“. . . the righteous are as bold as a lion.” (Proverbs 28:1b, ESV)

There was a young girl whose health complications were so severe that she was in a battle for her life. She dreamed of one day loving a horse of her own. Yet, her physical challenges made her dream seem impossible. Believing beyond the prison of her circumstances, the little girl prayed. Her name was Hope.

For years, Hope continually brought her plea before the One who was Most High—the One she knew could make anything possible—Jesus Christ.

As Hope grew older, she looked forward in faith. She made a list of every item needed in order to care for a horse . . . from finances and fencing to grooming tools and pitchforks. Hope chose to keep these things to herself, asking only God Himself to provide. Without any earthly explanation, in one year each necessary equine object came into her possession.

Finally, Hope made a bold step of unwavering courage. 

Still frail from illness, the courageous girl visited the Oregon Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) holding facilities for wild mustangs. The horses she met had been gathered in roundups from the open range of the high desert in Eastern Oregon. During her visit, Hope’s eyes fell on a beautiful yearling colt. When she inquired about the youthful gelding, Hope learned the colt was slated to go to auction. His beautiful coloring—a rare and striking pinto buckskin pattern—was anticipated to bring a high price . . . one that Hope could not afford.

Fighting the heavy weight of disappointment, Hope left with the image of the tiny colt still etched within her heart.

Several weeks later, Hope’s mother, Joyce, received an unexpected phone call. On the other end of the line was an individual from the BLM management office. Joyce sighed as she answered several questions about her daughter’s medical condition. It appeared Hope’s horse adoption request would likely be denied because of concerns about her health.

However, Joyce was astounded when the BLM office offered the young colt to Hope—for a nominal adoption fee of only $125. 

For Hope, it was a miracle. 

In cascading abundance, God gave Hope not only the untamed buckskin gelding—but also a second horse, a mare whom Hope rescued from slaughter. As she praised God for His miraculous gifts, her dream continued to increase. Hope asked Jesus for her horses to be able to share His love with children in need. Even from a place of weakness, Hope spent time with her new horses and laid a foundation of loving relationships. Upon this groundwork, her goal of equine ministry could grow.

Five years later, Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch was contacted by Hope’s mother, Joyce. Hope’s battle with illness was coming to an end—and she was preparing to go to heaven. Joyce shared how her daughter’s greatest desire was for her horses to draw broken hearts into the embrace of her Savior, Jesus Christ. Both Hope and her precious mama had been longtime volunteers at the ranch. Even in this tragic season of loss, their generous hearts continued to give. They asked if they could donate Hope’s two miracle horses to Crystal Peaks.

Elion is derived from a name for God in the Bible, “Elyon” which means “God Most High”—as well as from a Greek word for sunshine. In Spanish, “El Lion” means “The Lion.” 

From her bed, Hope expressed in a weak voice, “All these things sum up perfectly what I wanted to name him. It was my desire that his name would glorify God, be something sunshiney, bold and magnificent.”

With confidence, Hope also shared, “God is SO GOOD. I know He can heal me even now, but even if He chooses not to, I want my horses to serve Him so that people can know the love of Jesus.”

On a frigid January day, our beloved Hope received the ultimate desire of her heart—to forever be with her friend and King, Jesus Christ. 

Soon after Hope passed into her heavenly home, her two horses began life in their new home at Crystal Peaks. 

Elion is currently in training for sessions and—even now—he is impacting every life who comes into contact with him. He adores children and is living out Hope’s dream to carry them toward the love of her Savior, Jesus Christ.