"Destined to bring hope & healing through Christ with horses"
Here at Destiny Youth Ranch, we have a heart for youth and hope for their future. Our program is geared toward those who would like to learn more about God and would appreciate being able to spend time with horses.
Destiny Youth Ranch was founded by Corilee Boer and Lana Snyders in August of 2009. DYR is a non-profit organization.
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"I have been working with kids and teens for around 21 years now. I have directed our community Vacation Bible School for 10 years, led praise and worship in our church, worked with our church youth group, led and assisted leading First Priority at our local high school, participated in puppet ministry, clown ministry, and served on the board at Crossroads TEC (Teens Encounter Christ) - which is an interdenominational group that is an outreach to teens in our area. I served as a Pastor at Christ Lutheran Church of Alvord, IA from 2010-2018.
I have seen a common trend in our teens over the years that seems to be getting progressively worse. A great number of teens are bullied, teased, and made fun of at school. Eating disorders are common, such as bulimia & anorexia. Kids and teens are hurting themselves by cutting and disfiguring themselves. There has been an increase in teen pregnancies and one of the most alarming trends is the increase in teen suicide and attempted suicides. It is heart breaking to me that so many are lost, confused, feeling utterly alone, helpless, and worthless... So much that they attempt - and often succeed - at taking their own lives. |
My heart has been to love every child and teen I come in contact with. My goal is to share the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the ultimate Friend, One who will never leave you, One who died for you and loves you more than you can ever imagine. After all, how many of your friends would lay down their life for you? How many would endure unbearable agony and torture for you? We have prayed for years and have opened our home and property to kids, teens, and adults of all ages. We purchased some of our first horses in the fall of 07' and rescued several horses after reading a book called, "Hope Rising" by: Kim Meeder. We invite you to join us at the ranch & see what God might have in store for you!"
Did you know???
* Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death among youth ages 15-19 *
* Alcohol kills 5 times more teenagers than all other drugs combined *
* Before reaching adulthood, 20% of teens will experience depression *
* On a regular basis, 10% of children are bullied at school *
* Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death among youth ages 15-19 *
* Alcohol kills 5 times more teenagers than all other drugs combined *
* Before reaching adulthood, 20% of teens will experience depression *
* On a regular basis, 10% of children are bullied at school *
"First for a little background info: I am 31 years old, happily married to the man of my dreams (Steve) & enjoy being a stay-at-home AND homeschool mom to my 8 year old lovely lady, Tamiya - My 11 year old princess, Sarah - & my wild baby boy, Zeke.
In the fall of 2004 I completed a discipleship training school (DTS) and then in the Spring of 2005 completed a youth leadership training school at Youth With A Mission in Arvada, CO (http://www.ywamdenver.com). After that, I was blessed to serve on staff at the base in Arvada for a year and a half. I have done mission work in Mexico, China, Thailand, Bosnia, England, & now (with my husband) Tanzania! After seeing the world, I still think it's slightly humorous that I moved back to my hometown of less than 200 people & married a man that grew up about 20 minutes away from me, but sometimes the Lord works in mysterious ways. ;) |
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The only reason I feel empowered to reach this generation for Christ is because of the strength He has given me... I know that I am nothing without Him.
I feel led to involve horses with this ministry because I now know the healing that these gentle giants can offer, as well as how we can bring comfort and healing to them. Another big reason for me is because I know I would have about died if I had the opportunity to go to a camp like this when I was younger (note: my parents didn't get their 1st horse until after I moved out! I'm still bitter.)
After experiencing some traumatic events growing up, I had a very hard time trusting people. I had a lot of anger and thought I'd never be able to forgive the people that hurt me. I didn't understand what forgiveness was, what it was not, or how important it was.
It was God that brought complete healing into my life. He showed me unconditional love through my husband Steve, but He revealed my specific calling through the first horse I ever had a true bond with, named Dreamer.
It was through Steve I was able to trust & love again, but it was through Dreamer I learned that God could actually use me to bring healing to His children.
All we knew about Dreamer before he arrived was that he was from a ranch out west & that he was used as a "cutting" horse (trained to separate cattle). After closer observation we learned that he had likely experienced serious physical abuse. We could tell that he'd had a broken nose, which left a large bump on his precious face (possibly from being struck by a board or beer bottle - we've been told). We were horrified when we realized what a hard life he had before coming to us.
Despite his imperfections, I thought he was beautiful... I wanted to comfort him in his new home so that he could feel safe, but even getting close enough to comb his tangled mane proved difficult. He had so much fear. So little trust. I quickly realized we had a lot in common...
After much prayer, patience, & persistence I finally came to the point where Dreamer would allow me to brush his long mane and groom his faded coat. It was such a breakthrough! He was allowing himself to trust again and I trusted him completely. He was my Dreamer. My friend. We were a team.
He experienced one full year of love, peace, & rest with us... then God allowed him to take his last breath. I had to say good-bye to my Dreamer who'd had such a hard life & had aged beyond his years. I didn't know what to do as I waited for the vet to arrive to end his earthly pain, so I sang our song to him (Dreamer by: Bethany Dillon) & rubbed his neck & ran my fingers through his beautiful mane. We had helped each other heal and I was forced to let him go much too soon...
On that sorrow-filled day I was reminded that I was not alone. God was with me through it all. He helped me to grieve, be healed, and eventually move forward again.
God's redemptive love lifted me up and showed me my purpose in life... to love others unconditionally and help them understand their identity & worth in Christ, regardless of what the world says about them. I had learned firsthand that people can receive healing through His creation, the horse.
Destiny Youth Ranch is a dream come true and an answer to prayer. My hope is for every person that steps foot on the property to experience God's amazing grace, healing, & love. That it would be a place for people to understand how precious they are and maybe even be the place they discover their own God-given destiny :)
Currently I am seeking to mentor as many young people as I can. My heart especially goes out to young ladies that have a hunger to know God more.
I hope to meet you very soon! Many blessings to you...
I feel led to involve horses with this ministry because I now know the healing that these gentle giants can offer, as well as how we can bring comfort and healing to them. Another big reason for me is because I know I would have about died if I had the opportunity to go to a camp like this when I was younger (note: my parents didn't get their 1st horse until after I moved out! I'm still bitter.)
After experiencing some traumatic events growing up, I had a very hard time trusting people. I had a lot of anger and thought I'd never be able to forgive the people that hurt me. I didn't understand what forgiveness was, what it was not, or how important it was.
It was God that brought complete healing into my life. He showed me unconditional love through my husband Steve, but He revealed my specific calling through the first horse I ever had a true bond with, named Dreamer.
It was through Steve I was able to trust & love again, but it was through Dreamer I learned that God could actually use me to bring healing to His children.
All we knew about Dreamer before he arrived was that he was from a ranch out west & that he was used as a "cutting" horse (trained to separate cattle). After closer observation we learned that he had likely experienced serious physical abuse. We could tell that he'd had a broken nose, which left a large bump on his precious face (possibly from being struck by a board or beer bottle - we've been told). We were horrified when we realized what a hard life he had before coming to us.
Despite his imperfections, I thought he was beautiful... I wanted to comfort him in his new home so that he could feel safe, but even getting close enough to comb his tangled mane proved difficult. He had so much fear. So little trust. I quickly realized we had a lot in common...
After much prayer, patience, & persistence I finally came to the point where Dreamer would allow me to brush his long mane and groom his faded coat. It was such a breakthrough! He was allowing himself to trust again and I trusted him completely. He was my Dreamer. My friend. We were a team.
He experienced one full year of love, peace, & rest with us... then God allowed him to take his last breath. I had to say good-bye to my Dreamer who'd had such a hard life & had aged beyond his years. I didn't know what to do as I waited for the vet to arrive to end his earthly pain, so I sang our song to him (Dreamer by: Bethany Dillon) & rubbed his neck & ran my fingers through his beautiful mane. We had helped each other heal and I was forced to let him go much too soon...
On that sorrow-filled day I was reminded that I was not alone. God was with me through it all. He helped me to grieve, be healed, and eventually move forward again.
God's redemptive love lifted me up and showed me my purpose in life... to love others unconditionally and help them understand their identity & worth in Christ, regardless of what the world says about them. I had learned firsthand that people can receive healing through His creation, the horse.
Destiny Youth Ranch is a dream come true and an answer to prayer. My hope is for every person that steps foot on the property to experience God's amazing grace, healing, & love. That it would be a place for people to understand how precious they are and maybe even be the place they discover their own God-given destiny :)
Currently I am seeking to mentor as many young people as I can. My heart especially goes out to young ladies that have a hunger to know God more.
I hope to meet you very soon! Many blessings to you...
Corilee Boer and Lana Snyders