Read Bridge Called Hope Online
Authors: Kim Meeder
Bridge Called Hope
“Kim Meeder vibrantly shares—and lives—an amazing story of hope and restoration. A triumph of recovery for wounded hearts!”
—L
OUIE
G
IGLIO
Director, Passion Conferences, bestselling author
“Kim Meeder proves that even in our fallen world, hope is not lost. Despite horrific pasts and deep pain, God’s mercy is shown true as wounds are healed and hope is restored.”
—M
IKE
Y
ANKOSKI
Author,
Under the Overpass
“As in her debut book,
Hope Rising
, Kim Meeder again shares with us the blessings of hope fulfilled. In
Bridge Called Hope
, Kim uses her inimitable gift of communicating to transport us to the world of Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch—a place where the flames of hope are reignited, broken lives find healing, and mountains are moved. Stirring, encouraging, and inspirational,
Bridge Called Hope
reminds us that hope is heaven sent for everyone, and that we, too, can make a positive difference in others’ lives.”
—E
RIC
C
LOSE
Actor
BRIDGE CALLED HOPE
published by Multnomah Books
© 2006 by Kim Meeder
Published in the United States by WaterBrook Multnomah, an imprint of the Crown Publishing Group, a division of Random House Inc., New York.
Multnomah and its mountain colophon are registered trademarks of Random House Inc.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise—without prior written permission.
For information:
MULTNOMAH BOOKS
12265 ORACLE BOULEVARD, SUITE 200
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80921
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Meeder, Kim.
Bridge called hope / Kim Meeder.
p. cm.
eISBN: 978-0-307-56225-8
1. Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch (Bend, Or.) 2. Problem youth–Services for–Oregon. 3. Horses–Therapeutic use. 4. Animal rescue–Oregon. I. Title.
HV1435.O7M436 2006
362.74’85–dc22
2006022794
v3.1_r1
F
OR
T
ROY
Welcome home, my Prince.
Hope is like a
sky full of
stars … whether
we see them or
not doesn’t
change the fact
that they are
always there.
Truly, it is not
until the night is
at its very
darkest … that
we see them
shine the most
clearly
.
T
o say a simple thank-you to everyone who has shouldered with us, believed with us, and sacrificed with us to see the ranch and this book go forward … feels a bit like giving a raindrop to represent the ocean. Know that I am moved by you, every one of you, and continue to be overwhelmingly grateful that you are all part of my life.
For our extended family of friends throughout this great nation and beyond, know that every card, e-mail, letter, and gift, from each individual, has become a cherished part of what this ranch is becoming. You bless me.
For Thomas, your wisdom is my sharpening stone. You inspire me to grow.
For the ranch staff, your every act of selflessness holds me up and daily reflects the woman I wish to become. There would be no ranch without you.
For Katie and Brenda, your love for this orphan is surpassed only by your faithful prayers for me. You are my warriors.
For Sue, thanks for driving, reading, balancing, listening, and … “Up we must go!” Glad there’s room on your shoulders for two.
For my Lord, You
are
my Bridge called Hope.
I love you all.
C
rystal Peaks Youth Ranch is a unique nonprofit organization that rescues abused and neglected horses and pairs them with seeking children. The ranch’s program is special in that it almost always pairs one child with one horse, guided by one leader. All this is done free of charge—always.
One of Kim’s first riding experiences came on the day of her parents’ funeral. In a child’s attempt to “ride away” from their murder-suicide, she instead rode straight into the unconditional love of a little horse and a merciful God. As each fully revealed the depth of the other, Kim’s life was saved through their combination of healing love.
In 1993, Kim and her husband Troy purchased the only piece of property in Central Oregon that they could afford: a nine-acre, abandoned cinder mine. The land was so completely ruined that no one else wanted it. Together, they began the rehabilitation process by collecting organic waste materials from neighboring ranches.