"How can I help?" you asked...

Click on this link to see how you can Give the Gift of Hope!

(but you can still read the blog post and click on the link at the end too!) 

This is not going to be my typical post were I share what we have done over the past few weeks. As our mission is nearing the end, my heart is already beginning to feel the weight of leaving. We truly love the humanitarian work and the people we have crossed paths with. We have been blessed beyond measure during our time here and one of those special blessings, as most of you already know, has nothing to do with LDS Charities. It is Riders of Hope. The moment I met Senada, who owns the barn and runs the program with her husband, I knew God had answered my personal plea as I put my faith in Him when we submitted our application to serve a mission. We were immediately welcomed with open arms and Denny and I have grown to love everyone at the barn. The staff, the riders with disabilities and the Pegasos Riding Club families will always hold a special place in our hearts. Not only have we been able to serve, it has also created an amazing opportunity for the young missionaries to volunteer on a weekly basis as well. We have now had over 20 different missionaries at the barn supporting children and adults with disabilities as they ride, grooming and leading horses, painting, cleaning horse pastures, trimming bushes, fixing water pumps and interacting with the community of people who call the barn their "second home." We have all been able to share of our time and talents in a very meaningful way. 

I am now removing my missionary hat. Several months ago I was asked to serve on the Riders of Hope Board of Directors. That is the hat I am now wearing for this post. This is a personal passion. While I know that our time spent volunteering has been invaluable to them, as a Riders of Hope board member I also know the financial struggles they face to keep the program running. There are very few grants available in this country as it still struggles to recuperate from the war. Few here have the financial resources to give to even the worthiest of causes. And that's why I'm reaching out to you, my family and friends, to tell you how you can be part of this great program. 

Our youngest rider used to just throw the rings, now he follows
directions and enjoys playing games that improve his balance and
and coordination. Elders Leach and Shaw were great with him!

Elders Echols and Smith assist a young rider during a group visit.

Elders Isom and Rasmussen doing a special hold to assist Esma
for trotting about a year ago. Now Esma no longer needs any support
while riding and her walking has improved just as much!

What a difference a year makes! What an incredible journey
for both Esma and Aren. Esma's smile is a true reflection of
her excitement in reaching her goal to ride in a show.

Senada couldn't be prouder of Andjela's accomplishments!

Sisters Higley and Locey helped paint doors in
the barn.. and if I remember correctly, they both ended
up with blue hands for a few days after!

Who wouldn't smile with Sister Turner as
your volunteer during your riding session! 

Tarik enjoys his lesson with a little help from his friends!
Even Sister Ezard jumped in to help while she was visiting!

We were all invited to join Esma for her birthday celebration!
Riders of Hope truly is one big family!

Sisters Rougeau  and Martineau had to think fast to keep
up with all of Aren's thought provoking questions!

Elders Echols and Perry working with Aren, who is now riding
independently and participated in his first horse show last spring.

Experiencing smiles like this are part of the joy we feel at
the barn. Elders King and Echols were a great support as this
rider experienced freedom from his wheelchair.

This program is so vital to the community. Throughout our mission we have shared with you the reality of the situation for people with disabilities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. There are so many limitations for them here, just going to school is monumental for many. Knowing the constant battle for even basic rights here, you can imagine the lack of any "extra" activities, including therapy of any kind, for people with disabilities. The options are very few. Riders of Hope is one of those very few options. Esma participated in her first dressage horse show last spring, achieving a personal goal she set nearly five years ago, shortly after she started riding as part of her rehabilitation following a stroke at the age of sixteen. Tarik's smile tells it all as he trots around the arena now that his legs are strong enough to support him and his balance has improved. As an independent rider, Andjela's abilities are what is visible, not her disabilities. 

Sister Locey may be short, but she was great at encouraging
riders as they gained independence. And Sister Rougeau offered
the high fives because she was tall enough to reach his hand!
They were even happy to slosh through the mud and muck!

This happened more than once with Sisters Beus
and Turner after service at the barn. They always
worked very hard, even when it was really hot.

Sisters Russell and Orchard just walk with her so
Esma has someone to talk to. Now that she has
overcome significant  physical challenges after her stroke
several years ago, she is able to ride independently. 

Elder Rasmussen and Parkinson were among the first missionaries
to volunteer at Riders of Hope. They set the bar pretty high for the
missionaries that followed them and for the riders they worked with. 

After the war, Senada and her husband, along with several friends, felt a strong pull to offer a therapeutic riding program here in Sarajevo. Their first rider was a woman who suffered debilitating shrapnel wounds during the war. As they experienced the aftermath of the war first hand, their desire to bring joy and happiness back to the shattered city grew. Just this week, Senada was telling us about loading up her vehicle every day with all the equipment, including saddles, bridles, horse brushes and whatever she needed. She then would drive to the place where they had a couple of horses they used and sneak around the back of the main building to avoid the "mafia men" who owned the property. She would haul everything from the car, over the fence and to the back pasture where they would then set everything up, lunge the "crazy horses" for hours so they would be tired enough to behave during lessons, teach lessons all evening, then pack it all up and start over the next day. It wasn't ideal, but it was worth it. From that small beginning, she and her husband and a few faithful friends have grown the program into what it is today. A beautiful facility where hope and inspiration are abundant. Where a community of people can gather together, laugh and love each other unconditionally. 

Between weekly lessons and activities for schools and organizations that serve children and adults with disabilities, they now offer program services to over 100 riders each year, but that still doesn't meet the need or demand. There are so many more that want to, need to, participate. No one is ever turned away due to lack of financial resources. The gate is always open to anyone they can safely serve. If they can't safely put them on a horse, they allow them to brush and feed the horses. They know the value of just being in close proximity to these special creatures. 

One of their greatest obstacles is the weather. They have a limited window of good weather when they can offer lessons. April is too rainy, so they usually start lessons in May. August is too hot for riders to be in the direct sun in the current arena. And November is, let's just say, the beginning of the end of riding season. Knowing that Sarajevo was host to the 1984 Olympics, I'm sure you can imagine what the winters are like here. Winters here are snowy, which I have loved, but not conducive to therapeutic riding lessons.  And the long break in therapeutic riding due to weather restraints also causes regression of all that is gained with consistent riding. 

This is what the arena looks like in the midst of
a mild snowfall. These Pegasos Riding Club girls
are tough... they will ride in any weather!
But that is not the case for Riders of Hope riders.
They need a covered arena for winter riding. 

The Board of Directors secured funding to build a small 60'x60' covered arena. Or so they thought... until the reality of building on the side of a mountain came into play. Construction started last spring and progressed nicely until it was time to put up the roof beams. The pre-made beams were too long to make it up the winding road on the back of the truck. On to Plan B. The only option is to have the beams made on site at the barn property. This means that they have to bring all the equipment and materials up the mountain, create the beams and then install them. This also means that the cost to finish the covered arena has skyrocketed. No one expected this to be a problem, including the company building the arena. It wasn't lack of planning or lack of knowledge, it is just simply the way it is. So now the covered arena stands with its walls up ready and waiting to be completed. But there is not enough money left for Plan B. So this capital campaign is Plan B+! And you can help make this plan work.

This is the current state of the covered arena. All structures in Bosnia
are required to be built of cement or brick. Bosnian's think it's odd that we
build houses out of wood in a country that is frequently plagued by
tornadoes and hurricanes. I think they might have a point...
The fourth side and windows can not be installed until the roof
is in place. Take a minute and just imagine watching Tarik smile as
you peek through the windows! 

Winter is quickly approaching and we have already had to cancel lessons several times due to rain. But you can change that! You can make sure riders are in the saddle year round, lessons are happening, and more people with disabilities are able to ride. You can make a difference. If you've asked how you can help... please take a minute and click on the "Gift of Hope" link. If your heart is touched, if you feel inspired to make a difference, if you want to bring hope to Riders of Hope, please make a donation. Please consider giving now so the arena can be completed soon and allow these special children the chance to be filled with hope on their journey through life. Help Esma reach her next goal to ride in a horse show independently. Keep Tarik smiling and give Andjela the opportunity to build her confidence and her abilities. If you can't donate, please share this with others you feel might want to support this amazing organization. The mission of Riders of Hope is "Inspiring children and adults with disabilities through equine assisted activities and therapies." Help them inspire!

 Click here to give the Gift of Hope

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your love and support over the past 15 months and for allowing me to share my passion with you. Any contribution you can make, any sharing you can do, will help make this dream a reality!