26 November 2007

 

 

Dear Faithful Ones,

I’d like to begin by wishing you a Happy Holiday season! Thanksgiving is behind us and Christmas is before us, along with the start of a New Year. I pray you find yourself basking in the goodness of a truly Great God.

As I write, I’m grateful for all the many blessings God has bestowed on me. Out here at the good ole’ Triple-R Ranch, we are finishing up our fall retreat season. Our Lord has given us ample opportunity to share His love. Pages would be filled if I tried to tell all, so how ‘bout some highlights? On Oct 24, we went to Atlantic Shores Christian Schools to present the gospel in a “Cowboy Chapel” where we use the horses to illustrate biblical principles. We did our presentation three times, for 100+ students, grades K through 6th. On Halloween night, we opened our property to about 900 guests who enjoyed an “alternative” to Trick-or-Treating with activities such as pony rides and hay rides. We also had the opportunity to conduct 8 weeks of Special Equestrian lessons on Thursday evenings for our 12 handicapped students. Nothing quite compares with the emotion of giving a  confined child freedom by placing him on the back of a horse. Instantly depression is replaced with sheer delight. For 10 of the past many weeks, we hosted horsemanship riding lessons; I had the privilege of teaching 18 students in three classes. These lessons were the highlight for me.

In between each activity were weekend retreats of girl scouts, church groups, men’s retreats, school groups. Just last week, we hosted a Sunday retreat for about 100 International students from Old Dominion University! But all these groups pale in comparison to the relationships I’ve been able to build and deepen with our teen barn staff. So many of them are beginning to grow and expand their relationship with Almighty God. I’ve been able to take a couple of the guys and begin discipling them, teaching them what it means to live for Christ.

I wake up every day, enjoying tremendously this vibrant ministry. But, this ministry has its needs. Currently I’ve raised 21% of my support, and things financially are much too tight. Praise God for a 9% increase in support raised since my last letter, but I’ve got a long way yet to go. Perhaps as you are reading this, God is stirring your heart. Would you decide today to commit to supporting me monthly? I’m excited to be involved in this ministry and it would excite me even more to have you partner with me! Please, please, consider it! The time is now, and the opportunities are limitless to share the Gospel with children and adults of all ages!

So, what now? With only two more retreat weekends, our schedule is winding down to winter break. On December 1, we will participate in the annual Christmas parade through the town of Great Bridge, with floats and horses. After that, the biggest weekend of the year for us, Christmas in the Country, on December 14-15. Our camp will be flooded with an anticipated 5,000+ people! Following that weekend, we will enjoy a much-needed month off: no groups, no retreats, no lessons. In late January, spring retreats will commence. In the mean-time, we will continue daily maintenance, horse training, and ministry preparations: we are already laying things out for Summer Camp 2008! Please pray: we are looking at making some necessary but perhaps difficult changes for the summer.

Please pray also for me personally. God is continuing to stretch and grow me and some lessons are difficult to learn.

Please pray for even more witnessing opportunities: open minds and willing hearts, ready to receive the Gospel freely offered them.

Please pray for my support raising - I still need an additional $1300 a month.

Pray for strength for all of us. We haven’t had time off since last January and we have some big events still ahead of us. Pray for patience and endurance.

All in all, we praise God for many, many blessings. In light of hay shortages across the nation, our herd continues to eat. God has never let us down and we are confident He never will! My friends, I am humbled at the goodness of our great God! To God be the glory, great things He is doing!!! Thank you so much for the role YOU play in supporting me and praying for me. Without you, none of my ministry would be possible!!! May your holidays be filled with love, joy and a renewed reminder of how Great a God we serve, a God willing to humble Himself to the point of being born a baby in a dirty, smelly barn. May this love guide you in the year ahead!

All my love,

 

 

Psalm 46:10. Colossians  1:9-14. 1 Timothy 1:12-17

“Its YOU reaching TEENS through ME!”