THE REFUGE: PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE!
Dear Friends:
In our most recent newsletter (August 2007) we talked about the importance of keeping a journal on God’s faithfulness to us - to recount His gracious provision over the years that The Refuge has been in the making - and to chronicle our progress and the involvement of our faithful supporters and volunteers. So, we thought that we would begin with our September blog to tell The Refuge Story; (Past); to talk about where we are in the process (Present); and to lay out for you some of the plans for current and future ministry.
The Board Members break ground and ask for the Lord’s blessing on the Retreat Center.
As many of you know, we’ve been at this project of building and developing The Refuge Retreat Center for a number of years, having begun the process of acquiring land and forming a board of directors in 1999, just 8 years ago. To some folks this seems like a long time to be about this task. And from time to time, we too, get impatient. But, given our founding principles (incurring no debt and building only as God provided the resources) it isn’t such a long time after all. In fact, it’s just a fleeting “moment” compared to Noah’s construction project which took 120 years. There’s no time like God’s time. So, we press forward at the pace that He has set for us and rest in His perfect will for The Refuge.
The great blessing in all of this is that we’ve been able to have a viable Ministry out here at The Refuge even though the main building is not yet completed. Those of you that have been out here know that having Duckabush House available as well as the beautiful environment surrounding us, has made it possible for ministry to take place. Since we last wrote on this web page (August 8th) much has happened that you should know about. Duckabush House continues to serve as a place of “refuge”, relaxation and rejuvenation for families, couples, individuals and groups.
We hosted two large families (Roths & Hastings), several short visits from old friends (Sherrards, Prouts, Struthers), missionaries-in-residence (Bemenderfers), father-son work group (Blais, Quarto & Steinborn families) and of course our Annual Labor Day Pastors & Wives Retreat. Twenty-eight folks (including supporting staff) were present for that one-day retreat, led once again by Carl & Betsy Armerding, which proved to be a refreshing time of singing, teaching, sharing, prayer & fellowship (not to mention the great food prepared by Robbie with help from Dottie Cole and Sharon Bridwell).
At the same time, thanks to the volunteer efforts of Jan Friend, Ted Roloson and Diane & Dave Gibson, we were able to complete the staining of all the logs (to include final protective coating), the boards and battens and about half of the cutting of the balcony and porch balustrade pieces (hearts & crosses). We are still waiting for final inspection of the north end of the building exterior framing before we can apply the remaining pre-stained log siding there, but that should be forthcoming shortly.
In our August newsletter, we mentioned opportunities to fund specific projects - among them the north handicapped entry door - which we estimated would cost about $2500 to build. Well, here’s an example of God’s provision. No sooner was the newsletter in the mail than some dear friends committed to underwriting the entire cost of the door while another couple gave an additional $500 which we will use to install automatic handicapped-access door openers for those approaching by wheel chair. God is good. We give thanks for those who listen to His voice and become His instruments.
At the end of this month we will be providing a quiet time of retreat for a young wife and family welcoming back their husband/father from Iraq. We will continue to minister to wives and families of deployed service members in the days ahead. We will also be hosting a group of pastors from Mason County for a one day Prayer Retreat in October. An event to which we are looking forward with anticipation. So, as God continues to shower us with “minor” miracles, He likewise brings folks to us for ministry - both theirs and ours.
We are also looking forward to a time of great enjoyment when we get to host five of our grandchildren out here at Duckabush House for a week. For many grandparents, having their grandchildren with them for any period of time is a “chore” at best and a difficult time at worst. But, we are happy to report, having Joshua, Rachel, Daniel, David and Sarah with us is always a joy. We thank God that we are so blessed.
Well, I think this is enough for this time. Next installment we’ll talk a bit about our “founding fathers” and how The Refuge came into being - as well as how God met us in a wonderful way to confirm those early decisions.
Sincerely,
Robbie & Jim Edgren
Hosts at The Refuge