Chuck Cleveland

Hey , this is Chuck Cleveland who is now here at the Battle River Ranch Camp. Let me tell you, It is amazing being out here. Let me give you a few reasons why it's amazing. 

I having been doing retail most of my working life and I have hardly evet had had the opportunity to work with my hands on much of anything. I've done some small things like change an alternator and starter on my jeep. Dabbled with some electronics and barely handling any sort of proper construction. Of course when I was a kid I made forts with scrap wood, but never learned how to measure or hammer or even saw a price of wood properly. Therefore I wouldn't call it much of construction.

Two years ago I got a chance to visit my old mentor Harold and his wife Diane Stephan, who have been like a second father and mother to me. They shared with me a vision to teach trades to men and women in a Christian environment were they can develop God given talents that they might not know they had. They both encouraged me that I should consider getting into a trade.  Harold told me that men and women sometimes go to a trades school and learn only one trade so they can get a good paying job, but some don't find any joy in it and then they feel stuck and get into things that may not be edifying to their life's.  I have heard this from Harold but when I started to do some  research on the different trades a had the opportunity to meet a "steel" worker. And so I inquired of him.

"Me: I heard that Saist is now opening their electrician program so they can get more apprentice into the work force with less waiting time.

Steelworker: that is good and all, but the problem there is that they don't take the time properly to learn that trade and you get so many people who can't do that they start to teach or get into something else like partying and such.

Me: What if I told you that I can learn different trades and as soon as I know what I like and what I'm good at I can go through the program and get an apprenticeship after 5 months.

S.W: that would be a better way then you learn at a better pace and have a better chance of being a better apprentice and even better journeymen"

After this conversation my wife and I decided that this would be the best place for me to learn a trade. And now I've been here for 2 and a half weeks and I've learn some plumbing, Electrical and how to do proper carpentry. Infact I have even learn how to do tiling and been working on a bathroom in the Lodge. I even help aid in finishing up two rooms in the lodge and soon will be able to finish an entire room by myself if need since I'm getting the training of how to measure, how to cut wood and how to nail it in properly that it is helping me grow in my confidence. But one of my main confidence builders is how God is working in Harold and Diane's life and striving to poor into our lives and bringing us encouraging words. What helps get me through is when Harold told me once after working a few days with him at Guardian Plumbing. "Chuck, you'll make a really good tradesmen someday." And with that I'm striving to give my best that I can. Not only that I want to pour back into the ranch myself so that others in the near future will be able to experience what God is doing through this place. 

This is why it's amazing cuz I'm getting to learn so much. And the community is willing to poor into us trainees and see us grow. Oh ya and my wife Beth is so proud of me.

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 a $25.00 a month donor today. Thank you so much.
*Be a blessing to someone every day*.

MOVIE NIGHT AT THE RANCH

Our first ranch movie night at the ranch. Wow what a great turn out,  food was great and God sent friends, family and neighbours to enjoy a room packed with laughter. After the movie we were blessed with desert, apple crisp covered in a thick layer of whip cream, time of sharing and closing prayers. 

     As the Battle River Ranch Camp heads into it's new semester of training we are blessed with three great young and ambitious trainees. Excited about learning, and about trying many different trades as they seek to find what God has gifted them in. 

    Next weeks movie " The secrets of Jonathan Sperry" a great movie for the whole family.

   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 a $25.00 a month donor today. Thank you so much.
*Be a blessing to someone every day*.

Christian Motor Cycle Association

After a great time with our family at the lake we were off to Alberta. 

One great family. 

Made err to Drumheller area for a get together with a whole pile of biker friends and tomorrows wedding renewal. 

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 a $25.00 a month donor today. Thank you so much.
*Be a blessing to someone every day*.

FAMILY FUN AND RELAXATION

TThank you to each and everyone that have contributed and donated with their resources to help the Battle River Ranch become all it can be to make a difference in lives in our community and across this nation.  Talking to a single Mom today and how she expressed her feeling about the ranch and what it will mean to her in raising her four children.

     And after an incredible event like Hope 4 More this past weekend we have been blessed over and over again. Visitors from across this country joining in a celebration and knowledge that there is so much more hope when turnout lives over to the. Care of Jesus. Our forefathers built this great nation not on luck, chance big bucks or power but on the faith and knowledge that if we give it all to God and realize the giver and creator of al we have, one day peace and hope will return to our homes families and  nation. Today if haven't give God a chance even if only for a moment when all hope seems lost and he will be there for you, your family and situation. 

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 direct donating 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*.

Charlie

     Great morning this morning upbright and early and after a shower and got ready and down the bike to get it cleaned up and ready to go.  Got a chance to meet a guy named Charlie out in the parking lot who to help me put on my tire the night before. Charlie stop by to say good morning. Charlie is a community college teacher from New York City and says it's a tough job,  he says nobody really cares but you do the best you can. After bit of conversation Charlie admitted to me he was an atheist, said he saw my bike and realized i must be a christian and after sharing with him a little bit about what Jesus done in my life he made it clear yep  he's an atheist. We continued our conversation talking about the economy about government, jobs, leadership and where the world was heading, it was a great conversation and he always focused away from Christ and I focused towards Christ. He's a single Guy and lives in a little apartment in New York and he made it clear that he enjoys what he gets from smoking marijuana. 

     Says he smokes  marijuana a lot and he says it's what gives him the energy and strength to go on. Once are conversation drew to a closing we got talking about a small Kawasaki ninja that he rides in the state of Florida at a summer home of his and he said his clutch on that ninja is so nice and smooth and easy so I told him try my clutch.    Once he attempted to pull the clutch lever on the Harley-Davidson it was nearly impossible for him to do it, and and the first words came out of his mouth were Jesus Christ this is too tough.  And I quickly said hey you can't be an atheist, he said why, and i said did you hear what the first thing that came out your mouth was,Jesus Christ, whatever he said and kind of shrugged it off. it really had him thinking, but anyway I really pray today that God would touch Charlie's heart and make a difference in his life. Charlie's lonely and he really has no one in this world but his  marijuana and there's not a lot of hope in that. God watch over Charlie today keep him safe in Jesus name amen. 

     All is going well at the ranch the lodge is moving ahead slowly as we seem to be having a problem getting volunteers. 

     Hope 4 More prep is also in need of help getting everything set up and prepped. 

     White fire homes is working on 2 buildings at this point. 

    Larry is busy building crosses and doing a fine job at that. 

     Please give us a call if you can help us get the ranch ready for our new trainees  that will arrive September 5/2013

     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 direct donating 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*.

RECOVERY CHURCH

Just an incredible day of riding the highways of the lower mainland winding around the majestic Rockies. As we headed back from our weekend of fasting and prayer with Prayer Canada to Abbotsford  found a chance to stop at a cold stone ice cream shop and we enjoyed our usual coffee lovers delight and an icecap. 

    Laurie and Ross we will be forever grateful for you introducing us to this incredible delicacy. Then off to Langley for the evening service at the Recovery church and as we expected we were so blessed and the ranch was so accepted, we will be hearing from them as the network to be a part of God's plan in rebuilding lives of our youth right here at home continues to grow.  

     On our ride back to Abbotsford we pulled into Redrobbins for a tea and a snack and at the door a guy commented on our leathers and he so happens to have gone to school at IBC in Moose Jaw and know Rance, Ruth and thier family well. Also went to school with Jamie, wow go figure!!!!.  So exciting to be apart of a new generation of missionaries to the battered men and women here in Canada.

-Read a sign that said religion is for those that are afraid of hell. 

-Jesus is for those that have been there.

      THANK YOU once 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 direct donating 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*.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 direct donating 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*.

Prayer Canada

Just an incredible time of fasting and prayer here amongst the great Rockies outside of Hope BC with our friends from Prayer Canada. 

     Our facility is a beautiful retreat Center that feels like paradise. To have such an opportunity to pray with veterans in the faith from across Canada,  is nothing less than an experience of a life time for Diane and I. 

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 direct donating 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*.