Our Strong Foundation

Out for a walk today as Diane helps Shirley with paper work. Had to head over to a new construction site just a few blocks from the condo. No sooner got ther and an elderly gentleman Don stopped to tell me a bit of what was happening. A year ago this was grass and an empty lot. Today we have a huge hole ready for the new 42 story high rise. Then along came a lady and started to talk to Don and I soon realized he was a guy who knew most everyone around these parts and with a goodbye and a wave Don was gone. As a plumber and a part time contractor it was an interesting place to stand and watch the ongoing development of a strong foundation. Things like the outside hole was cut straight down, reinforced and will be use as the outside form for the foundation concrete. Hmmmm dirt to build a strong foundation against go figure ehh. Well as I watched all the action way down that hole at least 50 or more feet I could see all the different trades working together to build that strong foundation. As I stood there along comes Josee a site worker and she also took some time to tell me that they were actually over 70 feet in the ground and the four track hoes down there dug it all.

      

Josee says water has been a huge problem on this site and that they have pumps running all the time and she showed me the pipes that carried all the water away from the site. Josee used to word as a babysitter till one day she was directing traffic at an event and a guy asked her if she was looking for a job. She checked into it and the offer turned into a twenty year job with a great company digging and building high rise foundations. She said that today thier big trucks are away but tomorrow they will be back so for now she knows that there is lots to do to keep busy. 

The smell of  form oil and green concrete is great and brings back a lot of memories of the many construction sites the boys and I have worked on over the years. It is almost overwhelming the amount and size of rebar that goes into a strong foundation but very necessary.  I guess it's like the word of God that becomes the rebar in our foundation. There is always extra rebar for earth quake protection, that may hit the building unexpectedly. hmmmmm. Well time to head back up the hill to Shirley's place and replace some old flooring.

    Thank you once again for taking the time to view our blog. 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 and positive life skill. A strong confident man or women of God will impact the darkness in our service industry in many ways.

TO DONATE AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE:
If you are able to and would like to make a very needed and appreciated donation to this worthy project that is changing lives now and forever right here at home, PLEASE consider making a donation to: CROSSMAN MINISTRIES CORP./BRRC (Battle River Ranch Camp) or visit our website for direct-donating and more information. Thank you very much. We cannot do it alone. Please consider becoming a $25.00 a month donor today. 
"Be a blessing to someone everyday."

JUST CAN'T IMAGINE !!!!

BLOG - Can't imagine!

Just can't imagine living life without my wife and best friend, Diane. Just can't imagine life without our children, just can't imagine life without our grandchildren, just can't imagine life without friends, just can't imagine life without purpose, just can't imagine life without challenges, just can't imagine life without hope, just can't imagine life without waking up in the morning and knowing I am heading somewhere, just can't imagine life without helping someone, just can't imagine life without some one loving me unconditionally, just can't imagine life without forgiveness, just can't imagine life without sadness, the list goes on and on. (Ephesians 1:6-8)

Noah was chosen to build an ark to save lives and his challenges were greater than most of us will ever know or understand, but he didn't give up even though he was ridiculed and mocked day after day. "You are wasting your time, are you crazy let's just have fun, why build a stupid ark when there is no water? Just do what everyone else is doing and stop this ridiculous idea. Are you really 9sure you are listening to God?"

      There are days that we out here at the ranch feel that way but like Noah we draw strength from a God who provides. One day the road seems too hard to travel, the load too heavy to carry and by morning everything has changed and there is a new light that shines on the tasks at hand. There is not a lot that Diane and I have not experienced or seen in the lives of others around us and the joy and peace that is always there never comes from something bought, built, or developed by the hand of man. In fact most of these things draw us farther from the real sustaining hope that every living human being needs to survive.  Several days a week I get to be a service tech for a great plumbing and heating shop as part of the ranch training program and get to meet a lot of great people every day I work. Every day I see more and more people desperate to buy hope.

    When I phone our ranch engineer and he provides the info we need and then says, "hey do you need some corn? " We have lots of fresh corn and I will bring some out and we can look over all the projects.  That's Hope 4 More.

     

     When we need a public bathroom and shower building for Hope 4 More outdoor festival and the call comes in from John, the owner of a local trucking firm, that he is heading our way with a washroom trailer and need help to unload it, the pay loader lent to the ranch years ago is ready to unload the large bathroom unit off the huge semi flat deck and not just to use for a few days but to keep for good. That's the kingdom of God at work!

When a church building is donated and the cost to move is unattainable by the ranch budget, a few phone calls and a group of neighbours and friends with hearts for hope join together to move this blessing with the gifts each one can provide also builds hope 4 more. Then the miracle of the day, a call from a rough and tough building mover with many struggles of his own, and a new believer in Christ, operating his business hours away from the ranch and never met or heard of us before, offers to move the building at absolutely no cost to the ranch. There is real hope 4 more.

Plans are to close the church building in for the winter and secure it as best as possible,  but God had a different plan and he puts it on the heart of one of his children to tell us dig the hole and build the basement and all will be provided. So we start digging the basement for the church building. Friends passing through from Moose Jaw have their plans foiled in going up North to be with their children and due to heavy smoke, turn back homeward but are directed by God to stop at the ranch and see if we need help. They work on digging the basement as he is an equipment operator. That's Hope 4 More.

    As Al is digging the basement our old and frail pay loader drops a ram pin and parts are broken bringing all to a halt. Forbes, an incredible man of God, and one of the best mechanics in the area sees the pay loader sitting by the shop and drives up to it and sees the problem and without a moment to spare drops everything and three hours later we are back digging a hole. That's God's children using their gifts and working towards Hope 4 More. When all hope seems run out and gone, there is Hope 4 More, IF that is what you are really looking for!  Your marriage, your children, your job, your health, your finances, your loneliness, your future, your weakness, your relationships, your dreams, it's never too late to Hope 4 More!

         Cutting grass on 80 acres with small mowers and others who help when they can. Then another miracle of the day as a local implement dealership donates a high 15' mower that fits on our ranch tractor just right. That's cutting edge blessings that proves God knows our needs.

Our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus Christ, the rock of our salvation, and all the Hope you will ever need. Check it out, there's a best selling book with all the details. We got a few extra copies in case the book store ran out, so if you need a copy give us a call and let us know we will send you a copy.

Thank you once again for taking the time to view our blog. 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 and positive life skill. A strong confident man or women of God will impact the darkness in our service industry in many ways.

TO DONATE AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE:
If you are able to and would like to make a very needed and appreciated donation to this worthy project that is changing lives now and forever right here at home, PLEASE consider making a donation to: CROSSMAN MINISTRIES CORP./BRRC (Battle River Ranch Camp) or visit our website for direct-donating and more information. Thank you very much. We cannot do it alone. Please consider becoming a $25.00 a month donor today. 
"Be a blessing to someone everyday."

HIGHER GROUND a better way

-Higher Ground a whole new view

-Are you ready to be a "PRO" ?

-Are you interested in being a "PRO" ?

-Are you made of "PRO" stuff ?

-Do others see you as a "PRO" ?

-Hey how do I become a "PRO" ?

-Insecurity ends where confidence begins

-Fear ends where faith begins

PRO

Building solid professionals, people with...

PURPOSE

REVELATION

OPPORTUNITY

PURPOSE;

-Building in people a reason to live, showing them how to create dreams and vision, and the ability to know what matters most.

REVELATION-

-Showing people where revelation comes from, how to know and hear Jesus and walk with the Holy Spirit on a daily basis.

OPPORTUNITY-

-Giving people the chance to build a skill or trade, making them marketable and giving them the skills to build a life long career.

A letter from one of our trainees parents:

Jerry and Leslie Bartley

Woodstock, Ont.

My husband and I are very grateful for Battle River Ranch Camp and for Harold and Diane Stephan’s vision for mentoring young people.

 

We have three sons and our middle son, Sacha, 21, is at the ranch now. He worked at Toyota for about a year and a half, but had to give that job up for health reasons. He thought he would like to pursue a trade, but wasn’t sure which trade he would like, so we encouraged him to go to through the program offered at the ranch.

 

We can honestly say that his time at the ranch has been a great blessing to him. Every week he calls home telling us about the different experiences he has had that week—from working atop a scissor lift, cutting steel like it was butter, wiring a wall, to installing two sump pumps—the real-life work experiences have been invaluable. In the end, he will choose a trade, but the time spent learning aspects of other trades will provide a wealth of knowledge he will take with him to use for the rest of his life.

 

The less tangible but more important mentoring has been in the area of a personal walk with the Lord. This is something that young people likely won’t find through their local community college, but which we felt would be the most enduring and impactful part of his time at the ranch.

Harold and Diane serve Christ with their whole hearts. They are wonderful, godly mentors who have inspired and challenged Sacha to consider Christ in all aspects of life. This week, they asked him to lead the weekly Bible study at the ranch—something he has never done before, but a challenge he accepted. We thank God that he blessed Sacha with a meaningful study and used him to be a blessing to others. 

 

It’s valuable to learn the mechanics of a trade. It is far more meaningful to learn to use that trade to glorify Christ, and even more so to learn to be a person with strengths and gifts to offer for Kingdom use in all aspects of life. This is the heart of the training at Battle River Ranch Camp. 

 

We thank and praise God for what it has meant for our son, and pray for the many young men across the country who we know would benefit from this program. 

 

Thank you once again for taking the time to view our blog. 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 and positive life skill. A strong confident man or women of God will impact the darkness in our service industry in many ways.

TO DONATE AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE:
If you are able to and would like to make a very needed and appreciated donation to this worthy project that is changing lives now and forever right here at home, PLEASE consider making a donation to: CROSSMAN MINISTRIES CORP./BRRC (Battle River Ranch Camp) or visit our website for direct-donating and more information. Thank you very much. We cannot do it alone. Please consider becoming a $25.00 a month donor today. 
"Be a blessing to someone everyday."

LIFE & HOPE - MOVERS

(More pictures below)

Wow what an incredible day out here at the ranch. Guest and volonteers from everywhere. The incredible way that God works in our lives, never ceases to push us on to another day. Several youth groups drop in for a few days to help and learn about trades, life skills, and how the God they are told about is really working right here in our area. As we shared of the many miracles and how God's hand is at work every moment in the ranch life, eyes wide open and hearts built up and hope delivered just the way it is supposed to be. The church is in the process of being moved by a small company wow how blessed we are. 

     Yet in a self fullfilling and prosperous society as ours, where the 85% of our society will likely go to an incredibly horrible hell,  unless we are willing to step out of our comfort zone and start to live out the job God gave and walks us through in his bible apprentiship program. It is hard to believe we truly understand the horror that hell will be. Hmmmm how comfortable and secure do we need to be before we start to reach the lost 85% of our communities. Please this is not a negative thing, it is one of the truest truths we as followers of Jesus Christ have to soon realize or we too will face God's judgement. We are the hope God is sending to them.

     Thank you once again for taking the time to view our blog. 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 and positive life skill. A strong confident man or women of God will impact the darkness in our service industry in many ways.

TO DONATE AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE:
If you are able to and would like to make a very needed and appreciated donation to this worthy project that is changing lives now and forever right here at home, PLEASE consider making a donation to: CROSSMAN MINISTRIES CORP./BRRC (Battle River Ranch Camp) or visit our website for direct-donating and more information. Thank you very much. We cannot do it alone. Please consider becoming a $25.00 a month donor today. 
"Be a blessing to someone everyday."

THE JOURNEY WE ARE ON

So hard to keep up with God's plan, but if we are followers and not fans the road is easier to follow. Now mind you the road can be a bit narrower and the ditch full of weeds but it's like pastor Lyle said over and over just keep your focus on the vision. So that's what we do out here at the ranch, we may not be perfect by a long shot but like most realize we are a new and first of a kind facility that will not ever be perfect but the results have been amazing. Seldom a day goes by without a call about trainee enrollement so that is a good thing. Our greatest need to do with training is finding men and women to mentor and share thier skills with potential tradespeople. As we express often if you feel a call to impact a life just like many who have been blessed with someone who cared enough to do what they could with what they had to place hope and a future into a life seeking. 

     The ranch is also in need of operating funds and if you are able or would like to know more about how you can change lives right here on the bald prairie please give us a call. Often we overlook the real fact that 30% of children born today will be born into a home with one parent. Not a pleasant situation but as the ranch along with your help can come along side with mentors to encourage and by example be the hope God created us to be amazing things happen. When big Jim the plumber gave a 14 year old kid like I was, a job at his plumbing business, it was not just about being a plumber,  it was all about seeing and becoming a man.  I guess that is what a community that cares does, we raise families and carry the hope of a better future for those that will follow in our footsteps. God bless.

Thank you once again for taking the  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 and positive life skill. A strong confident man or women of God will impact the darkness in our service industry in many ways.

TO DONATE AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE;
If you are able to and would like to make a very needed and appreciated donation to this worthy project that is changing lives now and forever right here at home PLEASE consider making a donation to:CROSSMAN MINISTRIES / BRRC, (Battle River Ranch Camp) or visit our web site for directdonating and more information, thank you very much we cannot do it alone. Please consider becoming a $25.00 a month donor today. Thank you so much.
*Be a blessing to someone every day*.

SHE ASKS BUT NO ROOM AT THE INN.

    Incredible that a girl with her expirience and ambition who has proven herself cannot get the job she would like. No doubt she made some mistakes, but who of us would cast the first stone? And who if us are so self engulfed and self righteous that we would never give a person a second chance or a hand up. If we would only for a moment picture ourselves standing before the almighty God ( which we will do someday soon) and what we have done in our lives to make this world a better place to lighten someone's load using what we have to help another and we are satisfied with it all, than God have mercy as we have not touched the tip of the ice berg when it comes to leading and helping the lost and those Jesus pointed out to us. 85% of your community has never seen Christ at work thru us. 

       Please consider partnering with the the Battle River Ranch as it is a start, but with out your help we cannot help those in need. 

     As Diane and I have traveled to head office of Teen Challenge in Ontario and met with parents and pastors in many communities, we hear the same story told of the many young adults searching for hope and a future. Jobs are scarce, full time work is seldom a possibility. At our national no boarders rally in International Falls Minissota, the members if the Christian Motorcycle Assiciation accept the truth that the church has dropped the ball and our failing society is not the fault of politicians or Governments but we the church must accept responsibility and turn from our wicked ways then God will heal our land. 

Thank you once again for taking the time to view our blog. 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 and positive life skill. A strong confident man or women of God will impact the darkness in our service industry in many ways.

TO DONATE AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE:
If you are able to and would like to make a very needed and appreciated donation to this worthy project that is changing lives now and forever right here at home, PLEASE consider making a donation to: CROSSMAN MINISTRIES CORP./BRRC (Battle River Ranch Camp) or visit our website for direct-donating and more information. Thank you very much. We cannot do it alone. Please consider becoming a $25.00 a month donor today. 
"Be a blessing to someone everyday."

******PIPE DREAMS******

Definition of pipe dreams - a fanciful unattainable dream or thought.

    The statement said by many, to many is "that it's just a pipe dream" usually comes out of envy or jealousy. A person who expresses a thought that recieves the comment that it's "just another pipe dream", can be disappointing and often discouraged to the point that they give up on a perfectly good idea. 

     We have so many friends from over the years that started out just like us. We rented a small apartment found a job, made friends and pondered our dreams and visions. Today those friends are now part of families, successful businesses, and living out those pipe dreams that they did not give up on but believed and perservered. I remember as we encouraged each other in our journeys often we humoured each other as some of the dreams were a bit far fetched but most today are a reality. I remember once helping a guy with getting a bumper on his truck so he could pull a trailer of supplies do a job, and now to see their  beautiful family on Facebook and how thier lives have been blessed. 

    So often hopes and dreams are dashed by negative nay sayers. A friend of the ranch named Rick stopped by and spent a couple of days at the ranch. Rick has been supporting the ranch in prayer,  financially and through encouragement for quite some time  now but has never really spent time out here getting to know the ranch dynamics, and the hearts of the people involved.  Well, as he left this morning Diane and I realized how blessed we were to have people like Rick, who come out to pour wisdom and peace into the ranch and us. With Rick there really is no such thing as a pipe dream only dreams not yet fullfled. 

    If you have a dream don't waste time sitting around waiting for a genie to drop it into your lap, but rather look at your God given gifts, pray hard and take advantage of every opportunity God puts before you and it will happen, most times far greater than you ever even asked for or imagined. 

     However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” — the things God has prepared for those who love him— 

(1 Corinthians 2:9 NIV)

     Here at the ranch, pipe dreams are the seed that can become a reality before your very eyes. You can step into your dream job with the skill and confidence to become all God created you to be. Today more and more churches, businesses and individuals are partnering with us to build a stronger Canada for tomorrow. By offering all God has blessed us with to encourage and mentor another to be all they are meant to be, it happens just the way God says it will. 

        These are a few of the opportunities that are available;

         The following are quality career opportunity partners seeking confident, quality and commited employees. 

PLUMBERS

SHEETMETAL WORKERS

ELECTRICIANS

GAS FITTERS

TRUCK DRIVERS

MECHANICS

WELDERS

AUTO BODY

OFFICE PERSONNEL

TOW TRUCK (small auto's)

TOW TRUCK (large auto's)

GLASS SHOPS 

SALESMAN

WAREHOUSE

COOKS

HOTEL MANAGEMENT

OIL FIELD TECH

MACHINISTS

CARPENTERS

MOMS

DADS

UNCLES

AUNTS

GRANDPAS

GRANDMAS

MISSIONARIES

MASONRY

MASSAGE THERAPISTS

FLIGHT ATTENDANTS

GAS PUMP ATTENDANTS

OIL LUBE TECHNICIANS

DRYWALLERS

PAINTERS 

RESTAURANT HELP

CONCRETE WORKERS

EQUIPMENT OPERATORS

FINISH CARPENTERS

TIRE REPAIR TECKS

HAIR DRESSERS

     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 and positive life skill. A strong confident man or women of God will impact the darkness in our service industry in many ways.

TO DONATE AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE;
If you are able to and would like to make a very needed and appreciated donation to this worthy project that is changing lives now and forever right here at home PLEASE consider making a donation to:  CROSSMAN MINISTRIES / BRRC, (Battle River Ranch Camp) or visit our web site for directdonating and more information, thank you very much we cannot do it alone. Please consider becoming even a $25.00 a month donor today. Thank you so much!

God bless you!
*Be a blessing to someone every day*.