Hope & Horses

Women of Hope

2009-10-19T09:29:00.001-05:00

Women of Hope
Golden Valley Country Club
October 22, 2009
11am - 1:45 pm

Featured Speaker - Kim Meeder, founder of Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch

Crystal Peaks, based in Oregon, is a nonprofit organization that rescues abused and neglected horses and pairs them with disadvantaged children, offering the children a place of safety, peace, and hope. Kim's first book, Hope Rising, propelled the ranch to win the national Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Award. Kim speaks extensively at schools, churches, and governmental conferences across the United States. At the Luncheon, Kim will speak about giving of your gifts to positively affect the lives of others.

http://treehouseyouth.org/Events/WomenOfHope_2009.asp

http://www.crystalpeaksyouthranch.org/

Trail Ride - Sunday 8/23

2009-08-21T09:17:00.000-05:00

If anyone is interested, we'll be trail riding at 1 pm on Sunday (8/23) at Murphy-Hanrehan.

http://www.threeriversparks.org/parks/murphy-hanrehan-park.aspx

Christian Saddle Club - Riders for the Son

2009-07-29T09:25:00.000-05:00

The following posting is on Craigslist. They will be holding a trail ride at Wild River on Saturday, August 8 at 10 am.

Our Christian Saddle Club, Riders For The Son, is recruiting for new members. If you're looking for some trail riding, arena fun, & good fellowship, with a love for the Lord, contact Jeannie via email or call 763 689 4963 God Bless st_jj@live.com

Riding with Minneapolis Mounted Patrol

2009-07-24T13:13:00.002-05:00

http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/dpp/news/investigative/In_Depth_Closing_Time_july_23_2009
(click on link to view video)

Riding with Minneapolis Mounted Patrol

Published : Thursday, 23 Jul 2009, 9:15 PM CDT

MINNEAPOLIS - On any given weekend the downtown bar scene is crawling with people looking to quench their thirst for nightlife. It is a collection of both young and old from the city and the suburbs. The common denominator: money to burn and sleep to lose. But when the bars close thousands are sent back into the streets with one clear directive and leading the charge are members of the Minneapolis Mounted Patrol. Sgt. Steve Bantle leads the way. “Horses are a great way to move people. We're up above the crowds; we can see what's going on.” Bantle and five mounted officers took FOX 9 for a one-of-a-kind ride-along to see just how crazy it can get at closing time. “It's somewhat intimidating to people on the ground. They tend to respond real well. It's just a great way to push people on their way,” said Bantle. While it may look like scenes from the Republican National Convention, this is not a special occasion. In fact, it's not even a Friday or Saturday night. It’s 2:00 o'clock on a Monday morning. “A few of the bars downtown, and it is just a couple of them, attract really large crowds on Sunday nights. It tends to be a bit of a younger crowd and typically we have some problems,” said Bantle. His fellow officer, Sgt. Johnny Mericl said, “I don't really know why Sunday nights are the busiest, but for us it's usually a quiet night until bar close and then it gets to be pretty chaotic.” On Sunday nights thousands line up around the block to get into the cities 18 plus dance clubs. Early in the night the velvet rope creates an air of exclusivity and carefully controls the flow of patrons. But when the stanchions are picked up at bar close the flood gates open up. The patrol sits patiently as the crowd works its way along Hennepin Avenue. When the group begins to mill around the officers start what they are brought here to do. “The size of the horse has a lot to do with it. If you go in on foot and try to challenge a group of people, you're more likely to meet resistance. When you show up with a horse people tend to give the horse the space it needs to get the job done.” Mercil said. But some revelers see this as a good time to be young, drunk and stupid. “Throw a little alcohol into the mix and that creates some interesting behavior with people.” Mercil said. At one point a fight breaks out in a parking lot across from the library. When things get dicey, the cavalry is called in to help sort it out. Working to assist the officers on the ground, the cops are on horseback help coral the suspects. “It's interesting. You'll be sitting on a corner and you'll see a fight a lot quicker from your vantage point than guys on the ground can. You can see for an extra half a block on horseback.” Mercil said. This melee will produce enough paperwork to last in the early morning. But for mounted officers their day starts far from the rough and tumble night life of the warehouse district. At a quiet farm about 20 miles west of Minneapolis, Mercil manages a stable of about a dozen horses. Most of the horses are donated to the department. Besides being healthy, attitude is the most important quality they look for. The animals are screened for their temperament; the patrol is looking for calm animals that aren't easily startled. And unlike a squad car, with a horse you can't just hang up the keys at the end of a shift. The animals require regular training and near constant grooming. On the job the horses must eat regularly, breaking for lunch at midnight. “It's good. You come out here and it's very relaxing. Working with the horses is very relaxing. I think people get a lot of personal gratification doing that. I know I do.” Mercil said. For most of the 20 officers who make up the mounted patrol they are cops first and riders second... but life at the farm offers a welcome break from life on the streets where you don’t know what the next call will bring. “A lot of times when people mill about problems occur. We've had shootings, we've had stabbings, large scale fights, small scale fights, all kinds of things happen.” Outside Karma members of the Rough Riders motorcycle club clash with a motorist suspected of threatening someone with a gun. It is mounted officers who stop the car. The street is closed as police search the vehicle locating a loaded semi-automatic handgun gun with the serial numbers filed off. These working horses are 1,500 pounds of intimidation and no matter how much someone has had to drink when they see a horse approach most get out the way. There are also the rare few that see it as the opportunity to challenge authority. For them it usually does not end well. Sgt. Bantle said, “Every once in a while we'll have somebody try to assault our horses.” So far this year there have been 14 people cited for assaulting a police horse. “It varies from people trying to jump on horses back to punching the horse in the face to slapping the horse on the rear, face or neck.” Bantle said. But the horses are tough with hearts of gold that perform their job for just a little grain and some time in the pasture. For the officers and their mounts it was another long night. Unlike cowboys who ride into the sunset it is the morning dawn that signals the end of their day. As you saw, Sunday nights with the 18 plus crowd can be very chaotic. Business owners and city officials are now discussing ways to better control the situation.

Cutting Clinic with Dennis Ginkens - May 30-31, 2009

2009-04-14T13:27:00.000-05:00

2009 Ruby Kennedy Clinic

2009-04-01T15:36:00.005-05:00

Ruby has trained numerous World and Reserve Champions in multiple disciplines in PtHa, AMHR, ApHC, POAC, ASPC, APHA & AQHA. She also holds a judge's card in many associations, giving her the insight needed to ride and coach for success.

This clinic will be geared for the rider wanting to learn better control and develop a better partnership with their horse. Whether you are going to the show pen or a trail ride, it all starts with respect and control. ALL LEVELS of riders, horses and disciplines are welcome to this clinic.

We will evaluate riders' and horses' skills and break the clinic into 2 groups. This will give the horse/rider combination 1 hour of riding then 1 hour break throughout the 2 days. It will not be an intense clinic, and will be geared towards having FUN while learning.

On Sunday, we will have a mock show for all clinic participants that are interested. There will be two classes with awards: 1) Hunt Seat Pleasure 2) Western Pleasure

The classes are offered for fun and awards, but more so to hear from the judge firsthand what “worked” and what “did not work” during your ride.

WHEN: JUNE 20th & 21st, 2009

WHERE: 2 Bit Quarter Horses, Jordan MN

FEES: $150.00 for the weekend

STALL FEES: $15.00 a day

CONTACT: Scott or Dianne 952-492-6166

Spectators welcome

* Deposit required to reserve your spot *

Limited to 20 riders

"To be absent from the body, is to be present with the Lord."

2009-03-31T12:39:00.001-05:00

"To be absent from the body, is to be present with the Lord." Sometimes when our heart can't accept or understand the loss of someone we love more than life itself, we just have to take God at His word and blindly trust Him.

Val went home to be with the Lord tonight, two days ago the Dr. said she had pulled through the crisis, but today the state of her health started to decline. Val had been very weary, tired of all the battles, and she had indicated that she was ready "to go home." It has been 20 months since her initial surgery, and I don't know anyone braver than Valerie was in the face of all of the surgeries, procedures, and amputations. We had alot of good times too during the last 20 months. Val's greatest fear upon learning of her mitral valve repair was that she would be left alone in the hospital. I assured her she would never be alone, and there was not one single day in all of these months that Valerie ever spent without me or her father. The last 10 days, her Dad was at her bedside all through the night, and either Regan and I with her during the day.

Val talked alot about heaven, and although she didn't want to leave her family, she seemed to grow closer to the Lord and more reconciled to "going home." We rejoice in the fact that we had a beautiful, wonderful, precious daughter for 37 years, and that we will see her again someday. No daughter could have been a greater joy, and we thank the Lord for giving her to us.

Thank you for all the prayers, they were not in vain. Val got to spend many more months with Kennedy because of answered prayers, and for that we are grateful. Again, much love to those who have shared our battles.

Gene, Sharon, Regan, Phillip and Kennedy

Update on Val

2009-03-25T10:44:00.001-05:00

Dear Christian Brothers and Sisters,

The day started out well, with Val passing the breathing test, and the Dr removing the ventilator. It only lasted for 15 minutes, and then Val's breathing became very labored and they had to quickly reinsert it. Gene called and said I should get up there quickly as possible as they were going to take her into surgery and they considered it very risky.

The procedure took over 2 hours and they inserted a trachea and removed huge blood clots from her lungs that were obstructing her airways. They couldn't remove all of them, but are hoping to remove though other methods. Val was soundly sedated and they won't wake her til in the morning. I hate for her to wake up to a trachea, we know that "road" very well, and it is an ordeal-----------------------suctioning. feeding tubes, then pureed food, speaking valves, BUT first is the lip reading, I am terrible at that. I humbly pray for a speedy recovery.

I tried to sing to her yesterday, but that didn't go over very well. If any of you have even a moderately good voice, please feel very welcome to drop by and sing to her. She loves for Merci and Kelly to sing. It was so wonderful today to have Godly, caring people come by and sit with us. We never knew how Mr. Bullard,Headmaster of Christian Heritage Academy, would minister to our hearts and spirits, and Jerry Brown coming so often to pray and lift us up. Then we are blessed to have family, I have called my Aunt Shirley many times late at night during an emergency to pray, and Valerie loves for my sister, Connie, to pray with her. Gene's brother, Phil will sit with her and talk to her, and relieve the boredom. The were all there today, and we felt so grateful and blessed.

We also felt the power of your prayers behind us. I think I said that Dr. Doug said that he had only known 5 patients who were as sick as Valerie and lived through it. How many times have we been told that, and still the Lord has prevailed. I told Mr. Bullard that I couldn't bear for Val to have to go through so much suffering, and maybe it was the time to just let her go "home". Mr. Bullard reminded me that we weren't the ones in charge of when the Lord is through with Val down here. Thats TRUE, so I guess we will keep on praying until HE says it's enough...

Well, I am falling asleep at the computer again. May blessings rain down on you, and the Holy Spirit refresh your spirits.

Sharon

Urgent Call to Prayer

2009-03-24T10:37:00.000-05:00

Dear Prayer Partners,

Val got back from the Dom. Rep. at midnight Thurs. night, very tired and weak. Over the last 20 months Valerie seems to get increasingly anxious before and after ANY procedure. To the point that they cannot control her anxiety with anything that normally calms people down----------anti-anxiety drugs, sleeping pills, etc.. Even when we get her home it seems to last for weeks. For instance I went in her room at 4:00 the other morning (before she went to the D.R.)and she was scooting around organizing her things. There were many issues involved, but it was definitely exacerbated by the extreme stress she felt and inability to sleep. I felt like she wasn't well, so I slept with her and noticed the strange sounds she made and the coolness of her arms and legs.

When she woke up, I suggested we go to the hospital for a little check up. She said she felt too bad, but soon realized it was a necessity. They drew blood samples and the tests revealed several bad problems. First was the bleeding, then the acid build up, white cell count, and her temp was 93.7. She felt so cold that I was very frightened.

Dr. Doug (cardiologist) came and and looked Val in the eye and said "Valerie, you are very, very sick, do you want us to use aggressive and maybe hard means to save your life, or do you want us to just treat you and let nature take its course" Val has been getting weary of the battles, and I wasn't sure what she would say. We of course would have stood by her decision. She very definitely said "Please try to save me". They rushed her from her room to the ICU where a team of Dr's and nurses began giving her antibiotics, drips, oxegen mask, blood infusion, ex rays, etc.

Gene spent the night, he has had little sleep in 5 nights, and when I left the Dr. told us that they were doing everything they could, but they could not give us any assurance she would pull through. As always my first thought is of Kennedy, because if Val wakes up with the Lord, what a day of rejoicing that will be to see friends and family and then see the beautiful Light of the Lord Jesus Christ. About 10:30 Gene called and said her numbers were better, she was talking to him-------------trying to be humorous, and her temp had risen to 97. This morning I called and he said about 2:30 am she begin to get very anxious and they couldn't calm her down, so they had no choice but to intubate her. Her most dreaded thing is the ventilator, thankfully they had her sedated.

I don't know where all of this is going, but the Lord does. I was thinking of the scripture we used to have on a poster in her room in Mpls. "And I will give you a NEW heart, and I will put a new spirit in you". I prayed that long and hard.

Then this morning I was reading the rest of the verse, and I thought "We all need a heart transplant!!! It says. "And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you, and I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender responsive heart. And I will put my spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations". When we turned to the Lord in repentance and asked for Salvation, we got a heart transplant, but sometimes we don't "guard our heart with all diligence", and we let it get hard and cold--------spiritual "plaque" builds up and we get blockages. The only thing that matters in this world is our relationship with the Lord. AND, each other.

If Val lives through this, how will it affect her stemcells? We don't know. Her blood was down to six, and that means her platelets or blood cells were breaking down. Did the stem cells cause this? I don't think so, Val wasn't feeling very well when she left, then extreme stress, two 10 hour flights, problems regulating her blood, and no sleep probably triggered something already there. Four other people had the procedure when Val did, and they seemed to have no problems. We talked to several people there for check ups when we were in Florida, and none of them had had problems and all of them were happy with the results. It saved our neighbor's husband's life. We would absolutely do it again if we had to make the decision all over.

I know you are probably tired of these "rollercoaster" crises of ours, we would appreciate intercessory prayer, but just pray as you feel led. We have certainly had more than our share of your prayer time.

Love, Sharon

April 23, 2009 Fellowship Get-Together

2009-03-24T10:27:00.003-05:00

Please feel free to join us at the Red Robin restaurant in Apple Valley on Thursday, April 23, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. We're excited to chat and gear up for the riding season after the long, cold winter.

When: Thursday, April 23, 2009 @ 6:00 p.m.

Where:
Red Robin
15560 Cedar Avenue
Apple Valley, MN 55124
Restaurant Phone: (952)997-6250
Restaurant Website: http://www.redrobin.com/home/locate.aspx?id=631&dist=1.78

Hope & Horses 2009 Planning Session

2009-03-05T13:16:00.003-06:00

The H&H 2009 Planning Session will be held on Sunday, March 8, 2009 at approximately 10:00 am. We will be gathering after the 9:00 and before the 11:00 worship services at Hosanna! Lutheran Church ( http://www.hosannalc.org/ ) in Lakeville, MN. Please meet at the tables opposite the Alpha podium in the Atrium.

***PLEASE NOTE: It appears there is a bit of confusion regarding Hope and Horses. In no way is H&H affiliated with Hosanna! Lutheran Church. We are not a Hosanna! Small Group, nor have we ever been at any point in the past. We are simply meeting at a neutral and central location, due to the fact that many of us attend there, and it is convenient. But let me be clear that we are NOT affiliated with the church. Thank you, and I apologize for any misunderstanding. I simply posted their website so you could look up their location and get directions in the event you are interested in meeting with us to discuss 2009 trail rides and get-togethers. THANK YOU!!!!!!!!***********************************

Prayers for Smoke

2009-02-24T09:39:00.002-06:00

A note from Barb Geibe:

Please be in prayer for us over the coming days and weeks. Rollie is hauling Smoke in to the clinic tomorrow (Tuesday), and Smoke is slated for surgery on Wednesday morning.

Please pray for these very specific things:

1. For the vets to find a very obvious and DEFINITE cause of Smoke's colic. Whether this cause is curable or not at this point is of little importance...we are prepared for whatever outcome is presented to us, including euthanasia.

2. For Smoke's surgery and recovery to happen swiftly and free of complications....i.e. - no infection, no adhesions/excessive or abnormal scar tissue, no herniation of the incision/abdominal wall, etc.

3. For the surgery to be more than covered by the amount we received from the sale of our horse trailer. Rollie goes back to work next week, but money will still be tight for the forseeable future.

Thank you for supporting us. As you can see from the attached picture, Smoke is part of our family and is loved by many. We look forward to a great outcome, and hope to hit the trails again soon!!! :-)

Janet's mission trip to Peru

2009-02-23T15:14:00.002-06:00

Janet Reed departed for her medical mission trip Peru. She passed along these thoughts and prayer requests:

I have never felt so led by God to do something as I am to take this mission. Our medical mission goals are to bring medical and dental aid to Chimbote, Peru, an area of Peru that does not have a local doctor or dentist. They are dependant on the missionaries who come for short stays like ours. I will have many more details about specifics when I return. I am hopeful for opportunities to share the gospel with these people and for time to pray for them and with them.

We leave Minneapolis on Saturday, February 21.
We will travel by air to Lima, Peru and stay in a hostel.
Sunday will be a 7-hour bus ride to Chimbote.
Monday thru Friday we will open clinic until dark.
Saturday we travel by bus back to Lima.
Air travel to Iquitos in the Amazon on Sunday.
Monday thru Wednesday is hiking and jungle boat tours.
Wednesday night and Thursday we travel by air to Minneapolis.
Our arrival to Minnesota is in the afternoon on March 5.

Please pray that our team would work cohesively together; that all on the trip will stay healthy and strong; that we'd see opportunities to pray for and with those we come in contact with; that our team would do a great work for God's glory; and for safe travel. Our team sincerely appreciates your time in prayer.

May God richly bless you.

In His Grace,
Janet Reed

"Teachings From the Trail" Blog Debuts

2009-02-22T14:48:00.002-06:00

Because I want to start building name recognition for my devotional writing, I've created a new blog: http://trailteachings.wordpress.com/. Please check it out for devotions -- I plan to publish devotions twice a month (on Sundays) -- and other thoughts in the interim. And please, help me build traffic to the site by forwarding messages and the link to others that you know. I'll also post notices on Facebook when I have an update. Thanks.

Grace and peace,
Amy

Update

2009-01-24T14:45:00.002-06:00

I've neglected updating the blog with some praise reports and new prayer requests. First the praise:

- Katie Barlage's two kittens were found about one week after the fire at her apartment building. They were a bit skinny but alive. Katie has had all of her needs met in the wake of the fire.
- Rollie Geibe has been hired by a manufacturer in Lakeville.
- Barb and Rollie have found a home to rent just blocks from their previous home. It is adjacent to David's daycare provider -- how convenient! And they will have a few acres where they can keep their horse, Smoke. Just in time and exactly what they dreamed of.

Barb and Rollie's horse, Smoke, has a history of colic and it has worsened lately. They have decided to have surgery on the horse. Please pray for a positive outcome and that they would have the means to pay for the surgery. If you know of anyone who may be looking for a horse trailer, they are selling theirs to help cover the cost of surgery. Details:

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/grd/1001500643.html
4-Horse Gooseneck Trailer w/LQ - $2500 (South Metro)
1978 King 4-Horse straight-load Gooseneck trailer w/LQ. Completely refurbished in Fall 2008. New exterior LED lights, load lights, stall lights, sanded/primed/painted, DOT reflective tape installed, new spare, tires are good, bearings re-packed, new green-treated floor, extra floor braces welded under all stalls, all rusted metal replaced, wiring replaced (including pig tail), new light fixtures in LQ area, new MaxxAir vent, stall cushions replaced, floor mats, hay rack, new water tank mounted on hayrack (with spigot mounted on hayrack ladder for easy bucket-filling), bucket holders installed on exterior of both sides of trailer, fold-away steps installed below escape doors, under-manger tack storage. LQ includes furnace, bench w/cushions (with new fabric covers), fan, camper step, new window curtains, sink, stove/oven, cupboards, table, screen door. Under-goose propane tank mount. Trailer is very clean. ONLY for sale to help pay for colic surgery. Price is firm. Cash only. Serious inquiries only, please. 952-201-8362

And for those of you who receive The Line Rider from the Fellowship of Christian Cowboys and wonder where my column is in the January issue, you should know that the magazine has been cut back to 8 pages for budget reasons. My column will run on a quarterly basis, rotating with other columnists. I hope to post more devotions here -- one a month is my goal. If you know of people who would enjoy reading them, please refer them to the blog.

Blessings,
Amy

Neglected horses - KARE11

2009-01-08T09:09:00.000-06:00

http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=535059

At least someone is being held accountable for a tiny fraction of the rampant neglect that is going on out there. Small comfort to the poor colt.

Barb Geibe

Facebook

2008-12-30T10:02:00.002-06:00

Are you on Facebook? If so, join the Hope & Horses group on the networking site. Feel free to start a discussion. Suggest ways we may use Facebook to stay in touch. Thanks!

Update on the Barlages

2008-12-23T14:02:00.002-06:00

Sometimes it takes seeming devastation for us to realize how much we have in our lives. I just spoke with Sue Barlage. She, and Katie and Adam, are receiving an outpouring of love and support after yesterday's fire. Sue's brother who lives in Burnsville has taken Katie and Adam in until they can find a new apartment. Sue's work took up a collection to help them replace some of their essentials. and a friend is buying Katie and Adam new furniture. Donations are also pouring into the Red Cross at Burnsville High School. Katie realizes how blessed she is to have friends and family to help her right now that she has selflessly refused those donations, however, so that those who have truly nothing and no renters insurance to cover their losses can benefit from the donations.

Katie and Adam are going through The Red Cross to locate a new apartment in Burnsville. Because of the situation, the Red Cross is able to get good deals on apartments they may not otherwise be able to afford.

The firefighters opened all of the apartment doors to free any pets that were inside. Katie is hopeful that her two kittens will be found by people combing the neighborhood for stray animals. The firefighters carried out Katie's rats and guinea pig in their cages, so she has them back.

In closing, Sue said that both she and Katie thought that this tragedy would ruin Christmas. Instead, they agreed that this is the best Christmas ever because of all the love and support of family and friends. Praise God for moving in the hearts of his people to help.

Merry Christmas, everyone.

Urgent Prayer Request

2008-12-22T21:33:00.002-06:00

Katie Barlage lost everything -- including her pets -- in an apartment fire today. Please pray for her comfort and provision in this time. Pray that she and her family will see the hand of God in this situation in a powerful way. Thank you!!

Neglected horses - 12/16/08 Star Tribune

2008-12-17T11:48:00.001-06:00

Check out the story from yesterday's Star Tribune on neglected and abandoned horses.

http://www.startribune.com/local/east/36208159.html?elr=KArksUUUU

If you're consider where to make a year-end donation, perhaps one of the nonprofits mentioned in this story could use your support.

Merry Christmas.

Cornerstone Arena

2008-12-09T16:11:00.001-06:00

Just found out Cornerstone is open again...I've been there a few times for open riding (heated indoor arena) and a few clinics.

http://www.cornerstoneequinecenter.com/home.cfm

Barb Geibe

Reading Season

2008-12-04T08:40:00.003-06:00

Winter is my reading season. I've got a stack of books piled high next to my ellipitcal machine. While I'm getting my exercise, I'm also filling my mind or diverting my mind depending on the topic of the book.

Currently I'm reading "The Tongue - A Creative Force" by Charles Capps. Thanks, Dawn, for recommending it. It's been really eye-opening to see how our words can give power to the devil or help us claim the power of God. He quotes the King James Version frequently, so I'd recommend having a newer translation nearby, if you read it. (This, of course, is very difficult on the elliptical.)

Next on my reading list will likely be a Karen Kingsbury book. One book for filling my mind, the next for diverting my mind (that elliptical is kicking my butt!).

I'm curious, what books are you reading? What Christian books would you recommend?

U of M Winter Horse Owner Programs

2008-12-01T17:23:00.002-06:00

The 2009 U of M Winter Horse Owner Programs are now open for registration.
Dates and locations are:

Saturday, January 31 in St. Paul, MN (Equine Center)
Saturday, February 21 in River Falls, WI (UW-River Falls Science Building)
Saturday, and March 14 in Ottertail, MN (Thumper Pond Resort)

I attended one of these programs in November and found it extremely educational and a good use of my time. I recommend checking them out. Go to www.extension.umn.edu/horse for more details on the various topics being presented at each location.

Registration will close on the Wednesday before each program. Space is limited, and some locations (especially the St. Paul location) tend to full quickly. Secure online registration is available at www.extension.umn.edu/horse. A mail-in registration form is also available on the website. The website also has the specific agenda and map for each location.

Support Janet Reed on Peru Mission Trip

2008-12-01T09:14:00.004-06:00

From Janet Reed:

I am going to Peru on a medical mission trip with 42 other medical and dental volunteers to run a clinic for 6 days. Our travel dates are not until February, but our expenses need to be paid for very soon.

When I was in dental school, ages ago it seems, I was given the opportunity to go on a mission trip. I did not have the means to pay for such a trip at that time, so I did not go. It has remained on my heart ever since to participate in a medical mission. Over the past several years I have seen my daughter, Meagan, pursue her desires to do mission work. She has come home changed, deeper in her faith, and with a more mature heart for those in need. This has only made my feelings to go on a dental mission stronger.

Will you partner with me to get to Chimbote, Peru to help one of the poorest countries in the world to improve their dental situation? If you are willing to pray for our travel and mission I would truly appreciate it. If you find it in your heart to donate financially that would be helpful as well. If you would be sending a check, it should be pay to the order of St. Michael’s Church. It should be mailed to me, but for you to claim it as a donation, it cannot have my name written on it anywhere.

St. Michael’s sister church in Chimbote, Peru will be hosting our group in a dormitory while we are there. They will also coordinate and plan for our medical and dental clinic time.

May God Truly Bless You,
Janet Reed

Mail donations by December 15 to:
Janet Reed
5595 190th St E
Prior Lake, MN 55372

Email Janet at: horseymomma@gmail.com

Please be in prayer for Janet's trip, Feb 21-Mar 5, 2009 -- the planning and fundraising, and that God would prepare hearts to receive His love through the mission team.

Know of Any Manufacturing Maintenance Job Openings?

2008-11-25T08:37:00.003-06:00

Rollie has been layed off from his job for several months now. Please remember him if you hear of a job in manufacturing/mechanical maintenance. He has held these types of positions for years, most recently with Anchor Block and Astro Plastics. If you have a lead on a job, please email Barb at: barb.geibe@unilever.com. And please keep them in your prayers during this time. Pray that God will open doors to a new job (soon) for Rollie and that he'd guide Rollie to that job. Pray that they would trust in God's provision and plan during this time.