Lonesome Dove Ranch Hosts Fall Festival for Foster/Adopt Families

Royse City, Texas – November 9, 2015 – Lonesome Dove Ranch hosted its first official ministry event on site by welcoming the children, families, and volunteers of Northplace Church’s Orphan Care Ministry to a fall festival on Sunday, November 8th.

Northplace Orphan Care ministry has 22 families actively involved in either the foster/adopt process, or who are in training to become licensed foster parents. Sunday, November 8^th, was also Orphan Sunday, a day set aside to bring awareness to orphan care and adoption opportunities across the country.

Children and their families were treated to many activities at the ranch including a petting zoo, photo area and activities, pumpkin painting, a hay bale maze, a hay ride, guided horseback rides in the rodeo arena, and s’mores over a bonfire to end the evening.

Lonesome Dove Ranch founder Bryan Jarrett and his wife, Haley, have been anxious to see active ministry take place on the property since earlier in 2015, when the vision of the ranch began to take shape. The historic event comes only three weeks after the final piece of the property was officially acquired, bringing the total size of the ranch to 120 acres.  Sharing his excitement, Bryan said, “to see these kids in the system walk this property already, three weeks after we closed on the last piece (of property) is pretty amazing.”

Bryan was quick to point out the important part that the many faithful supporters  played in this historic event. “These people,” he said, “trusted us, and their heart was moved by a vision that had not yet become a reality. It’s those early adopters that made this event happen.”

When asked about the activities that evening, one young girl endearingly exclaimed, “They’re celebrating me!”

Jarrett thanked the many volunteers who staffed the event, and spoke to all of the children and families gathered around the bonfire under a twilight sky. “You just remember you were part of the first event that happened out here.” He went on, affirming the young child’s words from earlier, “You and this moment will always be special to us […]. This place is for you.”