2016 Hoofbeats - Looking at God's works through horses this year

The end of 2016 has arrived. It feels that the year has traveled by faster than any ever before. However, as we look back, we see God has been faithful and true. Lives have been impacted at High Mountain and there is great hope as we look forward into the Father’s vision for 2017. We pray that you have have seen God move in your life in 2016 and that you’ve had a joyous Christmas and are looking forward to 2017.

We’ve continued our work with the very special boys from the Barnabas Home for At-Risk Youth. God urges us all to care for orphans. These boys have made special connections with the horses and are able to see a picture of what unconditional love is all about. They’ve heard the gospel and many have grown into a relationship with Christ. For others, seeds were planted and we trust God for their future salvation. Christ’s love through us kept them coming back. We KNOW that God will bring to completion what He has started. Your prayers and support help.

Here are testimonies from a couple of these boys:

“The Miracle Barn was a gift from above. I have learned so much about God and horses. You will never believe how much you can learn about horses and how horses learn about you too. Angel was my favorite not only because she is beautiful, but she is very soothing and she makes me calm. Have you ever watched a horse graze in a field with a sunset? If not, you need to because it is beautiful, peaceful and it will change your life. I don't know why. Horses are good, but God is great!” - G

One of the boys said that the program really gives him hope and encouragement every week. He loves learning with the horses and loves spending time with them and we love seeing the smiles. This young man is really stepping up as a leader and developing better leadership skills. When he first came he had some natural ability, but was often a bit bossy. Now, he coaches and encourages the other newer and younger students. He helps them become better, versus just working on himself. It’s been great to see this change. Here are some of his own words:

"The horse program has taught me a lot, but here is just some of it. It has taught me that I have to give respect to get respect. It has also taught me how to earn friendship and trust. It’s fun to be outdoors and be able to be myself. My favorite horse is Pete because he knows some tricks and is so funny. My other favorite is Katrina. When I had to do the obstacle course with her, she had to trust me and let me help her. It taught me that I needed to learn to trust some people and let them help me too.” -A

We launched OPERATION WARHORSE this year to serve our honored US Veterans with the same Equine Assisted Learning sessions that we offer to our other students and give them an opportunity to connect with God through the horses. We help them reconnect with who they are and learn skills to help them move into positive thinking about themselves and life. Partnering with the horses helps those that have become hardened or been hurt by the affects of war. It paints a new picture of trust and respect and how we need to not rely on ourselves, but on God and those He has put into our lives. Those that we have been blessed to serve have said it’s been very beneficial and taught them a new way of looking at things. Once again, the horses open their hearts up and then God brings healing in a way that can’t be explained.

Here is a testimony from one veteran served:

As a Vet with PTSD, I was in a very dark place in life. I was no longer able to keep my rage contained. I was lashing out at people around me and to keep from hurting the people I love anymore, I had came to terms to end it all. Christy saw I was at the end of my rope and reached out to me and asked me to come spend time with her and her horses. I have seen her work with youth first hand and seen the big change it did so I figured why not.. I went to see her and after a little well spent time, I felt rest. Her and her family sacrifice so much to truly do God’s work... They will always be in our prayers and I will always be thankful for her and their mission..

Please pray for this ministry as we develop some new partnerships with other veteran service organizations, motorcycle clubs & associations and the Veterans themselves. We also need many more sponsors to provide for the financial needs of these sessions. There is NO charge to any veteran; however, it costs about $85 per session to the ministry. Please pray God meets this need so that we can serve many more.

We’ve seen in our local private students, tremendous growth in their faith and confidence and move forward in serving others. One student that’s been coming for 4 years has joined a youth worship team at her church and also stepped up in many ways to serve others. This includes serving High Mountain as a summer intern!

This year has offered several new opportunities to share horses and Jesus with those around us. We hosted the entire Annville Christian Academy with about 60 students, local homeschooling families totaling almost 30, the entire South Laurel Middle School Horse Club and Pet Club totaling 32 and 70 motorcycle riders all to the Miracle Barn and High Mountain. They all met horses, learned a bit, but most importantly heard the Gospel and that God loved them and had a unique plan for their life.

We also launched a Jackson County 4H Horse club. We will partner with Laurel County’s club as well, so I can teach both & expand our local impact for Christ. This kicked off in October. We hosted a Christmas celebration at the Miracle Barn in December. This is another opportunity to serve the community and share the good news of Christ.

So, as you can see, a LOT has been going on and will be going on.

AND here’s some BIG BIG news!!!

WAIT! First you need to KNOW - What is footing?? - Footing is the soft spongy sand substance placed inside arenas and working horse areas to provide a safe working & landing surface for horses and riders. It helps cushion against injury especially in falls. We currently have NONE at High Mountain. This will be an integral part of an upcoming much needed arena.

A VERY large horse business in Lexington has replaced all of their facilities footing. This business is prestigious enough that they must maintain the most top notch footing for their horses & riders, thus they frequently replace it. Though it is used, this footing is still leaps and bounds beyond anything we ever dreamed of being able to get for High Mountain. They have generously agreed to donate all that we need if we can get it picked up and hauled to High Mountain in January. He helped calculate how much we would need approximately for a 100 x 200 arena 5 inches deep. Almost 475 TONS! New, this footing was worth $70,000 - 85,000 new. Even with it being used, it’s worth at least $25,000. However, sand of any type is expensive to haul. All we need to procure this great donation is to raise the $9000 - $10,000 it will cost to move it from Lexington to Annville. We think this opportunity is affirmation that in our dreaming/planning for High Mountain, that a covered arena is the direction we need to go so we can operate year-round rain or shine! Yet, our fleece is that God provides the money needed to move it before the end of January. Please pray God will provide this if it His will.

It has been a VERY blessed 2016 and already we know God will show us even more of His presence and plans in 2017. Please pray that God will raise up more to join in. We need about $2500 in new monthly income to continue High Mountain and move forward. We need mission teams and local volunteers that want to partner with us in serving the orphans, the hurting and this community in Appalachia. Most of all we need God’s presence, guidance and grace. If you believe in the mission at High Mountain & the Miracle Barn please consider what involvement God might be leading you to. We appreciate you praying with us as we all move into 2017!

May God bless you and yours mightily!

With love and appreciation,

Christie & Mitch Schumacher

(606) 493-7050

thehighmountain@iglide.net

PS. Do you have any contacts with dump truck hauling companies?

PPS. Our personal Schumacher missionary family update:

Caleb left the beginning of September

for the US ARMY. He’s doing very well and we miss him very much. Please pray for his mental, emotional, physical and spiritual strength. As of December, he has graduated from infantry basic training and will begin Airborne school in January and then Ranger Assessment and Selection Process in February. Only about 20% of those that enter finish and are selected so, please keep him in your prayers.

Gabe is a Senior so we are busy helping him prepare for graduation and college. He is feeling led to pursue psychology and has been accepted to two schools so far. Gabe has a huge heart and desires to serve those in need of emotional/psychological healing. Please pray God provides for the cost.

Jaiden is thirteen this year and doing well with homeschooling. Please continue to pray for his growth and maturity, mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually.
Last but certainly not least, Ellie has married her sweet heart Logan Ritchie, who is in the US Army and soon they will also be adding another member to the family. Just this week we learned that they are expecting a baby boy! Logan will complete his 5 years in the military in January and we look forward to our growing family. If you know of any cool Grandma names, be sure to let me know.

Please be sure to connect with High Mountain Horsemanship Outreach via our Facebook account. We frequently update Facebook and share pictures and stories.

High Mountain is a 501c3 Non-profit organization EIN 87-0776668 All donations are tax-deductible as ascribed under the IRS guidelines.

For gifts to be counted for 2016 taxes they must be received or postmarked no later than midnight CTRL Jan. 31, 2016.

Donations may be made online at www.thehighmountain.com or via mail at PO Box 605 Annville Ky 40402

A few of our current needs: