Tuesday

Once again with all our hearts we thank you for what is a miracle forming before our eyes, and the blessing, that we get to be a part of as we do the will of God. We all have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of those we love and to build hope for the next generation with all that we have been blessed with. Some of you have said,"I don't have much to help with", but it's not how much you help with, it's the condition of our hearts that God works with, and as He sees us use what ever we have to do His work here while we can that's when the miracles happen, all for the cause of Christ? It's that fork in the road,the channel we can use, and a choice among many that God gives us every day to be kingdom builders. God bless you all Harold, Diane and the Board of directors of the Battle River Ranch Camp.

One of the realities facing missions and ministries today is the increasing need for everyone to recognize the importance of each ones involvment. Global workers who serve in restricted access nations are willing to go into scenarios that require great risk; they've been called and they've responded with a "yes". However, their yes won't amount to anything unless others gather around them and send the support needed to move the ministry ahead in building the kingdom of God. I think we can downplay the calling of being a "supporter"; it doesn't seem exciting, it seems like all we're doing is giving money and saying the occasional prayer. Friend, let me challenge you to see yourself as part of a greater TEAM; part of the kingdom initiative of reaching the lost wherever they are. When you support a global worker you DIRECTLY participate in the activity of mission around the world, but we can never forget that there is a great need here right at home also. Look around you and recognize the value of the collective; How Together Everyone Accomplishes More and the ranch that will be the first of it's kind will be completed.

Our financial and prayer partners are a blessing to us, each and every day and we wanted to be sure to let you know just how much we appreciate you. We believe that partnership goes both ways. We pray for our partners daily, and would appreciate the opportunity to agree with you in prayer for your needs more specifically. And we pray for blessing in your lives, as you follow the example of Isaac who sowed in the midst of a famine. The result for him was that he received a hundred-fold return in that same year of famine (Genesis 26:1,12). We pray that same blessing for you, that God will show His abundance to you in every area of your lives and that you will reap a great harvest in Jesus name Amen.

Monday Can't Beat That Day

Just a fantastic Monday!  We started out by saying goodbye to Uncle Vic as he was on his way back to Prince George.  His plan was to at least get to the mountains by nightfall.  

James and Durant spent the day loading up lumber from Glenda's and hauling it over to the ranch.  We have been so blessed as she has been storing a load of lumber since last summer for us, thank you so much, Glenda. 

Dave has kept busy building the ranch up to the concrete tower and building an access road down into the trench for the sewer line.  Ryan Dirk stopped in for a visit this afternoon and got us caught up on all the news.  

By the end of the day James and Durrant had all the lumber loaded from Glenda's and on its way back to the ranch.

Life is always good when you get to help others move ahead and learn things that will help them in their life, rather than wasting time finding fault and ways to feel better by bringing other people down. Jesus was a carpenter, and Jesus was a tradesman. Jesus was also the greatest example and teacher when it comes to a new start.  Amen.

So good to have Joel here for the board meeting and to have him back on the board. 

Getting the blog out these days is so much easier and a lot of fun.  "Thanks a lot, Juli, for all your help."

"Your welcome Harold. Thanks, it was a great day today."

MONDAY'S PRAYER

O Dear Lord,
grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled
as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Sunday Sonshine

Thank you once again for taking the time to view our blog.The Battle River Ranch Camp is a non profit organization that is focused on developing trades, life skills and training opportunities for men and women that are searching and find it difficult to get the opportunities needed to develop a productive life skill. Many men and women today have no idea what they could be good at or how to find out their possible skill area or level. We are a faith based training center. Harold and Diane Stephan left a life filled with addictions and bad choices. Their journey has taken them through different twelve step programs and life recovery through a relationship and healing process with Jesus Christ. If it were not for caring people in their lives that never gave up on them or thought they were a hopeless cause they too would still be lost. We would love to hear from you and if you feel this is a program and facility that would help you or someone that you know, or you would like to be more involved with a ministry like this or support it financially we would love to talk to you and would very much appreciate your help in what ever way you can. This is a ministry for those that have a heart and desire to make a difference in the lives of others with the skills and gifts they have been blessed with and have a desire to pass on what they know to the next generation. You are always welcome to visit and we look forward to your input. This ministry is prayer based, and we pray daily for the needs of others, if you have a need for prayer and not sure where to start give us a call and we will confidentially support and help you in this area. You may not know a lot about God but God knows everything about you and He loves you more than anyone can or ever will. God Bless You and Your Family!!!

 

Saturday

Wow, what a phenomenal Saturday, but then aren't they all. We are so blessed today as Denis here from Regina to visit for the weekend, and see what the ranch is all about. Denis heard lots of good things about the Battle River Ranch, and had to see for himself if it was true. Denis, heads up habitat for humanity in Regina, and is very involved with habitat at the provincial level. Denis has been trying, for the last few years to incorporate the training of life skills and trades for men and women, into the habitat for humanity program. Something we did not realize is that habitat for humanity is a Christian organization and was initially set up for Churches to help in taking care of the poor. We as the Church have fallen short of our obligation to care for the poor in a way that the Bible calls us to do. 

Joey and Blaine are home from Kindersly where they are working on the plunbing and heating in  a beautiful log home. Their new mobile shop is equipped with an area that will serve and protect their emergency vehicles as shown in the picture. 

Scott Alexander with holy smoke welding was able to spend time at the ranch today and we were able to move forward on the concrete batch plant. Hopefully in the next week we will be able to set the hopper in place. PTL!

We are so blessed to have Amanda and Juli to help. they spent time with Diane preparing our lunch and helping out in the garden. We are also blessed to have the Friesan family out for the day, helping out with whatever needed to be done.

Once again, thank you very much for all of your prayers and support in so many ways. We could never accomplish God's purpose without your help.

Friday's Frenzy

Our day was jam-packed today. We definately got to ride a roller coaster today, and not even leave the ranch. Our morning started out with another incredible fellowship time, our readings are focused on Ezekiel 11:18-21. As we read God's word & each one of us took time sharing, it's amazing how God brings a common understanding to us all. We are blessed t have these times to strengthen each other and to be able to draw closer to our Lord and Savior. 

We have been praying the last few weeks for a huge need, and that need is we need septic tanks for the ranch. Well this morning, during our devotions, I answered a phone call, and it was Brian from Northwest Precast, we talked for a bit and he told me t call in on Monday Morning with the list of septic tanks we need, which amounts to four, and he said they would donate all the septic tanks we need. PTL! We are so blessed at the ranch as this afternoon we had a call from another person who is willing to furnish a kitchen, fridge, stove, and all. God is so good, and as we walk in faith, he is our provider and our strength.

FRIDAY'S PRAYER

O Dear Lord,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled
as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

God thank you, that we can be your hands, your feet, your eyes, your ears, and most of all, your heart. Lord, help us to forgive, and to seek to be more like you every day.

Amen

And you shall love the Lord your God:

• with all your heart,
• with all your soul,
• with all you mind,
• with all your strength, …
• and … love your neighbor as yourself

Friday's Frenzy

Thursday A Day of Change

The last few days have not been without their challenges, but God is good all the time, and those of us that have put our hands to the plow, can never look back.  God has a plan to build, and re-build, lives in an atmosphere of his mercy and love.  I have never been so sure of anything in my life, as I am sure of the purpose God has for his ranch.  Whether Diane & I are speaking to an audience in Snow Lake, MB, or digging ditches for sewer lines at the ranch, or when I'm on my knees in the middle of a big parking lot with a trucker that says he needs prayer, and would I pray for him.  I am so amazed at how God works at the hearts of his people.  Our needs are very great and we need our big shop completed in the next month, as we are having our annual fundraiser banquet at the ranch this year, Sat. October 2, we hope to see you all there.

Nothing discourages us more than a society that has given up on our youth, the next generation, and has decided to look after themselves.  The ranch will be a place that lives will be changed and filled with hope as families begin to see that there are more important things in life than to keep up with the Jones'.

Diane and I have many prayer needs and if you wish and could hold us up in prayer, we would very much appreciate.

God Bless you all and thank you so very much, and we love you all

I am so excited to be back here and to be able to help and be a part of the building of God's plan here at the Battle River Ranch, even helping Harold with doing the typing for the blog this evening. It really helps my typing skills. (mind you, he's telling me everything to write except this...)

Sincerely glad to be part of this family,

Juli Perret

&

Harold Stephen

Wednesday

One of many days as I have been so blessed here on the site of the Battle River Ranch camp.  

A donkey named Dusty, Durrant a young man whose father is a Dr. and his mother a nurse choosing to spend his summer learning a lot of life skills and spending time with other men.  

Dave a retired businessman from Alberta heard about the ranch and decided to check it out a couple months ago and never left.  Today he chose to turn down a opportunity to spend 2 weeks in Arizona next month to help make sure the project would be ready for the October 2 fund raising supper. 

And then there is James a young man that has taken the responsibility of supervisor of this entire project.  I do not believe there is anything he will not handle or to learn to handle.

As I met and spent time with Glenda I can see the blessing that this project started with and the prayer covering that will keep it under God's care.

I' not sure that there is anywhere that a person could eat better than what Diane prepares for the whole crew of us each and every day.

Well I just appreciate the opportunity to share a bit of the blessing of being a part of what God is doing here at the Battle River Ranch Camp.  It's worth taking the time and come and see for yourself, you'll not be disappointed.

Vic Eiswerth

Prince George BC