Gethsemane Newsletter
Hello from Gethsemane Ranch,
I saw several youth from our camps, at the High School Rodeo in Zolfo Springs. It was really good to see each of you.
I hope a lot of our young people who attended the camps are checking us out on our website. We have not made any changes to the site lately. Hopefully, we can update the website in the near future. Lester who has been faithful to get the website up and running, is married now and has other responsibilities. We do thank him for all the work he has done.
We had a really good turnout, at our last Chrsitmas camp, about 50 young people total. Some of our activities included; barrels, poles, bull fighting, bull riding, and roping. Three young men asked Jesus into their hearrts and were baptized, the Sunday after camp. In addition, three young ladies who recently asked Jesus into their hearts, were also baptized.
The camps are always a highlight for all of us at Gethsemane Ranch. You cannot please everyone, in fact, your not suppose to, however, everyone enjoyed the four days & nights at the camps. With all my heart, I really wanted to please my Heavenly Father and when I go to Him after a camp, He always says, "Well Done My Good and Faithful Servant." Not only to me, but to everyone who helps. We have the very best help money could buy and they do it for free. We have the best instructors around too. I've been to schools in Texas, Oklahoma and several places in Florida, and I still think, this is the best place to learn. Bragging! Yes! God has surrounded me with some of the best people I have the privilege to be a part of.
We have church on Sunday morning. It is a true cowboy church set in the pole barn and something has been happening. Last year, young adults have been turning their lives around and really seeking God. I tell you, when you come here, you know God is here.
There is a young man name Stephen, who came just to fight bulls. Now, I believe he likes to share God with others more so than fighting bulls. By the way, he is one of the best bull fighters you will ever see. Today, he is doing the Sunday Preaching which encourages me because God showed me, I will be discipling our youth. I really believe there is another young man that God is going to touch like he did with Stephen. This young man also enjoys fighting bulls, he is an excellent roper, and there is a special place in my heart for him. But for now, I will keep him nameless.
You know its funny watching a young man's reaction when you first call him a preacher. They rather be called a bull fighter or a roper than a preacher. It was the same for me. A lot of people think a preacher can only talk, but I've got some news for you, some are not only preachers but bull fighters, bull riders, ropers, and barrel racers to carry His Word to all the world. I believe God will continue to use bull fighters and bull riders to spread his word and not the typical preacher we are accustomed to seeing.
I know men have to prove their manhood to be complete men, so we don't try to stop that process, we just enourage and direct them in a positive way. God is not saying, to stop being a warrior, but be a warrior for Him. Whatever is in your heart, be the best, but be the best for Jesus! Jesus was and is a warrior. He defeated the unseen world and is still defending for us.
Thank you for sharing this time with me and I will do my best to keep you updated.
If you are a believer and like to see how God is affecting our youth at Gethsemane, then you will want to stay in touch. The way things are going this could really be one of those places God's Spirit mainfest itself in extraordinary ways. I'm expecting it.
Karen and I rode around outside the fence a few days ago with a bottle of oil anointing the post, praying for the angel's to watch over us, for the Holy Spirit presence to have full access and have his way here.
P.S. We have never charged for our camps but it will take some financial help to keep it up. We try not to ask for help. We raise cattle, horses, sell mineral boxes, and train horses, but it's time to swallow my pride. We do need some financial help. Thank you.
In His Love,
Jesse