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Crying Wind
Simply and sensitively written, Crying Wind's true story gives insights into American Indian culture and the cultural barriers an Indian must hurdle when he accepts Christ.
188 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1977
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
July 20, 2016
I'm not Christian, but I love her writing. She has a great sense of humor and raw honesty that I appreciate. I don't care for the preachiness, but it's a minimal part of the book, and she is otherwise a great writer and storyteller.
October 7, 2011
It is an interesting account of a young woman's struggle for acceptance and a conflict between modern culture and old traditions that kept her in a state of struggle until she saw the value of finding peace in a new religion.
September 4, 2012
I really loved this author's style...she has a great way with words, and her story is at times unbelievable. Mostly, I love the way her journey leads to redemption through Jesus Christ, from her Indian heritage and false religion.
March 11, 2011
if you enjoy Christian books check this one out
April 19, 2021
As a person who appreciates the beauty of God's nature and creation, the gorgeous cover of a hope filled design of the sun breaking through pulled at my heart. I have been blessed by a number of (as yet unwritten) testimonies of Native believers. So, my interest was even more piqued when I found out this is a story of a sister in Jesus!
Someone I spoke with about story once commented that some writers are gifted in taking you into the story and from the very first page, Crying Wind does just that: invites you into her world. As an empathic individual, who came from an abusive background, I understood Crying Wind's ache to be loved and even with God's love that He creates us to be in fellowship. Heaven isn't just meant for one individual or one specific people. Christ died so anyone who chooses to follow Him can spend forever with Him and all the others who have loved Him who also have preceded us.
I found myself riveted in reading about Crying Wind's early spiritual experiences and growing in discernment, which takes courage. It is true that there are forces of both good and evil and they do manifest in the physical realm. I found myself chuckling at her encounter with the telephone as introverts are able to relate being annoyed by our thoughts being interrupted by the unexpected intrusions to our rich inner worlds. I also reminesced, connecting with others by letter or in person. I am touched by her humor in the tale about the horse called "tornado/cyclone" living up to his name spinning around and tossing her. What a relief God spared her that day from what could have been life altering physically. My heart recieved joy in reading of the cultural bridge others crossed sweetly in refraining from something that elicits a unexpected response on behalf of someone.
Crying wind relates the crying in our own lives, telling about the losses and loneliness with an open hand of understanding. The crying to have that special someone God has for most of us to serve alongside as coheirs. The crying of rejection by the ones we love whether it is of family or a teenage boyfriend. The crying of the loss of a friend. The crying of a parent over the injustice done to one's child. The crying of the entirely unexpected.
God hears our cries and puts our tears in His bottle. He moves and acts when His people cry out to Him individually and collectively. One day there will be only tears of joy and reunion for the believer. He who makes all things new cares deeply about what matters to us and does not despise our intercession before Him. Crying Wind exhibits that in her life: that permission to petition our Heavenly Father and our Lord and Savior, Jesus for those in our lives as well as admirable abundance of thankfulness for the blessings He gives.
As someone who has long loved the Native community and ached in my own heart that more First Nation people would come to know Jesus, this biography riveted my heart and touched me deeply. I am so glad I found this. The quote or phrase from the book which pierced my missionary heart to the core was Crying Wind's question to her uncle as a young person. A lot of people, believers in Jesus or unbelievers, but particularly as believers should take an interest and active love to love one another as Jesus loves us (from all nations, tribes and tongues):
"Why don't they love us?"
In Matthew 25:44 people will ask, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ (NKJV)
The righteous...those of God's righteousness (not our own) will have fed the hungry, given water to the thirsty, clothed the naked and visited those who are in prison.
Crying Wind gives glory to God and shares His power in her testimony-- His powerful love which overcomes death to point people toward Hope which does not disappoint. The hope which lives in the hearts of His people.
Let us show our love for Jesus with all our heart, mind, soul and strength so that we can and do love others as He has loved us. So they see in our eyes and hearts there is something missing and cry out and receive from Love, life everlasting: God's cry. His heart's desire. He is not willing that any should perish but gave His only begotten son whom he describes as "beloved" so we might be with Him forever. He loves the native nations and the people of God love the native nations among all nations tribes and tongues.
Someone I spoke with about story once commented that some writers are gifted in taking you into the story and from the very first page, Crying Wind does just that: invites you into her world. As an empathic individual, who came from an abusive background, I understood Crying Wind's ache to be loved and even with God's love that He creates us to be in fellowship. Heaven isn't just meant for one individual or one specific people. Christ died so anyone who chooses to follow Him can spend forever with Him and all the others who have loved Him who also have preceded us.
I found myself riveted in reading about Crying Wind's early spiritual experiences and growing in discernment, which takes courage. It is true that there are forces of both good and evil and they do manifest in the physical realm. I found myself chuckling at her encounter with the telephone as introverts are able to relate being annoyed by our thoughts being interrupted by the unexpected intrusions to our rich inner worlds. I also reminesced, connecting with others by letter or in person. I am touched by her humor in the tale about the horse called "tornado/cyclone" living up to his name spinning around and tossing her. What a relief God spared her that day from what could have been life altering physically. My heart recieved joy in reading of the cultural bridge others crossed sweetly in refraining from something that elicits a unexpected response on behalf of someone.
Crying wind relates the crying in our own lives, telling about the losses and loneliness with an open hand of understanding. The crying to have that special someone God has for most of us to serve alongside as coheirs. The crying of rejection by the ones we love whether it is of family or a teenage boyfriend. The crying of the loss of a friend. The crying of a parent over the injustice done to one's child. The crying of the entirely unexpected.
God hears our cries and puts our tears in His bottle. He moves and acts when His people cry out to Him individually and collectively. One day there will be only tears of joy and reunion for the believer. He who makes all things new cares deeply about what matters to us and does not despise our intercession before Him. Crying Wind exhibits that in her life: that permission to petition our Heavenly Father and our Lord and Savior, Jesus for those in our lives as well as admirable abundance of thankfulness for the blessings He gives.
As someone who has long loved the Native community and ached in my own heart that more First Nation people would come to know Jesus, this biography riveted my heart and touched me deeply. I am so glad I found this. The quote or phrase from the book which pierced my missionary heart to the core was Crying Wind's question to her uncle as a young person. A lot of people, believers in Jesus or unbelievers, but particularly as believers should take an interest and active love to love one another as Jesus loves us (from all nations, tribes and tongues):
"Why don't they love us?"
In Matthew 25:44 people will ask, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ (NKJV)
The righteous...those of God's righteousness (not our own) will have fed the hungry, given water to the thirsty, clothed the naked and visited those who are in prison.
Crying Wind gives glory to God and shares His power in her testimony-- His powerful love which overcomes death to point people toward Hope which does not disappoint. The hope which lives in the hearts of His people.
Let us show our love for Jesus with all our heart, mind, soul and strength so that we can and do love others as He has loved us. So they see in our eyes and hearts there is something missing and cry out and receive from Love, life everlasting: God's cry. His heart's desire. He is not willing that any should perish but gave His only begotten son whom he describes as "beloved" so we might be with Him forever. He loves the native nations and the people of God love the native nations among all nations tribes and tongues.
January 7, 2020
Great picture into the darkness of an animistic background and the work of Jesus.
December 26, 2021
That was good but so painful but also good.
January 31, 2022
Interesting…changed my views on Native Americans today. If you view them as lazy or drunks, this book will make you think again! I loved it.
July 24, 2023
This was a captivating and beautifully written story! Heart wrenching at times and very inspiring. Crying wins writing is beautiful and I highly recommend this book! I learned so much from it.
March 3, 2024
A beautiful book. A life changing experience for Crying Wind. What Joy to find peace and meaning in life!
June 27, 2024
It was the best Indian biography I’ve ever read. Would highly recommend for anyone wanting to know how Indians were treated. She has written it perfectly in my eyes.
June 15, 2025
It's an easy and quick read. Author has talent and is good with imagry, though there are some rather large gaps in the story.
October 20, 2025
“There was this man named Jesus.” 🥹
May 21, 2025
This is for research…
September 28, 2022
This was a favorite of mine in my teens and it was special to read it once again. Crying Wind was a part-native girl who grew up on a reservation. Her parents deserted her and left her with her grandmother and uncles. When her grandmother died she was left to more or less to fend for herself in a big city even though she was only fifteen years old. Lonely and sad, Crying Wind felt as if he life was worthless. She attempted suicide but was unsuccessful. One day she met a pastor and his wife who lovingly took her under their care. Their love brought her to Jesus where she could finally find peace and a purpose in life.
February 7, 2009
This memoir details how the Kickapoo Indians lived at the time (about the 1950's, I think) and describes their religion. It also describes the difficulties they face, both on their reservations and in the cities.
The book only skims the surface of the topic of Native American culture and religion, but it's a good place to start. The story is interesting, fast-paced, and easy-to-read.
The book only skims the surface of the topic of Native American culture and religion, but it's a good place to start. The story is interesting, fast-paced, and easy-to-read.
April 22, 2008
This young Native American girl goes through much trauma and teaches us to appreciate what we have in live. This is a biography. I read this the first time when I was in Jr. High-- and it really made me think more about the people around me.
June 18, 2008
Beautiful, touching autobiography of a Kickapoo girl, from growing up on the reservation to moving to the city and joining a church. This describes the culture of this tribe and the difficulties Cry faced when leaving it.
July 30, 2020
The true story of a lonely girl who comes to know the one true God. We read this in the 8th grade at GCA. I recently had my daughter read it (she's almost 13), so I re-read it. She goes through some tough things, so not recommended for young kids.
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November 20, 2008AI 970.3
June 7, 2009
Insightful window into Native American life, and God's love and grace.
April 4, 2010
This book is so inspiring!!!! you will need tissue
August 16, 2016
This is the remarkable story of a young indian girl who grew up on a reservation. She moves to the city and finds God's love after escaping the wrath of her relatives.
September 15, 2012
One of my forever books! Changed me.
December 16, 2012
Great book, great testimony...I was only disappointed to find that it wasn't a true story.
June 9, 2014
Excellent read!
May 10, 2015
A very, very moving story.
March 30, 2016
Was a very interesting read, and gives you great understanding of different cultures beliefs and spiritualism.
April 18, 2008
I've read this book 2 times and will probably read it many more.
August 29, 2011
I love this story! And the fact that it is a biography makes it even better!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews