VALIANT & JEANETTE
“To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1. Life unfolds according to God’s plan and everything and everyone has its own time and purpose.
This oil painting of my blind horse, Valiant, was painted and gifted to us in 2002 by our friend at our horse farm in Wellington, Florida. Little did we know then that this was a prophetic vision 22 years later and 1,200 miles away of a place we had never been that would help fulfill our purpose in life through God’s divine plan. The other photograph of the lake and mountain landscape was taken by me in 2022 of our current home on Bull Shoals Lake in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas. Over the 22 years of enjoying this oil painting hanging on our wall, we never quite understood the landscape but now the recent photograph taken from our deck revealed the connection. Miraculously, Valiant was used to lead me to Christ and through his journey showed us this place here in the Ozarks to help in our own small way contribute to His Kingdom plan…Touch Of Heaven.
The story of Valiant is about a horse that became blind and how God speaks to us in many ways if we choose to listen.
It is because of the Valiant journey that I came to know God, accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior and have dedicated my remaining time here on earth to Him. From traveling aimlessly in foolish pleasures of the world seeking money, fame and acceptance, the focus was always on me and my life and my ego. The 28 years spent with Valiant finally showed me a bigger, more purposeful vision and hopefully will be able to share this story through a screenplay from Valiant’s birth, through his blindness and now even after his passing, is still being written with the Touch Of Heaven story.
From the moment of birth came the name Valiant. His life came to perfectly embody this name. “A valiant horse is a horse that exhibits bravery, courage, and valor, often in the context of battle, competition, or other challenging situations. Valiant horses are known for their strong spirit and unwavering determination.” For a horse that has vision these traits are amazing but for Valiant being totally blind and relying only on trust is a true miracle.
Back in 1994, a shot of Penicillin developed into a raging infection that left the young Valiant critically sick and totally blind. The heart wrenching choice either to turn him out in a pasture without trees for the rest of his life or to euthanize him was devastating for us. After an agonizing night feeling totally hopeless, a new decision was miraculously revealed. Gary had the answer with a simple question, “He’s not lame, is he?” Obviously if he could walk, we could train him!
It was not an easy conclusion but in our minds, doable. To nurture, care and give him the best quality of life going forward was without question. Those egotistical and self-ingratiating dreams of competing on the international and possibly Olympic scene were “shattered” and the course of my life was being directed far differently than I could have ever imagined.
It would be six months of intense round the clock care before the painful eye inflammation and infection was under control. Then, it would be two years before I would even conceive of riding him again. Then the day arrived when Gary suggested I try. Not knowing how Valiant would react, Gary helped steady him while I mounted. Valiant tried to take a few steps then collapsed to his knees. I sat tall and supported him with my legs, seat, hands and voice. He stood up, froze himself in place and waited for me to ask him to move forward.
From that moment on we were a team, and I knew we could do it. We trained daily in the equestrian discipline of dressage and for the next 20 years a relationship based on mutual trust grew exponentially and eventually even fulfilled the “shattered dreams” of International competition. Only, this time it was not about the ego and accolades of winning, but was all about humbly presenting the endless possibilities of how love and trust transcends all barriers and challenges.
We were highly blessed, and he actually won and placed in several international high-level competitions at the Wellington Equestrian Festival and was invited to perform at many prestigious events around the US.
Little did we know then that the life lessons learned through this journey would change our lives forever and help to manifest into our assignment, Touch Of Heaven.
Upon passing away, Valiant gave the above verse Ecclesiastes 3:1 to ponder and he told me to “Believe.” I finally understood to apply the 27 years of life lessons and Godly virtues learned from him to my life going forward. This journey has been long, difficult and confusing at times, especially not understanding the logical earthly reasons why I needed to do things my spirit was telling me to do. But the answers always came and are currently answered through solitude and prayer. When we hear that inner voice, the Holy Spirit, come through and allow ourselves to believe by faith, we give up earthly control and turn the reins over to someone else who is always right and just, God.
The Great Commission is the ultimate purpose of our lives here on earth and from this wonderful creation of God, Valiant, comes a light of hope, love and trust, just to mention a few of the Valiant virtues he manifested in all of us.
Tears of joy, revelation and restoration had been shed wherever he performed or competed.
It is hard to explain but whatever one needed it was receive with just a stroke of his neck leaving a loving mark on hearts forever…a true gift from God.
VALIANT & JEANETTE
“To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1. Life unfolds according to God’s plan and everything and everyone has its own time and purpose.
This oil painting of my blind horse named Valiant was painted and gifted to us by our friend in 2002 at our farm in Wellington, Florida. Little did we know then that this was a prophetic vision 22 years later of a place that would fulfill our purpose in life through God’s divine plan. The other lake and mountain landscape photograph was taken by me in 2022 of our current home on Bull Shoals Lake in the Ozark Mountains. Through Valiant’s life he led me to Christianity and the place to reveal and fulfill His Kingdom plan, Touch Of Heaven.
The story of Valiant is about a horse that became blind and how God speaks to us in many ways if we choose to listen.
It is because of the Valiant journey that I came to know God, accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior and have dedicated my remaining time here on earth to Him. From traveling aimlessly in foolish pleasures of the world seeking money, fame and acceptance, the focus was always on me and my life and my ego. The 28 years spent with Valiant finally showed me a bigger, more purposeful vision and hopefully will be able to share this story through a screenplay from Valiant’s birth, through his blindness and now even after his passing, is still being written with the Touch Of Heaven story.
Back in 1994, a shot of Penicillin developed into a raging infection that left the young Valiant critically sick and totally blind. The heart wrenching choice either to turn him out in a pasture without trees for the rest of his life or to euthanize him was devastating for us. After an agonizing night feeling totally hopeless, a new decision was miraculously revealed. Gary had the answer with a simple question, “He’s not lame, is he?” Obviously if he could walk, we could train him!
It was not an easy conclusion but in our minds, doable. To nurture, care and give him the best quality of life going forward was without question. Those egotistical and self-ingratiating dreams of competing on the international and possibly Olympic scene were “shattered” and the course of my life was being directed far differently than I could have ever imagined.
It would be six months of intense round the clock care before the painful eye inflammation and infection was under control. Then, it would be two years before I would even conceive of riding him again. Then the day arrived when Gary suggested I try. Not knowing how Valiant would react, Gary helped steady him while I mounted. Valiant tried to take a few steps then collapsed to his knees. I sat tall and supported him with my legs, seat, hands and voice. He stood up, froze himself in place and waited for me to ask him to move forward.
From that moment on we were a team, and I knew we could do it. We trained daily in the equestrian discipline of dressage and for the next 20 years a relationship based on mutual trust grew exponentially and eventually even fulfilled the “shattered dreams” of International competition. Only, this time it was not about the ego and accolades of winning, but was all about humbly presenting the endless possibilities of how love and trust transcends all barriers and challenges.
We were highly blessed, and he actually won and placed in several international high-level competitions at the Wellington Equestrian Festival and was invited to perform at many prestigious events around the US.
Little did we know then that the life lessons learned through this journey would change our lives forever and help to manifest into our assignment, Touch Of Heaven.
Upon passing away, Valiant gave the above verse Ecclesiastes 3:1 to ponder and he told me to “Believe.” I finally understood to apply the 27 years of life lessons and Godly virtues learned from him to my life going forward. This journey has been long, difficult and confusing at times, especially not understanding the logical earthly reasons why I needed to do things my spirit was telling me to do. But the answers always came and are currently answered through solitude and prayer. When we hear that inner voice, the Holy Spirit, come through and allow ourselves to believe by faith, we give up earthly control and turn the reins over to someone else who is always right and just, God.
The Great Commission is the ultimate purpose of our lives here on earth and from this wonderful creation of God, Valiant, comes a light of hope, love and trust, just to mention a few of the Valiant virtues he manifested in all of us.
Tears of joy, revelation and restoration had been shed wherever he performed or competed.
It is hard to explain but whatever one needed it was receive with just a stroke of his neck leaving a loving mark on hearts forever…a true gift from God.
GARY & POLO
Psalms 147.10
“His pleasure in not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of the warrior;”
I love horses. From my earliest memories of riding, I was not afraid and found a spiritual connection with them. Horses are like an alter ego. They reflected your inner state of being. If you come to them in fear, you get a fearful response. if you come to them from ego, you get and egotistical response. Both are not good. Conversely, if you come to them with love and understanding, you start to communicate and learn how to dance with them. The horse and being a good horseman were the key to polo so my spiritual journey with horses began.
In the early 1990’s I moved my business to Florida, the polo capital of the world to play polo full time and to start an authentic polo clothing and equipment brand that would be called PoloGear.
Then in 1993 I met my future wife, Jeanette, in a horse stall and our journey together began and centered around our mutual love for horses. Little did I know it at the time, this journey was also being divinely guided. Jeanette’s journey was with her blind horse. Mine was through a life changing accident playing polo.
Revelation 19:11
“I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war.”
A beautiful, sunny day, my ego shinning and getting ready for the Palm Beach high goal polo season were elements for the perfect storm. Another player cut in front of my horse at a full gallop, clipped my horse’s front legs and she flipped over at 40 mph crashing me into the ground headfirst. On impact I was dead and gliding down the white tunnel only to come back to life about a minute and a half later paralyzed, broken, bleeding and barely alive lying on the polo field.
I share the intensity of the story to emphasize it was a life changing event. The Lord had other plans for me and the extent of my injuries were such I would never safely return to active play. The Lord, His mercy, His angels and the people’s prayers that I could feel saved my life and I didn’t know why. From my perspective, there was nothing in my life that I had accomplished to date that would have made me worthy of his attention. 99% of those with the injuries I sustained resulted in quadriplegia or death.
The miracles continued to happen from that moment forward and as God would have it, Valiant’s story led to the ultimate healing of my broken neck. After being in ICU for 3 days then intensive care for over a week the doctors’ plan was to perform surgery, fuse my C1-C2 vertebrae and put me in a halo for 3-4 months. That did not seem like the correct path for me.
The night before, Jeanette was ordering some holistic feed for Valiant and the lady distributor from Colorado, who had heard about the accident, said we needed to get an appointment with Dr. John Upledger. She said he was the best in the world for head and neck injuries. We knew nothing about Cranial Sacral therapy the modality Dr. Upledger discovered and is now practiced and taught worldwide through his Institute. Apparently, this holistic healing approach was proven and quite effective, although it was certainly not the traditional recommendation. Now what are the chances this man would live and practice in FL only 35 minutes away…another miracle!
Jeanette contacted Dr. John Upledger’s office, and his PA said he was not seeing any new patients and was booked up a year in advance. Jeanette left her name and phone number with the PA and when she heard Jeanette’s name, she asked if Jeanette was the mother of Valiant, the Blind Horse. As fate would have it the Palm Beach Post had just done a Sunday feature story on him. She was so moved by reading Valiant’s story she created an opening for Gary to see Dr. John Upledger the next day…Only God! I was still really hurting but I immediately knew I was in the right hands. Over the next few years, Dr. John healed me and helped restore my mind and body from being 75% paralyzed to mobile and functioning quite well. There are still a few lingering issues and damaged areas in my body but now I know my God is in charge and my faith will take care of the rest. Dr. John is in heaven now but thank you Dr. John, you were such a blessing to many, me included.
He wanted the first of our time and resources and the promises of the Bible would be available to us. In my heart this rang true, so a new ritual began, and I immediately found relief and hope in the Bible. I read it and prayed the first thing every morning without fail. It was a major transition. Everything I had been taught about the real world was different in the spiritual world…completely opposite.
Shortly after my accident I began reading my bible daily. It took twelve years of continued study and prayer before I fully accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior and was baptized alongside Jeanette. Only the Lord could orchestrate that we would be born again on the same day. These intersecting journeys for us have resulted in totally giving our lives and resources to the Lord, accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior and receiving the Holy Spirit. We are in covenant with the Kingdom and His glory through the Touch of Heaven projects in the Ozark Mountains of Northern Arkansas.
Job 39:19
“Do you give the horse its strength or cloth its neck with a flowing mane?”
Jeanette and I understand that it all belongs to Him and He is in full control of all and everything. We are here as his humble servants and do our best to be guided by the Holy Spirit. He created all of us to be part of His Journey and His Story. If our story and project resonates with you, please contact us. We would love to speak with you. The Lord has put us in a special and anointed place to do the work He requires. We have a global kingdom project that requires lots of talent, hard work and resources beyond our own to complete this assignment. The Lord had put on our hearts from the beginning that many hands would be involved in fulfilling His vision and many of His children would fulfill their Godly callings alongside us here at Touch Of Heaven.
We remain joyful and ever so grateful for each day and our mission.
All Glory to God.
GARY & POLO
Palms 147.10
“His pleasure in not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of the warrior;”
I love horses. From my earliest memories of riding, I was not afraid and found a spiritual connection with them. Horses are like an alter ego. They reflected your inner state of being. If you come to them in fear, you get a fearful response. if you come to them from ego, you get and egotistical response. Both are not good. Conversely, if you come to them with love and understanding, you start to communicate and learn how to dance with them. The horse and being a good horseman were the key to polo so my spiritual journey with horses began.
In the early 1990’s I moved my business to Florida, the polo capital of the world to play polo full time and to start an authentic polo clothing and equipment brand that would be called PoloGear.
Then in 1993 I met my future wife, Jeanette, in a horse stall and our journey together began and centered around our mutual love for horses. Little did I know it at the time, this journey was also being divinely guided. Jeanette’s journey was with her blind horse. Mine was through a life changing accident playing polo.
Revelation 19:11
“I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war.”
My life changed dramatically. It had been based all around athletics and now due to the aftermath of the accident I could no longer safely participate. Now, I had no choice but to slow down so I had plenty of extra time to ponder my lingering question as to why God would have spared me. I was fortunate enough to be mentored by a couple of Christian friends who helped me search for the answers during this spare time created by the accident. They emphasized the Lord loved us all, wanted a relationship with us and the only way that we could get to know him was through his word, the Bible, and prayer.
A beautiful, sunny day, my ego shinning and getting ready for the Palm Beach high goal polo season were elements for the perfect storm. Another player cut in front of my horse at a full gallop, clipped my horse’s front legs and she flipped over at 40 mph crashing me into the ground headfirst. On impact I was dead and gliding down the white tunnel only to come back to life about a minute and a half later paralyzed, broken, bleeding and barely alive lying on the polo field.
I share the intensity of the story to emphasize it was a life changing event. The Lord had other plans for me and the extent of my injuries were such I would never safely return to active play. The Lord, His mercy, His angels and the people’s prayers that I could feel saved my life and I didn’t know why. From my perspective there was nothing in my life to date that would have made me worthy of his attention. 99% of those with the injuries I sustained resulted in quadriplegia or death.
The miracles continued to happen from that moment forward and as God would have it, Valiant’s story led to the ultimate healing of my broken neck. After being in ICU for 3 days then intensive care for over a week the doctors’ plan was to perform surgery, fuse my C1-C2 vertebrae and put me in a halo for 3-4 months. That did not seem like the correct path for me.
The night before, Jeanette was ordering some holistic feed for Valiant and the lady distributor from Colorado, who had heard about the accident, said we needed to get an appointment with Dr. John Upledger. She said he was the best in the world for head and neck injuries. We knew nothing about Cranial Sacral therapy the modality Dr. Upledger discovered and is now practiced and taught worldwide through his Institute. Apparently, this holistic healing approach was proven and quite effective, although it was certainly not the traditional recommendation. Now what are the chances this man would live and practice in FL only 35 minutes away…another miracle!
Jeanette contacted Dr. John Upledger’s office, and his PA said he was not seeing any new patients and was booked up a year in advance. Jeanette left her name and phone number with the PA and when she heard Jeanette’s name, she asked if Jeanette was the mother of Valiant, the Blind Horse. As fate would have it the Palm Beach Post had just done a Sunday feature story on him. She was so moved by reading Valiant’s story she created an opening for Gary to see Dr. John Upledger the next day…Only God! I was still really hurting but I immediately knew I was in the right hands. Over the next few years, Dr. John healed me and helped restore my mind and body from being 75% paralyzed to mobile and functioning quite well. There are still a few lingering issues and damaged areas in my body but now I know my God is in charge and my faith will take care of the rest. Dr. John is in heaven now but thank you Dr. John, you were such a blessing to many, me included.
He wanted the first of our time and resources and the promises of the bible would be available to us. In my heart this rang true, so a new ritual began, and I immediately found relief and hope in the bible. I read it and prayed the first thing every morning without fail. It was a major transition. Everything I had been taught about the real world was different in the spiritual world…completely opposite.
Twelve years after the accident I continue my study daily, I fully accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior and was baptized alongside Jeanette on the same day. These intersecting journeys for us have resulted in totally giving our lives and resources to the Lord, accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior and receiving the Holy Spirit. We are in covenant with the Kingdom and His glory through the Touch of Heaven projects in the Ozark Mountains of Northern Arkansas.
Job 39:19
“Do you give the horse its strength or cloth its neck with a flowing mane?”
Jeanette and I understand that it all belongs to Him and He is in full control of all and everything. We are here as his humble servants and do our best to be guided by the Holy Spirit. He created all of us to be part of His Journey and His Story. You are invited to come to visit Touch of Heaven on Bull Shoals Lake in the Ozark mountains of Arkansas and see if this place and assignment touchs your journey as well. We have a global project that needs lots of talent the Lord has promised to provide.
We remain joyful and ever so grateful for this day and our mission.
All Glory to God.
GARY, JEANETTE & TOUCH OF HEAVEN
“Without the battle there is no victory celebration.” Bishop Joel Holmes delivered this message, and it truly hit home for us especially at this time and place in our walk with the Lord and the assignment he has given us. Our individual journeys and tribulations have prepared both of us to unite and go forth with an undeniable, confident attitude of Victory. We are to “attack the enemy” no matter what the odds may be with the full knowledge that “The victory has already been paid for, and the battle has already been won.”
Touch Of Heaven evolved from many years of troubled and apprehensive feelings of civil unrest, scarcity of supplies, safety for our family and need for a safe haven. The uneasiness began without fully knowing Christ and the Bible, a fearful and scarcity mentality. Now as strong believers, we know the children of God are protected through Faith. From Fear to Faith has revealed the purpose of Touch Of Heaven as a place to unite and ignite the fire of God and usher in the Holy Spirit, a safe place to nurture and harvest souls through prayer, worship, healing and fellowship. From the Bible we are to always be prepared, care for our brothers and sisters in times of trouble and fulfill the directives of The Great Commission.
For 5 years Gary relentlessly searched the internet for properties with our safe haven prerequisites. Moderate temperatures with four seasons and mountains were important factors along with water, remote location and conservative US state values. Nothing listed for sale was worth a visit until a listing on Bull Shoals Lake in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas appeared. We knew immediately a road trip was necessary. We had never been to the Ozarks much less knew the location of these mountains. Our Arkansas realtor booked an appointment to show this property, and arrived in Harrison, AR a few days later. An additional blessing was received as we approached our destination. This is Bible Belt country, and we landed right on the Buckle of the Bible Belt where Christian culture is prevalent everywhere, just another positive confirmation from above.
Upon arrival at the hotel in March 2020, I took our dogs for a walk and immediately met a lovely lady who was the wife of the Pastor holding service adjacent to our room at the hotel convention center. We met her husband, and two weeks later Pastor Ken Rensink, his wife Pam and their congregation from Jubilee Worship Center, celebrated the first Easter sunrise service at TOH.
This was no easy feat as initially TOH did not manifest that name as far as the main house or sanctuary was concerned. It was severely overgrown with bushes and vines, abandoned for 22 years, defaced and vandalized by juveniles inside and out. We all believe this was the reason the entire property was saved from being sold for the purpose at hand. After closing on the property, we started clean-up and with the help of Ken and Pam, miraculously we were able to prepare and hold 2020 Easter Sunday Sunrise Services. Since then, we have enjoyed and relished many wonderful services organized by Pastor Ken with over seven different congregations coming together simultaneously to worship and honor the Lord. From the very beginning, we were shown that this Unite and Ignite mandate was ordained. How God works is truly amazing.
Photos below TOH 2020
Four years later the physical vision of TOH has slowly become clearer and thankfully, the modest steps forward have allowed us to handle the project piece by piece as it grows far beyond what we had originally envisioned. Our original concept of a compound safe haven clearly dovetailed into a Christian retreat with mess hall, bunk beds and prayer cabins on the initial lower 335 acres. Then, a year later by divine guidance and support, an additional 558 adjacent acres above along the bluffs was added and this completed the overall agricultural, cattle, poultry, farming and self-sustaining plan. Again, we didn’t know how we were going to acquire this land but somehow God provided.
Included with this agricultural property was a massive, abandoned rock quarry centered high atop the bluffs overlooking the magnificent lakeview. Over many months of mutual deliberation about the purpose of what to do with this massive rock pile, our vision gradually morphed into a biblical, old Jerusalem style Praise and Worship Amphitheater built of light grey stone and cedar from this property. Also envisioned not far from the Amphitheater is a Jerusalem kibbutz style row of cabins with connecting stone walls and individual stone courtyards atop the bluffs overlooking the spectacular lakeview.
This Praise and Worship Outdoor Amphitheater is something we could have never imagined when we received this initial TOH vision and assignment five years ago, but the Lord unfolds His greater plan as we can handle it. Upon reflection, He had prepared us both throughout our very eccentric past life experiences to be confident and comfortable enough to complete this unusual request without question. This outdoor Amphitheater vision was birthed from the obvious revelation that was hidden in plain sight, that Praise and Worship ushers in the essence and presence of the Lord through the Holy Spirit. Therefore, this must be the most important spiritual element of His Touch Of Heaven assignment…to prepare a glorious Chariots Of Fire Christian Outdoor Amphitheater to worship Him.
This journey has been physically challenging but so rewarding in our spiritual growth. We both are committed to this Kingdom assignment and will carry it out to the very best of our abilities. We believe the Third Great Awakening will start here in this area and the local churches could very well initiate the “Unite and Ignite” movement of the great revival. Our local churches are abundant, powerful and on every corner. With unity there is no stopping the possibilities. Churches and congregations from other states and globally are invited to come, help and join the “Unite & Ignite” movement of the Holy Spirit. Touch Of Heaven offers the ground to come together to Praise, Worship, Evangelize, Heal, Preach and Teach the Gospel privately in the revival tent or live stream globally at the amphitheater. The Chariots Of Fire Amphitheater and An Appeal To Heaven Revival Tent will be open and waiting for all church Ekklesia and denominations to use and fellowship under a wide-open heaven overlooking His wonderous creation at Bull Shoals Lake.
THE LORD’S STORY
The Lord created each of us for a purpose. He loves us, wants a relationship with us and wants us to be part of His Story.
Our individual story is intertwined and part of the Greatest Story, The Bible.
Touch Of Heaven is a small part of His Story helping to build His Kingdom here on earth.
We seek to bring Him Honor and All for His Glory.
