Ten kids, six horses, six adults, fifty hot dogs, seventy-five bottles of water, twenty-four warm blankets and one campfire. This was Son Valley Ranch’s opening weekend and the blessings and moments of grace are too numerable to count.

As the children arrived the weekend began with an icebreaker game. Next up the kids were divided into groups of three and four alternating between crafts, sports and horseback riding. The evening concluded with smores around a campfire and a devotional!

On Sunday after breakfast the group met at the arena for worship songs and another spiritual life lesson using a horse named Charlie. The kids then were able to spend some quiet time on the hillside completing a devotional with their new Bibles.

The horses were in for a treat that afternoon as the kids thoroughly groomed them and proceeded to fingerpaint their coats. What followed was a painted pony parade!

When it came time for the kids to leave, they were all asking to come back again. Most had never ridden a horse by themselves and a few needed courage just to begin to be close enough to the horse to groom them. The experience gave them a sense of accomplishment and a bond with a thousand pound animal.

The SVR staff wishes to thank all of those who have volunteered their time in the preceding months and years, and also those who have contributed financially. This weekend was offered at no charge and we enjoyed a large barn, arena and bunkhouse because of the generosity of so many.

To God be the glory, a great thing He has done.

Please join us in praying for SVR’s future in 2012, God’s direction in our hearts and the children that will come!