Eagles' Wings Youth Ranch

What Makes Us Different?

Fri, 29 Jun 2018 16:04:34 +0000

There is so much to look forward to when camp time rolls around. We meet new campers’ families, we get to better know new and returning staffers, and campers are always affected by Jesus’ love. Many can’t comprehend the forgiveness and compassion shown to them here at the ranch. On the first day of camp, we explain that when a camper does something naughty and realizes their mistake, we forgive them because God forgives us and we don’t bring it up again. That’s not something they experience in their everyday life. Our campers enjoy simple things we take for granted every day. Some are happy to sleep in their bunk beds. If they have a bed at home, many times they don’t get to sleep alone. They get three meals and three snacks a day and they wonder why we eat so much! Many of our campers go hungry at home during the week. The youth who come here are starved—not just for food—but for affection. Hugs and attention when they talk or do something well is not something they know from everyday life. We celebrate everything here. Playing a game with good sportsmanship gets a “YEA!” Cleaning a plate at dinner wins a “WAY TO GO!” Being scared, but getting on the horse or shooting an arrow anyway, receives a “I KNEW YOU COULD DO IT!” Sitting still during movie time earns “BRAGGING RIGHTS!” Our campers blossom under so much positive encouragement. Of course, the most important thing we do here is teach campers how to make better choices; 1) Consider the choice, 2) compare it to God’s word, 3) do it God’s way, and 4) count on God’s protection and provision. Every game we play, every activity we do is debriefed. Who had good ideas? What worked? What didn’t? Did you do your best? Did you give up? Could you do it by yourself or did you need help? How can you use what you learned when you go home? Even at horsemanship, campers are asked about the differences in the horses and how it feels to ride each one. Then we talk about how God makes all of us different as well as the same. That how the staffer leads them on the horse is how God will lead us in our everyday life as we trust Him. When people think about camp, they think about tag games, activities, and camp food. But there is so much more to it. Our camp is here to build up kiddos who have no self confidence, to love campers who get little love at home, and to teach them that doing the right thing is always the best way to go. Our camp is all about the love of Jesus and the love of Jesus is all about our campers!

310 Acre Land Acqusition

Thu, 17 Aug 2017 22:56:23 +0000

THE LORD PROVIDED THE LAND. WHAT A BLESSING AND PRAISE THE LORD!!

THANK YOU TO ALL THAT GAVE AND PRAYED!

For many years, the Lord has allowed us to lease the 310 acres just beyond our north fence line. Using this land, we host our outdoor skills program, do scavenger hunts, hold cookouts, and many other activities campers enjoy. On this property, we recently updated our outdoor chapel and with the help of a volunteer team from Georgia built a stone fire pit. The land also enables us to run a few cattle which supply the needs of the camp as well as bring in some additional income. This land has provided many blessings to us over the years and we are very thankful God allowed us to use it for the work of this ministry.

Recently, disaster struck the owner of the property who lives in Texas and he needs to sell these acres. Because we have worked together for so many years, he wants to give us the first opportunity to purchase the land. Though he is planning to sell the property on the open market for $170,500, he is willing to sell the property to us at a considerable discount of only $105,400. This is an amazing price and because of the blessing the land has been to us over the years we believe it is in the best interest of Eagles’ Wings to purchase the property.

We need your help to purchase this land! We do not believe the Lord wants us to take on debt or use operational funds to make this purchase. The seller has graciously given us until September 29^th to raise the funds needed to make this ministry expansion possible. Will you be a part of this effort?

DONATE NOW

Join us as 1 of 10 giving $5,000; 1 of 10 giving $2,500; 1 of 25 giving $1,000; OR 1 of many giving what the Lord enables you to give at any amount. Please share with your church congregation about taking up a voluntary love offering. Whatever you give, please pray that the Lord would multiple your gift and the gifts of others to see this opportunity come to fruition for the glory of Christ’s Kingdom. Any gift you give, in any amount, will help this ministry continue to grow through this land acquisition. Every gift is fully tax deductible. You can give online at www.ewyouthranch.org or send a check or money order to: Eagles’ Wings Youth Ranch, PO Box 465, Mountainair, NM 87036.

We are trusting the Lord to meet this need as He has faithfully done so many times in the life of this ministry. God uses people. Will you please be part of the blessing God is going to perform?

GIVE ONLINE NOW

Too Easy to be True

Thu, 04 Jun 2015 17:46:12 +0000

If I told you, “You can raise a million dollars for Eagles’ Wings by doing only what you are currently doing today,” what would you say? That’s too easy to be true! Right? Well the truth is you can help us easily by doing only three things that you do already: Search the Web; Buy Groceries; and Shop Online. That’s it! You already do it and now you can help raise money for at-risk youth by doing these everyday activities.

Search the Web

Do you search the web? Most of us “Google” something at least a dozen times a day. We have been using Goodsearch.com for several years now as our search engine. Just through my own searches I have raised this year nearly $30. Now that may not seem like much, but I was able to raise that by doing something I do everyday – search the web. Instead of using just any search engine start using Goodsearch.com. You can sign up to support Eagles’ Wings Youth Ranch through your Facebook page or by your email address.

Buy Groceries

Do you buy groceries? Of course, we all do! You can support the at-risk youth of NM by signing up with Smith’s Grocery Store. Every time you make a purchase and swipe your card, Smith’s will donate to Eagles’ Wings. Go to their website at Smiths Community Rewards and associate your Smith’s card with our organization number 29792. This will not take away from your current reward system.

Shop Online

Do you shop online? If you shop at Amazon, sign up to support us through their website. Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the charitable organization of your choice. AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know. Same products, same prices, same service. Support your charitable organization by starting your shopping at smile.amazon.com. You have to associate your account with our organization and start your purchases at the smile.amazon site for the purchase to be eligible.

That is it! It truly is as easy as 1, 2, 3. I look forward to seeing how much you raise for the at-risk youth of New Mexico by doing what you are already doing.

Former Staffer – Danielle Williams Lee

Tue, 14 Apr 2015 17:57:56 +0000

Danielle died from cancer on April 14, 2015. Though she lived a short life, she lived a full life.

Danielle was a staffer here at the ranch in 2008. She had an infectious smile and a mischievous personality. The campers loved her and she loved the campers. She liked to play cards and I can remember many a card game on the weekends when there were no campers to take care of.

We have very fond memories of Danielle. One former staffer named Joe wrote on Facebook, “All that I remembered of her is that she loved God and she loved the campers when she was at Eagles’ Wings. Even though it was only for two months, it was truly a blessing meeting and befriending her.”

Danielle fought cancer long and hard. People say “she lost her battle with cancer” but in reality she won. She is now in heaven with her Savior and has no more pain or worry or grief.

Being Part of Something Big

Wed, 26 Nov 2014 19:16:27 +0000

What a wonderful year this has been for Eagles’ Wings! I know some people may think this is not the normal response to the financial difficulties we have faced this year as an organization, but to be honest no one has ever accused me of being normal. And besides, the Lord has blessed us abundantly even in the midst of these difficulties. We had another record number of youth attend the summer camp. There are half a dozen mentors meeting weekly with their protégés and we see lives being changed. We are growing, not only in numbers, but spiritually. The Lord is not finished with Eagles’ Wings nor the children and families we minister to regularly.

You are an essential part of this work and we are very grateful you are partnering with us through prayer, giving, volunteering, etc. While many people are thinking of end of the year giving, I would like to share a bit about how you can help raise money throughout the year by doing things you already do everyday.

Do you search the web? Most of us Google something at least a dozen times a day. We have been using Goodsearch.com for several years now as our search engine. Just through my own searches I have raised this year over $17. Now that may not seem like much, but I was able to raise that by doing something I already do everyday – search the web. Instead of using Google to search the web use Goodsearch.com. You can sign up to support Eagles’ Wings Youth Ranch through your Facebook page or by your email address.

Do you buy groceries? Of course, we all do! You can support the at-risk youth of NM by signing up with Smith’s Grocery Store. Every time you make a purchase and swipe your card, Smith’s will donate to Eagles’ Wings. Go to their website at www.smithscommunityrewards.com and associate your Smith’s card with our organization n
umber 29792. This will not take away from your current reward system.

Christmas is just around the corner and many of us will be buying products online with a huge discount from the box stores. If you shop at Amazon, sign up to support us through their website. Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the charitable organization of your choice. AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know. Same products, same prices, same service. Support your charitable organization by starting your shopping at smile.amazon.com. You have to associate your account with our organization and start your purchases at the smile.amazon site for the purchase to be eligible.

These are just a few ways that you can help financially support disadvantaged youth here in NM through Eagles’ Wings. If you decide to donate by check or credit/debit card, your end of the year gift is tax deductible. Please contact us if you need help with any of these giving ideas.

We are enclosing two brochures for you. Please share them with your friends and acquaintances so they know what God is doing through you and others here are Eagles’ Wings. Also, please accept the magnet as a gift and a reminder to pray for us in the coming year.

Thank you for all you do for Eagles’ Wings! May you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and Christmas!

~Todd Sledge & the Eagles’ Wings Family

Jessie’s Story

Wed, 26 Nov 2014 18:34:12 +0000

Roger was introduced to Jessie during a regular pre-camp home visit. This is her story in his words: “I was invited into the home by the grandparents. It was obvious we (the Ranch as well as myself) were being scrutinized. As I shared more about us, they opened up. Then they revealed to me that Jessie had lost her mother to suicide a year ago, and her father was living with his girlfriend. She was struggling with this whole situation. When she arrived home and plunked herself down at the table, I could tell she was hurting and had built up a “tough girl” attitude. I shared my story about the loss of my little girl who was killed 7 years ago. As I was speaking, her heart softened, and tears welled up in her eyes as she expressed her sadness for the loss of my baby girl. From that moment, we were visiting like we had known each other for a long time. Grandpa walked me out to the car. He put his hand on my shoulder and said, ‘I hope you know what a Godsend you’ve been today.’”

Another mentor and his protégé visit over dinner.

During another visit after camp, Grandma expressed her thrill with what had happened at camp saying, “This was the best thing that’s happened to our little girl since her mom’s death”. She went on to share how Jessie was all “bubbly” when she recounted the stories and shared pictures of herself from camp with friends and extended family, and she also told me how she is not the same person she was!

Just a few weeks ago, Jessie was matched with a new friend, her mentor Jackie. They are embarking on the wonderful journey of developing a trusting friendship. They played games together, visited about the death of Jessie’s dog, and the feelings she has of being “weird”. This is the beginning of a long term friendship centered on Christ. Please pray for them as they walk this road together.

Volunteers Make it Happen

Wed, 26 Nov 2014 18:31:12 +0000

This fall we were blessed with two groups who came to help work on the ranch grounds. We want to thank both groups: Park Hill Baptist Church out of Oklahoma and Hoffmantown Church out of Albuquerque.

Park Hill workers added a beautiful landscaped garden in front of our bunkhouse. It is adorned with various plants, rock borders, and a few small trees. They also accomplished much on the donated house outside the ranch gate by scrubbing down walls, pulling down old sheetrock, and framing in two closets and bedroom doors.

The Hoffmantown group did a lot of clean up around the ranch. They cut down a dead tree in the front yard of the ranch house and other dead trees and stacked the wood. They also winterized the facilities, worked on the donated house outside the ranch gate (pulling electrical lines), and helped with the barn restoration.

We are grateful to have partners who are willing to go the extra mile (hundreds of miles literally) to see that Eagles’ Wings is a safe, beautiful place for at-risk, vulnerable youth to come and learn about the God who created and loves them.

The Story of Christmas

Tue, 11 Nov 2014 17:51:22 +0000

Summer Camp Challenge

Wed, 25 Jun 2014 04:23:26 +0000

Double Your Gift Double Your Impact

Mon, 23 Jun 2014 22:23:28 +0000