Today, the boys were introduced to their own personal horse.   This is the horse they will spend the entire week with.  We saw immediate connections between a few boys and their horse.

For other boys, it was a little more difficult. An 1100 lb animal can be intimidating at first glance…

However, given some time, and some encouragement, every teen was able to make a connection and spend some quality time with their horse.  They learned to groom, bath, feed, and saddle today!  With some help, each boy was able to mount their horse and make a few circles around the arena. Each horse offered up it’s own challenges but the teens worked through them and grew even closer as individuals and as a team!

In the evening, we met at the fire for s’mores.  Dave McWatters told the boys the story of Old Man Barlow.  The excitement of the story kept the kids awake pretty late laughing and joking with each other…until Kevin decided to sneak outside and put a scare into them!  They spent the next hour huddled on mattresses in the middle of the cabin.  The boys are building a bond of friendship and memories that will last a life time.

God has been working on these boys each day!  It’s so encouraging to hear them opening up with their leaders and with each other. Some have stepped up and volunteered to pray at meals.  Others are spending time at night by themselves under a flashlight reading their bible.  Continue to pray for these boys.  Each one of them is here for a reason, God has a plan for them.  Pray for Kevin  as he walks them down ‘Romans Road’ each night and for the other leaders as we lead morning devotions. Within the next few days, our Junior Leader TA will begin to lead devotions as well…ask God to give him courage.  Thank you all for the encouraging messages! We are reading your comments to the boys daily and they love them. There is so much power in your prayers and in you’re comments!