Exodus Farms

Hey, I’m only human. I love compliments, I know you’re just being humble, you love them too Many times people have said to me, I don’t think you can take a ba...d photo. Let me tell you, I can This photo proves I get it wrong all the time, I miss focus, my timing is off, the lighting is bad and it’s my fault. But, this is by no means a bad photo! I have been taking photos lately out at the Exodus Farms here in Redding, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. (Come check it out for yourself) See this poorly framed, poorly focused photo? What do you see? I’ll tell you what I see. I don’t see nine horses in an arena. I see nine different conversations between a child and a wrangler, I see nine little lives many of whom have stories that would make you cry, children trapped in the foster care system by no fault of their own, some from abuse, some suffering from medical issues, some just being able to get away for just a while and not having to deal with a dying sibling or a broken family. These kids get to be heard, someone is paying attention to them, not to their situation, just to them, someone who wants to know what’s their favorite food, their favorite sport, and what subject they’re good at. Every time I show up there is a different story, this place is special and I never knew it existed right down the road. This entire program relies on the kindness of those willing to help Is that you? Do you have a few hours a week to help change lives? Like all great ministries, you find it changes you just as much as the ones you are serving. Tonight I watched the little girl who can’t clean her room beg to help put the horses away, she carried a saddle as big as her into the tack room and put it away. She now will not let me head to the farm without her, on the way home tonight she told me this is what I want to do, I want a ranch just like this. I want to help people... See more

Last week we posted a plea for more volunteers to accommodate all of our kiddos........it says a WHOLE bunch about our community when we have had 47 responses!!!!! Thank you so very much to every single one who who reached out to us! We will continue to do new volunteer tours this Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 4 and 5 pm and Saturday morning at 9 and 10am. You can call 530-953-7178 to schedule a time slot. We would love to meet and greet those of you who have not made it out yet.......we still have lots of openings to fill to get our new kiddos in! If we work together for a couple of hours a week, we can change the future for this community’s children with love and hope!! Don’t miss out on the smiles!

The Exodus team has been deep into grant writing season.....and much talk about measurable results......and how to measure results........but there are some things you just can’t measure! I got a call yesterday that was very broken up....a young woman’s voice who wanted to know if anyone was at the ranch.....who are you my dear? With the horrible reception I heard three things......Chantel.......horse camp......I wanted to see my horse. I told her I would be there as qui...ck as I could. When I saw her precious, smiling face I shouted I remember YOU!!!!!! Sweet Chantel.....I remember you! You were so afraid.....and you did it!!!!! Chantel had attended one of our first rodeo camps and she was so fearful the entire week but my Red Headed Angel and I worked and worked with her until she actually rode a horse. She was so proud of her accomplishments and we were so delighted with her courage. I never saw her again...until yesterday. She had wanted to come and see us and her sweet horse for years but knew she had to wait til she had her license and her own car. She couldn’t remember our name or where we were located.....so she went through all of her phones for photos and found a picture of a poster she made to thank us and it had EXODUS at the top. She went on line, found us and immediately drove out on a very cold, rainy day, not knowing if anyone would be there. But we were there.....and so was her pony.....and this 21 year old young woman was over the moon! So were we...........our Chantel had wanted to come and see us for years...and she would not give up.....and today? Besides having her license and her own car, she is interning at a medical clinic to be a medical assistant. Her eyes were sparkling and alive and I knew she was more courageous than ever.....that bit of courage she discovered 10 years ago at rodeo camp.........has served her well and allowed her to overcome and find her purpose! Her heart drove her to look for us and find her pony.......and my heart still wants to burst! Now how in the world are we going to measure that?!? See more

Did you know that minors can buy opiate pain killers on Snapchat????? I didn’t......and I consider myself well informed.........I bet there are many parents who are unaware.......share...share.....share again, please! Only takes one pill......one little pill sold by some loser making a buck......to rob the future from our youth. This family courageously wants to use their heartache to keep other youth alive........let’s make that happen.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!! To every single person that responded to our plea for help! I wanted to share more details with you....opportunities to work with our kiddos are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays 3:30 to 6:30pm and Saturdays 8:15 to 12:30. These will be our needs through April 23rd. We will begin our summer schedule June 8th for 8 weeks and our sessions will be the same days but all morning hours. We will need volunteers for all days in the summer. We... will also have a need for more greeters, chore help, senior horse care and grounds teams. We are going to welcome ALL potential volunteers to come this Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday between 4 and 6 pm to learn more and pick up paperwork and schedule. We are so excited!! We are doing our best to respond to each and every person individually but if we miss you please feel free to call me at 530-953-7178. See more

I love my oaks in winter.....you can see their huge trunks and the many arms reaching to the sky....they remind me of sentinels standing watch........mighty gua...rds....quietly standing watch ........deeply rooted....like us......we stand watch over all things broken....til they also can find their strength...deeply rooted in the love of Jesus. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers.

At first glance....it would appear like a bunch of giggly kids horsing around with the cutest herd of minis ever.........but listen........to what these sweet kiddos are learning as they de sensitize the minis......what happens when things trigger us.......what happens when we react out of fear and get ourselves in trouble.............what happens when we trust the Master in perilous circumstances instead of panicking......what happens when we take the time to build trust and respect.......yes, it may look like horseplay...but for these precious broken hearts it is the beginning of radical change......as they move from victim to victor in this sandy arena! And for this founder, my heart bursts watching my leaders come up with these creative and life changing sessions every single time.....great job, Ash Gail Soliz!!!

We can be discouraged..........or we can change the world!! If you want to be a world changer for our community’s kids, join us as a volunteer......and be ready for your life to be changed too!!!! PM for details and appts. And thank you, Annette Biggers for this beautiful video!

This is some exciting stuff!!