East and Back

I am back in New Mexico and in my regular schedule of work here! For those of you who do not know, I took an unexpected trip back home last week. My great aunt passed away and I am so thankful that I was able to make it to her funeral and be with my family during that time. In the time I was gone, a lot went on here at the ranch. We were blessed to have the semester missionary from last year, Sarah, back along with a mission team from her church to help serve with us for a few days. They helped with our spring festival, which follows up with a lot of families of youth who have been to camp before. We had a good turn out of those who came to enjoy food, games, and good fellowship with other campers and staff. The team also helped to restore our bunkhouse that the campers stay in during the summer. We are thankful for the team and for their help as they also did some other maintenance here on the ranch. The work on the bunkhouse is not quite finished, so we have a paint job to finish up in our future. J

There is a youth conference coming up in Albuquerque called Young Lives Ablaze. A group of kids from the church is planning to go, and we are seeking to take some of the girls I work with as well. It is just a one-day event, and I think it would be a fun event and a great opportunity for the girls to learn even more about Christ. Since I was gone last week, I am a little behind on getting the details together for the conference, so pray that everything comes together so that the girls will be able to go.

I am a little over halfway through my service here with Eagles’ Wings. I am still meeting with my three groups of girls each week, but I am trying to expand the number of girls I follow up with. Pray that doors would open for me to meet with other girls in the community, especially those who came to our retreat in February.

Ms. Dianne is back in New Mexico after the long battle with Mr. Albert’s cancer. It is a difficult road for her, and it is hard being back here without him. Please pray for the comfort and peace of God that surpasses all understanding. Pray that all of us on the ranch can be a blessing and an encouragement during such a difficult time.

Too busy to blog :)

The past couple of weeks have been busy here on the ranch. This past weekend, we had our first girls’ retreat of the semester. Our goal was to target four girls for the event. We ended up with four girls, just not the four we initially invited. God had His plan, though, for the exact girls He wanted to be there. Over the weekend, we discussed how a relationship with God is similar to the life of a flower. The soil- the love of God- is our foundation for life. The stem- Jesus Christ- is the center of life, and channels nutrients, God’s love and forgiveness, from the soil and gives stability. The leaves are essential for healthy growth. Just as leaves turn carbon dioxide, water, and light into food for a plant to grow, so God’s Word, prayer, fellowship, and sharing our faith are essential for our growth in Christ. If a flower receives all the necessary nutrients and has it’s proper structure, it will bloom. Our lives will bloom in Christ when we live in obedience, and we will produce the fruit of the Spirit. Throughout the weekend, we had several group sessions to discuss these truths. We enjoyed watching a movie, planting flowers, painting flowerpots, and spending time together. We also got to do the recently built high ropes course that we have here on the ranch property. There are many obstacles and challenges available to do on the ropes course that build team work and courage for the youth, but we only had time to do two, the giant swing and a partner challenge called Jacob’s ladder.

All of us here on the ranch were very pleased and excited that the weekend went really well! This weekend was the first time that I had met any of the girls that attended our retreat. Now, we want to follow up with the girls. I will be seeking to build even deeper relationships with them by possibly establishing another group, or meeting one on one with as many as I can. We desire to invest in each individual that comes through Eagles’ Wings to make an impact on their lives for Christ! Please pray that logistically, mentally, and spiritually, I will be able to continue investing in the girls who attended the retreat!

I was responsible for planning most of the retreat, but I was so blessed with so much help with it. Todd is always behind everything I do here, and helps me know the best ways to meet the needs of these youth. His wife, Jennifer had a book that gave us the flower theme idea for the retreat, and she helped encourage me, plan, and lead during the weekend. Two other girls I have recently met, Vanessa and Felisha, were also such a blessing to help plan and lead during the weekend! They are sisters, who with their family, have been involved in helping at Eagles’ Wings for years. Colleen was a huge help with her assistance with the ropes course. Preston was our cook for the weekend, and we really enjoyed the gourmet meals we were able to have with the girls. :)

With all the praises and good news to share, I do have some sad news. The weekend before our retreat, Mr. Albert, our director who has been battling cancer, went home to be with the Lord. It has been very hard for everyone at the ranch but we are seeking to continue our work here, and the work that God started through the Hagans at Eagles’ Wings. Ms. Dianne is planning to come back to the ranch very soon. Please pray for comfort and peace for Ms. Dianne and everyone who Mr. Albert’s life made an impact upon. Pray that his life would continue to be a testimony to everyone who comes through Eagles’ Wings and Immanuel Baptist Church.