The Vision

The vision for Hearts Haven Ranch has been revealed to us, bit by bit, over the course of many years. We have watched parts of this vision seemingly fade away and other parts transform into something very different than what they first began as. And along the way, new parts of the vision have been added. It's as if the vision and scope of what God wants to do here literally has a life of its own.

they can find safety and refuge. A harbor for weary souls.

As 'a place offering favorable opportunities or conditions', the atmosphere of Hearts Haven lends itself beautifully to healing, restoration, and growth . Many have called this place an "Open Heaven", where God's presence is felt in very palpable ways. That has certainly been true for those of us who live here, and for so many folks that have come to stay here. It's like these 62 acres has been tucked away from all the noise and clamour of the world, and under the canopy of the beautiful Texas Live Oaks, we are sheltered in His presence. Safe. Quiet. Still. Though storms may rage all around us, or even within us, we are protected. His voice can be heard in the quiet; His glory can be seen in the beauty of the rolling hills and wide open spaces; His presence can be felt in the stillness, where life moves at a slower pace and the goodness of God is everywhere you look.

That is the foundation of everything we do here at Hearts Haven Ranch-with everything else being built upon that core purpose of simply being a haven. Who or what that haven is supposed to be for has changed and evolved over the years, but ultimately it is for whomever the Lord brings here. Thus became the two-fold mission of serving both people and animals from hard places. Whether it be for a moment, a short while, a season, or a lifetime. This is to be a haven for anyone who God brings here, and for all those we are called to serve.

In its most foundational sense, the vision for the ranch has always been to serve as a place for those in need. A haven.

The definition of the word haven is 1) a harbor, port 2) a place of safety; refuge 3) a place offering favorable opportunities or conditions. If you think about what a harbor or a port is, it's a place where ships can find safety and protection, in waters deep enough to be anchored, but out of the eye of the storm. It's a place where they can be refueled, restocked, and repaired. And that's what Hearts Haven Ranch is-a place where those in need can come, even in the midst of violent storms, and be anchored in God's love. A place where His living vessels-both people and animals-can be 'refueled', 'restocked', and 'repaired'; where thier most immediate and deepest needs are met. A place where

Haven (n)

1) a harbor, port
2) a place of safety, refuge
3) a place offering favorable opportunities or conditions

~A Haven~

~The Animals~

The firts phase of 'public' service here started with the animal rescue and rehabilitation work. Having compassion for those in need, who are lost, abused, neglected, sick, or disabled in pretty much the most basic element of Hearts Haven Ranch. Animals are part of God's creation, given to us for many, many purposes. We are to care for them and steward them with kindness. The amount of animals in this world that are in need of rescue, in need of a haven, is uneneding. It grows exponentially by the day. What we are able to do here is not even a tiny drop in the bucket. But we know this is part of bigger picture of what God is doind here. There is much to be learned about our Father, and His ways, through caring for His creation. It serves as a reflection of how God rescues us. How he pulls us out of dark places, in wretched condition, while we are covered in the sin of this world. Yet He loves us unconditionally, and completely. It does not matter if we are sick, or disabled. He pours everything He has into us. He suffered and died to save us while we were yet sinners. He mends our broken hearts, piece by piece, until we are transformed into new creations by His unfailing love.

In much the same way, many of the animals we rescue are transformed into new creations. We are filled with love for them immediately, no matter what their condition is, or how hard they fight against us. We tend to their broken bodies, and work tirelessly to mend their broken hearts, bit by bit, earning their trust, and reaching them with love and compassion. They are given a fighting chance to heal, and to become amazing vessels of God's nature, each in their own unique form.

The ways in which God has revealed His glory in the lives of these animals has been a powerful testimony-not only to us, but to all who withness it. When doctors have said there is no hope, He has brought healing and life back to their bodies. When their spirits have been broken, He brings joy and hope back to their eyes. When others have said that they are not worthy of life,

He has demonstrated His love and compassion in even the most broken of lives. Just like with the blind man, we have seen God display His works in the lives of so many of these rescue animals. We have seen how God displays His work in all of creation. Indeed, there is much to be learned by working with 'the least of these'.

But not every animal can be rehabilitated, not every animal comes out the other side, mended, healed, and restored. We have lost far more than we ever thought possible. That is one of the hardest parts of rescue work. The losses. Our hearts are broken, over and over and over again. But with each loss, God has shown us how He works, even in the pain and heartbreak. Each time we welcome a new rescue, a new 'piece' is added to our hearts. A piece that is totally unique, unlike any other piece that came before it. When we lose one of the animals, our hearts shatter and break. But they shatter with that new piece having been added to all the rest. So as God puts our broken hearts back together again, those new pieces bring new dimension to the mosaic that God is creating. Each new piece is what transforms us into new creations, each and every time. And through the cracks formed between the broken pieces of our hearts, God is able to shine through, more and more with each new break. Those cracks are the places where 'joy and sorrow meet, and hope remains'.

~Animals Helping People~

From the animal rescue work, the second phase of the vision began to materialize. The animals of Hearts Haven Ranch are able to turn around, and help 'rescue' people in need. They are able to help people learn to be okay, even when things around them are not. Animals, especially animals from hard places, have a unique ability to reach the hearts of people from hard places. The can serve as a safe space for building relationship, as they are far less threatening than human relatioships can be at times. Even if it is simply offering a brief moment of joy in the midst of their day, these animals are vessels of God's love, everywhere they go. Through various community outreach and animal encounter programs-including after school programs, local summer camps, weekly community dinners, churches, care facilities, and even private gatherings-the animals bring comfort, joy, and love to children and adults of all walks of life.

In addition to the general community outreach work, we are creating specific programs to provide Animal Assisted Therapeutic Services. These include day programs where children and adults can come to the ranch and interact with the animals in a therapeutic setting, to help recover from and cope with trauma, abuse, neglect, illness, and disabilities-or basically any hard place this world has taken them.

Often times, animals can help individuals in ways that typical human interactions cannot. They can help people feel seen and understood. Maybe they have been through a similar trauma, or maybe they have a similar special need or disability. Seeing how they overcome their challenges can help inspire people to do the same. They can help build confidence by allowing

people to face their fears is a safe environment. They offer a sense of purpose to those who might feel lost in their daily lives. And, again, animals offer relationship free of judgement, rejection, abuse, turmoil, and all the trappings that can come with human relationships.

~Crisis Intervention~

Our Animal Assisted Crisis Intervention program is designed to utilize specially trained animals to help children and adults with mental illness who are in acute crisis situations. Often times, in these crisis situations, what is needed first and foremost is de-escalation and a return to safety . These individuals need help regulating themselves, in order to prevent them from becoming more and more out of control, and harming themselves or others. Animals can be an incredible tool in that process. Simply the mere

presence of an animal can lower people's heart rates, lower the levels of cortisol and other stress hormones, increase the level of serotonin and dopamine, assisting in calming them from the inside out. In addition, physically touching and interacting with animals significantly enhances those calming effects. From years of experience with our own son who struggles with mental illness, and navigating thousands of acute crisis situations with him, we have become keenly aware of the great need for crisis intervention services in our area. God has used those years to train and equip us, and has now called us to step up and help meet that growing need in our community.

~The Homestead At Hearts Haven Ranch~

The next phase of the vision for Hearts Haven Ranch is a long-term residential program for adults living with mental illness and/or disabilities. God placed this part of the vision on our hearts many years ago. We had no idea what it would really look like or how it would come to be. We still don't have all those answers. But over the years, as our own family has grown and as the other phases of work have unfolded, God has revealed more of His plans here, painting a picture of the future 'Homestead and Hearts Haven Ranch'.

This on site facility will include two separate farmhouses: one for men and one for women. There will be round the clock assisted living staff members with the residents at all times, assisting with daily activities and life skills. There will be therapeutic services available to the residents as well, including the animal assisted services,. The residents will have the opportunities to help care for the animals, and take part in their rehabilitation. They will have access to skill building programs, including woodworking, gardening/farming, grounds maintenance, and more.

The goal of the Homestead is to provide these individuals with a safe place to live, with the opportunity to become the unique vessels of God's own nature that He created them to be. Again, just as Jesus answered the question of why a man was born blind, so that the works of God may be displayed in him-the Homestead is a place where God's works will be displayed in the lives of our residents. They are not less than, they are not unable to contribute to their community. Their 'weaknesses' serve as places where God's strength is made perfect and put on full display. This is a big vision, in all kinds of ways. But we know that if God wants this to come to pass, He will most assuredly pave the way.