My name is Micah Berge and The River’s Edge Ranch has had an enormous impact on my family and on my life. Years ago, my father was battling with addiction and turned to the Ranch where he found restoration and healing! However, I too was struggling with addiction and homelessness at the time. While at the Ranch, my dad added my name to their prayer wall and the men lifted me up so that I might be saved from my addictions. Their prayers worked, and in 2018, I called my dad to help me check into treatment at a Veterans recovery program. This month I will have three years of freedom from addiction. Last year, my son Braham was struggling with addiction and in desperate need of help. We reached out to the Ranch and they accepted him into the program. Braham just completed his eighth month in the program, and the growth in him so far is incredible! He is confident, outgoing, responsible, and most importantly, actively participating in his recovery. Our relationship has been restored and my family has grown closer than ever before. Words cannot adequately express my gratitude for The River’s Edge Ranch and what it has done for our family. When my father decided to change his life years ago, it set a precedent for our family that would result in second chances, healing, and restoration, all thanks to The River’s Edge Ranch.
STORY OF RESTORATION
A Personal Story of Restoration from a River’s Edge Rancher “I decided it was time for a total life change when I walked through the gates at The River’s Edge Ranch in September of 2019.”
My name is Tim Miller, and I am a recent graduate of The River’s Edge Ranch. For over 40 years, drinking caused my life pain and turmoil. I lost relationships with my family, and my focus on what was important became fuzzy and confused. I decided it was time for a total life change when I walked through the gates at The River’s Edge Ranch in September of 2019. My first weeks at the Ranch were nothing short of miserable. My body was extremely weak from the decades of destruction the drinking had caused. Most days, I literally had to roll out of bed and fall on the floor because I could not stand up. Everything in my body was telling me to quit, but my mind kept pushing me to overcome these feelings of pain and misery. Eventually, my weakness began to subside, and I started to regain my strength. I began finding joy and comfort in waking up early each morning and watching the beautiful sunrises as I worked with the Ranch animals. As my physical, emotional, and spiritual conditions began to improve, I also began making tremendous progress in restoring the tattered relationships that years of drinking had caused between me and my family. My sons began visiting me regularly on the weekends, and I started to build closer relationships with my grandchildren. All of this would not have been possible without the help and guidance I received from The River’s Edge Ranch! Soon, I will be transitioning to Phase 3 where I will continue my journey as a changed man. Hopefully, my story can inspire others who have struggled with addiction and be a testament to the fact that it is never too late to change your life! - Tim Miller
Download and read our 2023 Annual report to see all of the events, the growth and the stories of changed lives that happened at The River's Edge Ranch in 2023.
