Bring Others Into the Sunshine of God's Good News by Linda L. Linn - HTML preview

Chapter 1

Genesis 18:19a, The LORD said, … I know (Abraham) … will command his children and his household after

him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD to do justice…

Denji and Sara Suehiro and their foster girls, Ruby, Irene, Lois, and Vicky along with Evan and Candy Beckett with their foster girls, Bonnie, Kate, Flora, and Reba, were all together on the lawn of the new big house on the hillside of Mercy Valley Ranch. It was a nice spring day and the girls had just finished playing dodge ball and had come over to rest, close to where their parents were.

Irene mentioned, “This was a fun game today. I think we are all getting better at throwing the ball and also dodging the ball.”

“Yeah,” added Kate, “Thank you, Dad, for giving us some good ideas to make the game go better.” The rest of the girls nodded.

Evan responded, “You're welcome, and I’m glad I listened and learned several years ago from Cory Iverson, a boy, on the farm, who was younger than I am. He had learned a lot of ball skills from his dad.”

Bonnie commented, “There’s a Cory Iverson in one of my classes at school.” Kate, Lois and Vicky all thought the same thing.

“He’s probably the same one,” Evan acknowledged. “Anyway I’m glad I was able to help you girls so you could have more fun.”

Candy changed the subject, “I was glad to see that none of you threw the ball very hard. I remember playing that game with some kids who threw it as hard as they could, just to hear someone say ‘ouch’ when a ball connected.”

Lois nodded in agreement. “I think some kids just like to be mean to others. I’m glad we are learning better ways here on this ranch.”

Sara was pleased with Lois’ statement, which showed she had already learned a lot from her time of living on the ranch in a family with Denji and herself as foster parents.

“I agree,” said Reba, “I like it here on this ranch.”

Her roommate, Flora, concurred, “So do I, and if we’ve all rested enough, let’s go play some more.”

The girls all smiled and got up. Their parents joined the fun with them this time.

Soon after the first young ladies had graduated from the ranch, Karen, the teacher of Bible Study Groups of the girls who came to live in Caring Foster Homes on Mercy Valley Ranch, had talked to Oscar, and Vera Yardley, the owners of the ranch. They had agreed it would be best to read the first three little booklets that were usually given out to new believers with the girls as soon as they were saved, rather than waiting for enough in Karen’s groups to do it. This would be a much better way to get them started in their new lives with Jesus as their Savior. They could ask questions, get answers, and make comments more quickly this way.

The Hopkins, Becketts, Afta and Hana Suehiro, and Denji and Sara Suehiro families were the first families to have new girls come to the ranch. Each family tried this idea and it proved to be a good plan. One family had tried it using each persons’ smart phone to read one of the little booklets. The dad had caught one of the girls who had downloaded a different thing on hers and was not paying attention. After that, the families put the content of the booklets up on the monitors of two computers so they could all see it at the same time. But each girl had copies of the little booklets so they could take notes and keep them for future reference.

Later Karen had talked to Evan and Candy and they had agreed with the decision. Then Karen had passed this information on to the other new families as they came to the ranch. They all liked this plan and it was working well for them and their girls, since all the parents on the ranch had good Bible knowledge and experience to answer the girls’ questions. Also the girls liked having their own copies of the booklets.

When there were enough girls who were believers, Karen would form a group of them and teach them how to be missionaries in the public schools. She used ideas she had obtained from Julie Blake, who taught her third graders in the church school how to be missionaries when they went to the public school in fourth grade.

Pastor Don Ross and his beloved wife, Anita, were playing a Bible board game with their children Timothy and Mary, who are one year apart in age and are attending middle school and have started calling their parents Dad and Mom like the other children in this story also did when they reached middle school.

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Tim had decided to use his whole name, Timothy, because the Timothy in the Bible was such an honorable person.

The game they were playing had many opportunities for them to use the knowledge they had learned in this family and in the Grace ‘n’ Faith primary church school. They also got some practice using the big Bible concordance to find answers they didn’t know.

Once they looked up an answer for the question, “Where is the rose of Sharon mentioned in the Bible?” Mary found it in Song of Solomon 2:1, I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys.

Another word they looked up was “insects,” but they learned it was not used in the King James version of the Bible. One question had three parts and wanted to know the town where King David had been born, what was the important prophecy about the town, and it’s reference. Timothy found the answers in Micah 5:2, But you, Bethlehem, … though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall he (Jesus) come forth to me who is to be ruler in Israel, whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. He was glad he already knew the town and prophecy, so he only had to find the reference.

The next question was, “Is there such a thing as living stones?” The answer is “Yes.” Anita found 1 Peter 2:5 for her turn. You are living stones built up into a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

When it was his turn Don used Philippians 3:20,21a, to answer the question, “Where is the believer’s citizenship?” Our citizenship is in heaven. From there we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall change our bodies so they may be made like his glorious body…

Timothy stated at one point, “I really like this game because it has no competition and therefore no winner and no losers.”

“Same here,” agreed Mary, “and since I’m the youngest in the family, it’s extra good for me.”

Anita commented, “Yes, this is very good for you. On the other hand, I’ve noticed as you have gotten older you win more often when we play games with competition.”

“Exactly,” said Don, nodding. “You’re a fast learner, Mary, and you have a good memory, so you do better as you learn more.”

Mary smiled and declared, “Thanks, Dad and Mom, I like the way you encourage me and remind me of ways I’m improving. I guess I’m not so young any longer. Also I’m really glad my ministry partner and I were able to get into the accelerated course of study in middle school. It moves much faster than fourth and fifth grade did, so I’m not bored any more. I also thank you for helping me get into it.”

“You’re welcome,” Don replied, “and this reminds me of something that happened this week at the Local Grocery where I work during the week. I was training a high school graduate who had just been hired. He asked a lot of questions about how to stock shelves, and I’m glad I took the time to be patient and answer all of them, because he thanked me and really tries to do a good job.”

Anita added, “I’m glad, and it reminds me of Romans 14:19, where it says, Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things by which we may edify each other. Edify means to teach, but can also mean to encourage. I like the way I get to do those things at the day care my friend and I have during the week.

“Wonderful,” and Don added, “and I also like the way this game keeps my mind sharp for my job as pastor of Grace 'n' Faith Church #4. I like both of my jobs and I especially like our family!”

Brad Decker sipped his herbal tea. It was sweetened with honey. It tasted like a mixture of berries and smelled delicious. “I really like the taste and smell of this excellent tea. It’s so much better than coffee, and as you said the view of the mountains is just as good here as it is in the Visitors’ Cabin. Now I’d like to hear some more of the story about your dude ranch and why you decided to change it to a group of homes for abused girls.”

Oscar responded, “Vera and I had two children who died at a young age, and we weren’t able to have any more children.

Vera continued, “So we put all our energies into making the dude ranch into the best it could be. Therefore it was making a lot of money for us since we had full reservations most of the time. We invested all the extra money that was not needed to keep the ranch running and maintained.

“Yes,” Oscar went on, “for most of those years, the investments earned very good interest. We had made the dude ranch into a place people enjoyed coming to, in order to be refreshed by the beauty of nature and being able to learn how to care for and ride excellent horses. We enjoyed having it be a dude ranch, but we like it even better as homes where abused girls can be restored.

‘I think I can understand that,” then Brad asked, “Do you both still ride horses?”

 

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“Definitely!” Vera exclaimed. “We plan to keep caring for and riding horses for as long as we are able. While this was a dude ranch, both of us liked interacting with the guests who came to spend time here. It was especially nice to have repeat visitors who came at least once year or more often.”

“You both mentioned caring for horses. Is it very hard to learn how to care for a horse?” Brad inquired.

Oscar replied, “It’s not at all hard, and it’s very rewarding. We could teach you. Have you ever ridden a horse?”

“Only once when I was about ten,” he explained. “My parents and I went on a trail ride tour from a stable in the mountains. There wasn’t much to do but just sit on the horse as it followed the one in front of it.”

Vera described, “Horseback riding on this dude ranch and this ranch for abused girls is nothing like the ride you had. Each person had to learn and agree to follow all the rules of this ranch, which are: no racing, no stunts, and never give treats to horses. When they agreed to the rules, they were taught how to prepare the horse to be ridden by cleaning and checking the hooves for rocks, and brushing the hair smooth, especially where the blanket and saddle would be. Then they learn how to mount and dismount, how to get the horse going and guide it with the reins, how to get it to go in its different gaits, how to get it to stop, and then how to get it ready to go back to the pasture where it was rewarded with thanks and stroking. Then they learned how to clean and put away the tack they had used.”

“The reason for all those steps, is to build appreciation for the horse and a relationship with it as an animal that will work with and for you as you care for and ride it,” explained Oscar.

Brad declared, “This makes very good sense to me! Thank you for explaining it to me, and yes, I would like to have you teach me!”

“It will be our pleasure,” responded Vera, “as soon as we tell you why we decided to change our dude ranch into a cluster of homes where two good parents could love and raise four abused girls apiece.”

Oscar began this part by saying, “My parents had planned and transferred the whole dude ranch to Vera and me over the years without the inheritance taxes. After that, Vera and I talked and wished for a long time.” Vera and I had often talked about our longing to leave a legacy in a way that would also further God’s Kingdom, now and in the future after we die. Our financial planner, who, is also our lawyer helped us make a trust so the ranch will keep operating long after we are gone. The people pay rent and utilities for living in the houses, and the extra money even after building more houses will continue to earn interest.

Vera added, “But we usually stifled any wishes we had by saying we were too old to have ideas or be able to make them happen. So one day we abolished that thought, and we prayed for God’s help to write lists of things we might be able to do. We both wrote a list and when we read each other’s list, we were pleasantly surprised to find that both of us had written the same idea to change this dude ranch into Caring Foster Homes for abused girls with families who will love and care for them while they teach them the Good News and guide them to the Savior. Then he can save, heal, restore and rehabilitate their lives.

“Fascinating!” Brad exclaimed. “I would imagine the horses help the girls in a lot of ways since most girls really like horses.”

“Exactly,” agreed Oscar, “working with horses can be very good therapy for abused girls. Our counselor often suggests to the girls to tell the horse all their bad memories and then throw the memories away, and the horse will never remind them.”

Vera added, “Precisely, and then they can tell the horse about things they like about horses or the ranch. Some of the girls can relate better to an animal than to people at first since they had been abused by humans.”

“It has helped the girls a lot,” Oscar went on, “and even better than the horses, is that all the parents and a special teacher here on the ranch lovingly teach the girls about the Bible and about Jesus. When the girls have learned enough, they make the right decision to ask Jesus to be their Savior. Then Jesus heals, restores, and rehabilitates their lives.”

“Without a doubt, it sounds like a very good plan,” then Brad mentioned, “I like the way the new houses fit in with the cabin look of the rest of the ranch. They look a lot like this big house.”

“I like it also,” Vera concurred, “We wanted to keep the charm of the dude ranch even with the new buildings.”

Oscar went on, “So Ben, our contractor, came over and we researched and found a place with very good artificial log cabin siding. It’s maintenance-free, looks great, wasn’t too expensive, and was easy to install.”

Vera added, “When all the houses are finished there will be room on the ranch for a total of eighty foster girls.”

“And,” continued Oscar, “the newly restored horses will be enough for each family to ride at least twice a week and more times for those families who so desire.”

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Brad was busily writing everything in his notebook, even though he didn’t fully understand what they were talking about. When they finished this part of the interview, Oscar and Vera gave Brad a riding lesson, so he could learn how to care for and ride a horse. He agreed with all the rules, and he was a motivated, good learner.

They showed him how to walk up to the horse of his choice, talking to it and then rubbing or stroking it before putting on the halter and lead rope. He followed them leading the horse and tied it to the loop and he watched as they brushed all the hair smooth, cleaned the dirt and rocks from the feet on the horses they would ride. Then he did the same for the horse he had chosen. They demonstrated how to put on the blanket, saddle and bridle and he did it correctly on his. Next he watched how they mounted and he did the same.

When they got into the outside riding ring, they demonstrated how to do direct reining and get the horse to go with gentle bumps of the heels. They also showed him how to get the horse to go faster and how to ride the faster gaits. After riding in the ring for a while they went up the road and crossed the stream, going at a walk to cool the horses down properly before the end of the ride. After dismounting he learned how to care for the horse in the opposite order, before returning it to the pasture with thanks and more pats.

During the days he stayed at the ranch working on his report, he interviewed and went riding with some of the families on the ranch so he could hear the stories the parents or their girls might tell him about their lives on the ranch. He could use this information in his report. Plus, he thoroughly enjoyed horseback riding!

On a warm early spring day, the adults who were on the ranch, but weren’t working for this part of a day while the girls were at school, decided to saddle up all the newer horse arrivals and go for a ride on the public land that borders the ranch. Brad Decker decided he needed to write on his report that day, and besides, he wanted some more practice riding before he would go with a big group of experienced riders.

Ted Blake maintains any houses on the ranch that need it, while his wife Julie is teaching third graders at the Grace ‘n’ Faith Christian Church School. Their foster girls, Lily, Violet, Iris, and Rose, are all 12 years old. They are fraternal quadruplets, and are in the seventh grade in middle school. Ted chose to ride More Patches, a brown and white pinto Tennessee Walking Horse.

William and Anna Beckett are in their 50’s. He works in an “office” they made room for in their bedroom, doing bookkeeping by email for people on the ranch, farm, or in Pine City. Anna is happy to be wife, mother, and homemaker on the ranch. The work on the farm had become too hard for them so they were enjoying their move to the ranch. Their new foster girls are Nora and Kathy, who are 17 and are seniors in high school. Gina, and Helen are16 and are in the eleventh grade. Today William and Anna chose to ride Arrow and Stripe, two bay horses. They’re Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horses, and the white markings on their faces look like their names.

Karen Spencer, who is in her 40’s, works on the ranch doing gardening and teaching Bible classes and other things to the girls on the ranch. She was glad to have some discretionary time while her husband, Jeff who is also in his 40’s, works with Ben Clay’s construction company building houses on the ranch. Their foster girls are Christi and Hanna, who are16 and are in the eleventh grade. Ellie and Lisa are 17 and are seniors. Ben and his two crews all kept working this day. Karen chose to ride Dapplie, a dark dapple gray Tennessee Walking Horse with black legs, mane and tail. However, she did wish that Jeff could join her on this ride.

Afta and Hana Suehiro, are in their late 50’s. Afta is Tomo Suehiro’s twin brother. They work at home on a computer based job for a company in another state. Their foster girls, Dana and Wendy, who are 17 are seniors in high school. Sylvie, and Kendra are 16 and are in the eleventh grade. Afta and Hana enjoy riding the black horses, Prince and the new Princess, who has a small star, and Prince has a crown shaped one. They’re Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horses.

Nathan and Esther Mendoza, are 34 years old and count it a privilege to live and work doing many different jobs on Mercy Valley Ranch. Their foster girls are Lucia, Val, and the twins, Holly and Willow who are all 13 and are in eighth grade. Since Nathan and Esther had gentled, rehabilitated, and trained all the new horses on the ranch they liked riding all of them. Today they chose to ride Goldenrod and Marigold, two palominos. Goldenrod is a darker gold than the other and both are named for wildflowers. They’re Tennessee Walking Horses.

Unice Logan is single and in her 40’s. She is the veterinarian and also a family nurse practitioner who lives and works full-time on Mercy Valley Ranch. She enjoys riding any of the horses on the ranch since she examines and cares for them all. Today she and the practical nurse on the ranch who helps Unice with some of her nursing work, chose to ride Chili Powder and Paprika, the reddish brown Kentucky

 

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Mountain Saddle Horses. Chili Powder has a narrow blaze and Paprika has a wider blaze and one white boot.

Oscar and Vera Yardley, who are in their 70’s are the owners of Mercy Valley Ranch. They also have four foster girls. Emma and Nan are 15 and are in tenth grade, and Stella and Liz are 16 and are in the eleventh grade. Oscar and Vera chose to ride Flame and Lollipop, two more reddish brown Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horses. Their names go with their facial markings.

These twelve people rode twelve of the new horses leaving the other five new horses for another day.

Before they mounted up, Esther explained, “Since we are riding some of the newer horses to the ranch, this is just a reminder for all you good riders about what to do if a horse gets spooked and runs away with you.

Nathan instructed, “Turn the horse uphill if it runs away. Then urge it to go faster so it tires out more quickly and will stop when it’s asked to stop.”

“Right,” agreed Esther. “The other horses in the group should be stopped and wait for the runaway to be brought back to see what spooked it.”

Nathan nodded and continued, “The person on the stopped run away horse should pat the horse’s neck and talk soothingly before having the horse walk slowly back to where it got spooked. This will help it to cool off after its uphill run and then after it gets used to what spooked it, it would be good to keep riding in the direction you had been going.”

Esther concluded, “All the new parents learn this also and teach their girls, and the other parents teach their new girls. If this ever happens to you or one of your girls when you are riding one of the horses, be sure to tell Nathan or me, so we can work with that horse some more to get it used to things that might spook it.”

Next everybody mounted up and they had a wonderful, long ride on the public land that borders the ranch.

The following day, Brad introduced himself to Jeff and Karen Spencer and their girls, Ellie, Lisa, Christi, and Hanna. “Hello, I’m Brad Decker and I’m living here for a while in the Visitors’ Cabin. I have Oscar and Vera Yardleys’ permission to interview families who are willing to give me information for the story I’m writing for the Local News about this ranch.”

Jeff responded, “Hi, its nice to meet you. I’d be willing to give you some information. How about the rest of you?”

They all nodded their agreement and Brad asked, “Where do you work, Mr. Spencer?”

Jeff shared, “I’m the father for this family, and I also work with Ben Clay who is the building contractor for the five new two story houses going up on this ranch. I believe that the mission of this ranch to provide even more Caring Foster Homes is so important that I left my job with another building contractor so I could help build these houses.”

“Wow!” Brad exclaimed. “What a huge commitment!” Then Brad asked, “Would each of you younger ladies tell me your first name and grade level in school, and what you like about living here on this ranch?”

Lisa answered first. “I’m Lisa, and I’m a senior this year. Mercy Valley Ranch has been a wonderful place for me to live ever since I was about ten years old. I like all the things I’ve learned from my foster parents, especially about how to forgive and forget the abusive treatment of my birth parents.”

“My name is Ellie, and I’m also a senior. I ditto what Lisa said, plus I like all the things I’ve learned about the Bible and about living for Jesus.”

“I’m Christi, and I’m a junior in the high school. I agree with what Lisa and Ellie just said. I’ll add that the fun thing I like to do most here on the ranch is to ride horses. At first I was very, very scared of riding a horse, but Dad, Mom, and Vera Yardley helped me to learn how on the smallest horse on the ranch whose name is Honey. Now I’m not afraid of even the tall horses here, and horseback riding is one of my fun time things to do here.”

“My name is Hanna. I’m Christi’s roommate and we are both juniors this year. What my sisters have said also applies for me, plus I like the way my Mom has taught the classes for the Bible Study Groups plus many things about gardening and arranging flowers.”

Brad stated, “Thank you. This is very helpful information. Mrs. Spencer, from what Hanna just said, you have an extra job here on the ranch besides being wife, mother, and homemaker.”

Karen smiled at his diplomacy. “Yes. I teach many different Bible Study Groups for the girls and young ladies who live here on the ranch. I also have some of the groups learn about planting, weeding, caring for, and harvesting the vegetable and flower gardens that Vera and I have planted and nurtured while they’re at school. The girls also learn how to arrange flowers for their dining room tables and how to dry them for use in the winter.”

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“It sounds to me like you have a very full schedule every day here on the ranch, Mrs. Spencer. Thank you all for the valuable things you shared with me!” Brad emphasized.

For Vern and Lora Jones, who live in Pine City, even planning their ministry trip this year for the week before Resurrection Day / Easter would be totally different for them without their daughter, Mindy, who had gotten married to Ben Clay just before Christmas. They had made some plans already with Frank and Becky Warner, who are a couple who attend the same church, and they like to travel and drive on four-wheel drive roads. So Vern and Lora would make themselves carry through with the plans, but they had to admit they were not adjusting very well to their empty nest. They both missed Mindy so much.

Vern and Lora are in their early 40’s. Vern is a pediatric dentist and his beloved second wife, Lora and he have been happily married for about eight years. Lora is an excellent replacement for Vern’s deceased first wife. Lora is the nurse at the church school and also teaches Health and related topics to each class.

They took some extra time to pray together and talk through their difficulty. Lora mentioned, “Maybe if we had agreed with her about the ‘problem’ of her lack of feminine development and that no man would want her for a wife, she might still be living here.”

“Maybe,” Vern went on, “and maybe not, because she wanted to pay her own way like the ranch girls do. She might have moved out into a condominium by herself anyway.”

Lora sighed, “I just didn’t think it would happen so soon.”

“Same here,” and Vern pulled her close for a hug. “But we did get to have her living here a year longer than the ranch parents did with their girls. And we know how much they miss their girls.

Lora nodded, “Besides, she’s so happy now and not focused on her ‘problem’ any longer. Therefore this is much better for her. Forgive me, Lord, and help me accept this and be glad for the time we got to have Mindy in this loving home.”

“The same for me, Lord, Amen,” agreed Vern, “so I’ll stop wishing she was back home. It’s the normal process of life and at least she’s pleased with Ben and is very much in love with him. He is a very good man and husband.”

“Yes he is,” and Lora went on, “and possibly some day they will be able to join us for an RV travel ministry time. And until then, we can invite them to come eat a meal with us on some weekends.

“Absolutely!” Vern exclaimed. “Plus we can enjoy all the special times we can have with just the two of us together.”

“For sure,” Lora smiled. “And we can still use the poster Mindy made of the song, ‘One Day.’ So now, I could sing just a solo while you point to the start of each line and we’ll use the boom box with an SD card for the accompaniment instead of her autoharp.”

Now they felt better and were able to enjoy planning for this next trip. Vern suggested, “Let’s chose some other songs to follow ‘One Day. ‘Saved, Saved!’ is a good testimony of what Jesus did by saving the ones singing the song. A good scripture verse for this song is Titus 3:5, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy God saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and the renewing of the Holy Spirit.”

“Very good,” agreed Lora, “and next we could do ‘The Old Rugged Cross,’ which goes with Luke 23:33a,34a… when they came to the place, called Calvary, they crucified (Jesus,) and he said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” The stanzas tell how Jesus suffered and died to pay the pardon for men’s sins, and that some day he will call believers to come share his home forever.”

Vern smiled and nodded, “Then we could sing, ‘Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy.’ It goes with Galatians 3:13, Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us. For it is written, Cursed is every one who hangs on a tree. We will explain that the cross was made from a tree.”

Lora commented, “This will be a good trip and these songs and verses go very well with the Easter / Resurrection Day season.”

“I agree, Honey.” Vern smiled. “And I’m glad we worked through our sad feelings so we can continue preparing for this trip with better attitudes.”

Lora added, “I guess the sad feelings are normal for families who have no more children at home.”

“Yes, my dearest Lora,” he concurred, “maybe we could consider some things Jesus might like us to do with our empty nest.”

So they spent some time brainstorming ideas. Then they talked about pros and cons for each idea and how to make the chosen one work. They tentatively chose, “We could take one foster girl or boy to fill up Mindy’s empty room and still have room in the little trailer for that boy or girl, so we could still do RV travel and ministry.” They decided to pray some more about whether a boy or a girl would be the best choice and also if it would be a workable idea.

 

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One day Brad went horseback riding with Oscar, Vera and their girls. This Saturday was the same day they also rode with Evan, Candy, and their girls.

One of Evan and Candy’s girls, Reba, had a leg that was shorter than the other one and had to wear a lifted shoe. But she still walked with a limp. On the way to the pasture, Liz and Stella noticed Reba walking with a pronounced limp and she couldn’t keep up with the others, since her boot didn’t have the lift in its heel. Her mom, Candy, stayed back to walk with her on the way to and from the pasture.

While they were riding, Liz and Stella conversed about her and prayed for God to lead them. They both realized that the same Holy Spirit who was in Jesus when he was on earth is now living in them and that Jesus could heal through them like he did through Sara and Candy those years ago when they had prayed for Liz.

After the ride and cleaning the tack they got a chance to visit with Reba as they were putting the saddles and bridles in their places inside the tack room. While they were there, they found out what Reba’s problem was, and Liz shared her testimony.

“When I first came to this ranch it was after my dad had gotten very mad at me one day and as he was punishing me, he broke my right hand and wrist. He wouldn’t take me to the doctor to have it fixed, so it looked awful and didn’t work. I had to learn how to use my left hand instead. He said that’s what I deserved for being bad. I resented him for a long time and was bitter until my older friends helped me see that I needed to forgive him. I did forgive him and wasn’t bitter any longer. Then they asked me if they could pray and ask Jesus to fix my hand and wrist, since he created me and would know how to heal it. I said yes and Jesus did fix it after they prayed.” She held it up for Reba to see and then asked, “Could Stella and I pray for Jesus to fix your leg so it would be the same length as your other one? Then you would be able to walk and run normally.”

The other three girls were also in the tack room and were listening.

With Reba’s permission they prayed for Reba as she sat on a chair so all could see that the short leg grew longer to match the other leg. Reba got up and walked as naturally as any girl her age. After their amazement quieted down, Liz and Stella thanked Jesus for what he had done and reviewed the Good News those girls had already heard at home and in Karen’s classes. Then all four girls prayed a prayer aloud, separately, to accept Jesus as their Savior.

When they finished rejoicing, they all went out to tell their foster parents what Jesus had done. Of course there was more rejoicing and a lot of praise and thanks to Jesus. Later Candy was overjoyed to tell her former roommate, Sara, who lived next door now, the good news about all four of her girls.

Now they could start reading and commenting on and asking questions about the New Believers booklet, titled “Your New Life.”

Brad, who had been riding with these families, had also been in the tack room, so he saw the miracle and heard the Good News, so he quietly prayed a similar prayer himself. He hurried over to Oscar and Vera to tell them about it. Emma and Nan and also Liz and Stella, who were the ones who had prayed for Reba, were also there.. They all joined in the rejoicing that God had used this miracle to bring the four girls and this man into God’s forever family.

Brad exclaimed, “Now I understand why you wanted God to get all the glory for the things he does. I’m also convinced that he is the only one who deserves it, and now I want the same thing you do.”

Oscar replied, “We’re so glad you do, and we couldn’t be happier that you accepted Jesus during your stay at the ranch.”

Vera gave and explained to Brad the little booklet for new believers saying, “This booklet will help you review what you did there in the tack room and explain some good things for you to do next.”

Oscar declared, “I just had an idea. Those four girls in Evan and Candy’s family will also be reading a booklet like this with their parents, who will be available to answer their questions. Since you’ll be living here on the ranch for a few more weeks, I wonder if you could join their group and be able to comment and ask questions of your own. The booklet says it would be good for you to join a small group. So if you joined theirs, it could be like your own small group here on the ranch instead of needing to go to the city to join one there.”

Brad questioned, “Do you think they would let me join them?”

“We could ask them for you,” Vera volunteered. “The parents are both 21 and have lived on the farm or ranch with wonderful foster parents who taught them all the Bible knowledge and parenting skills they needed to become great foster parents themselves.”

“Thank you so much,” said Brad. “I would really like to have you ask them for me. Then if they might not want me in the group, they could tell you no, but probably wouldn’t feel free to tell me.”

Evan and Candy and their girls were glad to let Brad join them.

 

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On the farm Felix and Sunny Lucero and their boys, Pedro, Luis, Jose and Hugo were talking as they all helped with getting supper on the table.

As she finished the fruit salad, Sunny remarked, “Pedro and Luis, you have graduated from high school and will be 19 pretty soon, so you will be able to join the army, move to the base, and continue taking Kosuke’s classes to become chaplains in the army.”

“Yes,” continued Felix, “and we are very pleased with the good grades you both got in high school and how hard you are studying for the classes Kosuke is teaching.”

Luis smiled. “Thank you, Dad. It was worth all the extra studying just to hear your compliment.”

“Yeah,” Pedro went on, “I even surprised myself with the high marks on my report card. I never could have done it if I hadn’t been living here with your encouragement.”

Then they and Felix left with dishes and silverware so they could set the table.

Hugo commented, “We work so well together as a family that everything goes smoothly. Pretty soon after Pedro and Luis leave, we’ll need to show two new boys how to do their chores.”

“Right,” agreed Jose, “I'm really going to miss Pedro and Luis, but at least we know that they like what they’ve planned to do with their lives. You and I need to get our plans in order for next year!”

Sunny added, “Yes, our family is very busy right now since all of you boys have grown up so quickly. But God will help us through all of what is coming just like he has all along.”

“Good reminder, Mom,” said Jose, “thank you.”

Hugo tacked on, “Same here, now let’s go enjoy this delicious looking supper we all helped to fix. I think the three of us can carry all the food out to the table in one trip.”

“I think so also,” and Sunny went on to say, “and you’re both welcome. I’m extra grateful for everyone's help today.”

Later that evening when they were alone, Felix requested, “Sunny say something funny. Make me laugh. I’m missing our boys already, and they haven’t even left yet.”

She threw her arms around him and whispered in his ear, a short and funny joke. Soon they were both laughing and he hugged her right back saying, “My dear Sunny, I’m so blessed to have you as my wife. God has been so good to me!”

“I feel the same way you do, my dear husband!” Sunny exclaimed.

Oscar and Vera suggested, “Brad you would be welcome to ride to church with us on Sundays.”

“How very nice of you to invite me,” Brad replied, “but I don’t want to intrude with your girls in the van. It would make it rather crowded.”

Vera thought for a while, “Maybe you could ask Ben and Mindy Clay if you could ride with them, since it is a pretty long steep ride back up here on your bicycle. They would be also good ones to interview for your report.”

So they took him over there to meet them after all their suppers were finished that evening. After introductions and a little small talk, Oscar and Vera went back to their house.

Brad said, “I already know that you, Ben, are the building contractor who is building those good looking two-story houses on the hillside. But I haven’t heard what your wife, Mindy, does.”

Ben explained, “She teaches second graders at the church school. Before and after that she’s my wonderful, beloved wife, who has made our little trailer into a very comfortable home and has filled my life with much happiness.”

“I’m very pleased to meet both of you in person,” said Brad.

Mindy replied, “We're happy to meet you also. Candy is one of my dear friends and she and I rejoiced about your salvation.”

Ben continued, “We also heard about your reporting project. maybe you could interview us on the way to and from church every Sunday while you are living on the ranch.”

“It would be perfect!” Brad exclaimed. “I gladly accept your invitation.” So now he had a ride to and from church and the time would also be well spent on his interview.

Evan explained, “Since all four of you girls and Brad accepted Jesus as your Savior on the same day, we can all read part of this little booklet, called ‘Your New Life.’ It’s about new believers, and it, along with the other little booklets we will read later can help you learn how to live for Jesus now that he is your Savior. This book can be part of our Bible studies.”

Kate asked humbly, “How can we it that? It’s not a Bible is it?”

“No, it isn't a Bible, but it talks about the Bible and it also has a lot of Bible verses in it,” Candy answered. Since Brad already had one, she gave each of the girls a little booklet and said, “You can make notes in the margins and other places for notes. It would be a good idea for you to save each booklet so

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you can review it later and study the verses and especially the parts about how to live your new life as a believer in Jesus.

Evan continued, “I have a PDF copy of this little booklet up on these two computer monitors so we can all see it at the same time and stay together better. So who would like to read the title and the Bible verse and introduction out loud?”

Kate volunteered, “I will, now that I understand how it can be part of our Bible study.” So she read, “This booklet is called, ‘Your New Life.’ Colossians 3:9b,10, … we have, put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him who created us. Introduction: This booklet will help you understand what you did when you accepted Jesus as your Savior and help you to learn some ways you can live your new life for Jesus. You can read it aloud with people who can answer your questions as you go, or you can write your questions on paper and get answers later.” Then Kate stated, “I like the idea of having us take turns reading it aloud so we can get our questions answered as we go.”

The other girls and Brad nodded in agreement.

“Good,” and then Evan explained, “you can interrupt the reading with a question or comment when the reader reaches the end of a sentence.”

They all nodded and Bonnie read next, starting on page one. “You are a new believer because you read or listened to some verses telling you the Good News about Jesus, who is and what he did. Some of those verses might have been the same as the following ones printed here as this author’s paraphrase of The King James version of the Holy Bible.”

John 3:16,17, For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, so that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but that the world might be saved through him.”

Candy inserted, “People need Jesus to save them from their sins because sin separates us from God, and there is no other way to God except through Jesus.”

Brad and the girls nodded again and then Brad read the next verses, “Romans 3:10 says,… there is none

righteous, no not one. Romans 3:23 says, For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. And Romans 6:23 says, For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Ephesians 2:8,9 says, For by grace you are saved, through faith; and not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Flora asked, “Why shouldn’t people boast?”

“I think,” answered Evan, “that if people could do enough good works to save themselves then they would be proud and conceited and could boast, but not give the glory to God.”

“So then,” Flora suggested, “since the other verses state that all have sinned, and nobody is righteous, they could not ever do it by themselves anyway.”

“Exactly,” agreed Candy, “the next verses tell us what Jesus did for people. Would you read next Reba?”

Reba nodded and took her turn to read, “Philippians 2:7,8 says, Jesus, made himself of no reputation and took on himself the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. Being found in the form of a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”

Candy observed, “The next verses in the booklet tell who Jesus is. In these verses Jesus is called the Word. Go ahead and read them.”

So Reba continued reading, “John 1:1-4, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God and all things were made by him and without him was not anything made, that was made. In him was life and the life was the light of men.”

Then Reba asked, “But what do these verses mean?”

Evan explained, “These verses are talking about Jesus, God’s Son, who was with God and was also God. In Genesis chapter one it tells how the triune God created the world. John 1:14a says the Word became flesh and lived among us. Jesus was born into the world through Mary, on the first Christmas, so he could be God and man at the same time. He did this so he could live a perfect life without ever sinning. This is the only way he could give his life to pay the penalty for all the sins men have committed. God raised him from the dead on the third day and he lives in Heaven.”

“Thank you,” said Reba. “It makes more sense now.”

Brad inserted, “I agree. That was a good explanation.”

Flora read next, “In John 1:11,12 it says, Jesus came to his own but his own did not receive him, but to as many as did receive him and believe in his name, he gave power to become the children of God.”

 

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Flora inserted, “I remember Stella and Liz explaining what these verses mean. People who will believe in Jesus and what he did can be God’s children. Jesus helps us live our lives for him now on earth, and gives us the hope of living in Heaven with him for eternity.”

Brad and the other girls nodded, remembering what they had heard in the tack room the other day. Then Flora continued reading. “Acts 16:31a says, Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved. And Romans 10:9,10 says, If you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and shall believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you shall be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

Then Kate declared, “We each did what those verses said to do, and now we are God’s children! This booklet gives us a good review of what we did.”

“Yes it does,” agreed Flora and she went on to finish that section of the booklet. “This next paragraph contains a prayer that we could repeat. But we already prayed something like it in the tack room. It says, ‘God, I realize that I am a sinner. I confess these sins to you. Name the ones you think of. … … Please forgive me. Thank you that you already paid the price for my sins by dying on the cross, and that God raised you from the dead. I believe in you and ask you to be my Savior. Thank you very much. Amen.’ It’s a good review also.”

Candy commended them, “Thank you, girls and Brad, for your good reading and comments on this part of the booklet. We can continue from here during our next Bible study time.”

On Friday evening during supper, Walt and Betty Evans were mentally reviewing many of the things the people said in their introductions for a small group formed in January, with them as the facilitators.

Betty remarked, “I was just remembering our first small group introductory meeting with Roy, Sherry, Hope and Joy Foster, Riley and Amelia O’Connor, Matt and Fiona Anderson, Tony and Maria Valdez, and Ruth Beckett and Beth Davis and Pam Green. Did I skip anyone, and did I get all the last names correct?

“Very good, Dear,” answered Walt. “You skipped nobody because I counted as you went, and with us included, we have 15 in our group. I was also looking at the list and you got all the names, first and last, correct!”

“Thank you Honey,” and then she requested, “would you check to see if I remember what grade they are in or where they work?

“Sure my love,” he replied, “it would be hard for me to remember, but since I have the list and I wrote that information on it I can easily check you.”

She smiled and stated, “OK, here I go. I’m trying to keep my brain and memory sharp. Roy works at Building and Home Supplies, Sherry is working at Discount Mart. Their identical twin girls, Hope and Joy, are in seventh grade now.

“Exactly right,” Walt encouraged.

She continued, “Riley works for a Christian company in Pine City and Amelia is a homemaker and mother. During our small group meetings, his parents, Patrick and Glenda O’Connor, are taking care of Mark who is three years old, and their twin girls Lydia and Phoebe, who are two years old.

“Wow!” Walt exclaimed, “you even included their children with their ages.”

Betty laughed. “The next ones are easy for both of us, since we have adopted this family in our hearts. Matt works for your Evans Construction Company and Fiona is a homemaker and mother. Their children are Johnny, who is in first grade, Patrick, who is in kindergarten, and the twin girls, Faith, and Grace, who are 4 years old and are not in school yet.

“Fiona’s parents, Patrick and Glenda, are also taking care of those four children during our meetings, so it must be a very busy evening for them,” reasoned Walt.

“Indeed it must be, especially after she does housework and has an after school group, and he works all day at The Garden Shop, agreed Betty. Then she added, “If we were not in the same small group as Matt and Fiona, we would be taking care of their children like we’ve done the past few years. But I’m glad we still get to spend time with them when Matt and Fiona go do their couple’s ministry times.”

“Absolutely!” Walt declared. “Plus I like having Matt and Fiona in the same small group as we are.

Betty concurred, “Yes, and their children are so precious! We are very blessed by that family in our lives. Now back to the list. Tony is the daytime manager at Fiesta Restaurante. Maria is an accountant in Ruth Beckett’s CPA office, which Ruth owns and manages. So that takes care of Ruth also. Beth is the principal of the Grace 'n' Faith Church Christian School. She also teaches History and Geography. And Pam teaches third graders at the church school.

“Correct again, Darling,” said Walt. “It worked out well that the last three you mentioned have already been together in a three member ministry team, and they want to continue in it.”

 

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Betty nodded her agreement. “This group is on a Friday evening, which helps people needing to get up and go to work early the other week days. It’s especially good for Joy and Hope since they can do their homework over the weekend.”

Walt stood up and declared, “And you my dear wife are a superior wife and homemaker! I’ll help you with the dishes and then we can get the living room set up for all those people you just named to come to the small group meeting we are hosting here this evening.”

Gary and Kim Beckett were happy they got to live and work on Mercy Valley Farm. Gary did outside work with the rest of the men living there. Kim worked with the women in a special building during harvest time getting produce washed and boxed up to send to various stores.

Their foster boys are Ryan and Bruce, who are 14 and are in the ninth grade, their first year at the high school. Their school work is harder this year. Tyler and Leo are 13 and are in eighth grade.

Gary also teaches Bible classes to the boys on the farm. Today they’re talking as a family about the many books in the Bible. Gary mentioned, holding up the Bible, “This book is like a very small library. It has 66 books in it and each one has its own purpose. We can ‘check out’ one or more books at a time, but they stay in the Bible.”

Ryan inquired, “Do they stay in the Bible because they have a special order?”

“Exactly,” answered Gary. The first five books were written by Moses and they give the history of creation, tell about some of the first people who lived on Earth, and about the nation of Israel, and the laws they were to obey.

Tyler asked, “Did Moses write any of the other books in the Bible?”

“No,” Gary replied, “but I know of at least one psalm he wrote and it was also included in the book of Psalms, which was mostly written by David, who was a shepherd boy and he later became the king of Israel.

Bruce asked, “Where is Psalms located?”

Gary responded, “You can find the book of Psalms in about the middle of the Bible library. Go ahead and look for it right now.”

“I found it,” stated Leo. “It was easy to find it with your directions. It’s a long book with many short chapters, and they look like they might be poems.”

Good observation, Leo,” Gary complimented. “It is poetry, but not like we are used to reading or hearing. We’ll learn more about it later. Today you are going to memorize the names of the first five books in this library and do it only in their proper order. This will help you to find them quickly when we look up scripture references in them.”

So they said the names over and over until they knew them by heart, and then they practiced finding and reading a few of the verses aloud together. During later lessons they learned more about each book and added them to their memory so they could find them quickly and eventually be able to play a game called a Sword Drill, since the Bible is called the Word of God and is part of a believer's armor. It’s called the Sword of the Spirit. See Ephesians 6:17.

For the next Bible study time on the ranch, Evan began by reading the first paragraph of the next section in the “Your New Life” booklet. “Here are some things you ought to do now that you believe in Jesus as your Savior. Continue to thank God when you remember what Jesus has done for you. You can look back at some of the verses we read yesterday to get some ideas about what to thank him for and also read Colossians 1:12-14, Give thanks to the Father who has made us able to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and has taken us into the kingdom of his dear Son in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.”

“What’s the power of darkness?” inquired Bonnie.

Candy responded, “When I looked it up on the web, I understood that the power of darkness is like the opposite of Jesus and his light and love. And since we believe in Jesus we are delivered from that power. Even if we sin again all we have to do is confess it and ask to be forgiven, and request help to do better.”

Then Evan went on reading, “2 Corinthians 5:21 gives us some other ideas, God made Jesus, who knew no sin, to be sin for us so that we could be made the righteousness of God in Jesus. These are good things we can be grateful for when we thank God.”

Flora read next “Now you are a part of God's family, with the full assurance that since you believed in God's Son, you will have eternal life, starting now and lasting through eternity.”

Reba asked, “What makes us part of God’s family?”

Candy answered patiently, “Look back a couple pages and read John 1:12 again for the answer.”

 

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“Oh yeah,” realized Reba after reading it, “I remember now, thank you. And also John 3:16 tells about everlasting life, and it means the same as eternal life.”

Flora continued reading, “Nothing and nobody can take you out of Jesus' hands.”

Kate mentioned, “I remember hearing about that in the story about Jesus being the Good Shepherd.”

“Right,” agreed Even, “and that story is in John 10, and verse 29 uses most of those same words.”

Flora went on reading, “Your life on this earth will be different now and there are many things you will need to learn. The best place to learn these things would be in something called a ‘new believers small group.’ Those groups have new believers in them and usually meet once a week. They start by answering questions about this little booklet. Later they have time for singing, praise reports, teachings and a prayer times. In that group you will learn even more about how to live and about water baptism, and why it is important.”

Candy explained, “You girls are already in a class taught by Karen Spencer, and it is somewhat like a small group. Also, in this family group, we can cover other things they would cover in a new believers small group.”

Bonnie read next, “The Bible is a very important book for you now that you are believers. It would help you a lot if you would read some of it every day, so you can learn how God wants you to live this new life. 2 Corinthians 5:17says, Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things have passed away, behold, all things have become new. The Bible, will tell you what your new life will be like here on this earth, and it will also tell you some things about what your eternal life will be like when you go to heaven.”

Kate commented, “Both of those sound interesting.”

Brad read next, “Feelings come and go, as you've learned in this life. We can’t live our lives by feelings. But you have joy and peace now, and they're not just feelings. They are part of the fruit of the Holy Spirit. He produces them in you. Galatians 5:22,23 say, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering or patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self-control; against such things there is no law. Read those verses over again to yourselves and think about them. This valuable fruit of the Holy Spirit will start to become more and more a part of your lives as you surrender your will to him.”

Flora questioned, “How do we surrender our will to him?”

“Good question, Flora,” Evan answered, “I think we can start by doing what Jesus said to pray in Matthew 6:9b,10,… Our Father in heaven, may your name be hallowed (or sacred and holy.) May your kingdom come and your will be done in earth as it is in heaven.”

Candy continued, “Yes, surrendering to him and doing God’s will are a process in the believers life. We will study more about your good question in the third little booklet about the Holy Spirit, so we can learn more about how to do it.”

Flora nodded and then Reba took a turn reading, “The Christian life is not all trouble-free with nice feelings, although we will also enjoy good feelings when we have them. There will be trials, and some things will seem to go wrong. This is why Jesus told people to count the cost when they wanted to follow him. But he says he will always be with us and will help us. Many times we won't feel happy and elated, but we live by faith. Faith is what you used when you believed in Jesus and asked him to forgive you and be your Savior. Faith is what you will continue to use the rest of your life. You'll believe by faith that God will work all things together for good for those who love him and are called according to his purpose, as is says in Romans 8:28.

Flora commented, “I like what this verse says.”

Kate agreed, “I do also,” and then it was her turn to read, “Since the Holy Spirit is living inside of us now and is producing his fruit, we can believe by faith that we can still experience his peace and joy even when things don't go the way we desire. We can love and be patient with difficult people in our lives by faith that the Holy Spirit is producing that fruit in our lives. We can be self-controlled and gentle instead of angry, by faith with the Holy Spirit's help. It won't all happen at once. Change takes time and sometimes our own will gets in the way, but we can confess when we fail, and he promises to forgive, as it says in 1 John 1:9, If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Brad inquired, “You mean we can still sin?”

“Yes,” Evan responded, “we will still sin from time to time. Maybe you've heard the saying, ‘Christians aren’t perfect; they're just forgiven.’ I don't know who said that but it’s true.”

Flora had another turn to read. “It will help you to not sin if you do what Ephesians 4:22-24 says, … Put off … the way the old man lived… Be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and … put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness… Don’t be too hard on yourselves, and don’t expect yourself or others to be perfect. The only one who is perfect is the triune God: the Father, Son, and

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Holy Spirit. You'll learn more about the Trinity and many other things as you study the Bible and go to church.

Bonnie commented, “I like the picture of putting off the old man and putting on the new one. We have to do it, because it doesn’t just happen, and nobody else can do it for us.”

“Very true, Bonnie,” and then Candy asked, “Brad would you read again?”

Brad nodded and read, “Here is a summary of the actions of the old man that we should put off in verses 25-31. Put off lying, sinning when angry, giving place to the devil, stealing, using corrupt speech, bitterness, anger (and all its synonyms,) and evil speaking. In this summary and paraphrase of Ephesians 4:1b-3, Paul pleads with believers to walk worthy of being called believers, with lowliness, meekness, patience and bearing with one another in love and trying to keep unity and peace.”

Reba stated, “What a complete list of things to get rid of in our lives and good things to do! I hope I can do it!”

“Good news, Reba,” declared Evan, “Philippians 4:13 says I can do all things through Jesus who strengthens me.”

Bonnie said, “It’s a good promise. Now I’ll read again. Here are some other new things to put on. Ephesians 4:32 says,… be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you. Then the next two verses in Ephesians 5 add Be therefore followers of God as dear children and walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and has given himself for us as an offering and a sacrifice to God… The rest of the chapter lists many other bad things believers should not do and some good things to do. This could make a good study for you to do on your own at another time.”

Candy agreed with what Bonnie had read, “Yes it would.”

Then Evan said, “I’ll read the last paragraph. The Bible teaches us how we need to live now that we believe in Jesus. Colossians chapter 2 has some other verses that will help us. Verse 3 states that all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Jesus. Therefore, verse 4 says, do not let anyone beguile you with enticing words. Verses 6-8a continue, You have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him, established in the faith as you have been taught. Abound in it with thanksgiving. Beware lest anyone spoil you through philosophy (beliefs) and vain deceit (proud or useless lies.) Now it’s getting late, so I think we should continue from here the next time.”

Vern and Lora still came to Mercy Valley Ranch on the weekends to ride with Ian and Yolanda Hopkins, whose first four foster girls had already graduated from the farm. Their family of four new girls is doing well on the ranch and have all accepted Jesus as their Savior. The girls’ names are Darla, and Rita, who are 17 and are seniors in high school. Edna, and Libby are 16 and are in the eleventh grade. During and after their horseback rides, Vern and Lora have been learning about how high school teenage girls act and how well Ian and Yolanda do as foster parents.

Vern and Lora also added one evening time a week of horseback riding with Ben and Mindy usually in the big building, which has an inside riding arena. Lights had been installed by Ben, Jeff, and Evan in the inside arena to extend the fall, winter, and spring riding times. This way more families were able to ride more often.

One evening Mindy remarked as she and Ben rode horses side by side and held hands, “I’m very glad for the lights you and Jeff and Evan put inside this arena, Dear. We get to ride more often now since our jobs and my drive home after teaching second graders at the church school go past the daylight hours in the winter.”

“I enjoy this extra riding time also, Honey,” responded Ben. “It was well worth the time and effort we put into it on that one weekend.”

Vern turned in his saddle and added, “Lora and I like it also especially since we get to spend time visiting with the two of you after the rides.”

Lora agreed, “Without a doubt, coming here to ride and visit with our daughter and son-in-love are the high point of our week!”

Mindy chimed in, “Same here, because we get to hear about what you two are doing and also share with you what we have been doing. We all have very busy lives.”

“Indeed we all do,” Ben concurred, “and they’re good lives that we can spend with each other and also work for Jesus.”

“Absolutely!” Vern exclaimed. “Knowing and doing God’s will is a wonderful way to live.”

On the way to church with Ben and Mindy, Brad requested, “Before I interview you, I’d like you to tell me some things about the church you attend. I’ve never gone to church so this will all be new to me. I do

 

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know what the church believes since the information was in the new believers booklet. I’m glad I don’t have to try to find a good church on my own.

“It would be a hard thing for you to do,” Ben replied. “Our church is different from others in the city because we have twelve churches that share the same building in the central part of Pine City. The auditorium can seat 300 people, but no church has that many.”

“I hope you’ll explain how so many churches can share the same building, because it sounds impossible to me,” stated Brad.

Mindy explained, “The congregations for each church come from wedge shaped neighborhoods, radiating out from the church building to the edge of the city, so each church tries to reach people in its wedge. All the churches have the same Grace 'n' Faith name with a number for its wedge. We are # 4, and the name for the church comes from Ephesians 2:8, whe4re it says,… by grace you are saved through faith, and not of yourselves, because it is the gift of God…

Ben went on, “Each church has a separate pastor who supports himself and his family with a regular job, while also being the pastor of his church and he can shepherd up to 275 people, leaving room, for 25 visitors. We’ll introduce him to you after the service.”

Mindy continued, ““There are six services each on Saturday and Sunday, at 8, 10, 12, 2, 4, and 6, for one and one half hours each, to allow time to fill and clear the church and parking lot each time. The churches all rotate through the time slots, except for the 8 AM Saturday slot, which is for church #1, so the pastor can have a video made for the web site for shut-ins and people who need to miss a service for one reason or another. Each church spends a year at a time in each time slot, starting on the first Sunday in April. Rotating this way makes it more fair for each church to have what they might consider a ‘good’ time slot and they all have the ’bad’ ones.”

“So some people get up early, so they can to go to the 8AM service on Sunday. What a creative way to make good use of a building!” Brad exclaimed.

Ben agreed, “Yes it is. Also, it’s a big change for people to go so early on a Sunday morning after a year at the 6 PM Saturday service. In addition, there are no salaries paid to any of the pastors because they all have weekday jobs to support themselves and their families if they have them. Also the congregations donate enough money to pay for the running of the church, the school, insurance, maintenance, and so forth, and any extra money is given to worthy ministries that are spreading the gospel.”

Mindy concluded, “When the church had a tremendous growth spurt they felt God leading them to build duplicate facilities with enough pastors for twelve more churches and enough teachers for a new school on the other side of Pine City. The new buildings were also funded by member’s giving and we have no debt. Now when one of the churches reaches about 200 members, they will send a group to another place to plant a church wherever it is needed.”

Wow! What an amazing story! Brad exclaimed.

When they arrived at the church, and went inside, Ben showed Brad where the hymnals and Bibles were and told him about the big sign up front with the names of the songs they would sing and the Bible scriptures that go with them. It was a very good service and Brad was glad to join right in.

After the service Pastor Don was introduced and he declared, “I’m so pleased to meet you, Brad, and I’m glad you have joined a small family group there on the ranch to go over the information in the first three booklets. When you move back to the city, I’ll help you get into another small group so it will be convenient and helpful for you.”

“Thank you,” replied Brad, “it sounds like a good idea.”

One evening while their four girls were doing homework in their rooms the Spencer’s phone rang. Clara and her husband had made a telephone call from the southern state where they lived. They wanted to tell Jeff and Karen some more updates on their ministry and the church plant.

During the call Clara mentioned, “We are very thankful that our marriage is so good, and that our couple’s ministry is bringing people into God’s kingdom, and that the church planted here by Grace ‘n’ Faith Church is starting to grow faster.”

“Terrific,” Karen replied, “we’re so glad you call us once in a while to keep us informed. “Thank you, Jesus, for this good news!”

Clara’s husband added, “Yes, Jesus, we thank you too,” and then he asked, “Could you please tell us the address of the Grace ‘n’ Faith Church so we can send donations to the program we were in while we lived there, because we are so thankful for all it helped us to do.”

Jeff smiled and told them the address. “It’s wonderful that God has blessed you financially so you can give back to his work.”

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Then Karen told them about the weddings of Sara and later Candy from the ranch who had found husbands who would help them raise four foster girls in two of the new houses on the ranch.

“Yes,” continued Jeff, “Those two girls married young men who had been in the foster program at the Mercy Valley Farm just ten miles down the valley.”

“And,” continued Karen, “all four of them had such good training in their families and the Bible Study Groups that they’re making excellent parents for the new girls assigned to them.”

“Wow!” Clara exclaimed. “This sounds like you are already seeing good fruit from all the efforts on the farm and the ranch. Thank you, Jesus for the way you work!”

After some more talking, Clara closed the conversation and added, “God bless you and your family.”

Before their next study time, Evan explained, “This part of the first booklet called ‘Your New Life,’ will be a good Bible study of parts of Ephesians 1-3, so bring your Bibles with you and find the first chapter in Ephesians.”

Candy and Evan and Brad were already seated near the computer monitors with their Bibles open. Their four girls came quickly and found Ephesians 1 so they were ready also.

Candy instructed, “Read the first seven verses.” When they finished she said, “Now look here at the monitors and see how the author personalized, paraphrased, and summarized those verses. Reba would you please read the first paragraph for us?

Reba nodded and read, “You already read Ephesians 1:1-7, to yourself and now, you will read the way this author summarized from verse 3b, and made it personal. I praise and thank you Father because you blessed me with all spiritual blessings, you chose me to be holy and blameless for you, adopted me to be your child, according to your will and grace, by which you made us accepted in Jesus. In him I have redemption and forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace. Now read verses 11-14 to yourselves.”

They looked up when they finished, and Evan asked Brad to read next. Brad read, “This is another personalized summary. Since I trusted in Christ, I have obtained an inheritance in Jesus by God’s will and I will be to his praise. I am sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise as a down payment of my inheritance, to the praise of his glory.

Evan inserted, “I like the way the verses in Ephesians chapter 1 repeat being to the praise of God’s glory. God gave us his grace and forgave our sins when we believed and trusted in Jesus, plus he sealed us with the Holy Spirit. All of this brings praise to God. Now try personalizing and summarizing verses 17-20 and write them in these new Bible study notebooks.”

Candy and Evan handed them each a pen, plus a notebook in different colors so each one could keep track of it easily.

When they finished, Kate read what she had written, “Father of Jesus, please give me the spirit of wisdom and revelation and understanding so I can know the hope of your calling, the riches of the glory of your inheritance for us, and what is your exceedingly great power for us who believe. It is like your power that raised Jesus from the dead and seated him at your right hand in heaven.”

“Good job, Kate,” commended Candy, “you included all the important parts of that prayer. I’m sure the rest of you also did well, so now you know one way to make Bible studies relate to you. Now I’ll read this next part in Ephesians 2:1-3. It reminds us about what we were before Jesus saved us. This is how I summarized and personalize it. God made us alive when we were dead in our sins, when we walked according to the world and the prince of the power of the air, who is the spirit working in the children of disobedience. We used to live like them … fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, so we were by nature the children of wrath, like the others were. When Flora reads the next part, you’ll see that the author has personalized and summarized Ephesians 2:4-10 for us.

So Flora read, “God is rich in mercy and has great love. He made me alive with Christ when I was dead in sins. He raised me up to sit with Christ in heavenly places, so he could show the surpassing riches of his grace by his kindness to me through Jesus. I am saved as a gift from God, by grace through faith, not of myself or works, so I can’t boast. I am God’s workmanship, created in Jesus to do good works already ordained by God. These verses make it clear that salvation is a gift and that we should do good works now.”

“Right,” agreed Bonnie, “I get to read next. Parts of Ephesians 2:12-22 say, I need to remember that I used to be without Jesus and was a foreigner and stranger to the covenant of promise and I had no hope and was without God. But now I have been brought near by Jesus blood, because he is my peace and he reconciled me to God by the cross. Through Jesus I have access by one Spirit to the Father, and therefore I am no longer a stranger. … Now I am being built together with the other saints to be a dwelling for God. Those verses say a lot about who I am now that Jesus saved me.”

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“Yes they do,” Evan concurred. “I'll read next, Here is a summary of Ephesians 3:6-12 as it relates to me. Because of the gospel, I am a fellow heir with Israel, a member of one body, and I can share in the promise in Christ. … In Jesus we have boldness and can approach God with confidence. This is a great privilege.”

Candy nodded emphatically. “Oh, good, I get to read the personalized prayer included here in verses 16-19. Father, please grant me according to the riches of your glory, to be strengthened with power by your Spirit in my inner being, so that Christ may dwell in my heart by faith, and I can be rooted and grounded in love. May I understand with all the saints how wide and long and deep and high the love of Christ is, and be filled with all the fullness of God. This would be a good prayer to pray often.”

“It definitely would be!” Evan declared. “And now let’s all praise God by reading verses 20,21 the way they are in the Bible. Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”

Then Candy explained, “The last part of this little booklet is for people in other cities looking for a church and small groups they can attend. We’ll read it to you, so you girls and Brad can see that Grace ‘n’ Faith Church in Pine City a very good church, which is like the one mentioned here. We and all the other families on this ranch attend it.”

The following paragraphs are what that part of the booklet said.

Evan read, “If you are interested in finding a good church, try to find a church that believes in the Bible as God's inspired Word and God's plan of salvation. That includes what Jesus did while he was on earth, living a perfect life so he could be the sacrifice to pay for the sins of men. After his crucifixion God raised Jesus from the dead and now Jesus is alive and in Heaven interceding for us. He has sent the Holy Spirit to believers to empower them to serve him. Jesus will return some day and take believers to be with him in Heaven.”

Candy read the rest. “The church is made up of believers who have Jesus’ Holy Spirit in them. They now live like Jesus as a lifestyle, not just go to church on Sundays. Jesus works through them by the Holy Spirit, giving power and guidance to do his will in evangelism, solving problems, and edifying each other. The Holy Spirit distributes his gifts according to his will to do his work.

“The church is Jesus' Body functioning on earth to do what Jesus himself did and would do, but not just in one time and place but also through many churches around the world. That doesn’t all happen in just one service on the weekend. It needs small groups and pairs or teams of believers who are sent out to minister by Jesus through the Holy Spirit. You will be learning more in other little booklets about the Holy Spirit and small groups and ministries. The end of this booklet.”

To finish this Bible study Evan had each girl and Brad look up the definition of one term apiece that they would be hearing in the church services, in small group meetings and when they would read the Bible. Those terms included: believer, Christian, grace, follower, disciple. Candy handed them a Bible dictionary so they could pass it around and take turns looking up one apiece.