Blazing Hope Ranch May 2024 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)

May

As the weather heats up, so do activities on the ranch. I’ve been reflecting on casting my cares on the Lord and not trying to carry heavy burdens by myself. 1 Peter 5:7 says, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” I pray that if you are in a season of busyness that you can give the Lord all of your anxiety.

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

Change in Bledsoe County Camp Location!

The Bledsoe County camp will now be held at The Lab in Pikeville, where it was held last year. Meanwhile, our Rhea County day camp program is at capacity. We praise God that we will have the opportunity to have an impact on so many young people, turning them to Christ and recognizing their value in order to prevent them from falling victim to traffickers.

There is still room for students to attend the Bledsoe County camp that runs from 6/10 through 6/14 in Pikeville. We are also still looking for volunteers for this camp - no horse skills required! Reply to this email if you are interested or would like more information (photo is from last year's camp).

Building a Firm Foundation - Next Steps

We’re honing in on an Executive Director! As I said in the last newsletter, the Board of Directors has decided to hire a full-time Executive Director for the ranch.

Praise God that a donor has stepped forward to cover the first year’s salary for this position! We have been narrowing down our search; meanwhile, I will remain in my hands-on role of focusing on programming and general operations.

Volunteers Help On The Ranch

We are grateful to the employees of Branch Technology, who chose our ranch for their Service Day work. Their help moved along the gym project we have planned so that the residents can get the exercise they need right here at the ranch.

We’ll be getting other volunteer groups here as well, including a group of women from Mile Straight Baptist Church and another from Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Knoxville. Reply to this email if you are interested in volunteering or would like more information and can pass a background check.

"Trauma and the Addicted Mind"

That's the name of the workshop we're delivering in partnersip with Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services. We'll have one workshop on 5/18 in Pikeville, and one on 5/30 in Dayton. For more information or to sign up, visit this link.

Answered Prayer: We praise God for the many volunteers who have been doing projects on the ranch this spring.

We thank God for the help provided by Keener Marketing to update and improve our marketing and promotional materials.

Congress Introduces a Bill To Help Trafficking Victims

A bill that would expunge the criminal records of trafficking victims who committed crimes as a result of their victimization has been introduced in Congress and in the Senate. You can help by contacting your representatives in both houses and letting them know that you support HR Bill 7137 and SB 4214.

Prayer Pardn'rs

Please urgently pray for a good contractor! A tree fell on one of the houses, and there is some structural damage as a result. Also, it impacts one of the bedrooms, which will need to remain empty until repairs are completed.

Please pray that God will lead the right women to the ranch. We continue to receive many referrals, but we are unable to meet the needs of women whose mental health issues are more severe due to limited staffing structure. We pray that these women will find appropriate care.

Please pray for my upcoming speaking engagement in Virginia, that it will be fruitful and bring another church to partner with us.

Please pray that God will bring us the right Executive Director to help secure a firm foundation for the ranch going forward. Here is a link to view the job description from our website.

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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