarily have safety or refuge in their parents arms, who sometimes are up all hours of the night because their parents are buying alcohol with money that was meant to feed them. They are from a community where alcoholism is rampant and joblessness is a common way of life; however, as they stepped into the spinning rope, I got the opportunity to witness the most beautiful joy I have ever seen. These kids would jump and all of the pain, hurt and built-up walls melted away. What was left was the purest, biggest, most beautiful dirt-filled smiles I have seen in my life.

 

The memory brings tears to my eyes because it was just so incredibly awesome. They laughed the most beautiful chiming sounds I have heard! I have never in my life seen or felt God more present in the eyes of another human being as I did in that moment. This trip was one of learning and listening, of laughter and peace, of realization and desire to help. It was a combination of so much and each part was unique, every person present made it what it was. We got to see this place in a way most people don’t. For this I am incredibly thankful. The work God is doing here is moving and exciting.

 

We learned a lot about brokenness this week, and we heard a lot about how parts of this community are broken, but what I have seen and experienced in this week makes me realize that this community is not broken. Brokenness conveys hopelessness. This community is not hopeless. It is bent, very much so, and there is a lot of hurt and pain but there is also so much potential and hope. The sweet toothy smiles and moments of humanity in children, who are often written off as worthless, showed that to me. Pine Ridge One is a place and experience that only God can find words for. It is a mix of so much emotion and sensitivity. But it is so worth it and God is working – very actively – in this place in ways that are so magnificent.

 

As I prepare to return for a fourth time, I can only imagine the ways God will continue to revive and work within the people of this place.

 

Read about Kayla’s first trip here.

 

Read about Kayla’s second trip here.

 

Visit www.reverbmagazine.com in August to read about Kayla’s fourth trip.