Tuesday

We are not sure but we may both have jet lag, problem with that is we haven't been on a jet. Oh well we will get over it I'm sure. Our first day back on deck and we are dragging our assets. Off to the ranch bright and early as we have a busy day ahead of us. Atco is showing up to power up the ranch. Also we need to install some more boxes and controls in the electrical room now that we have power. We also are going to move some fencing so the horses can get into the shelter area. Never a dull moment out at the ranch. Sunday is our annual general ranch meeting and hope to see as many of you as possible out.

We have the bathrooms framed out and now we need a plumber to do some plumbing if you know of any one let us know.

Thank you for your prayers and please continue to pray for us as we have some huge hurtles to cross in the next few weeks and months. There is so much positive activity at the ranch all the time, but we do have our challenges as do all ministries. It's your prayer support that sustains us each and every day thank you so much. God is so good all the time!!!!

Tuesday's prayer

Heavenly Father we love and worship you. We glorify your mighty name above all names. Everytime we pray to you Lord we feel such a humble love. A deep gratitude for all that you have done in making the Battle River Ranch a reality.
Lord we know that you allow things to come into our lives for a reason. The greatest of which is to save souls for your kingdom. By your name Lord Jesus Christ and by Your authority please bind Satan and cast him away.
Lord we ask you by your blood and saving grace, to touch mightly this situation and bring about Your healing and Salvation. Lord our hearts cry out to you. We need your love and understanding, as we go through these hurts, trials and challenges. Please surround all of us including all our nieghbours with Your beautiful angels bringing us peace, comfort, protection and wisdom.
Please help all of us to see through your eyes with a solid strength of faith. Help us to walk in the Holy Spirit power of faith. A faith like we have never had before. Thank you sweet Jesus and in your name. Amen

Please know that we just said this prayer with you, even though you can't see us in person. Our prayer "is" joined with yours. We believe that the Lord honors prayers and that He will honor this one. He knows your heart, and He knows ours right now. We prayed this prayer for you with all of the faith that we have. It is a "real prayer" and it has been said with our full "real amount of faith."

Please rest easy now and try walking through this whole situation with the "eyes of Jesus in faith." It doesn't matter what your fleshly eyes see or how you are feeling. Faith goes much more beyond that. Faith sees things having happened already even though it hasn't. Look down the road a few years from now and see the good to come. Now keep that good vision in your mind and believe strongly, trusting in the Lord. Hold your head up and walk believing and knowing that God is with you and that you are "not" alone. God bless you. AMEN

Monday Can't Beat That Day

Home sweet home and after being away and often traveling from one place to the next we are ready to be home and get to sleep in our own bed. We have been so blessed with many opportunities to fellowship and share with a lot of folks. The ministry at the Battle River Ranch has been such a source of encouragement for every one we met with and that God is doing so much right here at home. A gentleman that we met with was at a conference in Washington that was focusing on the future of ministries in our society. He said that ministries that will move ahead and survive in the future will be hands on teaching ministries and will also be in part self sustaining. He is going to send us information on a similar ministry in Washington that has become a huge asset to it's community in so many ways, and the greatest testimony of all is how God is glorified in the entire ministry. Lives are changed, souls are saved and communities are coming together and building strong, positive, productive, purposeful and an exciting future.

We almost have a completed shelter for the horses and Dusty and a good one at that. The framing is coming along super for the washrooms in the shop, and it looks like we may have power turned on to the shop tomorrow. We are so thankful to Tim as he continues to be so committed to the ongoing construction of the ranch.

We also met with a great friend of ours and of the ranch, Joe Dueck founder and director of Joe's place in Moose Jaw one of the most outstanding youth centers in Canada. If any of you are ever in the Moose Jaw area please stop and see this facility that God is using to change the lives and future of everyone in this community. It's so exciting to see all the faithful men and women that are still working and standing by Joe and Karen as they live to honour God in the building of His Kingdom and the lives that are being changed every day.

We spent an evening with a pastor friend of ours and is wife at their home after the football game and as always we were so encouraged. Ken did my mothers funeral a few years ago and as always he has the gentleness and heart of Christ. Diane and I are so blessed with men and women of God that stand and lift this ministry in prayer on a daily basis. Jesus may you receive the honor you are due, O Lord we bring an offering to you. AMEN

What a blessing as Emco called and we were able to pick up more bath tubs and showers for the ranch.

A start to every parents prayer

Lord we know that You are the only perfect parent. Thank You for loving our children more than we ever can or are able to. Thank You for listening and inspiring our prayers for our children. Help us to be faithful in standing by you as You provide the answers, strength and peace. Help us to see our part in this situation that our child is in, and to have the courage to do what ever we can and must do to help him or her. We confess our wrongs to you and ask that you redeem us and create in us a new heart. A heart that loves our children unconditionally. Help us to forgive each other and our children, and to understand that they are made in your image and you love them dearly. Dear Lord let this be the prayer of an obiedienty and fully commited heart. We now, and always allow the Holy Spirit to lead us into all understanding. In Jesus name we pray Amen

Colossians 4:2

Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanks giving.

Sunday can't beat that day

Our Sunday just like the riders is a winner as we fellowhiped at the Caronport comm. Church with family and friends. Peter Martind with the CSSM would like us to share soon at thier board meeting and it loks like the school would like us to share at chapel soon also. Joe at Joe's place has made some great contacts for the raanch and sad to expect calls fro those very interested in supporting the ranch. How great is our God.

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!!!

Harold & diane Stephan and

Board of Directors of the Battle River Ranch Camp

Saturday So Blessed

How blessed to spend the day with our kids and then off to an evening with family and friends at the Kindersley Christian Fellowship Christamas Banquet. God is so good as we are so excited everywhere as we have opportunity after opportunty to share of God's goodness and provision for our lives and his mission. We took of after the main speaker from Kindersley at 9:00pm headed to Moose Jaw. Diane and I as always are so blessed to stay allert and enjoy all that God is doing. P.T.L. God is opening some incredible doors for the ranch as we ran into a gentleman that works for Sask. Apprentichip and trades and he shared of all the infopr he is hearing about the ranch and he encouraged us to keep up the great work. As God continues to build they will come and He will be glorified. AMEN

Friday's Frenzy

Once again a great day of meeting with fine folks every where and sharing about the ranch. Sometimes we would just as soon leave itthe ranch out of our conversations, but everyone wants to know and all are so encouraged at what God is doing right here at home. Please cintinue to pray for Diane and I as we spend a few more days on the road and then had on home.

Saint Theresa's Prayer

May today there be peace within. May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith. May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you to those in the world that you live in. May you be confident knowing you are a child of God blessed with many gifts. Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love and construct lives for eternity.It is there for each and every one of us. Don't miss it.

Thursday A Day of Change

The last few days have been relativley quiet and we have had a blessed time as the Lord gave Diane and I some really nice time together with very few phone calls. But then all heaven broke loose today. We started out our day hoping to do a bit of skiing but when we got to Fred and Donna's house and because of the weather being a bit cold we decided to head for the ice fiels and water falls. We did have to stop at a store and pick up special shoe covers to climb the ice and snow.

It took about 45 min. to reach our destination and the suit up for the 2 mile climb up to the water falls. Donna realized she forgot her walking stick and so would have to go with out. ther was only 2 others out here today and because of the cold probably not too many more will arrive. We headed out and got about 1/4 of the way when we came to atree that Fred and Donna took pictures of themselves so that what we decided to do also. As Diane and I were posing for the picture some one behind said what the heck and as we turned it was friends of our from Woodstock, Ontario Jerry and Leslie of the Christian Heritage Party on a holiday of thier own and also not expecting to find any one here let alone someone they knew. What a great surprise and so we had supper together and had an incredible visit. God jusy knew how to bless two of His favorite couples.

We then headed off on the rest of our treck. Diane and Donna went all the way and I stayed back on the trail till they got back and carved a new walking stick for Donna. Our day was so blessed and we had so much fun with every one. But now to head home and get some sleep before we pakup and head to Kindersley.

We have also been so blessed with so many opportunities to share about the ranch and asked for prayer as we move into winter work weather.

THURSDAY'S PRAYER 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.