Updates and Dreams for R Creek Family Ranch

We would like to share with you updates and convey more about what we plan to do at the ranch.

This time of year I (Marlys) can’t wait to start planting little seeds and watch them grow. I have been looking through my seed catalogs and praying that I will have a place to plant this spring. For today, we still have a lot of snow on the ground. I believe last night was the coldest night here for us in Montana, at minus 14 degrees Fahrenheit. Spring will be here soon, though, and we are looking forward to what the Lord will do as we pray “use us Lord in any way You can”.

We have seriously been blessed by friends here in Bozeman. They have graciously allowed us to park our fifth wheel on their property this year while we looked for work, got to know the area more, and Randy recouped from knee replacement surgery. We are also blessed to have our horse here too. One of our mares died two years ago, so that left us with Zetta. She is due to have a baby foal in June! We will send pics.

That brings us to our current need. Although our friends are not kicking us out, we need to find a place to begin this ranch ministry. You could say we’re crazy people, thinking the Lord would use us to do something like this. You need a lot of money, for one. All our figuring and planning, our desires to come up with all the funds, to make enough in business to do this thing are obviously not God’s plans. Although He could have chosen to do it “our way” (ha!), He has not. He has called us to trust what He has spoken and that He will provide what we need when we need it.

Our first choice would be to find that 100 acres with a creek and get going. Some other options that we’ve been thinking and praying about are to find a smaller property to start. A fixer-upper, maybe. One that we will be able to have ranch activities at, keep horses, work from, possible rental in future or sell to purchase that 100 acres. We could also lease property. We would just need to make sure we can use it for the ranch ministry.

These are some of the activities we want to start this year:

• Host barbecues for families and friends
• Nights of worship with music
• We are developing a curriculum for kids to participate in about “The Kingdom of God”. We’ll have scripture to learn that tell us how we are God’s (the King’s) children, prince and princesses and how much He loves us. We’ll have costumes and knights and “The Armor of God” lessons. Then of course, big horses in costume to ride and get your picture on!
• Have families and individuals come spend a day enjoying the ranch, the animals, nature, share a meal together, have a campfire. A chance for them to get away and a chance for us to get to know them and encourage them.
• Give wagon and carriage rides, horse rides, and learn about animal care-taking.
• Lots of opportunities to pick up a shovel or a hammer and do some gardening or building.
• It’s important for us to have room for people to come and stay for a bit, even if it’s for a night, a weekend, or more.
  

Please pray with us as we look for a place to do this thing. Pray for each person that will come, and pray for the monies needed.

Blessings to all,