1-3-2005
Dear
friends,
Well!
Another year dawns! :-)
I have been
asked several things recently by people interested in the project, and it
seemed fitting to me to spend the first letter of the new year talking
about the ranch in specific as we move forward into this new year. Maybe I
can answer some of the questions that I have heard floating around, and
provide some focus to what the scope of this project is for everyone,
especially for/to those new to this newsletter list.
In a
nutshell, the ranch here is 88 acres of timber, run-down facilities, creeks,
and mountain land that I have moved onto. It is my dream and vision, that is
shared by a growing number of people, to see 3 ministries eventually grow out
of this location, since the property straddles three valleys. In the first
valley are lots of cabins and cabin sites where I would like to see a
Christian camping and conference center facility develop, hopefully at least
partially operational by this coming summer. In the second valley are several
house pad sites where I would eventually like to see built some homes for
troubled and/or homeless youth. In the third valley are several house pad sites
that I would eventually like to see built and developed into several crisis pregnancy
homes for single and/or unwed mothers. I plan eventually to have horses and
other ranch animals here also and operate in some ways as an actual ranch,
because the people we want to reach out to and help, often benefit by
having animals to love and care for. It's therapeutic. Healing.
Tying it
all together is our mission statement: Bringing healing to the wounded youth of today’s culture, training
youth to be the Christian leaders of tomorrow. Implemented by operating camp and
conference centers, children's homes and youth ranches, and crisis pregnancy
shelters and homes for unwed and single mothers.
And yes, I suspect that this will probably be just the first
of several projects, based on the requests/offers I have already had from other
individuals willing to donate, in some cases substantial, land tracts
across the US and Mexico, for me to come and develop similar projects in
their own areas as well. Is that not mind blowing? And sad in some ways?
But bottom line progress here?
- Myself and several close friends have put in lots of work
stablalizing this place, and getting basic services like electricy
and water operational here again.
- Myself and friends have put in a lot of work winterizing
the main house here that I am staying in. It is pretty decent now, but I still
have work to do to get it ready for some expected zero degree weather in
January.
- I have been working with several people trying to hammer
out a contract to buy the place (am only renting right now until contract is
hammered out and signed). It is finally about to the point where I feel
comfortable signing..
- Myself and several people have been working hard on
the non profit status paperwork for this place for several weeks now. Almost
done with that too finally I think.
- Myself and several people have been networking with people
all over the Treasure Valley (and world), to lay a foundation for the work that
we want to do here.
- God is raising up a team of prayer warriors that cover
this place and its future ministries in prayer daily. What an honor and
priviledge to be a part of this.
What is my part in all this? It has been my dream for many
many years to operate a youth ranch or children's home to take in kids that
need the help. And when I quite bluntly and specifically asked God about 3
years ago what He would have me do with the train wreck that was my life, He
gave me this project. It was not until much later that it dawned on
me that building this ranch was part of my own therapy and healing process as
well. So here I am. I am slowly putting the foundation together as God shows me
how and walks with me, of what I hope will be something that one day reaches
many hurting people and brings them healing as well. I have made some fairly
serious mistakes along the way, have been distracted too many times to admit,
and have not been as disciplined as I could be, but in spite of all that, in
spite of my humanity, God continues to pull things together. It has not been
smooth, but where it counts, things have worked, and progress has been made.
It's been kinda awe-inspiring in some ways. I could write a book of everything
that has happened that has been divinely fingerprinted along the way. It's
truly been kinda cool.
So what are this coming year's plans and goals?
- paperwork finished and filed
- grants applied for and landed, and operational
budget in place
- conference/retreat center operational with
retreats/camps/conferences actually happening.
- long range plans in place
- main buildings renovated/made operational
- several cabins renovated
- several fulltime staff besides myself living onsite
- equipment needs met (to maintain property, roads, pad
sites, snow removal, etc)
Nothing too major *grin*..
Oh, by the way! Pics of the ranch during the
summertime are now online! A friend of mine who webmasters http://www.thoughtsfromgod.com ,
has put up a page of brief detail and pics of the ranch, from right smack in
the center of his homepage. Check it out!
I send out a newsletter like this one at least once a month,
full of details happening, either in my life as I build this place, or about
things actually happening with this ranch, an online diary of sorts. Feel free to
pass them along to friends, and write me with questions and feedback if you
have them. The feedback I get from people has been quite good so far,
usually constructive, and always valuable to me in one way or another.
Thankyou for a good year in prayer and partnership too, and
for being with me at least in thought as we move forward into a new year.
Prayers are always appreciated too :-). And if you have specific prayer
requests of your own, I often pray for those people that pray for me, and pass
along those requests that I feel need it, to some of the prayer team that
supports me here. And hey, if you want to come visit and see the place for
yourself? The snow is absolutely beautiful here right now and I would love to
show you around. Just call first and we'll arrange something. Definatley call
first though. There's a pretty good neighborhood watch program in place
here.... Fortunately....
It is only because I serve a BIG God that I am now living in
the place of my dreams, building the place of my dreams, and growing in my walk
with Him. He loves me, and is patient with me, and I am thankful.
Sincerely,
Tim Benedict
21 Yellowpine ln
Boise, ID 83716
208-392-6723