A Story of Transformation: Prince's Journey

We are just weeks away from this year’s On River Time camps, and while we don’t yet know all of the campers’ stories, we know their current circumstances. Each of these children is living in a group children’s home, having experienced unimaginable loss and separation from the only family they knew. Some are recovering from abuse, neglect, or the imprisonment or death of a parent. Very likely, they may not fully understand what has happened, and they may feel abandoned, not only by their families but by their Creator as well.

But one thing we do know: their story is far from over.

One camper, Prince, came to us with a story that’s different from many others. His journey is a testament to resilience, faith, and the power of community—and his story may forever stay with you, too. (Shared with his permission.)

Prince’s Story

Prince first attended On River Time camp in 2021, just as he was entering his senior year of high school. He had been living at Still Creek Ranch in Bryan, TX, since he was 13 years old.

Born in Liberia, Prince’s family fled the war-torn country when he was just six. They settled in Houston, but their new life in the United States came with its own set of challenges. Just two days after their arrival, a kind woman named Christine learned about this refugee family and made a commitment to help. Christine devoted herself to supporting the family as best as she could, but the road ahead wasn’t easy.

By the time Prince was 11, he was struggling with the law—breaking into properties and eventually facing arrest. Christine stepped in, pleading with the judge to let Prince live with her and her husband instead. The judge agreed, and Prince was given a second chance with his new adoptive family. But hardship was far from over.

Soon after, Christine’s husband suffered a brain aneurysm, which required a long hospital stay. Christine, overwhelmed by the demands of caring for both her husband and a young, active Prince, made the difficult decision to send him to Still Creek Ranch. She told him he would probably only be there for one year.

But for Prince, that year, and those that followed, would change everything.

A Place of Healing and New Opportunities

Still Creek's Executive Director, James Inmon, describes the first time he met Prince, "I will never forget when we interviewed Prince initially, he barely said two words to us. He was angry at being brought to the ranch. I would say that in his early days he was very guarded." Prince admits in his early years at Still Creek, he tried to leave multiple times. But when he was around 14 years old, he says he realized that Still Creek was the best place for him to be.

Still Creek’s motto, “From Crisis to New Creation,” became a living truth for him. He found himself surrounded by people who genuinely cared about him and wanted the best for him. This community, along with the opportunity to attend On River Time camp, opened up a whole new world of possibilities.

As the executive director, James Inmon has the difficult task of selecting which kids will attend On River Time camp. It’s part reward for good behavior, but it’s also because James knows the camp’s impact can be life-changing. When James told Prince he had been chosen to attend, Prince protested. “I begged Mr. Inmon for three months straight asking him if I could not go. He said, 'No, you're going!'”

Now, Prince laughs, “Thank you Jesus! I’m so glad he disagreed!” Before coming to On River Time, Prince describes himself as a “very hard-hearted person.” But something changed at camp. “I know 1000% the Lord used On River Time to let Himself into my heart.”

The Camp Experience

At camp, the messages were simple but profound:

“You are not defined by what happened to you.”

“God has a plan for your life.”

“You have worth as a child of God.”

“When you attend camp, you become part of the On River Time family.”

For Prince, something clicked. “Just being in this atmosphere, being around people who love you and truly care about you, really started to open my heart.”

Prince attended On River Time camp for four consecutive years. Through the camp and the ongoing visits we have made to Still Creek Ranch, we have had the honor of watching him grow into the incredible young man he is today. You may know him as the exceptionally talented artist whose paintings we auction off each year at Casting Hope.

Prince with representatives of Basesix, the winning bidder of his painting at Casting Hope.

A New Chapter for Prince: Love, Hope, and a Bright Future

"Every year I went to camp, I felt another layer of myself opening, building relationships… Every year, it would happen. Last summer, when I came back, I said, 'I’m going to meet my wife.' And that’s when it happened. I have it in my journal and everything. I literally came back from camp and met her."

A few months later, Prince called the On River Time team to share the exciting news that he was proposing to his girlfriend, Gracie. When I expressed surprise that he was calling us first, he responded, “Of course! Y’all are my family.”

This spring, we had the incredible blessing of attending Prince and Gracie’s wedding. The ceremony took place at a beautiful countryside venue just outside College Station, TX. In attendance were James Inmon and members of Prince’s Still Creek Ranch family—people who are incredibly special to him—as well as his On River Time family, his church family, and both his adoptive and biological families.

For this young man who had endured so much loss and hardship, it was a moment of redemption. Prince now sees how God orchestrated his life for good and abundance.

"He took a kid who felt like he had no hope in life and didn’t feel loved. Because of my culture, my family didn’t know how to express love. But God has brought people into my life who love me—not for what they can get from me, but because of what’s in their hearts," Prince reflects. "I want to be a father who lets my kids know that you can show love and still be strong."

For Inmon, the Prince he knows today is much different than the frightened and angry little boy he met on his first visit to Still Creek Ranch, "Prince now exudes a heart toward Jesus and others. He has a song in his heart and is always singing and worshiping. In the second year after graduating high school, if you could not find Prince, you knew he was either at his church serving or at the university in the middle of revival worship that had broken out." 

It has been an incredible privilege to play a small role in Prince’s life story. And, as Prince’s journey continues, we know this is only the beginning.

Prince with Still Creek Executive Director, James Inmon, at his wedding.

Looking Ahead: The Impact of Your Support

As we prepare for our 2025 camps, we are excited to welcome a new group of young people. These kids are at a crossroads, and your support will help us guide them through their own stories of healing and hope.

This is where your generosity truly makes a difference. By supporting On River Time, you’re helping to give young people the opportunity for a brighter future—one where they understand that they are worthy of God's plan for their lives.

We leave for camp in just a few days, and we need your help. Please consider making a donation to ensure that even more young people like Prince can experience the life-changing impact of being "On River Time."

Thank you for your continued support. Together, we are giving these kids more than just hope—we’re giving them a future.

On behalf of the kids we serve,
Wendy Garner, On River Time Executive Director

To see more of Prince's art or commission his work visit his instagram page at @princefombaart