Katie Peak

Bank Holiday Fun...

Today was a busier day out at the ranch, had several children visit during the day who had lots of fun cleaning stables, grooming, washing and plaiting the horses as well as just chilling out on the horses backs without saddle whilst the horses happily stood eating hay.

Emma was not her normal self first thing in the morning, she was reluctant to come out of the stable... even for food! But I prayed for her and she started looking a little better almost immediately; then the more the children pampered her as the morning went on, the more she perked up...she happily let them groom her, put numerous plaits in her mane and ride her around the field. She was looking so happy and healthy again  by the end of the day I almost forgot that she had been looking unwell. Both horses put up with a lot, but seem to love all the attention and are so loving and gentle with the children. I thoroughly enjoyed having the children there too, it is so wonderful to see them having so much fun! For one child riding today was a dream come true - "I've only ridden a donkey before, I've always wanted to ride a horse!" she said, smiling from ear to ear.

Newsletter 5

Download FHYR Newsletter 5

A little delayed in adding this; above is a link to the latest ranch newsletter.

The Spring weather and lighter nights continue to make my work easier in many ways and the number of children attending is on the increase again. Biscuit is making progress although still not 100% and Emma is actually looking a little slimmer - her new diet plan seems to be working so far!

New Photos

New ranch photos added in an attempt to update a little - hope to follow with more updates.

Latest newsletter

Download fhyr_newsletter_4.doc

Here is my latest Father's Heart Youth Ranch newsletter. Please leave me a comment if you can't download it and I will try attaching it in another format.

Trying to get back into blogging...sorry for the break!

In an attempt to get back into more regular blogging I thought I'd share a recent testimony.

Last month whilst out at the ranch I noticed that one of the older horses in a field opposite mine was in a very bad way. I contacted the owners, who contacted the vet and then came as quickly as they could. I stayed to help deal with the whole situation. Unfortunately the horse had to be put to sleep which was clearly extremely upsetting for the owners.

Dealing with the whole situation was very hard for me, once I had contacted the owners I wasn't sure whether to stay or go. It was a Sunday morning and I was supposed to be leading children's work at church; I didn't really know the owners of the horse and didn't know what they would want; and I was fighting back the tears myself. I had phoned a friend who knew the owners to get their phone number, she later phoned back to check everything was alright; when I explained the situation to my friend she encouraged me to stay and help. She said despite all the other things I had on that morning she felt it was important for me to stay and help. I made necessary phone calls so that I could stay and then waited for the owners and vet to arrive. Although it was very uncomfortable I was able to help the owners and the vet in dealing with the situation. I really believe God spoke through my friend in her advising me to stay.

Although an unpleasant situation it opened a way for us to build a relationship. Their grandchildren have since ridden my pony and in return he brought his tractor over and topped my field for me. They have said any time I need my field topping or harrowing they are happy to do it at no charge. Praise God for His provision!

Testimonies from the ranch

God is doing wonderful things already at 'The Father's Heart Youth Ranch.' Here are a few testimonies.

Emma is a 12.2hh highland type pony that I got on loan in November last year. She was heavily overweight which can make ponies more susceptible to a disease of the foot called laminitis. I was told when I got her that she had never had laminitis and it was very unlikely that she would get it. Well, when she had been at the ranch for about a week I watched her standing in the field one day leaning back on her back legs as if to take the pressure off her front feet - a typical laminitic stance. So I went over and laid hands on her and prayed - she immediately walked off and started eating the grass and has not shown anymore signs of it since! Early this year the farrier came to trim her feet, I asked him if there were any signs that she had had laminitis. He said, he could see she had a short burst of it, but it had not caused any serious damage - Praise God! About a month ago she also had an eye infection, again I laid hands on her and prayed and by the next day it was better, within 2 days it had completely cleared up!

God has also been touching the children that have visited the ranch  particularly in helping them to overcome their fear of animals. Also one child that has been coming has been very open and we have had some excellent conversations - I know God is using me and the horses to minister to this child.

Long time no update!

Wow, just noticed how long it has been since I updated this site!! Not got time now for lengthy post but just to say life is good, God is GREAT! I am continuing to see the hand of God in every area of my life. He is so wonderful, it is far beyond words, but I will try to share some on here soon!!

Life is busy, God is good!

Well things are shaping really well now out at the ranch. I have been keeping my dad busy with various jobs, fencing, insulating pipes, fixtures and fittings etc. - I have a wonderful dad!!
My horse Biscuit has been a little more anxious recently about being on his own but praise God I have a friend for him again! His old field mate from Derbyshire has come to stay short - term until I find a more permanent horse/pony. It was so great to see my horse more settled again today, Harry is a lot bigger but a gentle giant and seems quite content although very inquisitive :) I am currently investigating insurance to be able to have children out there but for the time being the focus is on getting the facility ready and the horses settled and happy. Although it is keeping me very busy and is tiring, I am thoroughly enjoying it, even in the cold weather :)

Last week I was interviewed on RadioHope08 Coventry, about my vision for the horse ministry, I have never been on radio before so was a little nervous but it went well, it was fantastic to have the opportunity to share with more people about the vision God has given me.

Children's work at church has also been keeping me busy but again been very good. A couple of weeks ago we did a "Holy Spirit Encounter" session where we had a time of worship followed by me teaching on the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues, then back into worship. As we went back into worship we encouraged the children to listen to what the Holy Spirit was speaking to them and either share it with us all from the front or write/ draw it on a large piece of paper we had at one side of the room. We had some children share scriptures from the front and many of the children wrote and drew what God was speaking/ showing them. It was incredible to see the clarity of what they had heard from God, most of the words and pictures were very scriptural and linked together - they were clearly hearing from God, it was so encouraging to see! Last week in children's church apparently the leaders and children were giving one another words from God and one child gave her life to God. We are living in exciting times, I love seeing and hearing about all that God is doing!!

Vision Progress

I have land and stables! Some friends have offered me free use of land which they would like to be used to further the kingdom of God. It is a 2 acre plot with grazing and a block of 2 stables, an enclosed barn and a tack room. A great start set-up! I will be moving my horse Biscuit (who has been on loan for the past 2 years) onto the land soon and am looking for a companion for him. Both horses will be used for the ministry.

 ‘The Fathers Heart Youth Ranch’ is the name I believe God has given me for the ministry; with a mission ‘to heal broken hearts and lives through love’. I believe I am to communicate the ‘Father heart’ of God primarily to hurting, disadvantaged children but to whole families too.

‘Youth ranch’ is an American term for an English centre, but I wanted it to stand out as being different from other equine centres and riding schools here in England to help in getting the right clientele – I also think ‘youth ranch’ sounds fun for children and a slightly western theme may help in attracting boys too. The service will be completely free of charge and dependent on donations.

Provision for the start of the ministry is coming in various forms - free use of land, and the donation of rugs, equipment and feed for my current horse. Also, some previous donations are going towards start-up costs – and I know there is much more to come. Pro-vision always follows vision!

Thank you so much to those of you who have, and continue to support me in prayer, encouragement and finances. It is such a blessing to know I have people who believe in what God has called me to.

Jesus' Resurrection

"When we say 'I believe in the Resurrection' - we are not saying that we offer our theoretical assent to the fact that God can do great miracles. When we say that we believe in the resurrection - we are claiming that our lives follow that pattern that echoes its way through Scripture. That we identify with Jesus in his death - his sacrifice, and his resurrection ministry.

If it seems as though God's purposes in us, and through us have been defeated - the resurrection suggests otherwise. God is in the business of healing, and forgiving and restoring. Of course, on our part this requires repentance, and humility - the capacity to be transformed.

But if we believe in the resurrection, our hope is invested not only in a God who will bring us through death to live in his presence, but in a God whose living presence transforms our present living.

If we believe in the resurrection, then by God's grace our lives - our spiritual, material, political, social lives, will be living evidence of that fact that God is in the business of transforming real people - healing, restoring, forgiving.

If we believe in the resurrection, it will beat its rhythm through our lives, as day by day we are transformed from one degree of glory to another, from one degree of Christ-reflecting-ness to another. If we believe in the resurrection, then our daily life will be the proof of it, because it will bear the fruit of it." (Revd Simon Perry)

This is a quote from an article I was reading on the internet written by a reverand, Simon Perry. I thought it was very well put that we do not simply believe in the resurrection; if we truly believe then we receive all that was provided for in the resurrection. Does His living presence transform your present living? It certainly does mine!