HEARTS, HOOVES, AND HOPE
Howdy, y’all. I am starting to practice my western style of speaking because our Heavenly Father has moved my heart from west Michigan to Oregon. I’ve been called, and I am moving—quite literally!
Let me back up a little to explain what has been happening in my life the past few years. I am employed at Ritsema Associates, a commercial construction company. I started out as general labor, and now, 12 years later, I am the Safety Director! The Lord’s blessing is so evident! I have been very privileged to work for a company that has given me challenges and opportunities to grow and to apply the Bible’s absolute truths in the business world. I am very grateful for the people skills and business skills that I have developed in my job, and I know that I’m a better person for having learned them.
About two years ago, some changes began to take place at work, and they were not changes that I would have chosen. These changes took me out of my comfort zone, challenged me to examine my motives and desires, and caused me to start looking in new directions. In retrospect, I see the Father’s hand in orchestrating those changes for a purpose. I would never have considered the new direction He had for me if He hadn’t touched my secure little world and “messed it up”. In His bigger plan, He wanted me to develop new skills, grow in character, and walk more by faith.
Waiting for God to direct my path was difficult, but my family and some close friends were faithfully praying with me that I might know and follow God’s will. In January of this year, the Lord prompted me to do three things: first, refinance my house to a lower monthly payment; second, update my resume; and third, sell my “toys”. With the Lord’s help, I followed through and accomplished all three. He then prompted me to look for a vehicle to replace my 15-passenger “camping” van and led me to a 1993 Mercury Villager minivan that I was able to purchase for exactly the amount of money I had set aside!
In reading through the Bible this year, I came to the passage in Isaiah 30, and it was as though that chapter had been written just for me. The beginning of the chapter is a warning not to seek out my own ways, not to be rebellious in my heart or in my actions. Next comes the promise of who the Father wants to be in my life, and who He is ready to be, if I wholeheartedly seek after Him and His ways. It shows the power, love, and hope that He is ready to give. I made a copy of Isaiah 30 and put it in my pocket so I can pull it out and re-read it often. It has helped me stay focused on God’s Word and on His hope rather than on myself and on what is (or isn’t) happening in “my world”.
Last fall, while my Dad was working at remodeling an older lady’s house, she read a couple of stories out of a book called Hope Rising. Hope Rising is written by Kim Meeder, who, with her husband Troy, is founder of Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch in Bend, Oregon. The book contains stories of horses and of people who have been changed by the power of Jesus Christ. My Dad was so moved by those stories that he told my Mom about it when he got home for supper. Mom said, “Oh, I heard that lady on Dr. Dobson’s program recently. I should order her books”. And so she did. Around the beginning of March, my sister Pam noticed the books on the bookshelf and picked up the first one to read it. The next Saturday, when I was at their home for dinner, Pam said she wanted to read us some stories while we ate our popcorn. Before she had finished the second paragraph of the first story, I was already crying and knew my heart was being stirred by the Holy Spirit. Immediately, Isaiah 30:21 came to my remembrance and I knew I was receiving the answer, both to my prayers and to those that others had been praying for me. I knew that Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch was a place where the Father could use me to serve Him. It was a perfect match for my skills, passions, and prayers.
On March 31, with my parents’ and family’s blessing and with great anticipation, I sent in an application to become a volunteer at the ranch as soon as possible. On April 15, I received an answer from the ranch: “NO”. Disappointment and discouragement abounded. Struggles to rest in His will, give up my expectations, and be content with unanswered questions were daily battles; yet this was also a time of growth and increased trust.
With that door so firmly closed, I re-focused on my work and on what the Lord wanted me to do there. I put 100% of myself into being a part of the changes and helping to implement a course of action that supported the company’s direction. I could not, however, get out of my heart the ranch, their ministry, and what I was sure was my calling. At the end of September, I e-mailed the ranch asking them to pray and re-consider my volunteer application for the 2009 season. On November 2, a Sunday morning and the second day of our church’s mission’s conference, I opened an e-mail inviting me to spend the 2009 season at Crystal Peaks! I laughed! I whooped with joy! I wept tears of gratefulness! I’m pretty sure that I was walking at least a foot off ground level.
The next week, when I shared with our company president where the Lord was leading me, he was, of course, a little shocked, but was gracious, understanding, supportive, and happy for me. He even said that when I returned, he would be open to re-hiring me at Ritsema! Thank you, Lord!
So what is this place that has captured your heart, you ask? You are leaving your job and volunteering for what reason and for how long? What is the ranch all about? On the ranch website, they explain their ministry as follows:
“Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch was founded in 1995 by Troy and Kim Meeder. After the rescue of its first two horses, a remarkable transformation was set into motion; the children began to come to the ranch. They were not coming for what they could get, as the horses were not ridable; rather, they were coming for what they could give. In their efforts to make the horses better, the children themselves got better. After witnessing a mute girl speak freely to one of our rescued horses, it became vitally clear that there was a need to build a ranch where horses and children could help heal each other. A safe and peaceful environment was created as the foundation where broken children, horses, and families could find hope within the healing circle of unconditional love.
What makes our program unique is that many of the 25-30 horses that live on the ranch have been rescued from violent abuse or life-threatening neglect. These extraordinary horses, all of which have their own stories of triumph and hope, are paired with one leader and one child for a 90-minute private lesson. The lessons are flexible, allowing that time to best serve the unique needs of the children. Instead of being lost in a group, each child is nurtured by a leader who shares in his or her individual tears and victories. All of this is done free of charge. It is our hope that, through hands-on experience, kids will learn the values of life, family, faith, and trust. They, in turn, teach us true resilience and the remarkable wonder of life.”
The effectiveness of the ranch’s impact on kids has been nationally recognized. After writing her first book, Hope Rising, Kim and the ranch won the national Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Award and the regional Jefferson Award for the greatest public service benefiting the local community. She has written a second book, Bridge called Hope, and a third is coming in 2009.
“And your ears will hear a word behind you saying, This is the way; walk in it….” Isaiah 30:21.
The time of waiting to hear is over! I have heard His voice and am eager to follow! Lord willing, I will begin volunteering at the ranch on April 1 and will work through the middle of November. In the ranch’s handbook, it is stated that their goals for each volunteer are 1) to learn to rely on Jesus Christ as your source of everything and 2) to compel the clientele of the ranch to do the same. What a joy and privilege to partner with others of like mind and heart! Being outdoors and working with animals - my favorite things to do - are just chocolate icing on the cake!
For the first weeks, I will be working with a staff person so they can get to know me and see what training I may need with the horses and how I interact with the children and other visitors to the ranch. I will be assisting the staff person with ranch-type chores, office work, pulling weeds, scooping rocks, etc. As time goes on, other responsibilities may include working with the horses, acting as a greeter, talking with parents and families that come to the ranch, participating in ranch events, property maintenance, office communication, and administrative tasks. Variety is the norm, and each day has God-ordained times to listen, encourage, pray, share Christ, and have fun, too!
Though I have been putting extra money into my savings account since the beginning of the year, I am not able to finance this entire time away from my home and job. Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch does not have housing available on the ranch, so one of my prayers has been for the Lord to lead me to a place to stay in or around the town of Bend. Some possibilities might include staying with a local family, sharing expenses and housing with other female volunteers, or contacting a local church to see if someone would be interested in housing me. Or, maybe the Lord has something else in mind! I’ll keep you posted. I won’t need any special gear or clothing except for cowboy boots and a hat, which I will purchase in Oregon.
It is my delight to share this letter with you. Please consider putting me and the Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch on your prayer list. (And if you do so, please let me know; not only will it encourage my heart, but I will be praying for you, too!) If the Lord leads you to offer financial assistance, know that your gift will not ultimately go to me, but to the Lord’s work at the ranch, helping to share the love and hope of Jesus with whomever walks through the gates.
Thanks for reading my LONG letter and rejoicing with me as I take the Father’s next step for me in my walk of faith. Feel free to write me an e-mail or send me a letter. I will do my best to respond in a timely manner.
Keep smilin’ and lookin’ to Jesus with me today!
Jane
If you would like to read more about where I am going check out www.crystalpeaksyouthranch.org
