CHRISTMAS DAY 2019

As we sat down to our traditional Christmas Eve supper. We had one main thing on our mind..."Let's eat." Traditional Christmas Food for a ranch family with quite a little Scandinavian genetics. The table was beautiful. I was taken by how nice each person looked. The atmosphere was thoughtful and yet there were those quips that demonstrated the closeness of this family. Our lutefisk is served in an impeccable white sauce. It is then served on homemade bread. There are other items such as herring, smoked oysters, plenty of cheeses, veggies and dips.

After supper... I asked if anyone had some special Christmas recollections. No one mentioned a gift from under the tree. Nearly all the memories centered around "storms". No electricity.... deep snow....cold winds... tractor troubles... huddling around the stove to stay warm... trials and loss...

And yet there was joy. Each story ended with hope. And that is Christmas.

Not unlike that night when the Messiah was born in Bethlehem. The world at that time was under the rule of Rome. Recall the chaos of the census that was ordered. Remember the order slaughtering babies given by Herod when he heard of the birth of a king. And Jesus was born in a barn...

And yet the message given in the darkness under a starry sky to the shepherds caring for the flocks. The Angels appeared with a message of hope

"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them."

BIRTHDAY IN THE BARN CELEBRATION 2019

Birthday in the Barn Celebration at RBR.
What a fantastic crowd on a beautiful evening. And they came from Northern Minnesota, Ekalaka, Montana, Valentine, Nebraska, Eastern South Dakota, and all over western Dakota. Such grand evening indeed.

Perhaps you were unable to attend the Birthday in the Barn Celebration at RBR the other nite. I thought you may enjoy seeing how beautiful Rainbow was decorated. Thanks to my crew for all the efforts to make it so pretty.

Each year, we have a "wee one" play the part of Baby Jesus in our Birthday in the Barn Celebration. This year Tryen Heidler was in the spotlight. Mary (Molly Reinhold) said he smiled the entire time. Tryen is the son of OJ N Leah Heidler of Opal, SD. Leah use to be camper and then staff member at RBR a few years back. This made it extra special. Thank OJ N Leah. We had around 150 people... lots and lots of kids in the barn. Some more were outside. What a wonderful way to share the blessed story of Christmas.

Molly had set up this Photo Corner at the Birthday In the Barn Celebration... Lots of smiles.


Birthday in the Barn Celebration is also gathering of friends, new and old. Chelsea, Kendra, Molly and Rachel are amazing young ladies. The world is a much better place because of them.

The Story Behind "Riding the Storm"

The Story Behind the "Ridin' The Storm"

A Rainbow Bible Ranch Theme

The spring of 1997 was proving to be somewhat challenging. Perhaps I should say that calving season was. The year before had taken quite a toll on us. A severe winter storm in April not only killed a number of cows on the Lonetree, we ended up losing about 30 percent of our calf crop. Sometimes, those incidents can make one a little nervous.

My night horse this calving season was a sorrel gelding that we raised. His name was Mr. Tige. As we were calving around 150 head of first calf heifers, I would get up at 2:00 in the morning and go to the calving barn. There in the dim light I would find Mr. Tige waiting for me. I would tighten my cinch and lead him outside where I would mount up and proceed to ride to the east on the hill where this bunch of heifers was. It was not long before we were leaving the shadows cast by the yard light and then we rode by the beam of light shining from my mag light. I felt the northwest wind pushing on my back and I could see the snowflakes falling to the ground.

I honestly hoped that nothing was taking place this one morning. My hope was that all the expectant mothers and their calves would hold off until morning and hopefully the weather would improve.

As Mr. Tige and I rode through the herd, I was amused by the little white-faced babies snuggled up in the straw that we had spread out the night before. I also smiled as the only sounds I heard other than the wind and the occasional squeak of saddle leather, were the groans and sighs of heifers that were heavy with calf.

I was pleased at how Mr. Tige handled the task. He was a young horse and the way to train horses is to ride them and give them all sorts of experiences. I was not only checking cows... I was training a horse.

I was satisfied that I had completed my task, and I breathed a sigh of relief that all could rest until the next check. My thoughts now turned to riding through the darkness and riding toward the distant light by the barn.

I have never been one to waste opportunities to ponder and think. And tonight was no different. As I reined Mr. Tige toward home, the cold northwest wind hit me directly and the snow began pelleting the bare skin of my face. It was like a revelation… a reminder... and a challenge.

I nearly said it out loud. "That's it! Ridin' the Storm." Immediately, I recalled the numerous times that my dad would say, "Saddle up boys... there is a storm coming!" We would never respond by asking if we could sit this one out. We never would ask for cup of hot chocolate before we go. It was certainly not a time to put your feet up by the fire and let someone else do the task or ignore it completely. A storm meant it was time to ride. God laid it on my heart at that moment that "Ridin' the Storm" would be our theme for the summer camp season at Rainbow Bible Ranch.

Mr. Tige and I arrived back at the barn. I took care of this faithful horse and patted him on the neck and wished him a good rest of the night. And then I hurried to the house. I could hardly wait to tell Robin of my thoughts. I got into the porch and took off my boots and coveralls. I hesitated by the furnace but not for long. Robin needed to hear this.

Robin did not stand a chance of staying asleep. As anyone knows that has been involved in the livestock business, during the calving season, it is hard to ignore the winter cold that radiates from your spouse’s body as they ever so quietly crawl back into bed.

Right?

"Robin,” I whispered loudly... “I know what our theme is for this summer's camp!” I proceeded to tell her all my thoughts. She was kind enough to acknowledge. I may have had to go over the finer points at the breakfast table, but no matter. I could hardly contain myself at what God had reminded me that night as I rode in the darkness on a good sorrel gelding named Mr. Tige.

And what about Mr. Tige? He died the other day in the same pasture on the hillside where God reminded me to "Ride the Storm". Old age had taken it's toll. As I finish writing this, tears are coming out of the corners of my eyes. So many memories. So many times I have encouraged people young and old to not quit, but to go ahead and ride out those storms that come life's way. God will ride with you. He will never quit you. Not unlike Mr. Tige and I as we rode through the darkness with the cold wind and snow hitting us in the face.

Thank you Lord for the lessons you have taught me.

Thank you Lord for good horses like Mr. Tige

OF 27 'PERPS'.... 26 WERE...

JUST A THOUGHT...

I HAVE SEEN THE HEADLINES A NUMBER OF TIMES

"OF 27 'PERPS'.... 26 WERE FATHERLESS"

OK....

It is impossible to be fatherless. However due to parental decisions... many families are broken. Our Government programs promote "singleness". The feminist agenda, and no I did not say "feminine" has been winning the war on the traditional family. Homelessness could also be defined as "no one is home". Eating together as a family is touted by numerous groups... and yet how many meals do we eat together as family per week. We continue to call for more school activity and school hours to step up and care for our kids. I could write more...

WE NEED TO STEP UP AND LOVE OUR KIDS... OUR FAMILY

WE NEED TO ADHERE TO BIBLICAL TRUTHS.

GET A REAL JOB??????

Why don't you get a real job?

If you have ever told a Rainbow Bible Ranch Staff Member that you think its time they get a “Real Job”, you might just want to reconsider. Like, I get it. I know what you’re thinking and I that you mean well… but to be honest…its almost offensive and should be said only after careful consideration and observation! And if after that careful observation and consideration you still feel the need to say that _________ needs a real job, then maybe a heart realignment is in store. :)
I would like to give you a few reasons of why I believe this…

Camp. 10 weeks. June 1- August 14 (With most weekends and one week break over the 4th of July).

The life of a team leader:
The Mornings are early. Every morning is early, and that after a very long day of riding, swimming, fishing, untangling that line for the fourth time, preparing devotions, giving devotions, answering questions, answering the same question for the 8th time, helping the homesick kid work though the homesickness and see a huge smile after the ride...the work projects, where you try to get the whole team involved…capture the flag, capture the flag, capture the flag, answering questions, getting climbed on, answering questions, oh, “one more game of capture the flag?” 3 games later… answering questions, preparing a group skit with 8 little girls...or 8 little boys who just want a battle scene, staying up late talking to kids about their home life, trying to help them understand that there is Someone Who cares, getting woke up at 2 by the little girl that doesn’t feel well, and hoping you get a little more sleep so you can do it all over again tomorrow. We love it. There is absolutely nothing so rewarding!

Or the life of the wrangler: “Yeah everyone wants to be a wrangler.” Every day you wake up with the sun, ride over a mile to get to the saddle horses, get them in and saddle twenty horses by breakfast. Then on a hot day in July take another group of riders out for an hour and a half, then another, then another, making sure the saddle fits the kid and the horse, and making sure that the kid that is scared and crying can overcome that when they get to the top of the breaks and see the view and a smile spreads across their face. You told them to trust you. They did. They cried. They made it. They loved it. Now they love you. Cutting up one more cactus and dividing it 10 ways, getting everyone home safely, unsaddling at the end of the day, doing some ranch work, and going to play capture the flag when you’re not sure if your bones can handle it. :) But you run anyway, because you remember being that kid at camp watching the wranglers...
We love it. There is absolutely nothing so rewarding!

The All around crew? Cleaning, washing dishes, cleaning, washing dishes, cleaning, washing dishes, going to help run the zipline, going to lifeguard the swimming hole, cleaning, washing dishes……..

I don’t tell you this to brag about the staff….well, yes, actually I do. They deserve to be bragged about. Camp is hard! It wears you out! Would you stay in that dorm and be there with thirty-five 8-12 year olds getting ready for the banquet? Or how about sleeping outside on the ground so that the kids get the chance to sleep under the stars, sleeping lightly so when it starts to rain you can get everyone up and inside and it’s 3:29 in the morning.
Most of you wouldn’t want to do it! ….BECAUSE IT’S A JOB. IT IS HARD WORK.

If you worked at Rainbow you will leave with a very diverse resume!
You do what needs done when it needs done. You can clean toilets, you can saddle 5 horses in 15 minutes. You can wash hundreds of dishes and put them away, and then go give 100 underdogs to the 6 year olds.
Camp is not easy! I promise it’s the hardest summer you’ll ever be a part of! You don’t go out with friends on the weekend because you are wore out and you know you need to be ready for the next week starting Monday!
It is the most fulfilling job you’ll ever have. I can also promise that, and you won’t want to do anything else.
But when someone says that it’s time to get a real job, or your friend who works at McDonalds asks you why you do camp and don’t have a real job….it kinda cuts right to the core. If they only knew…
If only you knew.

A good staff is VITAL to the continuing ministry of Rainbow Bible Ranch. And to be honest, it has been getting harder and harder to get staff who will commit to the summer. Why? I’m not really sure. I mean, yeah, it’s hard. But “real jobs” are work.

Maybe that’s why… because they keep getting told working at camp isn’t a “Real Job”…

HOMESTEAD HAPPENINGS OCTOBER 2019

RAINBOW BIBLE RANCH CELEBRATING FORTIETH ANNIVERSARY

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Homestead Happenings
By Larry B. Reinhold
From the Autumn Rainbow Reflector

A visitor was traveling through some scenic countryside when he came upon a farmer that was working on a piece of machinery near some outstanding crops. The visitor commented to the farmer, “God has sure blessed you with some beautiful and productive land.”

The farmer nodded his head in agreement, and then stated in a casual manner, “Yes, and it really has come a long way since God asked me to be a partner in the operation.”

We may smile at this, and some may even question if the farmer was taking too much credit; however, the truth remains: God has given each of us opportunity in tasks and responsibilities during our journey on this earth.

After forty years as the director of Rainbow Bible Ranch, I can attest to the privilege of partnering with God in ministry. And along with that privilege, I count it an honor to have partnered with so many people from all walks of life to accomplish a worthy goal. That is, simply taking what has been entrusted to us and cultivating it in a worthy manner to impact people and all of God’s creation in a way that is pleasing and honoring to the Almighty.

I think of so many that have poured into this ministry— some with their sweat equity. Our staff over the years has primarily been made up of young people. They have given of themselves in so many ways.

I cannot even begin to recall all that have contributed of their resources. So many have realized the directive of God to give financially. This is vital as RBR continues to reach children and their families. Rainbow Bible Ranch continues to offer camp at about “half the cost” and the rest is made up by contributions and donations from people across the country. The events that we conduct throughout the year after camp are offered on a donation basis only.

I cannot help but be overwhelmed as I think of family and close friends that have poured themselves into the ministry. Sacrificial is the word that describes their actions.

And the Prayer Warriors! Oh my, I realize that I cannot comprehend the many that pray in earnest for the work that goes on here at the Ranch. For those of us that are on the frontline, there are countless others praying in earnest for God’s sustenance, power, grace and love to pour out in abundance. They are praying that Satan will not have victory in even the smallest of battles.

I have been challenged as we celebrate the Fortieth Anniversary of Rainbow Bible Ranch. We cannot slow down. We cannot give in. We cannot take for granted. We cannot ignore. We must adhere to biblical principle. We must be about our Father’s business. We must, with vigor, carry out the Great Commission. We cannot rest on our achievements. They only must prove as building blocks in partnering with God to carry out His will and be evidence of His Glory and Honor.

As I write this, I look out my office window at snow as far I can see. We are not even at the middle of October and we just had our first winter storm. I started this article the other day and then took a five-day hiatus. My opening line then was, “As we recall the anniversary of Storm Atlas in 2013…”

The preparations of this most recent storm took on a nearly feverish pitch as many of us recalled the outcome of that monumental storm that some termed the Cattlemen’s Blizzard that took place the early days of October 2013. You may recall, that there were nearly 50,000 head of livestock lost in that storm. We lost nearly 100 head of horses. With memories of that storm so etched in our hearts and minds, we knew we must be prepared for what may come. The area that we live in can be very unforgiving.

In closing I will share a conversation that I had with Robin. Fortunately, we fared well in this most recent storm. Other than… “It could be a long winter”. Robin and I recalled the amount of work accomplished and the efforts taken by our family and staff to prepare for the worst. The results of our labor were nearly amazing. Robin simply stated, “What if we would take this same approach in our determination to reach others with the Gospel of Jesus Christ? What if we poured into our tasks the same energy, realizing that we may not have much time left?”

Good point!

God had asked us to partner with Him in this ministry of Rainbow Bible Ranch. Some of us serve in administration and staff. Are we not all called to give sacrificially to efforts of sharing the Gospel? Are we not all able to contribute as God leads us to give from what He has so abundantly blessed us? And may we all pray in due diligence, realizing that we may not have much time left? What is at stake if we don’t do our part?

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MEN'S DAY 2019

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LABOR DAY THOUGHTS

Prayer & Encouragement
Update

Dear Partners Unto The Harvest,

As we draw to the end of another “Labor Day Holiday”, I am grateful to have spent it with family. And as we enter a different season of ministry, I want to take time to extend our gratitude for your part in the ministry of Rainbow Bible Ranch. All summer long, I am reminded of the team effort to accomplish so much. You in prayers and support play a vital role.

As I went through the day, I was struck by the idea of “celebration of labor”. This century old celebration seems somewhat odd for a national holiday. However, as I thought of the work and workers across this great nation, I could not help but think of the many biblical references to labor and the tasks at hand. Jesus’ words in Matthew chapter nine are quite poignant.

Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”


The words recorded there are full of truth and conviction.

The fall season brings about many projects, and time to accomplish them is drawing shorter, especially on the many outside projects. I will be sending an update here shortly in the Rainbow Reflector.

A special event that is drawing nearer as well is our Annual Men’s Day. This will be held September 29th here at the ranch. Please be prayer about that.

And finally, your gifts of support are so needed. Our numbers were down some from the previous years. And even though we had abundant moisture this year, the drought of years past takes it’s toll. Contributions are also behind to an extent. We proceed in faith everyday believing God for His provision…. But people are a part of the plan. Thank you in advance for what you can contribute as God leads in that area.

And of course, prayer is essential. Keep Praying.

LAST RODEO OF THE SEASON 2019

AUGUST 12-16 RANCH CAMP TALENT PROGRAM AND BANQUET