Volunteer Appreciation Week is this month on April 21st-27th. So we thought it would be timely for this April newsletter to highlight one of the reasons why our ministry is successful – OUR VOLUNTEERS. We specifically decided to highlight one volunteer who contributes her time and talents to the Ranch – let us introduce you to Felicia Kitay. Felicia is one of our amazing volunteers that serves with our girl and women sessions. She also contributes her gardening talents to our garden, is part of our Annual Dinner planning committee, and along with her husband, is a faithful monthly donor.
Felicia met Jesus as a child but once He moved her to Fresno with her husband, her relationship with Him deepened. The way she describes it is that He had to move her out of her hometown “…to get more Jesus.” That is when her whole life changed.
It was her love for Jesus that moved her heart to want to serve. She originally heard about horse ministries through her church, but it was Instagram that led her to us. Abundant Life Ranch came up on her feed and she reached out to us. Our Co-Founder Betsy responded and the rest is history!
When we asked her what it was about our ministry that drew her to us, she said: “I love working with women, and I love horses, and this was both. And it was Christian, and I love Jesus. So that was a win-win situation.”
She added that the more sessions she volunteered for, the more her understanding of what happens here grew. So much so that she cannot imagine not doing what we do here because it’s impactful. She said it impacts her so much because the teachings are so relevant and applicable to real life.
Felicia has been volunteering with us for about three years now. When we asked her what keeps her committed to our ministry, she said that it’s the thought of just one participant understanding how the gospel is woven through everything we do here. The hope of seeing someone have the moment of breakthrough. She added that for her it’s not just about volunteering, “I feel part of the ranch..like it’s a community…and I feel like it’s almost like holy ground…like God ordained because this is what God made…” and we’re right in the middle of it. “You can’t see anything but nature. Every direction you look, you see nature. And it’s almost kind of like this is the simplicity of the gospel. It’s so simple…and it’s so simple out here.”
There is one example of life change that stands out for her – it was a time when one of our women participants had to put the halter on the horse to lead him out. During that session, volunteers are not allowed to help the participants, even if they are struggling. She said it must have been what felt like thirty minutes after the woman struggled when she finally saw her put the halter on. Felicia adds that once the participant tied it correctly, she saw her posture change, “Her shoulders were back, her head was up, and she marched out.” That stunned Felicia because it was at that moment that she realized she witnessed the participant’s internal struggle with herself about doing something she didn’t want to do. Yet she did it and Felicia could see her radiate confidence.
We asked Felicia if there is something she would like others to know about our organization and she said “That there is so much work that goes into what happens here…it looks like everything just happens, but behind the scenes, Doug and Betsy…and the team, we’re all working hard to make things happen. And, we want what’s best. We want these women to succeed.” She added that she tells everybody about the ranch and suggests that everyone should come here, even if it’s just for one day. She believes volunteering at the Ranch teaches you appreciation and hard work. “You become an overcomer…” and there is no need to be afraid because “…we’re going to teach you the tools to move forward in confidence, and we’re going to keep you safe.”
If you are looking to volunteer at the Ranch, Felicia wants you to know that it’s not just a safe place, but it’s also fun! She says we laugh, we cry, we pray together, and there is a sense of camaraderie. So much so that she thinks it’s one of the best things she has ever done in her life.
And on that note, we want to thank Felicia and all of our volunteers that contribute to making God’s vision for this ranch come to life. We could not do what we do without you!
