The residential school system
in Canada caused deep, traumatic wounds to many of Canada’s original people. Unfortunately, as a result of consequent substance abuse incidences of violence, premature death, depression, and suicide are now common. Too many of today’s youth have not learned good, basic life skills. What is especially tragic is that much of the current situation was caused by people who called themselves Christians, but behaved in ways that contradicted the teaching of Jesus.
I believe authentic Christians are obliged to take initiative to correct that terrible failure, by sharing the Gospel to bring healing and wholeness to those who have been damaged because of it. For some, though, the hurt is so great that they are unwilling to listen to the Gospel message because of that historical abuse. For these, trust must be earned. We need to use a new method of ministry to break down that reluctance and create a desire to listen – something unexpected, something that addresses a need they have.
A few years ago at Pine Ridge Bible Camp, a troubled teen was not happy and asked to go home. Shortly before she left, she happened to briefly interact with our horses through the fence. The regular camp program wasn’t able to reach her, but I saw what those few minutes with our horses did for her. That was the only time I saw her smile! If we had been able to integrate the horses into the camp program, her camp experience may have been much different.
That experience helped motivate Ginny and me to become certified facilitators in Equine Assisted Learning (EAL), a powerful program that is designed to teach basic life skills while working with horses on the ground (not riding). Horses have the innate ability to “read” participants’ body language and attitudes during specially-designed learning exercises. EAL does not utilize a therapist, but it is therapeutic! Really, the horse is the teacher. Because participants interact directly with the horse, they have better retention and understanding of skills learned, in addition to it being an exciting time of discovery and accomplishment for them.
The NCEM Executive and Governing Board have given Ginny and me their blessing to pursue this avenue of ministry within NCEM. Our aim is to integrate Biblical truth into the program in order to address the whole person, including spiritual needs, as well as the physical, social, mental, and emotional challenges that participants may have. Eventually, we would like to take the program into northern communities for up to a week at a time. I believe that would be most effective. Please pray that we would have wisdom in setting this up and that God would supply the right horses, personnel, equipment, and finances. We must never put our trust in methods, but I believe that EAL has the potential to be a very effective tool that God can use to bring many hurting people to Himself, so they can experience the new birth and the abundant life He offers.
