by Erin Austin | Aug 4, 2025 | Feed My Lambs, Houseparent Blog, News
[Photo: Resident Jaxson helps in a building project] By: Erin Austin “I do not know why people call a project undertaken by faith a venture of faith. That is exactly what it is not. Webster defines a venture as an undertaking involving chance, risk, or danger.... 
by Erin Austin | Jul 12, 2025 | All, Feed My Lambs, Houseparent Blog
by Erin Austin I’ve often said that Joy Ranch is a unicorn among children’s homes. For multiple reasons, Joy Ranch doesn’t fit into a mold. One of these is in the area of finances. From the beginning, the McHenrys vowed to trust God for all of their... 
by Erin Austin | Jul 1, 2025 | All, Feed My Lambs, Houseparent Blog, News
Blog by Erin Austin Working with traumatized, abused children is one of the hardest things a person can do. It is heartbreaking, exhausting, and at times, intense. It is not easy. The things we hear and see are mind-boggling. A well-meaning person once told me after I... 
by Mandy Nester | Jun 12, 2025 | All, Volunteer News
We were so blessed to have this wonderful group of six churches from South Carolina last week! Some of their service projects included a Backyard Bible Club, games, and sports with the kids; building/repairing; cooking; cleaning; groundskeeping…What did they NOT... 
by Erin Austin | Jun 12, 2025 | Feed My Lambs, Houseparent Blog
[Photo Caption: Resident Mia’s muddy feet from walking around the Joy Ranch pond.] Blog by Erin Austin I’ve always been fascinated by people’s stories. How did they get to this point in life? What happened in their past? Who helped mold and shape them into the... 
by Mandy Nester | Jun 6, 2025 | News
Thank you to the Hillsville GFWC for their recent, generous donation to Joy Ranch! GFWC Federation Day is celebrated on April 24 to commemorate the founding of the GF of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) on April 24, 1890 and is a day to reflect on the organization’s history and... 
by Mandy Nester | May 5, 2025 | All
Do you like to cook? Is hospitality one of your gifts? If so, you can bless the kids at Joy Ranch with your talents, while helping our houseparents and staff! You can prepare and deliver a hot meal or drop off a meal that is frozen or can be frozen for later use. If... 
by Mandy Nester | Jan 28, 2025 | Houseparent Blog
Learning is a beautiful blessing, isn’t it? Even as a 42-year-old homeschooling mom of three boys, there are still so many things to learn in life. Each day, I start my morning reading from the best book that was ever written, the Holy Bible. The Word teaches me so... 
by Mandy Nester | Jan 3, 2025 | News
Thanks to a generous donor, our kids got to enjoy Winterfest at Carowinds. Take a look at some of the fun they had! fec7ebbb-d9d0-449f-9fb7-50785674aff8 5fe90f31-9f54-4276-b2ab-6e34915f2987 e938f4c0-f320-40c8-855e-7635dac8f470 7ff26ab4-e2ee-4cb0-87dd-4deddea47f9b... 
by Mandy Nester | Dec 19, 2024 | News, Volunteer News
We were blessed to have several Joy Ranch Alumni visit our campus the weekend of our annual Live Nativity. Not only did they assist in setting up scenes, preparing costumes, and cleaning up after the event, but they also participated in scenes during the Nativity....
