"The Book" which has been hinted at and talked about in earlier Wranglers is finally at the printer and scheduled for release later this year, commemorating our 50th anniversary in 2007. At the insistence of others, it is told in the first person by me as the Founder of what today is known as Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch.

As I look back over the past half century, I am fully persuaded that there has been divine guidance in my life and in the history of the Ranch.

Life is made of a series of small steps and decisions which, over time, reveal a direction. Little did I realize (more than fifty years ago) when I accepted the call to pastor a little community church, almost lost in the expansive wheat fields of north central Montana, that it was step one in God's master plan for the rest of my life.

After getting me to Montana, God then used a second challenge of heading up a state-wide series of Youth for Christ Rallies to acquaint me with the geography and big-hearted people of this vast area and finally, He used a tender young delinquent named Denver to open my eyes and my heart to the unmet needs of troubled children.

Then, He sent me on a lifetime search for two kinds of people: those of compassion whose personal yearning and formal training qualified them to undertake the redemption of desperately hurting children; plus a second group willing to share their treasure in financing the facilities needed and the treatment programs required to make it all work year after year after year.

Reviewing early Wranglers and reading Board minutes of past years has stirred old memories and sent me on a search for youth and staff and donor friends of yester-years.

Deciding which stories should be retold in this book was very hard for me. I wanted to tell them all. But that, of course, could not be done.

I sincerely trust that the stories told will give the readers an adequate look into what turned out to be the life changing events which have touched the lives of thousands of youth, hundreds of staff and countless scores of donor friends.

It's an honor for me to tell the stories. I trust you will enjoy reading them.

The new sound system was put to good use at a recent school talent show.

We are deeply grateful for the generous gifts received since May to help purchase a sound system for the Yellowstone Academy auditorium. The sound system has been purchased and was put to good use immediately!

Until now we have rented equipment for every performance and school assembly. It is a wonderful addition to the school. We will eventually save enough in rental fees and gas/delivery costs to make it well worthwhile. Thank you for your generosity!


Here's a WISH LIST of Projects currently seeking funding:

• Transition Community Home Remodel
• Campus Security Upgrade
• Carpet Replacement in 2 Residential Lodges
• Air Conditioning for Kitchen and Dining Room
• Well & Sprinkler System for Lewistown Community Home
• Computers & Printers for School-Based Programs
• Replace Aged-Out Vehicles Used for Child Transportation
• Staff Housing Improvements

If you would like to help with any of these projects, please contact John Eastman at the Foundation office for more information 1-800-879-0850.