One Great Day

And what a day it was. “Awesome” was the word I kept using to describe the day because “Great” was not good enough!

New Beginnings Therapeutic Riding is an organization that works with individuals with disabilities using the power of horses to encourage, develop and change people’s lives. We began in 1997 with 3 riders and 3 horses and one registered Instructor and 20 volunteers. Last year we worked with over 100 students with 13 horses and 4 registered Instructors and over 80 volunteers. We see God at work in our growth.
New Beginnings was fortunate to be chosen by a singles group at Living Hope Baptist Church for a work and support day called “One Great Day”. This group called several times to ensure they had the tools needed to complete the jobs we had for them to do. We gathered that morning at 8:00 and had prayer then began our day. The jobs these men, women and children completed were jobs we had been trying to get done all year to prepare for our upcoming classes. It amazed me how we were able to get so much done and without any conflicts. This group shined like stars and Gods Glory was seen in every action. Philippians 2:14, 15: “Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe.”
Everyone worked together accomplishing every goal that was set before him or her. They came prepared to do the jobs and were focused on doing them right. Trees were cut down and carried to a burn pile, a creek crossing was made so students can safely pass through, a drainage area was completed for the arena, rock was put down around the newly installed tack room so students can help get equipment needed for classes, a drainage ditch and aversion post were put in to ensure no further washing of the parking area, a gate was installed, tool boxes refurbished and cleaned and many other task were performed. Then we broke for lunch and Thanked God for a successful morning and my husband and I looked at each other and said we need to come up with things for these guys to do in the afternoon, for they had almost completed the entire list we had. We worked several more hours in the evening then had a cookout and rode some horses for fun. This group truly was heaven sent. They understand Acts 20:35 “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help those in need, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said “It is more blessed to give than to receive”.”
New Beginnings has taught me so much about Gods power and love through groups like the one from Living Hope. Everyone benefits from the sharing of Gods love. Our students will be so happy to be able to help with tack, ride through a creek and not have to ride through wet spots in our arena. The things this group did will help us provide a safer and more fun atmosphere for our students and volunteers. I have talked about this group since they came and shared with others their commitment to make a difference.
Philippians 1:3-6 “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

God Bless You All and Thank You again for a job well done!

Julie C. Peterson
Executive Director and
Founder

A Smile Goes a Long Way

I very much have an affinity with the Japanese. I have been involved with a Japanese student exchange program for many years between Bowling Green and our sister city Kawanishi. Each year it seems as if I give a little of my heart away to the girls who come to stay with Richard and me. They are such a sweet people. So when I saw a mission opportunity to Japan and crafts were involved, I was very excited. I consider my love of crafts a god-given ability. As the time approached, I taught the team how to make some beaded stars and developed a plan of salvation to accompany them. I purchased my supplies and prepared for the trip.

Tokyo was a very busy city. It was amazing to see the busyness of the city. Everywhere I looked, people were always on the move. It is interesting how God worked on this trip. The crafts that I prepared to do…we did not do them. Our team focused on two ministries – 5 minute English and prayer walking. The 5 minute English ministry, we would stand on a busy street with the 5 minute English signs. Random Japanese people would walk up and want to practice their English. With each visit, we were able to share a brief testimony of Jesus and at times share more about our Lord and savior. Our team was able to share Christ with around 100 people. Our team prayer walked wherever we went. The missionary told us that this is what they need the most, people to pray with urgency for the people of Japan. Spiritually, the country was very dark. The people are so focused on work and what they have.

It is interesting how God works; my crafts didn’t go to waste. Many of my crafts I was able to give away to others on the trains. God gave me a boldness to just talk to who I was next to. Since, we were on the train for a long time; I was able to share about my family and my crafts with others. It was neat to see how a small gift could impact a person’s life. The missionary said it would be hard to share and not to expect conversion, but he told us to consider the “seed” that we are throwing. I hope my smiles, crafts, and testimony found good soil.

One of my exchange students traveled 8 hours to come see me in Tokyo. What a blessing to see Yoko after all this time. She was able to come to Bible study with us. She was given a Bible and contact with the missionaries. Please join me in prayer for Yoko…pray that through our time and her time with the missionaries that she will receive Jesus as her Lord and Savior.

Judy Lacefield

At the Altar

My hopes for my first out of country mission trip were simple: that I could be used in some capacity in the Lord’s work. Anything beyond that would be icing on the cake! To my delight (but not surprise) God’s blessings came abundantly and in a variety of ways.

Many weeks before departure I had asked my small group, fellow co-workers and family to pray for specific items in relation to this trip. I would certainly encourage anyone going on missions to do the same! Hondurans accepted Christ, our group stayed healthy, there were no mechanical failures and within the group there was harmony. It was a pleasure to work aside my fellow church members, several of whom I had not met before.

Knowing that we would be serving in a third world country I knew to expect poverty and primitive conditions. However, until one is actually in field seeing in person that the vast majority of Hondurans live in what we as Americans would consider primitive conditions, one simply can’t grasp the situation. But the humbling and startling statement came from one woman who with her husband and six children lived in a one room hut with a dirt floor stated that she was content! Hmmm, I wonder how many of us can say we are content?

As I reflect on the trip I could quote the stats (and they are impressive) on how many patients were seen, medicine prescribed and teeth pulled. But indulge me for a moment while I try to capture what moved me most.

On our day off we traveled to the (? Can’t remember the whole title) Baptist Bible Institute. While touring the grounds I happened upon the chapel where I observed a man at the altar in prayer. Silently I eased away from the door. Some time later as a group we were in the same chapel where the men attending the institute sang for us and described their life there. During the week classes are attended. On weekends they travel to villages to preach. While in the village they are at the mercy of the locals to be fed and housed.

The gentleman I saw praying earlier had just returned from a village where he had not been fed for three days. And yet his commitment to Christ remained strong. Unwavering. Focused. Can I say the same of my devotion? Would I be willing to give up home, career and creature comforts? My prayer is this, “Create in me a pure heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
Psalm 51:10

Carolyn Price

Reflections on One Great Day

A few reflections on our project last weekend. We probably tackled one of the largest projects of the day. When I originally submitted our request, Stu Borders questioned me about our ability to handle the job. In case you don't know the ramp we built was 5 feet wide and 47 feet long. Without Tim Booth (and Tim Booth's tools) we would have never completed this job in a single day. Even at that, Tim had to return to install a few items after the fact. Tim also spent considerable time planning the project, listing the materials and going to Lowe's to pick them out. He was careful to purchase the least amount of material possible. When we loaded Tim's trailer at the end of the day there was only one 1 x 10' piece that wasn't cut. Great job!

There were several times during the 10-hour day where we began to lose momentum. When that happened, David Mullendore would remind us to maintain our focus and 'Get-R-Done' (imagine that!). David left work early so he could be with us on Saturday. Normally, when David's on call he gets called. Saturday, he prayed before leaving that he would not have to return to work. He was with us to the very end. Faithful and dedicated. Thanks, David.

Barry and Amy James know how to work long hard days on a farm and it showed on Saturday. Barry's perseverance, creative ideas and hard work were instrumental throughout the day. Thanks, Barry especially for bringing your 'spud bar' and showing me the proper technique.

Steve Cherry had an auction Saturday morning so he missed the post hole digging. But he did pilot a pretty mean nail gun all afternoon. What's special about the Cherry's is that they were totally involved as a family. Gretchen purchased crafts for all the children and worked with them most of the day. I know Brianna and Ellie will always remember the day they made new jewelry and new friends in their grandmother's front yard.

The ladies, Judy, Judi, Patty and Amy made sure the men were well fed and hydrated all day long. They also shared their time and their concern with the Likens family.
At the end of the day, we gathered with the Likens and thanked God for his love and faithfulness that enabled us to complete the job. I know the family appreciated everyone's effort.You really get to know people when you work with them side by side. I know you all a little better now and love you even more.

Steve Lewis