Dear Friends,

One of our campers this summer had to escape the only home they’d ever known; not running toward trouble, but running from it, in search of food. This child was 13 years old and weighed 50 pounds. They had been caged in a small section of the house with living conditions not fit for a barnyard animal. There was no sign a child even lived at the residence. It was as if their existence was being erased, a little at a time, until the day this child finally got out. Their first week in the safety of care was spent in a children’s hospital.

This camper has lived more devastation in their short life than most people face in a lifetime. And this summer, they had the time of their life at camp. We believe the impact of those few days will change the trajectory of this camper’s story. And you make these stories possible.

There’s another unique story we can’t stop thinking about. This one is from a volunteer, not a camper. A 70-year-old man, himself a former foster child and a longtime media personality and sports anchor, served at camp for the first time this summer. Afterward, he wrote to us. He said serving here was the most rewarding and spiritually impactful thing he’s experienced in seven decades of life. In his own words: “Seeing the genuine happiness and spiritual impact on the faces of kids is a message of hope in a world of darkness and pain. God’s grace was so present.”

 

It’s all about the kids; it always will be, but stories like his remind us that the impact of camp doesn’t stop with them. It reaches into the hearts of every adult who shows up to serve, including a man who knows exactly what these kids are carrying, because he carried it himself.

 

This summer also marked a milestone for us. It’s our 10th summer operating camps at the Lonesome Dove Ranch property. Before that, for many years, we ran camp out of a rented campground. As I think back to those very first camps, all those years ago, I’m stunned by God’s faithfulness and how far we’ve come. We are now impacting 10 times more children than we did when we started. You were part of that ten-fold increase.

 

Hundreds of kids this summer, from ages 6-15, stand on the foundation you helped build.

 

None of this would be possible without people like you. Lonesome Dove Ranch is surrounded by a donor family of personal, corporate, and church partners who give extravagantly to make all this possible. Haley and I are not the only ones who feel it. The families we serve tell us again and again to pass along their thanks to our volunteers and donors. Because of you, these kids come to camp for free. Nothing about this experience is free to produce, but you bear the cost so they can have the experience of a lifetime.

 

While there is nothing more powerful than the actual experience of a Lonesome Dove Ranch Camp, please take a few minutes to watch the recap video, posted above this letter, of this summer’s experience.

 

Also included below are some amazing testimonies from guardians, foster parents, and case workers who are witnessing firsthand the impact of our camps on the lives of their kids.

 

Once again, Haley and I have been humbled by the goodness of God, the generosity of people, and the reality of life change.

 

Keeping promises to kids who don’t expect it,

Dr. Bryan Jarrett

Stories of Life Change

“M” has been attending Lonesome Dove Camp from the time she was 6 until now (she is 11). This camp is the highlight of her year every year! She looks forward to coming and counts down the days when we get close! At Lonesome Dove Camp, she feels loved and seen- just like our Heavenly Father loves her and sees her! When it’s time to say goodbye, she wants to make sure she goes to all of her newly made friends and counselors to say a very heartfelt goodbye, because it is clear that in just a short time, she has bonded with other kids and her counselors in very big ways! The thing she has always looked forward to the most is the Jet Ski ride! Though this year, she said she actually got to ride the horse, so that’s her new favorite! This camp is so therapeutic for “M”; we feel that it teaches her that she is very much loved, seen, and special in God’s eyes.  We are so thankful for the opportunity to give this experience to her each and every year. We understand what a HUGE commitment it is for all of the volunteers and donors who make this camp possible!! We are just so very thankful.

-“S”

My girls, “Z” & “K”, came back from camp sad, and one of them was crying because she did not want it to end. They both shared how special they were treated and how they got to experience their birthdays. They spoke highly about the special tree that fell and how it still survived. They enjoyed the water slide, the bubbles, and especially the pool. Thank you so much to the crew and counselors at the camp who were open-hearted to these special little girls!!! They will always remember this experience for the rest of their lives.

-“C”

The kiddos LOVED camp! This was our youngest’s first time, and she couldn’t have been any more excited and happier to go. The kiddos really enjoyed the jet skis and making friends. They all have expressed how much they miss their counselors and new friends.

-“A”

We are completely blown away after our daughter’s first experience at Lonesome Dove Ranch. The love and kindness poured into her is unlike anything we’ve ever experienced. She tried activities she’s never tried before, she gained valuable perspective from hearing about other kids’ stories, and she learned that God’s love can conquer any trials we face in life. She returned home with a freshness and lightness, knowing she is not alone and that she is loved. I feel that our entire family benefited even though she’s the one who physically went to camp. I simply don’t know how to thank everyone enough. This is a life-changing ministry, and we will be proud to help support it financially, knowing the difference it makes. Thank you!

-“S”

This camp is the highlight of my children’s summer. Every aspect of the camp is thoroughly thought out and designed specifically for each camper, down to the very details. The cherry on top is the photo album that my kids come home with every year, with the stories that they tell me about friends they made, experiences they had, and memories that they will cherish forever. I also have to say that my husband and I are able to reconnect and use this time for some well-needed rest. There’s nothing more important than knowing your children are safe, having fun, and growing closer to God, which allows us to focus on self-care. Thank you so much for exceeding our expectations every year.

-“A”

GET INVOLVED WITH THE RANCH

Donations by check can be mailed to:

Lonesome Dove Ranch

 PO Box 99 Wyllie TX 75098

(All gifts are tax deductible)

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