This time of the year finds one recalling loved ones and the impact they had on one's life.
"Classic"...some may think that I am speaking of the car...No, I talking of my mother. Of course this photo is from a day gone by, but my mom lives on in my heart and in eternity.
Mom was a Depression baby...she grew up in the small Eastern Dakota town of Avon, South Dakota. Her mother from Ireland, her father of German descent and of an early day Dakota Family... Her brothers fought in World War II...Her sister was her partner.
Mom went off to a university in South Carolina for a time and returned to South Dakota, West River , this time. She was home only for a short while, when a young cowboy showed up on the family's doorstep. He had heard that Voreta Rae Bangert, who was now called Vicky due to roommates in college giving her that nickname, played the piano. And this young man straight off the Plains of Dakota led a youth group near Big Bend west of Rapid City needed someone to play the piano when he would lead choruses.
She agreed...and the rest is history :) And Oh yes, Vicky, my mom, said she would "never marry a rancher".
GOING ON FORTY
The water was calm and the blue sky luminous as my brother Lyle and I were sitting facing each other in the 16’ boat that day in the middle of May. As friends, it was good to be together, sharing in the camaraderie of fishing. Activities such as fishing, hunting and ranching together had been put on hold over the last year since Lyle had been attending college in Montana and I remained on the Lonetree Ranch. As brothers, we were able to get into a deep discussion about the future. OK… perhaps even a disagreement. Lyle was to present his desire and calling to work in a Christian youth camp in Idaho. He was scheduled to preach twice in our home church. He was to raise money to enable his time of ministry and experience. It was no secret that Lyle dreamed of starting some sort of camping ministry in western South Dakota. I had no problem with his dreams and was supportive of his goals; however, I believed that he should be self funding. I had a real problem with the fund raising end of his plan. I told Lyle that day that he (we) should fund his efforts. Then he said to me, “Many people cannot do what I am going to do; however, they can be a part of the effort through their financial support and prayer.” It slowly began to make sense to me. We discussed the plans further around the dining room table later that day. Together we as a family said we would back Lyle’s actions in camping ministry. Not only did I grasp the need for a team effort but also I came to the conclusion that there was potential for a new camping ministry in our region. The year was 1979.
Lyle along with my brother Lee died a few days later. In the midst of overwhelming events and emotions, I experienced again the coming together of a team. Lyle’s dream was coming to reality. God was leading the family from a support role to an active role in camping. And the camping ministry was not “somewhere in western South Dakota”… it was on our ranch. We experienced early on the importance of building a team. Some of those members were on the frontline, as were the members of our family, but some were behind the scenes as financial donors and prayer warriors. I had to take what Lyle shared with me. This ministry was being brought together under God’s directive as many people “doing what they can do”.
We are now going into our fortieth year of camp. The same scenario still plays out today. Rainbow Bible is made up of many people doing what they can do. And when people act according to God’s directive, amazing things take place. I could write much more and I will in future letters and Rainbow Reflectors, but in closing I want to share with you the passage of Scripture that we studied with the young people in Legacy III Bible Study this past Wednesday evening.
“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. Thus the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true. I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.
BIRTHDAY IN THE BARN CELEBRATION 2018
The true spirit of Christmas is portrayed so well at Rainbow Bible Ranch near Sturgis,South Dakota. Taking place in the Reinhold family’s nearly century old barn, it proves to be the perfect setting. So thankful to all that made this annual event a special time for the entire family.
FESTIVE CHRISTMAS DECOR AT RAINBOW BIBLE RANCH
Robin Reinhold took some photos of the beautiful Christmas decorations in the Main Hall and Dining Room at Rainbow. It is so fun to share this setting with so many friends during the season
NEED TO BE NEEDED
RBR PIE AUCTION...A GREAT PICTURE OF RBR TEAM
THE RAINBOW BIBLE RANCH RANCH PIE AUCTION WAS HELD NOVEMBER 16, 2018. WHAT A PHENOMENAL NIGHT OF COMING TOGETHER TO SUPPORT THE MINISTRY OF RBR. FOR THE KIDS… FOR THE KINGDOM.
HOW ABOUT YOU
THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD
"IT IS SO WORTH IT"
Rainbow Bible Ranch has been impacting the lives of children for 40 years. I have had the privilege of being involved with RBR my entire life. This ministry is so dear to my heart, and it is a joy to see how the Lord continues to use RBR. But! Rainbow is only able to operate to its full potential with the support of generous people just like YOU. Please prayerfully consider how you can be involved in reaching youth through RBR. Our Pie Auction is THIS FRIDAY, this is a fun and unique way to give to the ministry. (the fellowship is sweet, and so are the pies!) If you can not join us on Friday, I ask that you would consider giving to RBR either onlinewww.rainbowbibleranch.org or you can mail your tax dedictable gift to 14666 Lonetree RD. Sturgis, SD 57785
For the kids, and for the Kingdom. It is SO worth it.
RAINBOW REFLECTOR 2018
SAD
WORLD SERIES BRINGS SUMMER MEMORIES AT RAINBOW BIBLE RANCH
Country Time Ball League is a long ways from Dodger Stadium and the World Series, but we love our ball games with the teens at Rainbow Bible Ranch. Even though, “the just for fun” games are light hearted, that does not mean that the competition isn’t tough and the try can be fierce. I am convinced that more people should play Country Time Ball. The sort of ball that we grew up with in our country schools. Everybody got to play… they had to… there just weren’t enough players otherwise. So the first graders were watched over by the eighth graders. Encouragement was the key element… lots of lessons learned… and everyone was made to feel needed and important. Country Time Ball… It might be good for our entire country.
Photos by Robin Reinhold
Country Time Ball at Rainbow Bible Ranch
BE ANXIOUS FOR NOTHING
Legacy III
Legacy III is our Bible Study group that meets each Wednesday in Rapid City. We enjoy the company and sincere study with 20 to 30 fine young people. We studied from John chapter 2 in the Bible this evening.
Legacy III has several goals...Sincere study of God's Word, Fellowship that will enhance one's spiritual growth and enabling members to teach others... a number of them have been or will be part of the staff at Rainbow Bible Ranch. Robin and I enjoy leading this group of young people and we count it a blessing to be a part of Legacy III.
