|
| |
"The Healing of Wounded Knee"
This was written to bring
awareness of God's heart for bringing healing, reconciliation and restoration to
Native Americans, and all of us who have been affected by what happened at
Wounded Knee. We want to give thanks to Jesus Christ, for without Him, none of
us would have any hope.
Isaiah 53
"He was wounded for our
transgressions, and by His stripes we are healed"
The purpose of this article is to share what I feel is the
vision of the heart of God for the healing of Wounded Knee. I want to say
that by God's grace He has allowed me to be involved in this. I'm certainly not
an expert on the matter, nor do I claim to have all the revelation concerning
this, but God has definitely given me some direction and purpose in this.
The history and background of The Massacre at Wounded Knee is
known to many Americans and people throughout the world. The purpose of writing
this down is not to point the finger at the guilty, because we have all sinned
and fall short of the glory of God. See Romans Chapter 3:23...note that it says,
"we fall short" is in the present tense. Therefore we rely on God's grace,
justified by faith. However, I do want to help bring understanding to this
controversial, painful subject. The purpose is for healing and restoration. This
is always the ultimate goal of Christ coming to reveal Himself to man.
The massacre took place on Dec 29, 1890 in an isolated place
on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. Chief Big Foot was bringing his
people in to surrender. In that process there was great tension, gunfire erupted
and the US Army killed nearly 300 Lakota men, women and children. It was a sad
day in our American history.
I want to share how the Lord brought me into this. I have
come to understand in my walk with Christ that He has a perfect plan for our
lives. When we find that destiny, we are bound for the greatest success in this
life. I know that God had my life planned long before I existed.
Being raised in a strong Christian home would lay the
foundation for my life. I have Cherokee and European ancestry which is by the
will of God. I can recall some of my fondest memories as a child camping in The
Great Smoky Mountains, sacred homeland to the Cherokee. I have a picture of
myself at the age of 1 year old with Indian Feathers on my head, in the Smoky
Mountains. Even at that age God was preparing me for the future. The Lord
deposits things in us, with the desire to let it grow and be fruitful for his
purpose.
In 1996 I would submit to the call of God while backpacking
in the high mountain wilderness of Wyoming. The very next year the Lord
would visit me on a mountaintop in Wyoming and give me an incredible vision.
This place is called "The Medicine Wheel" in The Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming,
and is a National Historical Site and sacred place for many tribes. The Lord
revealed his Fire and Glory to me there, and I saw a multitude of sheep and
three shepherds. I felt God was impressing me the He was going to bring a great
harvest to The Native Americans. I felt He was going to send me into the Nations
with the Good News. I have gone into the Nations since then.
As time would unfold I would begin to minister on several
different Native American Reservations, including the Cherokee in North
Carolina. The Lord had some particular plans in store for the Pine Ridge
Reservation in South Dakota. God would supernaturally arrange circumstances and
bring people into my life to bring this about. In 1997 I would visit there for
the first time. In 1998 I would go again and be a part of building a
church in Oglala on the reservation. I must say that on this reservation I
experienced incredible spiritual oppression, like nothing I had ever seen
before. The Pine Ridge Reservation is known for it's reputation among many
Native Americans. It's known as a stronghold.
In 1998 while attending a World Gathering of Native Christian
people, the Lord would begin the process of connecting me to Pine Ridge. God was
doing a work to bring forth more Native Leaders and people for his Kingdom
purposes. During the conference I met a man named Bob Dudley, a Dakota native
from South Dakota. He asked a friend and I to accompany him to Wounded Knee. We
were honored to be asked. I soon found out that although he had lived in South
Dakota all of his life, he had never visited Wounded Knee. This puzzled me. He
told us he didn't think he could take the pain associated with that place. God
began to show me that this was a stronghold. As we journeyed there, we went with
a heart to bring healing and reconciliation to this man. We stood in the
graveyard, asked forgiveness for the sins of our ancestors, prayed for one
another and wept in the presence of God. I then lifted my hands to heaven and
sang, "How beautiful Heaven must Be" as an offering unto the Lord. The
revelation that came forth next would bring greater clarity for the plan of my
life that God had prepared. I opened the bible and began to read where my eyes
supernaturally fell upon the scriptures. In Hebrews 11:13-16, I began to read
aloud over the graveyard at Wounded Knee. 13) "These all died in faith, not
having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them
and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14) For those
who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. 15) And truly if
they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would
have had opportunity to return. 16) But now they desire a better, that is a
heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He
has prepared a city for them." ....Wow!.... After reading that I was shocked,
what should I say now? I didn't know what happened to all who died in the
massacre. I certainly didn't want to give false hope in words I couldn't verify.
I felt led of the Lord to remain quiet and meditate. I asked God to forgive me
if I had done anything wrong. Isaiah 55:11 states that God's Word will go forth,
not return void, accomplish his pleasure and prosper in it's purpose.
In the year of 1999, I would return to Pine Ridge on
assignment from the Lord. During this time my father was on his death bed, soon
to go home and be with the Lord. it was an emotionally difficult time for our
family. I remembered as a child that my father who was a preacher, used to write
to the missionary at The First Church of God in Wounded Knee. My father had a
burden for the Native Americans. When I left his bedside before heading to South
Dakota, I knew I would never see him again in this world. He was ready to go.
When I arrived in Pine Ridge, missionary Tim Harris asked me to visit the
American Indian Movement Camp near White Clay, Nebraska. This small town is
situated on the reservation border. Recently there had been two native men
murdered in White Clay and their bodies were dragged just one hundred yards
inside the Rez border and dumped as an act of defiance. This stirred up AIM
members and they established Camp Justice at the site to deal with the
situation. They began protest marches, breathing threats and vandalized a store
in White Clay. The FBI, Swat teams, State Patrol and others were assembled to
bring order. There was much tension, and everyone was afraid it would be another
incident like that of the 1970's in Oglala and Wounded Knee. Those were volatile
times. God gave me grace and placed me right in Camp Justice as a peacemaker. I
became a friend to some of the AIM members. My goal was to show the love of
Christ. On July 20th of 1999, I had left the mission to go to Wounded Knee and
visit the missionary. I always wanted to encourage them. As I pulled into the
parking lot of the church at Wounded Knee, I saw a van with the name: Clay City
Church of God, Kentucky. This amazed me, my father whose name is Clay, had
preached in that church. Later that evening I found out that the Lord had taken
my earthly father home at the very hour I visited Wounded Knee that day. This
would leave an eternal impact on my life. The Lord spoke to me that a seed must
fall to the ground and die before it can be resurrected. I felt He impressed me
that this would happen in Wounded Knee also, resurrection power would spring
forth where there had been death.
The year of 2000 would be a major shift in the direction of
my life and ministry. This was the year the Lord would really establish me in
Pine Ridge. Missionary Tim Harris asked me to fill in for him and his wife for a
few months that summer and fall. The Lord quickly confirmed that this was his
plan. During this time of pastoral ministry, the Lord connected me to Chief
Oliver Red Cloud. He is the 85 year old Chief of the Oglala Sioux, a direct
descendant of the great War Chief of the 1800's. He is a traditional leader of
the people. I met him at the Pow-Wow that year and the Lord spoke to me and
said, "Ask him to go fishing." I did just that, and those fishing trips would
build our friendship. We spent quality time together as friends. We grew to love
and respect one another, even though we had some different views.
I would do my best to show the love and reality of Christ in
our daily lives by example to him. He would allow me to pray with him, which is
a sign of blessings and respect. Only God could bring a traditional Chief and a
Charismatic minister together. As time would pass I would seek the Lord about
his plan for Red Cloud and I being connected. We already know God wants to save
everyone.
After Thanksgiving of 2000, I returned to Tennessee for the
winter with plans to come back in the spring of the next year. That winter I
would seek the Lord for direction. I began to do some research on Chief Red
Cloud of the 1800's. I felt the need to know more about him and the history of
the Lakota people. I remembered some things from American History classes and
general knowledge. I began reading a book I had originally read in the 1970's
called, "Bury my heart at Wounded Knee." It's an American classic about the
plight of the Native People. Something I found in that book would bring more
clarity to what I feel God wants to accomplish. In the last chapter, which gives
details about the day of the massacre, Chief Red Cloud gave a statement
concerning that day. This is a word for word quote as written in the book, it's
the introduction to the final chapter.
Red Cloud said: "There was no hope on earth, and God seemed
to have forgotten us. Some said they saw the Son of God; others did not
see Him. If He had come, He would do some great things as He had done before. We
doubted it because we had neither seen Him nor His works. The people did not
know; they did not care. They snatched at the hope. They screamed like crazy men
to Him for mercy. They caught at the promise they heard He had made."
When I read that, the Holy Spirit of God came upon me with
glory and revelation. I felt He impressed me at that moment that I would reveal
this to the people someday. I was overwhelmed! I thanked the Lord! It seemed
like such an incredible task. I asked the Lord to confirm this because I didn't
want to speak something that was not of God. I would wait on the Lord for 3
years before the confirmation came. I realized this revelation had eternal
implications and I didn't want to mess it up. If you'll notice what Red Cloud
said coordinates with the scriptures in Hebrews Chapter 11. Now it was making
more sense to me why God had brought Chief Oliver Red Cloud into my life.
I didn't make it to Pine Ridge in 2001 as I expected. There
was a chain of events in my life that took me in another direction. During this
season there was growth, maturity, and preparation taking place in my life. The
Lord would send me into Europe for the first time and I would minister in
England and Germany. This would be the beginning of the call to the Nations. He
would teach me how to travel internationally. I would also minister on the
Cheyenne Reservation in Montana.
In 2002 my year started with a sovereign move of God at The
Assembly of God Church in Gallatin, Tennessee. In early February I was
invited to speak there one Sunday night and the Holy Spirit moved with power.
The Pastor asked me to continue, and the meeting went on for 7 weeks, and I
ministered 5 nights a week. People were saved, healed, delivered and filled with
the Holy Ghost. This is what I had been praying for among the Native people. It
was exciting!
Afterwards the Lord would again launch me into Europe, and I
would visit five Nations. I ministered in England and Germany with more
invitations coming forth. This would help establish me further with Christian
Leaders and Churches in those Nations. I have been invited by German Church
Leaders to bring a Holy Spirit Filled Team of Native Americans to minister in
that Nation. Plans are being worked out now for the summer of 2004. In the fall
of 2002 I would return to Pine Ridge for 2 months to continue the ministry
there.
The year of 2003 was a key in God's plan. In the spring the
Lord would connect me with a woman in Scotland, whom He gave a vision of the
massacre at Wounded Knee. Her name is Catherine Brown and her ministry web site
is...www.gatekeepers.org.uk...at this site you can find a copy of the vision the
Lord gave her. Look under Prophecy Archives and then First Nations-The Native
American Indians.
When we talked on the phone in May there was an immediate witness in my spirit.
A summary of her vision is: Jesus was there on the day of the massacre walking
in their midst. The Lord spoke to her concerning reconciliation taking place
between the Natives and the Government. The Government will ask pardon. She had
never heard of Wounded Knee, but the Lord told her the name of the place. I felt
this was the confirmation I had been seeking. This was such a supernatural
encounter, but this is the nature of God.
With that revelation, I would begin to pray and speak what I
felt the Lord wanted to accomplish. In May of 2003 I would return to Pine Ridge
and continue serving the Lord and the people. With specific goals in mind; I
wondered how the Lord would connect me to the Government. The Lord would lead me
by His Spirit everyday. One day while in a music store in Rapid City, I saw a
picture of Governor Michael Rounds on the wall. I shared with the store owner
what God had laid on my heart. He gave me the name of a businessman who was a
friend of Governor Rounds. I called him, and he asked me to come to his store
and meet him. I briefly shared what the Lord had laid on my heart. He told me he
would call the Governor on my behalf and that I could expect to hear from
the Governor's office. About three weeks later the Governor's office called and
told me they were bringing me into the loop of reconciliation.
In an earlier conversation with Chief Red Cloud, he told me
Governor Michael Rounds had invited him to his house at the state capitol for
dinner. Governor Mike wanted to know what he could do to help. He also stated
that the State of South Dakota wanted to do something special at Wounded Knee to
honor the Lakota. They wanted to clean the place up and make improvements. Now
everything is falling into place according to God's plan. This was so exciting
to me, God had opened a door that no man could. I was amazed that the Lord
connected me with my first attempt through a conversation. That's God!
Later that summer I would travel to Pierre, South Dakota and
begin a personal connection with the office of Governor Michael Rounds through his
representative for the Native People. Roger Campbell would invite me to a
reconciliation meeting on October 6th, 2003 that was being hosted by Governor
Mike Rounds and Senator Tom Daschle of South Dakota. This is The Day of
Atonement on the Jewish Calendar. Again I saw the Hand of God in this as He was
orchestrating His will.
I did travel to Pierre on October 5th to be at the meeting. I
was able to call Governor Michael Rounds at his house that evening and briefly
share my heart. He told me that maybe we would find time to visit the next day.
On October 6th there were some 700-800 people gathered for this meeting. Many
Native people, dignitaries, businessman, newsmen and everyday folks. Both
Governor Mike and Senator Tom Daschle had some great things to say. Some Native
Leaders spoke also. Some of the Native people seemed to be willing to work
through this process. Later that day I was ushered to the Governor past
The Secret Service and others. We met personally and again I shared my heart. I
thanked him for sharing his heart. I left that day realizing what they were
starting in the natural, God wants to complete in the spiritual. I knew God was
laying out a plan for me to follow.
Prayer Subjects
-
Agree with us in prayer that God's will is accomplished in
this matter.
-
Pray that the blood of Christ protects everyone involved.
-
Pray that the Holy Spirit will guide this in God's timing.
-
Pray that God gives wisdom, discernment and revelation.
-
Pray that God brings the proper people into this and blocks
those who aren't supposed to be involved.
-
Pray that God burdens intercessors and prayer warriors for
this
-
Pray for traditional Native Leaders and people, that they
will be willing to receive healing, reconciliation, and salvation.
-
Pray for our Government Leaders to be sensitive to this.
-
Pray God's Word concerning Government Leaders, Native, State
and Federal, Romans 13:1-8 and 1 Peter 2:13-17.
-
Pray that Jesus Christ is ultimately revealed and gets the
glory.
-
Pray that the enemy is bound, exposed, and the ax is laid to
the root.
-
Pray that the Lord sends a great awakening and revival among
the Native People.
-
Pray that the Native People reach their fullest destiny in
Christ.
Principles of The Healing
It is believed by some in Christian circles that The Healing
of Wounded Knee will open up floodgates for revival. This place is known as a
stronghold. It was even stated by Black Elk, a Lakota spiritual leader that the
result of the massacre at Wounded Knee was a death blow to the Native People's
dream. The dream of life as they knew it. It was their last stand to maintain
their land and their way of life. It was a beautiful dream.
It stands to reason that Jesus wants to pour forth
resurrection power and life where death and destruction did abound. Romans
5:12-21 talks about how death and sin did abound when it came into the world,
then how much more does grace and life reign through Jesus Christ our Lord.
I find it very interesting that Red Cloud stated that they
screamed for mercy to the Son of God on the day of the massacre. They did not
call on any other god or name. This is the ultimate goal of healing,
reconciliation, and restoration....to call on Jesus! He said they had heard of
the Son of God. We are grateful to all the messengers who have gone before us.
Romans 10:13...."For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."
All for King Jesus!!!....Cody
|
