7-22-2004

Dear Friends,

Once again, I don't know where to start...... So I'm just going to put down thoughts as they come to mind.... Hope you don't mind.... :-)

We met a Christian woman several weeks ago who had a vision of THIS ranch, SEVEN years ago. She described it to us, in detail from her vision, before I even showed her pictures of the place. It was kinda interesting *chuckle*. When I finally showed her pictures of the place, her jaw kinda dropped open..... She and her husband have interviewed with us now, just exploring the possibilities of coming on staff at some point. It was encouraging to me that God had set in motion this ranch clear back even 7 years ago, when I had first felt the call to the Idaho City area. Pray that we have wisdom and hear God's voice in staffing decisions.

We met a Christian man just last week who has had a vision for quite some time, of a youth related ranch, and again, described things that were accurate about THIS ranch (he has not seen pictures yet of the place). His goal and dream is to provide for and find funding for this and other ministries. Kinda neat.

We met a Christian woman last week with a dream and desire to start a displaced mothers ministry for single mothers, training them in career stuff and getting them on their feet, essentially picking up where our own Life House ministry to single pregnant women leaves off. She has already put her house on the market so that she can buy the house God has shone her, so that she can launch her ministry. She is truly stepping out in faith. Yes, ANOTHER big house *chuckle*. We are seeking God's direction on whether to extend our Big House ministry umbrella to cover her ministry as well. It just fits too good to not be a God thing, personal opinion.

We have started slogging through the non profit paperwork for the IRS.... NOT fun, can I say that?

A young man that God had me present the plan of salvation to, in rather blunt terms 2 Sundays ago, accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior last week!  Talk about exciting! He was in church Sunday night and came over to me and gave me a big smile and handshake and told me he had asked God into his life finally, and that he had peace about things finally. The change in him was noticeable. His roommate told me later that this young man had actually been up all night one night, devouring the Word of God, the Bible. A true mark of a genuine salvation, a hunger for the Word.  Kinda cool.

A young man in our group led a wiccan couple to the Lord last week, and another man in rededication to God.

Another young man in our group led several men in prison last week into rededication of their lives, 100%, to the Lord. He is SO excited about how God is using him! He actually spent one weekend up here at the ranch with me, talking about God stuff and getting a feel for the place. He is seriously considering coming onstaff up here.

A couple that had originally thought they would be here at the ranch (and I had accepted), have decided to go to school and get further Bible and practical ministry training before entering full time service, maybe with us, maybe someplace else. It's all good, and God will place them where they are most needed.

The group, growing from the Bible Study at Reid and Jessica's, continues to grow, and grow, and grow. We have seriously outgrown their apartment, and still the people come. We DESPERATELY need to get them moved into the Life House where they have room to function, but the deal we were trying to make happen for financing fell apart. Any help right now would be sorely appreciated in making the Life House a reality.

By the same token, finances to move the 6 houses that were offered to us (that I mentioned in the previous letter), has also not happened yet. It would be a pity to let these opportunities go by. Anyone have any ideas?

Spontaneous prayer meetings continue to happen, beyond just Reid and Jessica's house now. Revival. We are asking God for revival. And people are coming. Being changed. Finding God. Finding forgiveness. Being healed, both in spirit, mind, and body. It's neat to see, and sobering to think that if I had not obeyed God and befriended and mentored Jessica and Reid, individually and then together, even when other well meaning Christians told me that I should not, none of this would be happening right now. I am thankful that I obeyed my Lord and my God.

Another woman, who has a true heart for God and who just moved into the area and has divinely crossed our paths, is seeking God's direction concerning ministry herself. Maybe with us, maybe with someone else. Pray God opens the right doors for her. I just have a feeling that I know that I know that I know, God is going to use her in the biggest way. And she is so open to that, and so broken before her God. She has truly offered herself up as a living sacrifice, and so willing to be used, and God will honor that. I wish more so called Christians were that honest about their faith.....

Another woman that we talked to, just today, when we explained our visions and goals, instantly started crying. Apparently, she and her husband had been praying for 30 years or more for a ministry to both youth and single pregnant mothers, that they could financially get behind and support. THIRTY YEARS!!!!!  Have we as a Christian church, so failed at what the apostle James calls true religion, taking care of both the single mothers/widows and the fatherless, that it took this couple THIRTY YEARS to find a ministry that was actively reaching out to both segments? I beg the Father's forgiveness that we have fallen so far....

Several people unexpectedly gave us financial support gifts this past month to help make ends meet. They were very much appreciated, as we three (me, Reid, and Jessica) are still very much struggling financially as we walk a fine line between working in the ministry that God has called us to, and finding the cleaning and computer jobs for maintaining income and cash flow, just to pay our basic bills. Those that have helped us financially, thankyou.

And those that consistently cover us in prayer, we appreciate you too. The lives we touch for God are testimony to the power of the prayers lifted up to the Father on our behalf. We are VERY thankful.

And finally, those that have provided food, donations, and logistical support, we appreciate you too. It's kinda neat how God is bringing HIS church together to make this ministry a reality. Kinda neat. Kinda neat.

I was quite ill several weeks ago, and stayed at Reid and Jessica's and let them take care of me and Vanya until I felt better. I am truly thankful to God for my 2 friends that are like family to me. They are very special people.

I do not have fast internet yet here at the ranch, or stable power yet either. Working on it though. In time......  I CAN do email still though, over the phone lines when I have the generator on. So that's cool.

The fan in my car (not the motor I had fixed in last month's newsletter - but the fan itself), broke, and came loose, and punched several holes in my radiator on Sunday several days ago. I was able to fix the radiator, but the fan itself was cracked, and the nut holding it all together, was lost on the road somewhere. God told someone just today to pay for a whole new fan/motor assembly so that I could get my car running again. So that's tomorrow morning's project, put my car back together. I am thankful to this person, and God, for the help.

Someone donated a little Subaru station wagon to the ranch last week, and I have titled it and everything so that the woman building the displaced mother's home can use it for several weeks until she can find transportation of her own. That car was an answer to prayer on many counts.

My car needs a brake job pretty bad, and so does Reid and Jessica's van that they use to haul people around, including to their Bible study. Does someone want to specifically help with this?

One of the young woman in our group (adopted), after much prayer, tracked down her birth mother today and contacted her. There were many tears shed on both sides as forgiveness flowed forth and a relationship was re-formed. God is good. Pray for her birth family, as she reaches out to them with God's love.

I had been asking God for a black lab puppy so that Vanya (and later children) could have a playmate up here at the ranch, that could also serve as a bear deterrent (remember the bear in last month's newsletter?). One of the young ladies in Reid and Jessica's group got me a black lab puppy on Sunday last week, named Sitka (wisdom). Total answer to prayer *smile*.

On my birthday this month, the group threw a surprise birthday party for me. Was humbling, and very special to me. It was appreciated. One of the young ladies in the group got me a little black and white kitten to join the one I already have. The 2 cats are still working out their differences....... but are getting along for the most part. VERY lovable, both cats. They keep the house mouse population under control, and are not allowed outside where they could do damage to the local chipmunk population (I like the chipmunks *chuckle*)

I am going back East for a week next week for a family reunion. First time in close to 15 years that our family will be together as a family once again. Looking forward to that, but in honesty, I'm NOT looking forward to being away from this ministry here for that long. And I have some serious bills due before I go that I am not sure how to pay yet. Prayer would be good about now *sad chuckle*.

I have been able to offer the guest cabin, and the guest rooms, here at the ranch, to several different couples now that just needed a night away from Boise to reconnect. That's kinda neat to see happening. The guest cabin is specifically open to people in full time ministry, free of charge, for the purpose of getting away and recharging and/or seeking God's face. Plumbing isn't functional yet, (but the plumbing at the main ranch house  where I live, just up the hill, is), but if you are in full time ministry, and need the break, or your pastor and his wife need the break, call me (or Reid and Jessica) to reserve the cabin and it's there for you.

There is a short article about Big House Ministries coming out in the next issue of the Treasure Valley Christian Newspaper. You might check it out. The publisher of that newspaper is putting together a teen focused ministry also, specifically targeting teens dealing with suicide. Pray for him. 

If you need cleaning done, computer repair, yard maintenance, or handyman work done, we need the work both to meet our own bills, and to put people to work that have come under our wings. Just keep us in mind if you would. Thanks. 

Pray too, that I can finish up several projects that are hanging over my head that I had committed to before this ministry really became a serious reality.

And as always, I am sure that I am missing things. Kinda interesting to have to say that, because so much is happening *chuckle*. But God is good, and doing neat things. It's very cool, and I am thankful.

Pray for us.

Tim Benedict

Reid and Jessica Richardson

Big House Ministries

208-378-9157

208-392-6723