The nonprofit Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch rescues abused horses and pairs them with children who have been wounded by life circumstances. Visit the ranch via poignant stories, where hope is revived; lives are changed; and miracles still happen!
Kim Meeder has seen horses go where no one else can tread - stepping through the minefield of a broken child's soul in a dance of trust that only God can understand. From a mistreated horse to an emotionally starved child and back again, a torrent of love washes away their barren places. Kim's ranch is a place where this miracle happens over and over again. It is a place where the impossible flourishes, where dreams survive the inferno of reality - a place where hope rises.
A 16-year-old girl, mute since the loss of her parents, speaks her first
words-to an abused and emaciated horse. This moment was really the birth of
Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch in Oregon, writes Meeder, the founder and operator
of the ranch that rescues abused horses and gives disadvantaged children a
chance to care for them. Readers will need an entire box of tissues handy for
this collection of real-life stories of incidents at the ranch: two
tough-as-nails boys minister lovingly to a horse that has, like them, suffered
terrible neglect; in an answer to prayer, strangers donate hundreds of dollars
so an impoverished girl can have a pony for Christmas. Most stories are
emotional, even cloying, though some are comical and a few-such as one about
a horse that was rescued too late to avoid being put down-sidestep the
obligatory happy ending. The writing can at times be maudlin; far too many
people are described as having "hollow eyes," for example, and the vignettes
are encumbered by gratuitous adjectives intended to drive home a dramatic
punch. Despite the over-the-top writing style, the emotions are real and
intense. Readers will recoil from Meeder's gritty descriptions of the
devastating neglect of horses and children, then cheer when it seems their
interaction provides healing for both. Meeder laces the stories with her
testimony of God's faithfulness and providence, making this an earnest and
loving gift book for the Christian market. (Aug.) Copyright 2003 Reed
Business Information.
Average Rating: 5 out of 5 stars(5 out of 5 stars)
8 of 27 Reviews Showing:(View All Reviews)
4.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Kathy Deboer (Mattawan, MI), November 06, 2009
A wonderful read filled with many blessings for the Christian reader. I plan to order more copies to give away and the sequel for myself.
4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Elsa Oliphant (Queensvillage, NY), October 09, 2009
I heard the author on radio (Dr DOBSON's program} and Iloved the stories.Normally during the holidays my family gets togheter and the children take turn reading some meaninful stories and I picked this book full of love and compassion.
4.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Florence Hutson (Battle Ground, WA), September 25, 2009
I am only about halfway through the book at this point, but am loving every page. It is such an inspirtional book.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Samuel Hawes (Kemmerer, WY), September 24, 2009
Excellent! My wife cannot see so I read it to her. Many times I had to stop reading because my eyes would tear up. Kim is truly an amazing woman!
4.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Shirley Swenson (Austin, TX), September 24, 2009
This was a wonderful book. The writing style was a little flowery, but I enjoyed the stories so much. Very moving. They are doing a great work.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Nancy Shea (Roseville, MN), September 24, 2009
I can hardly describe how much I loved this book. I have always loved horses, and it breaks my heart to hear about the abuse some of them suffer ... but it also blesses my socks off to hear of these precious rescues, and how the horses and the children are used by GOD to heal each other. Kim's descriptive abilities are beautiful too! It's a real WINNER!
4.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by E Irene Kauffman (Lakeside, CA), September 23, 2009
Kim Meeder presents her real life stories in an easy to read, heart-touching manner. She is a true word-smith in giving God the glory and allowing us to see what she sees daily as He works in the lives of those at Crystal Peaks.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Guy Langley (Selma, CA), September 23, 2009
This is truly an awesome book, the true stories of rescue of both children an horses will keep your attention.The only problem that I had while reading it was that I frequently found tears running down my cheeks.
View all 27 Reviews
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