Dear Diary,
This past week was very productive, although I must admit that I am glad it's over. Having completed our training almost two weeks ago, the primary focus of everything we are doing now is REpairing and PREparing things around the ranch. I continue to hope and pray for a couple of more staff members to help alleviate some of the stress, but we are doing well with what we have to work with. I know that we are all also continuing to pray that God will send us the kids that we so desperately desire to work with. I am confident that He will send us teens, but am just being reminded more and more that His timing isn't always the same as mine. :-)
Another subject of prayer and discussion is the tractor. I know we have one coming, however there have been complications, as it is not working properly.
I am so happy with our new road!! Jim did such a fantastic job in grating our road into the ranch, and also did a lot of work ON the ranch! Praise God!
Vern, Steve and I spent an entire day this past week repairing the drip line systems to the trees around the ranch, as we noticed many of the trees were not getting the water they so desperately need. As it turns out, the drip irrigation lines for the system run directly under the road, but were never buried, but rather just covered up. The result of this less than stellar work was the lines being cut in several places during the repairing of the roads on the ranch. After a long days work, however, we have nearly the entire system up and running again.
I spent most of the week last week almost completely re-working the water system in the Dog Kennel too. Roughly 2/3 of the pipes had either burst or were leaking, and several others were connected in ways that made little to no sense. After 3 full days of work, the Dog Kennel once again has water running to it, and while not perfect, it is significantly better than it had been.
What a beautiful day!! Mid-80's, clear blue skies, and a slight breeze. Sitting here on my front porch in the shade, watching the dogs romp and play, listening to country music and catching up on some computer work. Wonderful way to spend my day off!
That is it for now... Until next time!
Monday, September 30, 2013
Diary Entries
Hey all - to make things a bit more personal, I have decided to change things up a bit. From here on, most of my posts will be written as though they are diary entries...."Dear Diary............"
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Updated info for financial support
Hey everyone!
As of yesterday, my new account for receiving financial support is up and running. The new ministry partner allows for a much simpler donation process, and is much easier for me to utilize on my end.
The folks at World Outreach Ministries (WOM) have encouraged me to set a high goal for my support each month. They have asked me to set a goal of raising $1500/month to help support myself and offset expenses here. As I just starting out, they understand that it may take some building up of my support system to reach this goal, but they (and I) are confident that it is an attainable goal.
With that said, here are two ways of giving:
1) donate online! This method provides a simple, quick way of donating any amount of money, and allows you to select either a one-time gift, or a recurring monthly amount. Just select my name, enter the amount and if it is one time or recurring and click submit! The link for this is below
https://worldoutreach.org/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=117
2) donate by mail! If you prefer to write a physical check, just make the check payable to "World Outreach" and put my name in the memo field. Once that is done, mail it to:
Thanks for your prayers and support!!
God bless!
As of yesterday, my new account for receiving financial support is up and running. The new ministry partner allows for a much simpler donation process, and is much easier for me to utilize on my end.
The folks at World Outreach Ministries (WOM) have encouraged me to set a high goal for my support each month. They have asked me to set a goal of raising $1500/month to help support myself and offset expenses here. As I just starting out, they understand that it may take some building up of my support system to reach this goal, but they (and I) are confident that it is an attainable goal.
With that said, here are two ways of giving:
1) donate online! This method provides a simple, quick way of donating any amount of money, and allows you to select either a one-time gift, or a recurring monthly amount. Just select my name, enter the amount and if it is one time or recurring and click submit! The link for this is below
https://worldoutreach.org/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=117
2) donate by mail! If you prefer to write a physical check, just make the check payable to "World Outreach" and put my name in the memo field. Once that is done, mail it to:
- World Outreach Ministries
PO Box B
Marietta, GA 30061
Thanks for your prayers and support!!
God bless!
Saturday, September 21, 2013
A Picture is Worth 1,000 Words
24 hours, 2 HUGE answers to prayer!!
Hey everyone!!
In the past two days, we have had two of our biggest mountains turned into molehills by God! First off, our road in to the ranch is like driving on a rocky, sandy riverbed. It's bad. Like really bad. Yesterday, God provided an older gentleman (not a believer) who lives locally to offer his services for less than we were expecting to pay, in order to fix our road. Praise God! Please pray that we can be a blessing to him, and that we would shine God's light on him. Additionally, "Grandpa Dan" called...we're getting our new Tractor this week!! We have been without a tractor for some time and there is SO much that needs to be done that we have been forced to put off.
Yee-haw!! Praise the Lord for His provision, grace and love!
In other news, we have been hosting the men's retreat for Calvary Chapel of Phoenix this weekend which, while a lot of work, has been good for us.
In the past two days, we have had two of our biggest mountains turned into molehills by God! First off, our road in to the ranch is like driving on a rocky, sandy riverbed. It's bad. Like really bad. Yesterday, God provided an older gentleman (not a believer) who lives locally to offer his services for less than we were expecting to pay, in order to fix our road. Praise God! Please pray that we can be a blessing to him, and that we would shine God's light on him. Additionally, "Grandpa Dan" called...we're getting our new Tractor this week!! We have been without a tractor for some time and there is SO much that needs to be done that we have been forced to put off.
Yee-haw!! Praise the Lord for His provision, grace and love!
In other news, we have been hosting the men's retreat for Calvary Chapel of Phoenix this weekend which, while a lot of work, has been good for us.
Touched by God
Last Sunday (9/15), Pastor Dave was speaking to us about listening for God's voice...just being quiet and allowing him to penetrate the deepest parts of our being. On Monday (9/16), I was reading 1 Peter 3:21, which says: "this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also - not the removal of dirt from the body, but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ..." That afternoon, I hopped on my motorcycle and headed for the town of Wilcox (about an hour's ride) to run some errands. As I have discovered, riding your bike is an excellent time to spend time in prayer...so on the way out, I was praying. Praying for myself...my family on the ranch...the ranch...the ministry...the valley...Cochise county...family...friends...everything I could think of. While I was praying, 1 Peter 3:21 kept running through my mind. As I neared Wilcox, I noticed that the sky - which had been a beautiful sunny blue - was growing dark and stormy, and about 2 miles out, it opened up. Soaking wet, I pulled into the flooded streets of Wilcox. I couldn't help but laugh. All I could think was "this water symbolizes...the pledge of a clear conscience toward God."
About an hour later, I headed home. Cloudless blue skies overhead, but seemingly the clouds and rain were literally everywhere else. As I headed south and left Wilcox behind, I was so aware and in awe of the beauty of God's creation...everywhere I looked was so beautiful! For the first fifteen minutes or so, I could only think of Psalm 19:1 "the heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands." With Thunderclouds building overhead, I asked God to speak to me, and to touch me. Silent...listening...opening my heart and mind to His voice, I suddenly became aware of an intense tingling as if I had goosebumps all over my entire body. Based on my past experiences, I would have just expected this to cease after a few moments...but I suddenly remembered what I had just asked. It took my breath away. The sensation stayed with me for 20 minutes for the entirety of a stretch of road and until I turned east again. As I made the turn east, I couldn't help but laugh yet again...directly ahead and remaining until I got back to the ranch, was a vibrant quarter Rainbow, dark, rolling thunderheads, and high atmospheric rain. Amazing.
Departing in prayer, arriving with the pledge of a clear conscience toward God; leaving with God's touch and arriving with God's promise.
What a wonderful God we serve!!
Saturday, September 14, 2013
9/8/13
As I write this I am sitting on the porch in front of my house watching the rain pour ceaselessly down from a dark gray sky...the claps of thunder, at first occasional and distant, are growing steadily angrier and closer. Lightning can be seen regularly over Cochise County as I look over the valley that sits below the 40-acre Agape Youth Ranch.
I have been living in southeastern Arizona for just over a week now, and while I miss many things about California, friends in particular, this has already begun to feel like home.
Almost 4 months ago, I had applied to come work here, hoping to be out here by mid-summer. God had other plans. Due to unforeseen circumstances I had decided to remain in California, putting the ministry opportunity in God's hands...
Several weeks later, I felt God calling me to look into the position again, and, only a few short months after my inquiry, I moved down to Arizona.
The ministry, Agape Youth Ministry, has a ranch (Agape Youth Ranch, or AYR) here in Elfrida which was built with the intention of working with at-risk teens. This year, we will be beginning our first ever long-term residential program where high school age teens will come and spend 12+ months living, learning, growing and working on the ranch. There are many parts to this ministry, including an equine program, a canine program, an academic program, and of course a faith-based element which encompasses everything to encourage spiritual growth.
The kids we will be working with will come from diverse backgrounds and will have many struggles of their own, ranging from behavioral issues to struggling with drugs and alcohol. Our goal here at AYR is to provide teens (often from unstable home environments) who are struggling with emotional, spiritual, academic, behavioral and addiction issues, a safe, Christian environment to grow in. We fully expect challenges and obstacles, and understand that we may not be able to reach all of these kids successfully. That said, we feel that God has called each of us here with a specific purpose in mind, and we fully intend to honor Him and to demonstrate a Christ-like unconditional love in a structured, controlled setting, far from the distractions, fears, addictions and influences that have played a role in creating the personalities that these kids have today.
My prayer for each of the kids that we will be working with, is that God would be at work in their hearts, and open their hearts and minds to Him through us and our work here.
AYR is a non-profit, faith based ministry here in southeastern Arizona. We as staff are responsible for raising all of our own support to provide for our basic living expenses. I will be living as a missionary here, doing God's work, for the next two years at least. I am responsible for the care and training of the horses and dogs, as well as overseeing the kids in the canine and equine programs, splitting the responsibilities of Boys bunkhouse leader (basically watching the kids for half the week 24 hours/day), and functioning as ranch foreman.
Thank you in advance for your support, whether prayer or financial!! It means a lot!
More to come soon!
In the service of Our Lord,
Kevin Brown
Agape Youth Ministry
14960 S Morgan Ranch Rd
Elfrida, AZ 85610
559-801-5324
Kabrown27@gmail.com
I have been living in southeastern Arizona for just over a week now, and while I miss many things about California, friends in particular, this has already begun to feel like home.
Almost 4 months ago, I had applied to come work here, hoping to be out here by mid-summer. God had other plans. Due to unforeseen circumstances I had decided to remain in California, putting the ministry opportunity in God's hands...
Several weeks later, I felt God calling me to look into the position again, and, only a few short months after my inquiry, I moved down to Arizona.
The ministry, Agape Youth Ministry, has a ranch (Agape Youth Ranch, or AYR) here in Elfrida which was built with the intention of working with at-risk teens. This year, we will be beginning our first ever long-term residential program where high school age teens will come and spend 12+ months living, learning, growing and working on the ranch. There are many parts to this ministry, including an equine program, a canine program, an academic program, and of course a faith-based element which encompasses everything to encourage spiritual growth.
The kids we will be working with will come from diverse backgrounds and will have many struggles of their own, ranging from behavioral issues to struggling with drugs and alcohol. Our goal here at AYR is to provide teens (often from unstable home environments) who are struggling with emotional, spiritual, academic, behavioral and addiction issues, a safe, Christian environment to grow in. We fully expect challenges and obstacles, and understand that we may not be able to reach all of these kids successfully. That said, we feel that God has called each of us here with a specific purpose in mind, and we fully intend to honor Him and to demonstrate a Christ-like unconditional love in a structured, controlled setting, far from the distractions, fears, addictions and influences that have played a role in creating the personalities that these kids have today.
My prayer for each of the kids that we will be working with, is that God would be at work in their hearts, and open their hearts and minds to Him through us and our work here.
AYR is a non-profit, faith based ministry here in southeastern Arizona. We as staff are responsible for raising all of our own support to provide for our basic living expenses. I will be living as a missionary here, doing God's work, for the next two years at least. I am responsible for the care and training of the horses and dogs, as well as overseeing the kids in the canine and equine programs, splitting the responsibilities of Boys bunkhouse leader (basically watching the kids for half the week 24 hours/day), and functioning as ranch foreman.
Thank you in advance for your support, whether prayer or financial!! It means a lot!
More to come soon!
In the service of Our Lord,
Kevin Brown
Agape Youth Ministry
14960 S Morgan Ranch Rd
Elfrida, AZ 85610
559-801-5324
Kabrown27@gmail.com
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