Contract,
Fingerprints, and an Open House
June 20,
2006
Dear
Friends,
Yes, we are
still here.... :-)
A Contract
and Earnest Money agreement have been submitted to the ranch owners (a week
ago, after verbal negotiations), and arrangements tentatively worked out for
the $100,000 downpayment for the ranch. We are now simply waiting on the owners
to respond and either accept/sign the contract, or tell us what they would like
to see changed about the contract in order to make it workable.... I don't
expect any problems, as they already verbally agreed (on June 1'st) to most of
the conditions and items in the contract. They are apparently out of town with
relatives for several days right now, but I would still ask that you pray that
the contract is signed quickly so that things can move forward.
God's
Fingerprints
1. There
are now 4 guys living up here, all working on fixing various things about the
ranch, and making it livable.... (Me, Joshua, Steve, Alan, we each covet your
prayers)
2. The
family raising money for a pony/horse for the ranch has met their goal. They
are coming out next week to do some shopping and maybe get us our first pony or
horse. Next we just need hay/grass to feed it.... :-) (And fix the
corral fence and stable door).
3.
A homeless teenager I met 2 weeks ago in Boise, made God the Lord of his
life that day, and asked God to forgive him his various sins and
screwups, and he is now living here (Steve) and helping with ranch
stuff, and fits in well. It's kinda neat :-)
4. Last
Saturday, we had the annual community water board association (of which I
am the president) meeting here at the ranch lodge, with a BBQ/potluck
afterwards. At the end of the meeting, I presented to the community what we are
wanting to do with the ranch here, and then answered some of their concerns and
questions, and had some really good expressions of support and feedback
afterwards. That was a huge answer to prayer.
5. 2 weeks
ago, I had a 40 hour long firefighting class at BSU down in Boise to get
certified as a wildland firefighter ( I did pass). I saw lots and lots of
God fingerprints that week, in everything from providing me with daily meals,
sack lunches, and other things; it was pretty incredible. As part of our
training, we also did a practice burn above Idaho City, and apparently, I
was even visible on TV when the local media had their cameras up there
filming that day.
6. My
personal finances, which are behind, due to my focusing on ranch stuff
last month and this, have seen several people unexpectedly help out with them,
and keep me solvent and functional, and out of trouble with my various
creditors. God is God of even the details.
7. Todd,
the board member who comes up fairly consistently on weekends to help out with
things, has almost completely repaired the plumbing/piping up to the ranch
drinking water spring source. This is a big answer to prayer. He is a huge
encouragement, and helps me stays focused and on-task with his words and actions.
8. A
business arrangement situation that I found myself in, that had the potential
to get very sticky, resolved itself after I gave it to God several weeks
ago. That was cool.
9. Channel
11 down in Twin Falls, ID, has asked me to come down on Thursday to interview
me about the ranch here for a 4-minute spot on one of their community focus
segments to air soon. That is kinda neat too :-)
10. A
man with experience in both the foster care system, and in raising funds
for youth work around the world, has offered to try to help out with some
specific things, and will be coming up to visit us and "talk shop"
sometime soon.
11. A lady
with a worldwide radio ministry on Sky Angel and several other networks, is
coming up to interview me tomorrow at the ranch here, to produce an hour long
segment that will be broadcast soon.
12. Someone
donated a propane clothes dryer, a washer, and a swing set for the kids ( to
add to the playground here), yesterday. That was cool. Other items have also
been donated that are a blessing.
13. We have
been planting tons of flowers, a small garden, and lots of other things, with
seeds that have been donated by various companies all over the USA. It's pretty
cool, and things are starting to sprout all over the place. Josh is really
enjoying this. My daughter Vanya even did some planting with him last
week, and thoroughly enjoyed herself doing so.
14. An
older gentleman and his wife came out to stay for the weekend last week, and he
had experience in public water systems, exactly what we needed for the water
association meeting last week. His presence was a huge answer to some prayer on
my part. His knowledge filled in some gaps for me that I was lacking knowledge
in. We enjoyed their presence and company, and we are praying, and considering,
their possible relocation here to the ranch to help out with things as we move
forward.
15. The new
church where I lead music, over in Clear Creek (Clear Creek Fellowship),
continues to grow. We had almost 20 people there 2 weeks ago. Lives are
changing, people are getting/staying clean and sober, and things are moving
forward there as well. This is really cool to see. God is raising up some
strong leaders out of that group. It's kinda neat to be a part of.
16. A good
friend of mine named Karen is coming out with a small group of people from
Portland to visit for a week or two around the 4th of July, to help us
host the Open House that I mention below. Her help with this is very much
appreciated.
17. A
number of projects that we have been working on, are moving forward much more
quickly now, with more guys here working. It is an answer to prayer .
18. Another
lady that I prayed for recently was completely healed of cancer. I am beginning
to wonder if God is giving me a personal ministry of praying for people
with cancer.... It's kinda cool actually... *soft chuckle*. To HIM be all the
power and the glory.
19. Several
of us are talking about getting together and playing worship music for various
functions and get -togethers and maybe recording a CD, and I am recording more
of my own songs onto CD as well, to sell as a fund raising item for the ranch.
This has been a personal dream for years and years, and one that I am looking
forward to seeing fulfilled (the CD recorded)....Additionally, the literary
agency that I used to work for has agreed to take a look at some of my own
personal manuscripts and evaluate them for publication (to pay off personal
debts and help fund the ranch). I'm pretty excited about this as well, though I
am having trouble finding the time I need to finish one last final
proofread/edit of the first manuscript that I want to submit....
20. Lots of other things as well, too
many to list. I'm kinda excited, while at the same time, I feel kinda
overwhelmed at everything that I have to keep track of, everything that is
happening, and everything that we still have to do to get this place off
the ground. Pray for us, please?
Open
House
On July
4th, anyone who is interested in the ranch, wants to see what we are doing
here, or just wants to help out, is invited to come up for an afternoon
BBQ/potluck (bring a dish of food or beverage or snack to share, and table
service), Open House, and Fund Raiser here at the ranch that day. We have
bunnies that the kids can pet, and various other activities planned for them.
It is also our goal to have the swimming pool at least partially functional by
then, so that people/kids that want to get wet that day, can. In the
evening, we will all trek up to Idaho City to see the local fireworks
display at the football stadium - people also often bring their own
fireworks to light off up there as well, so the display of fireworks is
actually quite impressive. :-)
As part of
the fund raising aspect of it, we are looking for new or quality handmade
items or services that we can auction and raffle off that day. If
you, or your business, has something that can be auctioned or raffled off that
afternoon to help raise renovation funds for the ranch, please get in touch
with us immediately.
See the
website for details/directions on how to get here http://www.bighouseministries.com
. It's less than an hour from Micron in Boise, and well worth the
drive, personal opinion, if you are interested in something to do that day, or
just want to get out of town for the afternoon, aside from the fact that we
would love to show you the ranch, what we are doing here, and would enjoy your
company, even if only for an hour or three.
Ain't life
fun? *chuckle* I am sure glad I know the author of life....
Prayer
Requests
1. That the
right people come onboard to help us.
2. We want
to buy a milk goat, cost - $75
3. Funds to
finish repairing the swimming pool (tile mortar/grout/adhesive, pool
sealing paint, and various plumbing bits and pieces).
4. That the
contract is signed quickly, and that the pastor fronting the money will be
blessed with ample funds to pay the property off.
5. That
each of us living up here can find a healthy balance between working for a
living and working for the ranch.
6. That the
July 4th Open House is a success.
7. That
each of us involved in the ranch can keep our focus and be productive. Mood
swings can get pretty erratic sometimes, my own included, when waiting for
things like the contract, or the funding that we need in order to fix things
and make things happen.
8. I have a
relative that wants to move here and help out with the ranch. Pray that God
paves the way for his move, and that it happens in God's perfect time.
9. I have
other friends, that also want to move here to help, that also need
God's touch and timing in order to make the jump.
10. Funds
for renovations, salaries, foster home buying, etc.
11. Prayer
items listed in the fingerprint section above :-)
In Him,
-Tim
www.bighouseministries.com
Tim Benedict
Thorn Creek Conference Center & Youth Ranch
21 Yellowpine Ln
Boise, Idaho 83716
208-392-6723
timbenedict@peoplepc.com