Blazing Hope Ranch December 2023 Newsletter

He works justice for those who are pressed down by the world, providing food for those who are hungry. He frees those who are imprisoned; He makes the blind see. He lifts up those whose backs are bent in labor; He cherishes those who do what is right. (Psalm 146:7-8)

December

I've been reflecting a lot on hope lately. We can only have hope if we understand who God is and what He has promised us. Romans 15:13 says, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." I pray that your Advent season is filled with hope in the Lord.

Now grab a cup of coffee and find out what we've been up to!

Residents visited Dollywood!

I'm so proud of the residents. They decided that they wanted to visit the Dollywood theme park, so they came up with an idea to raise the money (make and sell salsa at the Hootenanny) and made it happen. To protect their privacy we can't show you any pictures of their fun, but you can enjoy what they got to see: Dollywood all dressed up for Christmas. (Photo courtesy of the Dollywood theme park website).

Camp Run Free Dates Are Set!

Planning on a missions trip for your youth group? Put us on your planning calendar for a life-changing youth mission to help our mission. It's for one week, working with kids ages 8-13, and no horse skills are required. If you are interested, we can help you prepare your group and guide you to where you might stay while you're here. We have two camps; the first is for 6/9 through 6/14 and the second is for 6/24 through 6/29.

Getting Ready For A New Resident

Transitions are always stressful for the residents. While we celebrate "Christine's" upcoming graduation, we will all miss her. The ladies have been preparing for this transition by helping Christine clean her new apartment. We won't bring in anyone new until mid-January; please pray that God will bring just the right resident to join the ladies.

Family Corner

Our youngest, Dakota, is now 10! David and I are stunned to now have a high-schooler and two "tweens." The time has flown!

Jordyn had her second foot operation to correct her flat feet. Other than an allergic reaction to the medication, she's recovering well.

"Your knees are terrible!" That's how my new doctor greeted me after examining the x-rays. I've already started physical therapy to prepare for surgery.

The Transforming Work of Jesus Christ

David and I rely on the transforming work of Christ every day as we do our work here at the ranch. We are privileged to see that transforming work - not only in the ladies who put their trust and faith in Christ to restore them to wholeness, but in ME, as I've learned to be more sensitive to his call

on my life. As we approach a new year, I pray that you would allow the Holy Spirit to transform you from within, to renew your mind and your heart. Please consider joining us in this transformational work of Christ. Merry Christmas.

Check Out Our Updated Website!

David and our Social Media director, Melanie, have been hard at work giving our website a facelift. We're still working on updating the content, but take a look!

Answered Prayer: Praise God for all of the volunteers who gave their labor to us and helped us with so many projects around the Ranch as we get ready for winter.

Praise for God's people. We wish to thank the congregation of Brainerd Presbyterian Church EPC for donating the Christmas gifts for the residents this year.

Praises that a resident is ready to launch after the holidays, and has the resources and support to be successful in the next chapter of her life (see her Amazon gift list if you want to help). A car was donated for her and our other residents have helped her clean out her new apartment.

January 11th is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day

In honor of this day, please consider praying and/or fasting with your church community. You can also wear the color blue in honor of the victims. If you do something, please let us know - we plan to write about this important day in next month's issue, and we'd love to hear how you commemorated it.

Prayer Pardn'rs

Please pray for the residents during the holidays. Christmas is especially hard for the ladies, since they are far from family and friends.

Please pray for our summer camps - both that a suitable location in Pikeville would be found and that missions groups would sign up early to staff them.

Please pray for Christine's graduation. We've suggested that Christine stay through the holidays so that she's not by herself during this time. Here is a link to her wish list on Amazon if you'd like to help her set up her household.

Help Us In Our Mission!

Would you be willing to join our Freedom Wranglers? Freedom Wranglers support our mission with monthly donations. Please click on the Donate button to support the important work we do to restore wholeness to female survivors of human trafficking, and to weaken the sex trade through the power of Christ.

Become a Freedom Wrangler and Free Her to Hope

Would you consider hosting a meeting with your philanthropically-minded friends? We would be happy to visit your home and make a brief presentation about our mission to people you think would like to support us financially.

Do you have a friend (or friends) who would also be willing to pray for us? If so, please forward this email to them or post this email on your social media account.

Want to read a past newsletter? You can find them all here.

Finally, let us know what you think (and please feel free to unsubscribe using the link below if you don't want future newsletters). We'll look forward to hearing from you!

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