One Saturday in October I had the great honor of speaking to a gathering of about 75 Christian women. They prayed together, held a business meeting, had a devotional talk from a local pastor, and then I talked to them about the children and the work of Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch.
During the lunch that followed my presentation, a woman called me over to her table. “I have a story for you,” she said.
“I would love that,” I answered.
“I have six children,” she started. “When the youngest was in school he asked if Mark could spend the weekend at our house. I didn’t like the idea. I told my son that Mark was in trouble a lot and I didn’t know his family.”
She paused, then smiled. “Of course, Mark came and spent the weekend. And then he stayed for three years, until he graduated from high school.”
I grinned. “God bless you. I would guess that is why Mark never came to the Ranch.”
She smiled and said, “I think so.”
It is a blessing to meet such remarkable people.
Part of understanding our work here at the Ranch is understanding the profound loneliness most of the children in our care have experienced. Because of the chaos and trauma in their lives, often combined with shame and maladaptive social skills, they are usually on the “outside.” Few friends, disrupted family, mental health issues, school challenges… our kids are not the children many families would encourage their children to choose as friends. Unlike Mark, in this dear woman’s story, they are left without a home where they can go for a weekend and stay for three years.
Yet these precious children, through your prayers and support, spiritual and moral development work, exceptional psychiatric and behavioral health care, and physical health and wellness, develop new ways of approaching life. They learn to discern. They learn to give and receive trust. They learn to hope. They learn to make friends.
Please keep our children and staff in your prayers.
In His love,
Joy Ryan, President/CEO
Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch
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