SPECIAL LETTER FROM A MASTER'S RANCH PARENT TO A JUVENILE COURT JUDGE

 

2/14/09

Dear Honorable Linda Akers,

I'm writing this letter on behalf of my son Andrew Rogers. You had him in your court room
December of 2008. I wanted to write this letter because I thought, you always see the kids when their at
their worst and they have done something bad otherwise you would never know of them. Comes with
the job I guess! I want you to know how good Andrew is doing. First let me remind you who he is. My
name is Barbara LaSota and Andrew is my youngest son. I came to court for him because I put him in a
Boarding School called "Master Ranch Christian Academy" in Couch Missouri and we were blessed that
you allowed us telephonic hearings so you have never met my son except over the phone. I have been
able to visit Andrew and he will hopefully visit home next month. He has been doing such an amazing
job on himself and with everything he is faced with at the Ranch. It's been difficult for Andrew leaving
his home and his family. He has told me that most of his old friends don't even have a chance being his
friend now because he wants more in life then what he was doing. I am in a real financial disaster as
many people are.  I had to ask the Pastor and his wife to help me and Andrew out financially and by the
grace of God they are not going to send Andrew home they are going to help us. I want to share a story
about a visit we had. I went to visit Andrew and we spent four wonderful days together. When we
arrived back at the Ranch Pastor Bosley came up to Andrew grabbed the back of his jacket pulled him
around into a hug and asked him if he had a good time and told him "I missed you, glad your home son, I
love you". Andrew hasn't heard "I love you" from a man except from his Grandpa Pete. Pastor Bosley is
such a wonderful father figure for Andrew and I want you to know how grateful I am that you allowed
him to stay at the Ranch. I received a letter the other day and wanted to share it with you to show you
how by you allowing him to stay at the Ranch he has had a chance at life and self discovery. He has even
talked about wanting to be a police officer someday. When he turns 18 hopefully he can get his record
expunge, if that is something that is allowed. So many doors have opened for Andrew and he now has a
man he can look at as a dad. With the trouble he got into and having to have gone to court things have
actually worked out for the best for him. Considering getting into trouble isn't the best way to advance
in life God has worked through you in helping Andrew. Under any other circumstance it would be great
to meet you but I am grateful we haven't had to meet again. I am enclosing a copy of a letter of
recommendation that Andrew received. I wanted to share with you that not all that go before you
continue the path of destruction. Andrew has made extraordinary strides and I am very proud of him
and wanted to share my pride with you. Again, Thank you for believing in him by giving him the chance
to stay at the Ranch. By the choices made for him he now has chances and choices.

From a mom who is grateful and Thankful for all that you do,

Sincerely,

Barbara LaSota

 

 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                           PARENT TESTIMONIES

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

My family (2 younger daughters, my husband and myself) had dealt with Neil's verbally-abusive attitude, scary friend base and drug addiction for 3 years. He was single-handedly ripping our family apart. We went from counselor to counselor with no results. Finally it reached a point of me making a choice. Will I let this continue and run the risk that my husband may leave me and take my girls or will I find some way to stop Neil's downward spiral towards jail or death. I started looking for Academies. Feeling very guilty I might add, I love my son and didn't want to just kick him to the curb, I wanted something or someone to save him since we could not. I looked at several academies and felt devastated. We could not afford ,000.00 and how would putting him in a dorm with other troubled teens even work? I'm not quite sure how (maybe an intervention from God) Master's Ranch and Christian Academy appeared on my computer academy list! After reading the web page and learning that they worked more like a large family that a cold facility and all the programs they offered at a price we could afford, I called. Tresa answered, she was so sweet and let me know my husband and I did not fail. Neil had made his own choice to lead a life of sin and destruction. After speaking with her for over an hour I knew I had found Neil's chance! He was removed during the night less than a week later. He was driven from Michigan to Master's Ranch and Christian Academy in Missouri. I am writing this one year later. Neil is back home living with us! When he first arrived at MRCA, he struggled, but after settling in, he started to do quite well. Pastor David and Tresa accepted him as one of their own, without letting him loose sight that he had a family back in Michigan who loved him dearly and wanted him to succeed. Pastor and Tresa worked with Neil with endless dedication. Neil had a Christian background, but dismissed it. Pastor taught him how he could accept Jesus as his personal Savior and how he could live in Christ's undying love for him. Neil's spirit begain to soar. He began working with real ethic. He finished high school. He attained MRCA's highest rank. He even went to night school for EMT and now holds a certification to work as an EMT in any state in America! I'm still in awe when I look at Neil. Only one year ago he would have never helped me with household chores, but as we do them together I can only smile and praise God for allowing Pastor Dave and Tresa to completely reform my precious son! Neil has a path and he has told me several times how he plans to make that path his reality and become a Fire Fighter. Something a year ago would have been unheard of! Our family thanks you Pastor Dave,Tresa and team from the bottom of our hearts for bringing our son back home to us! We couldn't be any happier or prouder!

So Gratefully Yours,
Diane and John Helmuth

 

I believe God brought my son Stephan to Masters Ranch. My son had attended another facility which was far more expensive than Masters Ranch and we withdrew him because they said they could no longer help him.  By the grace of God I found Mr. Bosley.  I did not know what I was going to do.  After speaking with Mr. Bosley I felt a peace and knew I was making the right decision to send him to Masters Ranch.  My son has since turned 18 and because he felt such a family bond with the Bosley's he stayed on to help.  Stephan is now back home and working in construction.  He is happy, considerate of others feelings and has a purpose to his life.  It is a joy to have the son back that I had missed so terribly.  I thank God everyday that he guided me to Mr. Bosley and Masters Ranch.  This will be one of the hardest decisions you will ever make in your life, but can your child afford for you not to? 

Stephanie Custis

 

When I was at the end of my rope, when I was lost and looking for answers and it seemed know one could point me in the right direction I was referred to Tony, and he told me about Master Ranch.  I called and talked and wrote down all the information still hopeful that I would not need to use them.  It took me about seven days to finally make the call to send my son to MRCA.  I set it up and then woke up thinking I can do this myself.  I set out with all the right intentions to put my son on the right track with out any help.  That lasted less than one day.  I finally booked the flight set up the date and called numerous times to MRCA and cried my eyes out with both Dave and Teresa listening and assuring me that all is not lost.  Once my son arrived at MRCA, my heart no longer felt heavy.  I knew that I had made the right choice.  I knew that I was sending my son to a safe place where he would be in a family
environment, with only his best interest at heart. 

My son has been at MRCA for six months. When he reached his fifth month I made a visit.  Of course I was nervous and excited, but nothing could have prepared me for what I saw.  My son was amazing!  He was the boy I remember him once being but now he was a young man with morals and values, with dreams and plans.  He took my breath away.  I knew that I had made the right choice.  The best part was he knew that I had made the right choice.  Of course as a parent we love our children, and sometimes we are faced with tough almost unbearable situations.  It's our responsibility to offer our children a chance at the best life they can live.  I looked at a few places to send my son and some of them cost a ridiculous amount of money.  I was thankful for MRCA.  It was priced where parents can actually afford to give their children that chance. After picking up the phone and just taking to them you know that they are not a fly by night operation.  They are a family who has been called to help save our boys.  I am very thankful to MRCA for what they have given my son and my family.  Because of the love and lessons they have provided, my son now believes that he can succeed in life and has seen what the world has to offer, better yet what he can offer the world. 

If you are still worried about sending your son to MRCA, don't be.  I've been to the ranch, I've seen how the boys are treated and you have nothing to worry about.  This is a family, not an institution. Sometimes the hardest part of being a parent is finding the strength to save their life.

Melissa

My son went to Masters Ranch on the 6th of January 2008.  He went there unmotivated and disrespectful.  I would watch him play his X-box for hours a day while stuffing himself with pop and chips, getting more and more out of shape and angrier and angrier. 
When he first got there it was difficult for all of us.  He was homesick and we all missed him....wondering if we had done the right thing for our son.  It was, in fact, the best thing that I have ever done for my son.  He has gotten the spiritual food that he was craving, the physical fitness that he needed and has become one of the most respectful young men that I could have ever imagined he could become.  Because of the love and guidance that he has received from Pastor Bosley, Momma T and all of the staff at Masters Ranch, I know that my son will become that man that I always wanted him to become.  So if you are out there with a son that is crying out for help then help him!!  Do it now, don't wait!!  Let the folks at Masters Ranch give you back your son. 

Tina - Friday Harbor, Washington

 

When our son overdosed on drugs-we were at our wits end.  We knew we had a problem that wasn’t going to get better.  In addition, he was failing all his classes, sneaking out his bedroom window at night etc. etc. It was one thing after another. The hospital gave us some information on local programs but they were all short term.  We didn’t feel that sending our son away for three months and then letting him back in the very environment we were trying to save him from was a good idea.  Luckily, through many phone calls I was given the name of Pastor Bosley and Masters Ranch Academy.  After speaking with the Pastor, we knew that this was where our son needed to be.  We didn’t want an “institution” where he’d be lost in a crowd, we wanted a place where he could thrive and reach his full potential.  Pastor Bosley’s philosophy of hard work, education and counseling both in the  spiritual nature and in real life has truly “saved” our son in all ways possible.  After ten months with the Pastor and his family, our son has received his GED and he is going on a mission trip to Africa .  Accomplishments that never would have happened if we had left him to his own devices.

Debra - Santee, California   

If you are even remotely considering the need to send your son away for help chances are he is even worse off than you can even imagine......  I knew I only had a very short window of time to save my son and to have the legal right to send him away.  Although sending my son away was the most heartbreaking decision I have ever had to make, I know with all my heart I made a decision to save his life.  I have more peace now than I have had in a long time knowing he is safe, being loved and witnessing the dynamics of a loving family. My son loves these people, he knows they love him and I can sleep at night knowing he is safer than he has been in years. Since my son was sent away two boys in our community have died from a drug overdose and another almost died. I have had so many of my son's parent's friends call me with words of support and acknowledgement for making such a difficult decision.  My son's friends too have called saying it was a wake up call for them.   If any parent would like to call me, I would be more than willing to talk to you.

With love, tears and most of all hope for our sons,
Susan - Encinitas, California

 

"My husband and I had to make the toughest decision of our lives 10 months ago with our son Jordan, now 17. Jordan was defiant to our rules for him. His grades were beginning to decline and his choice of friends was not good for him at all. He was sneaking out all hours of the night and basically tried to do what he wanted when he wanted. When we had to give Jordan an answer of NO to something he wanted to do, we knew we could expect form of violent outburst from him. He was destroying our family and we knew that things would become worse before they got better. We searched around online and through a few recommendations and found Pastor Bosley at the MRCA in MO. I called him and Pastor calmed my breaking heart in the first phone call. I had a hope I didn’t think would be possible. We were leery as to the low cost as it was considerably lower then most places we had spoken with, which by the way we spoke to about 20-25 facilities. But we could sense a heart of love and a desire to help troubled young men more then the money being an issue. We visited Jordan at the MRCA a few months ago and stayed at the ranch and saw first hand for 3 days what kind of an environment our son was in. We knew we had made the best decision for Jordan. Jordan is disciplined and respectful and has a love for the Lord and today he is a different child. Our son has been with pastor for 10 months now and is changed beyond what we could have hoped for. He gave pastor a tuff time for the first few months but he always reassured me there was still hope. Jordan will be coming home soon but will leaving soon for South Africa for a 5 week missions trip with 2 others boys and another pastor. Our son would have never have chosen to do something like this before. He has grown and changed and now has new desires and dreams then he did a year ago. Pastor and Tresa love these boys as there own. They love them and serve them 24 hrs a day. The boys learn how to be a man and how to be a father and what a husband looks like. They have many animals on the ranch and they take care of them and raise them. They also are currently adding an addition to the house and the boys are doing this by hand. This has been the best decision we could have ever made. We have our son back.  Jordan thanks us for intervening in his life. We could not have done this at home. We would love to talk with any parent who is apprehensive and share our experience with you and help you make the right decision for your son. You too can help your son, you won’t be sorry.

Tracy - Gilbert, Arizona

 

 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                           STUDENT TESTIMONIES

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The following are just short exerpts of testimony recent written by many of our boys.  We thought you might like to hear them.  We have included their own spelling and sentence structure for originality sake.

“My time here at Masters Ranch has given me a new view on my life.  I willingly came because I new something was wrong with how I was living.  I was dishonest, angry, and just depressed.  I’m glad I came here to learn to be a better person, and I’m growing mentally and physically every day!”  Eythan-15 yrs old-Ft. Worth Texas

 

“Before I came to Masters Ranch my life was a mess.  I was on a one way ticket to killing myself.  I was always doing and selling drugs.  I was abusive to my family and even tried to kill myself on several occasions.  I hated life and God and the sooner my life was over the better.  I thought everyone would be.  I also always got in fights for no reason and was even becoming racist because the crowd I hung out with.  Then I got to Masters Ranch.  I got saved September 5, 2008 and God is doing wonders.  I now want to tell people about the Lord and want to do right.  I now longer want to do drugs and love life.  This is the best place I ever could have come.”  Thomas Just-16 yrs old-Yorba Linda California

“Masters Ranch has affected me greatly, my life has turned around.  I have so much going for me now.  I am taking an EMT course to become and EMT-B because I plan on being a fireman when I go home and I have a lot of connections for that.  I also have got my GED down so I am done with high school and plan on going to community college.  I also have gotten saved and close to God and my family.  And I have gained a great deal of work ethic, so I have changed a lot because of Masters Ranch.”  Neil -17 yrs old- Lansing Michigan

“When I was back at home I was on drugs and very disrespectful to my parents.  I stole and did not believe in God.  Since I have come to Masters Ranch I have gotten saved and I am working to build up my relationship with my parents.  I also tried to take my life twice.” (when he was back home)  Trevor-16 yrs old-Oceanside California

“Before I got to Masters Ranch I used to stay out all night partying and doing drugs, disobeying my mom.  Scense I have been here at Masters Ranch learned to respect and love my mom more than anyone before I came to Masters Ranch.  I got caught with drugs on me at school and being here they have dropped the charges.  Future goals when I graduate is to join the coast guard and serve my country and learn how to be a real responsible man that I would never have been without Masters Ranch.”  Andrew-17 yrs old-Phoenix Arizona

 

“I was sent to Masters Ranch in September of 2007.  I was sent here for getting involved with drugs, alcohol, girls, partying violent with words, actions toward my family and I also had a little record with the law.  Since arriving at Masters Ranch I have accepted Christ as my Savior and was definitely the best decision I’ve ever made.  I can’t see myself being a different person if God wasn’t in my life helping me leading me through the good and bad times.  I’ve never had a problem with hard work but I had troubles with pride and other things, but the time I’ve spent here and all of the great things Pastor, Mamma T and last but not least God have taught me has probably changed my life forever.  The family, and loved ones I have have noticed such great change in my life just as I have seen and tried to accomplish.  If you have thought about sending your kid to a boarding/military school this is the perfect place.  You won’t have any doubts when your done.”  Kyle-16 yrs old-Carlsbad California

“My relationship with my parent wasn’t as a good family.  My dad and mom decided to get a divorce wich pretty much put me down for a while but I was doing good for a while but then I started to do some drugs and I was putting a lot of family and couple of friends down.  I was into  drugs hard mostly weed and cocaine and I put down my dad and mom,diane and family by ending up in juvie.  But I got pulled out to a boarding school and the next day I met an important thing in my life, Jesus Christ and he’s helped a lot so for my future I want to be a good Christian, son husband and dad and I prey everyday that I don’t go back to wat I was doing and I’ve had good things happen to me and I’m glad I have good parent that love me and family and I want to apologize for wat I did to my dad and mom, family and Diane.”  Nacho-16 yrs old-Moorpark California

“My life has drastical changed since I have been at Masters Ranch.  Some ways relationships with God and I am building bridges back with my mom and family. I have accepted God as my savior. I am getting a second chance to life. Drugs were taking over my life coming here has made me a all around better nicer person to be around and making me on my way to being a man.”  Kevin-16 yrs old-Oakland New Jersey

“I got sent to MRCA because of my drug and alcohol abuse and my rebellion twards my parents. Masters ranch has helped me immensely with abuse with my drug and alcohol, also towards my mother & father.  This has also helped me with some trouble I got in with the law.  Im thankfull everyday for getting sent to MRCA!”  Michael-16 yrs old-Oceanside California

“Before I came to Masters Ranch I was stealing things from stores and doing drugs and hanging out with gang members and ruined my relationship with my parents. But after Ive been to masters ranch I’ve reconnected my relationships with my parents and God and masters Ranch has given me good work habits and I no longer have the need or wants to do drugs. If you have the time would you pray for the ranch in general?”  Nicholas-17 yrs old- San Diego California

“During the time before I came to MRCA I had burned almost all of my relationships with my friends and family. Being sent to MRCA has given me the chance to get to learn how to keep friends and learn to be a responsible hard worker.”  Dakota-15yrs old-Oregon Wisconsin

“I used to be a bad kid, doing dum stuff like stealing, lying, cheating, selling stuff I stole. I never really did drugs and drinking even though I tried it it tastes nasty. Back at home I would not lisen to my mother never.  Coming here changed me a lot with hard working a lot about the Lord.  To listen to wat I’m being told.  I’ve learned good from evil.”  Steven-15 yrs old-California

“God made a dramatic change in my life. He changed how I treated pastor Riks and how I cussed.  He showd me I shu’nd not tak my anger awt on the piple arownd me.. Now I read my bible and now I am changed.”  Aden-11 yrs old-Bentonville Arkansas

“After arriving at Masters Ranch I’ve grown closer to the Lord. I strive to do right and I’ve learned to respect women and my elders.  I now see that if it wasn’t because the Lord loves me I would be in New York selling drugs and destroying lives instead of trying to save them.  I now have a great relationship with my family and I’m no longer constantly getting in trouble with the law.  Now that I’ve decided to follow the Lord and do right, I see a great future ahead of me.  Masters Ranch is the best thing that ever happen to me.  By the way, I now am truly SAVED!”  Anthony-16 yrs old-Bronx New York.

“Ever scince Iv ben at Masters Ranch I have learned many things I no longer have as much anger inside of me.  I can control myself so muc more than I used to.  This is the best thing that could ever happen to me.  I have so many dreams, so many ideas.  And now thanks to Masters Ranch I will be able to fulfill all of my ideas and dreams.  Thank you!””  Jeremy-14 yrs old-Palm Beach Florida

“Since I’v gotten here I have bettered my relationship with my family.  Before I came here I used drugs, broke into houses and stole cars.  I have learned some great working skills and now enjoy working.”  C.J.-16 yrs old-Beloit Wisconsin

“When I got into the 6^th grade I started smoking weed and hanging out with the wrong crowd soon enough.  I was the wrong crowd.  I sold drugs and was doing drugs.  I pushed away my parents and never came home cuz I hated them.  I did everything to destroy them. I was a racist and was very suicidal.  Constantly I would go to parties and look for ways to sin, but on June 12, 2008 I accepted Christ. Everything is new and amazing.  The people at Masters Ranch and God are so amazing without them I’d be in prison or dead.“  J.P.-16 yrs old-Ft. Worth Texas

“I was 11 yrs old when my dad and I went grocery shopping.  That night my dad was tragically beaten to death and laid beside me in my bed while I was sleeping.  I woke up and found him like that.  Then my life went down with drugs and alcohol at 13 and up.  Then I got sent here and got my life on track with my relationship with my mom.“  Daniel-15 yrs old-Morgantown West Virginia

“Before I came here I was an emotional individual.  I slit my wrists and did drugs and just hated life altogether.  Since I’ve been here I’ve been taught obedience and been led to the Lord.  I am grateful to have been sent here.”  Brandon-15 yrs old-Ft. Worth Texas

 

" I moved around quite a bit because of my mom's job. I also grew up without a dad and I think that might have had something to do with the trouble I got into. I was always mature for my age and hung out with people 3 or more years older. that is where I learned most of my bad habits. I used to be sponsored for riding dirtbikes and got money but I wouldn't use the money for good things. My friends and I used to go buy drugs, alcohol just to help out the fun at parties or just for ourselves. Drugs, sex, violence, alcohol, and bad music pretty much sums up my life. My mom became concerned for me and sent me to a boarding school. I love my mom to death and I am so happy she sent me here. It has cleared my head and is a fresh start for me. I have accepted Christ as my personal savior and it has made me a new person. I don't want to go back to my old ways or friends. I can praise Masters Ranch forever because all I can say is it has saved my life." 

Kyle - San Diego, CA

I am a student at the Masters Ranch. My life has been changed sinced coming to this ranch. I used to be a thief and a really bad liar. I came here in August of 2007. They gave me a physical fitness test to see what shape I am in. This is the best place to put your son, not only will he will learn new things but he will become a Christian and get saved. 

Benjamin - New York City, CA

I am not proud of where I was or what I was doing when I came to Masters Ranch. I was selling drugs, weed and pills and had made a mess of my life. My mom is the nicest mom in the whole world but i messed up everything by doing these things. My mom sent me to the Masters Ranch and i was saved November 11,2007. The ranch has helped me so much. Thank you Masters Ranch. 

Edward - Oceanside, CA

I was sent away from home and my loving family in the beginning of July for doing things that would not be Godly. We started attending a christian church when I was 2 yrs old on a regular basis when my dad left my mom and his family. I have not seen him since. I played the whole church game until I was 16. I was just attending church because my parents wanted me to go.I always had a problem with authority and people telling me what to do or how to do something. In June of 2007 I became convicted of my sins and asked the Lord to come in to my life. The devil continued to tempt me with friend from school and partying with the boys i played football with. i never tried drugs and or things that would mess up my brain. I used tobacco and drank a little when I was out partying with the people who I thought were my friends. Then i was sent to the Masters Ranch which really helped me out and got me away from the things that were bringing me down. I Praise the Lord for this! 

Jordan - Gilbert, AZ

I was lost in sin! I mean everything from drugs, alcohol, gangs, gang violence, women, stealing and pornography. I was also in another program where I was accused of being manipulative behind staffs back and they kicked me out. I was then sent to the Masters Ranch. Our first church service in Couch on September 9,2007 I got saved! The Lord has been working on me every since. I love Pastor Bosley and his family and everything they have done for me. I am thankful that they led me to the Lord. I graduate the end of December and I am staying on as staff. I can not wait to see what the Lord has in store for me! 

Stephan - Deleware

I was sent to the Masters Ranch because I was getting into drugs pretty heavily. I started out my rebellion by not coming home on time. I wanted to "hang out" with my friends and that became more important to me than listening to my parents. If my mom would not have made the difficult decision to send me here I am positive I would have wrecked my brain to the point of being mentally insane. Once I came to Masters Ranch I started to hear a lot of bible. I did not at first believe all of it. I thought I had established my own spiritual beliefs but soon the Word of God was revealed to me as the truth. I soon trusted Christ as my Saviour and gained assurance of my salvation. I have really been making an effort to forget my past and make a new life. Masters Ranch is helping me do that. This program has helped me get my G.E.D., taught me to work and be responsible. 

Aaron - Santee, CA