Dear Friends and Family,

I need to get straight to the point on this one.  TFR is in need of help.   We are receiving student applications at a rate like never before and are in need of Interns to live among our students, and a Women's Program Director to oversee and lead the women's residential ministry.  At this time we are even open to considering shorter term commitments from Interns so as not to have to turn these applicants away.  If you or someone you know might be interested in serving at TFR for a season, please contact us for a ministry service description and application or log onto our web site to view our current openings.  Please pray for us during this important time, that the Lord would provide just the right women for these positions.

In April of this year TFR received a matching grant of $3500.00!  We notified all of those on our e-mail newsletter list and this gift was matched about one month later.  (If you aren't on that list and would like to be, please let us know.)  These funds were requested to be used for operating expenses and we are very thankful for this provision.  In addition, TFR received another generous gift in May that was "preferenced" for the drilling of a new well.  We are, Lord willing, taking exciting steps toward an additional home and subsequent ministry expansion.  This is a timely provision but also somewhat of a tricky step as electrical power is essential for the well in order to utilize it and not lose the flow.  Water wells, when they are not being used, can actually begin to heal themselves and the flow that had originally been found can be lost, so I am told.  Therefore, it is imperative that we drill the well and bring the power to pump the well at the same time.  Please pray for the provision of this electrical power.

Through the years, the Lord's provision of TFR's facility site has been a true blessing indeed.  It's rural location has been a powerful tool as we seek to promote real and lasting change in the lives of young women.  However, there's another side to this.  Due to our rural area it has been difficult keeping this ministry in the market-place of ideas and in the forefront of people's minds within the Church.  Computer search engines and Facebook pages can only do so much.  Therefore, we are in the process of developing a new promotional video and a brand new brochure for the purpose of better communicating TFR to churches, colleges, foundations, and individuals who may be interested.  These communication resources should be completed around the beginning of summer.  We are hoping these materials will not only bring better exposure to TFR for the purposes of prayer and support, but that they would also equip Church leadership with a viable option to be promoted among their congregants who are interested in serving as short/long term domestic missionaries.  If you or someone you know would like a copy of this DVD promo video or would like to make TFR's brochures available, or would like to have a TFR representative give a presentation of this ministry, please give us a call or e-mail and we'll do our best to meet your request.

We received a phone call from the chaplain of Emerald Downs race track in Auburn, Washington.  There was an owner who had a 4 year old, thoroughbred, gelding that had never been raced or trained, who was in need of a good home.  The horse is a very dark brown color, about 16.2 hands high and absolutely beautiful, albeit a wee bit skinny and underfed.  Since we were over on the west side of the state for a Mother's Day celebration anyway, we had our resident horse expert (Dorothy) check him out.  We brought him back to the ranch a couple days later.  Because of his majestic qualities and appearance, he has since been named "King Hezekiah", although he's now being called "Hezi" for short.  His under-nourished ribs are already disappearing as he eats healthy portions of grass/alfalfa hay and he's quickly found his (alpha) place among the other horses.  Equestrian therapy has become big business in the counseling arena with large fees accompanying it.  Our residents and staff have the opportunity to walk, brush, handle, and ride these big beautiful horses without the large fees.  Grace!

On a personal note:  June of this year will mark Sharon and my ten year anniversary serving full time at TFR.  This summer will also mark our 20th wedding anniversary.  The Lord has been extremely gracious to us and to our family during all of these years.  Our oldest son Joshua, who was eight years old when we moved away from our home in Des Moines, WA. is now 18 and is graduating this June with his high school diploma, along with an AA degree from Wenatchee Valley Community College.  Jeremiah, who is now 17, is hot on his tail just one year behind him.  Caleb is now 15, Zachariah is 13, and Faith, our youngest, is 11.  Needless to say, life is busy but extremely blessed far beyond that which is deserved.  It is Sharon and my conviction that the day to day leadership involvement here at TFR needs to shift away from us and land on the shoulders of a mature, loving, compassionate, capable, female, Believer who has a heart for the hurting, wounded, and lost.  Please don't misunderstand what is being communicated though...Sharon and I fully intend to keep on with all of the duties associated with me being the Executive Director of this ministry, as the Lord leads.  However, we believe that many of the day to day duties and responsibilities that Sharon has been meeting for so long must now be delegated and placed into the capable hands of a Women's Program Director.  Please pray for this search.

Please pray also that the Lord would bring other Biblically minded people and churches to lock arms with TFR for service, encouragement, and support.  As I've stated before and do so emphatically again, we are simply not equipped to do the work of the Lord without the Lord of the work enabling us and providing for us...as He always has.

Your faithful participation, in whatever capacity the Lord may lead, is of utmost value to us.  Thank you for your sacrificial love.  You are greatly appreciated.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Craig Lofthus