“I am going to start a horse camp right here.” I exclaimed, as a young summer missionary with Child Evangelism Fellowship. We had just topped Wolf Creek and crossed the Divide. The whole van erupted in laughter, but little did we all know that not too far from there God was preparing an equestrian program just for me, to match my desire to teach kids about God through the use of horses.
I grew up in a Christian Family and lived in the New Mexico part of the Four Corners area. This is where God developed in me a passion for horses and kids. I used to go out to the barn where my sister kept her horse and got to ride him when she was done riding. When my family moved out to Aztec, NM I aquired my first horse. I rode everyday, sometimes all day, depending on whether I did my school work on my horse back or not. There are benefits to being homeschooled.
When I was about 14 years old I became a summer missionary for Child Evangelism Fellowship through their Christian Youth Action Program (CYIA). That first year of summer mission work was the year that God really opened my eyes to all the lost kids out there. I did CYIA for the next 5 summers and God continued to develop my passion for kids through this program.
As I rode more and more God started revealing to me parables or spiritual lessons that I could learn through my rides with my horse. Often it was frustration over my horse not doing what I wanted. It showed me that this is how I react to God sometimes. Other times I would get such joy when my horse was super sensitive to my aids. This showed me that this must be what it is like for God when we are sensitive to His leading. The more these parables came to mind I started realizing the ministry opportunities there were to teach kids about God through horses.
I attended Grace University and spent my senior year at Camp Forest Springs, earning a degree in Christian Camping. God led me to Camp Redcloud the summer of 2004 and Redcloud is within the location of where I first said I wanted to start a horse camp. I did nothing to get myself here, God opened the doors and like a beautifully wrapped Christmas gift God placed it into my hands. He has orchestrated bringing my two passions for horses and kids together, by putting them within the realm of the camping ministry. So, here I am loving where God has placed me and never wanting to leave! At Redcloud I work with the kids and horses. My job title seems to change a lot around here, but my ministry is still the same. I help in overseeing the horse program which involves managing the herd, ministering to campers with our various horse activities and helping to disciple our seasonal staff.
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Camp Redcloud
PO Box 130
Lake City, CO 81235 (970) 944-2625
