Howdy Folks,
Two times a year
Linda Grajewski loads her horses and travels from her home in Tennessee to the
Pine Ridge Reservation in SD to minister to the Lakota children and women there
through the use of horses. Gaits to Heaven is a faith based healing and helping
non-profit program Linda started 4 years ago, though she's been ministering
most of her life. Being the daughter of an alcoholic parent, she learned early
on the power, pain and suffering of that disease. She credits attending a Billy
Graham program for youth at the age of 13 with charting the direction of her
life. She credits horses, and their spirit with how to follow that direction
and find a way to help others.
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| Linda and a 6 year old a Lakota Girl - Everyone needs a hand up sometimes! |
Linda has over 20
years experience in ministry, education and mental health and recovery
programs. She has a lifelong love and relationship with horses and is an active
participant in many equine activities. Combining her love of the ministry with
the power of the spirit of the horse, Linda travels much of the year to work
with women and children and provide education and support resources for
individuals and families about Alcohol and Substance Abuse and/or Mental
Illness, and to lead Bible Study and Worship services at horse events.
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| Linda surrounded by kids at the Crazy Horse Memorial Ride for Veterans Ft Robinson, NE to Pine Ridge, SD |
"Since the
Lakota people have been known for generations as, 'the people of the horse' I
also receive donations of tack that I give to them. They have many fine horses
but limited funds to buy good tack and supplies. Several of the Lakota people
host rides and horse games for the children and these supplies are much needed
and appreciated." Linda explained.
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| Volunteers helping the boys to Ride Horse at summer camp. |
This year Linda
has been invited to another reservation in SD on the Cheyenne River and now
will leading a Recovery Program for the
women in the jail at Pine Ridge and in the community at Cheyenne River and
helping there with children as well.
When Linda
started this ministry 4 years, ago 2 horse friends of hers had committed
suicide within a few months of each other. She'd planned to only minister in
her local area and at horse events. But, when she was invited to go on a
Christian Veterinary Mission trip to Pine Ridge, she was broken hearted to find
they had the highest suicide rate in the nation among teens and children. She
knew it was God's will, that he had led her and her horses there to use his
power and the spirit of the horse to change, and save lives.
Thank you Linda
and your horses for all you do. To learn more please visit their website www.gaitstoheaven.org.
Gitty Up ~ Dutch
Henry
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