Author continues Crystal Peaks saga

Tumalo author Kim Meeder has a new book on the shelves.

"Bridge Called Hope" chronicles more stories of Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch, a non-profit ministry that Meeder and her husband Troy founded in 1995. The ranch offers children's riding programs, activities, support and joyful friendship, all free of charge. The ranch also rescues and rehabilitates horses, using many of them in the riding program.

The stories that Kim Meeder tells are examples of faith, action and getting down-and-dirty to make a change that matters. Horse rescue and children's programs are each physically and emotionally demanding, and Meeder doesn't gloss over that. The stories seek to capture more than the feel-good emotions of doing good works. They shine with tears shed on the tough road to hope.

The Meeders estimate that around 80 percent of the children to whom they minister have faced hopeless situations at some point in their lives. Abuse, trauma, bullying and disability are just some of the challenges these kids face.

The purpose of the book, Kim said, is to encourage readers that hope, fully realized, must be given away.

"The first book, 'Hope Rising,' felt incomplete," she said. "It's not enough to be moved to tears; we must be moved to action."

An action the Meeder's recently took was hosting an annual Information Clinic at the ranch. Participants from across the United States, Canada and several foreign countries came to the ranch for four days in May. The ranch staff organized seminars covering all aspects of running a program like Crystal Peaks.

Everything from setting up a non-profit entity to organizing a lesson to manure management and elements of natural horsemanship was taught by the staff and local professionals.

"One of the neatest things about the clinic is that people have a dream and we facilitate the dream," said Troy.

The Meeder's have heard from at least 23 other organizations that are using the Crystal Peaks blueprint to successfully start their own programs.

Kim sums up her feelings about "Bridge Called Hope" saying, "My prayer is that everyone who reads it will be impacted that they can make a difference in their world."

"Bridge Called Hope" is available locally at Paulina Springs Books.