I found out this week that this is the very first year that they have let/had males on the ranch as volunteers for the summer. I work with all girls, all the time. I anxiously await the arrival of the other male volunteer next week. During the week i have done lots of upkeep jobs like dragging the paddocks, shadowing other staff in their work with horses, irrigating with Troy, and helping out leaders during lessons with kids. Being exposed to Troy and Kim and thier staff over these first few days has been wonderful. I know about half of the horses already and i know about a quarter of the horeses' stories. I am still waiting to really begin my research for the summer, as i am still getting familiar with the way that things are run around here. I have been slightly comforted concerning my research as Troy, Kim, and the staff have been very open to the ideas that i have run by them.
About fifty people came to the ranch on Tuesday night for a time of fellowship where families and children alike could come and eat food, sing songs, and hear a talk from Troy. This "Ranch Fellowship" happens every other Tuesday night.
I get back "home" around seven each night, where I am warmly greeted by Callum and Daniel (the young boys of the family that i live with). We wrestly, play soccer, or watch Clifford the Big Red Dog until dinner and bed. For the last two nights Cameron (the father) and i have aquired 2 tons of hay for his cattle and loaded the bales up in his loft. One of the his cows is pregers adn is gettin ready to spit out a calve any day now. I promptly told him that if anything went wrong I knew what to do back from my good old lambing days. Cameron has asked me to join the elders Bible study that meets every Wednesday morning at 6:00am. He told me that the group is mostly made up of old farmers...and they were bound to spend most of the time making fun of the long haired city boy.
Overall, it has definately not been easy, but the Lord has truly been good to me in allowing me to be apart of a wonderful family and an amazing ministry. Thank you for the prayers that have been sent my way and if you can, continue to pray when you can remember.
And PLEASE realize that the drawling above is merely for a few giggles, it does NOT represent the staff's reaction to me at all! They have been so gracious to me and have made me feel very very welcome!
Stay tuned, more stories to come...
