This is the time of year that we, at Potter’s Field Ranch, look forward to every year…Champs Camp in June! Champs Camp is a wonderful group of Special Needs Adults from Lighthouse Christian Home from Bigfork, Montana. We had fourteen adults this year, welcoming back some old friends and meeting some new faces.
There is nothing more rewarding than watching someone on the back of a horse with a grin covering their face from ear to ear. When we get to sow into these beautiful, undefiled, pure-hearted souls, there is a reawakening within us that touches and opens our own hearts to rise once again to trust our loving Father. When we do, we get a glimpse of what Heaven might be like…living and loving each other together in harmony.
Horses spark within us awe and wonder we felt as children, full of hope and longing. It is so easy to love these “special needs” adults. They display unrestrained squeals of delight and laughter, they love with abandon and dispel truth with no filter which is perfectly wonderful. One such example is when we sing praise and worship together before we ride. It is such pure worship offered in spirit and in truth.
I overheard a sweet conversation where someone asked, “What is prayer?” The response was, “It is when you talk to God and He listens like a friend.” Such simplicity in truth…we make it too complicated.
This week grounded us once again and filled us up to go forth to do the eleven more camps through the end of the year, touching the adults and children that God brings us once again…what a privilege…we will never take this for granted.
We were thrilled to see a great majority of them ride on their own this year without a lead line. Such progress! Also watching some overcome their fears, trusting these majestic animals to carry them, and also putting their trust in their leaders that were leading them.
Bonds were deepened, friendships reignited and love given and received purely. When a horse would “spook” at something scary, they would comfort the animal…there was healing all around.
The sweetest thing was when I came back to my desk and one of the young men who has had a crush on me since last year had left something on my desk. He had asked last year if I was married and I told him I was…he had made this ring out of paper and left it for me on my desk. This is such a precious, giving heart. Also, someone had left a stuffed mini-dachshund on my desk as well. (I have three mini-doxies at home.) They will be permanent fixtures on my desk as daily reminders of God’s undefiled pure love. I was reminded that God loves wholly and completely, forgives, and his mercies are new every morning. Thank you, Lighthouse Christian Home!
Written by Pam Rozell founder and director of Equine ministry
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