A Land of Sheltered Promise: Faith/Hope/Charity

by Jane Kirkpatrick

Follow three women from three eras in the Pacific Northwest as they discover a place where miracles really happen—based on true stories.

1901:  Plagued by loneliness on the Big Muddy Ranch, a sheepherder’s wife awaits the outcome of her husband’s trial for murder. He is sentenced to life in prison—and she to life without him. But a startling event could redeem their pasts and transform their future.

1984:  Against a backdrop of attempted murder, federal indictments, and the first case of bio-terrorism in the U.S., one woman seeks to rescue her granddaughter from within the elaborate compound of a cult that has claimed the land.

1997:  On the much-reviled, abandoned cult site, one woman’s skepticism turns to hope when she finds that what was meant to destroy can be used to rebuild—and in the process realizes a long-held dream.

For three women seekers united across time, a remote and rugged stretch of land in the Pacific Northwest proves to be a place where miracles really happen—and the gifts of faith, hope, and charity are as tangible as rocks, rivers, and earth.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Book Club, Christian, Christian Fiction

432 pages, Paperback

First published April 19, 2005

About the author

Kirkpatrick brings us a story of one woman's restoration from personal grief to the meaning of community."

Reviews

[Georgia Herod · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of Big Muddy Ranch in eastern Oregon, property adjacent to the homestead belonging to the author and her husband Jerry. The history begins with the Native Americans who once traversed this land, then homesteads with Eva Bruner, a young bride whose husband has been convicted of murder. Many years later in the 20th century, the land is inhabited by the Rajneeshees—followers of the Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, an East Indian mystic and religious guru—a bizarre cult, with dreams of taking over the land and the surrounding people. They developed the infrastructure needed to exist: water, sewer, electricity, etc. The cult comes to an end in this place amidst fraud, attempted murder, bioterrorism, embezzlement, etc. , as well as deep hurts, betrayal, and discouragement to followers. Then in 1997, after searching and praying for God to open a place for a Young Life Ranch for youth, in ways only explainable by God’s providence, Christians acquire the land. It was a “perfect” place because the infrastructure was already there for the most part, though in need of repair. Young Life volunteers redeem the land and relationships to create a place of refuge, renewal, hope, love, safety, and grace for youth. Wildhorse Canyon at Young Life’s Washington Family Ranch exists today, a testament to the hopes and dreams of Christians, willing to invest time, energy, talents, and money. God brought beauty from ashes, reminding those involved and the readers, that He is in control.

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

In my autographed book collection, this is my favorite. The book consists of three parts (Faith, Hope & Charity) that are set in different times (1901, 1984 & 1997). I was immediately drawn to this book due since I grew up in a nearby community and can remember many of the events that took place at the Big Muddy ranch during the 1980s. I remember a community being torn apart by outsiders, who would have never been able to do what they did if it was in the post 9/11 days.

The third part of the book was very heart warming to me and gave me a sense of peace to know that the community is rebuilding and has becoming a place of faith and inspiration.

Even if you do not have the ties to the story like I do, it is still inspiring and filled with fantastic characters. If you or anyone that you know gets the chance to visit the Wildhorse Canyon do so and by reading this book you will be drawn to it just as I was.

Here is a link to find out more about the Wildhorse Canyon. http://sites.younglife.org/camps/Wild...

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This historical fiction tells the stories of three women living on the Big Muddy Ranch in eastern Oregon at different times. The 2nd story is particularly interesting, set in 1984 when the ranch was run by the Rajneesh. Jane Kirkpatrick's books are Christian fiction, not a genre I usually choose, but I enjoy her stories and the glimpse into local history that she provides.

[Kaycia · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, let me say that this is a Christian historical fiction book. Not my normal genre, but I loved it. It is the story of the land that is now a Young Life camp in Oregon. It follows the land through 3 different time periods- 1900, 1984 and 1997. What a great story of redemption and healing!

[Marianne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the first section, but didn't continue reading beyond that. I like this author, but couldn't get into the last part of the book.

[Evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always look forward to her new book and found this one at the little bookstore in Florence Old Town (Oregon). I read it in a 24 hour period--something I haven't done for a long time.

This book was an encouragement to see God's hand at work over a period of time. First in the life of a wife whose husband committed murder and she believed he would someday be released from prison and homesteaded on the Big Muddy to prepare for that.

Then, the same land was used by the Rafneesh cult which was notorious for the way the Bhagwan used anyone/thing for his own selfish ends.

But the culmination was the story of how the property was reclaimed and is now a Young Life Camp (Washington Family Camp). At the beginning of this section of the book the author quotesEcclesiastes 2:26:

"To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God.

P.S. I have visited this property twice. Most recently to spend 4 days there at Creekside, the newly opened Middle School Camp (2011)

[Jackie]

A novel inspired by true stories of the Big Muddy Ranch by Jane Kirkpatrick. There are 3 different stories within this book, cited on the same piece of land in 3 different time periods (1901-1905; 1984-1986; 1997-1999). A paragraph that caught my attention is located on page 51:
“Suddenly she’s watching Mildred quilt pieces of discards. A calico dress. A faded feed sack with pink flowers. Black linen from a funeral dress. “Wedding dress,” Mildred says, though Eva hasn’t asked. The shapes are all sharp angles or rounded as a melon. “Crazy quilts, they call them,” Mildred says. “Organized chaos. But held together just the same.” Eva gasps at the beauty. “The stitching.” Mildred points to gold threads braided with silver and copper, stitches that make even the faded calico look rich and wanted. “That’s what does it. Brings it all together. A body’s got to wait for the threads to do their work. Faith’s the stitching of the chaos. Here.” Mildred throws the quilt at Eva’s face.”

[Candace Lazzaro · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm going to Powell's tonight because Jane Kirkpatrick will be there. I hope to get her latest book. Of course, I will have to work on finishing this book before I start the next one. Or maybe not.

Finished! Great book. Mrs. Kirkpatrick is ALWAYS a good read but I found this one, in particular, interesting and enjoyable. Sorry, you can't borrow the book, I'm sending to my brother who lived in Oregon during the Bhagwan's "reign" of terror in at the Big Muddy in Oregon. I wonder who got all those Rolls Royce's???

The most enjoyable part of this book is reading, not just the "remembered" parts but earlier history of the area. Mrs. Kirkpatrick always seems to capture the essence of the area and create interesting and believable characters. This is definitely a "too read" whether you are familiar with Oregon, the Bhagwan and Mrs. Kirkpatrick's writings or not.

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

"A Land of Sheltered Promise" is a magnificent true story. I related to this story through the history of Antelope, Or. when the cult follows came to the area. I live in Washington state, but my aunt, who lived in Oregon, would tell us about this cult and the stuff that they did, like poisoning the salad bar in the Dalles, Or.
Later, when I became a school bus driver, I had the opportunity to take a Young Life group to this same place. Throughout the years that the cult left and Young Life bought the property, God truly poured His mighty blessings upon the tainted ground. It is now a wonderful site for kids to grow and learn of God's greatness and majestic ways!!!

[Gina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this signed copy in Antelope, OR. at the only existing business, Marion's Marionberry pies. It's a general store, diner, gift shop that supports the local population of 40 people.
I had to put a tack on the map there since I was a visitor from out of town. That should give you some idea of what this book is about. I bought it because I was interested in the Rajneeshpuram that took over Antelope in the 80's. Marion showed me the bit of red paint left on the door jam that she left as a reminder of it's days a "Buddah The Buddah".
The book is alright.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A novel that covers the life of three women and their time on the muddy river ranch in Oregon. The first a child bride in 1901 who tries to find hope through faith as her husband awaits his trial charged of murder. The second in 1984 a women tries to understand why her daughter has devoted her life to the cult compound of the Rajneesh. The third a women who follows her husbands dream to turn the land into something good, a young life camp. Through the twist a turns she finds hope, faith and her own dreams. Three lives, three different struggles on the same land.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Covers three generations of people in Oregon, starting with a very young wife (age 15) left with her husband sent to prison for life for killing a sheepherder - she has to tend a baby, work and try to get her husband released. Second, it is a cult in a remote area that causes problems between the cult and citizens of small towns. Third is a promise fulfilled, a day camp for kids to learn about themselves and about God and the land. Excellent read!!

[Kate Belt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was totally absorbed in this historical novel that covers 3 eras in the history of Big Muddy/Antelope,Oregon area. After discussion with my pastor about the current use of the land, I can better appreciate Kirkpatrick's gift for telling others' stories in a manner that withholds personal evaluation & critique. Not to argue it's 100% objective, but a honest portrayal of what's known from journals, interviews, i.e., - the stories of others.

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved all of the Jane Kirkpatrick books and this one is no different. It is really three connected stories of the Muddy Ranch. Kirkpatrick's historical fiction (although this is based on true stories--more true than her other books)is engaging and inspiring. I also enjoy reading about the area in Oregon with which I am semi-familiar.

[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kirkpatrick covers the nearly 100-year life of the Big Muddy Ranch near Antelope, OR, from its days as a ranch, then the Bhagwan's Rajneesh commune, and finally its redemption as the current Young Life Wildhorse Canyon camp. I've been to the camp, so the book was especially meaningful. Highly recommended.

[Clytee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was fascinating that all three of the stories were based on true events and happened in the same place. I appreciate the research that went into the book, and the stories are interesting. But making up characters and putting words into real life characters was off-putting. I would have preferred a narrative history rather than a historical novel. The dialogs seemed really contrived.

[Maren · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you have some connection to Washington Family Ranch, central Oregon or the author, this might be more of a 4; if you just randomly picked this book off a shelf, it's probably more of a 2. The writing isn't bad but it certainly isn't spectacular, and the themes are a little too obvious and overly manipulated. But, having been to the Ranch and knowing a little of the story, it was fun to read.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a little different than most Kirkpatrick books but still worth the read. I thoroughly enjoyed the first and third parts but the middle section about the Rajneeshi's was as irritating as when we lived through it. The final section abut Young Life was amazing. If you want to read a book about what God can do, this would be it.

[Rebecca Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

I truly loved this book -- It is quite different from any of Kirkpatrick's books (even she admits this) but it was inspiring and uplifting and all those words that one could use to describe such a book. The author took a very unique setting in remote eastern Oregon and shared three different stories of women whose lives and their legacies of faith became intertwined over generations.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three eras at the Big Muddy Ranch in Eastern Oregon, where the Rashneeshies lived. The first two novellas were the best, but I did like the way she wrapped the stories together in a tale of redemption.

[Wendy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm so sad about this one. I love Jane Kirkpatrick, but she lost me on this one. She bounces around between different generations and the more recent generation was way out there. The character is involved in a cult like group of hippie type people. Frankly, it was kind of boring.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Told in 3 parts, this was the history of the "Big Muddy Ranch" in eastern Oregon: Cattle Ranch, Rajneesh Purim commune, then Wildhorse Canyon Youth Camp. Was facinated by it's description of the Rajneesh cult and will study that more...

[Vikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a novel that is inspired by true stories of The Big Muddy Ranch in eastern Oregon, near Antelope. In the early 1900s it was homesteaded by a woman whose sheephearder husband was accused of murder(and later pardoned). It was a great book.

[Loretta · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the history in this book very interesting. It takes place in an area if Oregon I am not familiar with. Three different events are covered with very interesting stories. I kept googling things as I read to know more.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was about the Big Muddy Ranch in eastern Oregon. The largest part of the book was about when the cult had taken over the ranch and the town of Antelope. Since I live in Oregon and have family in The Dalles I found this part of the book fascinating.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so interesting, a story about a place told through the stories of three different people who lived there during three separate times, many years apart. Fascinating and that's all I'll say at the moment as my book group has selected it for our January read.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Light and enjoyable

[Clarissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good history of oregon.

[Debbie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sort of like watching one of those old western movies from the 60's. Not much to it but a good mind distraction.=).

[Kris Irvin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Blech. I made it to page 150 before I gave up. I do not like Kirkpatrick's writing style at all.