Olympic Refuge

Dear Friends of The Refuge –

Well, that warming trend that we mentioned in our previous letter (”blog”) came indeed, and with it a mid-January thaw. All our snow is gone now, except for remaining piles (former snow forts) and some stuck on part of the roof. But while we had it, there was much fun. Here’s a picture of two of our grandchildren, Sarah & David, “holding the fort” during a full-scale snowball fight - with good packing.

The next picture shows Daniel in the act of launching a long-distance bomb, with Joshua in the fort, preparing to launch. Some pretty swift sledding was also the order of the day, what with a slippery (and somewhat icy) driveway. So, while we had the unusually long cold snap, it did allow for us to enjoy the winter wonderland.

This past weekend we had a group of Elders from First Baptist Church of Shelton here at Duckabush House for a retreat. Eleven men arrived Friday afternoon, departing Sunday afternoon. They left Duckabush House spotless - you’d never believe that eleven man had occupied the house for three days. We enjoyed having them here and trust that they enjoyed their time here as well. We’ll welcome them back anytime.

When we returned from Fort Lewis on Sunday evening, we heard the ominous sound of water shooting out of one of our outside pipes, which had burst when the ice that had formed, melted. We thought we had insulated that pipe properly, but apparently not. Of course this meant shutting off the water and figuring out what to do next. We expected our plumber to be back during the next week, but meanwhile faced the usual difficulties with burst pipes.

Monday morning we heard work sounds over at The Refuge (normally no one is at work on Mondays). I went over to investigate, and there was Art Casillas, our plumber. “Boy, am I glad to see you,” I said. “Didn’t expect you until later.” “Well, some materials didn’t come for another job I’m working on, so I decided we’d come out here, he said.” Twenty minutes later he had the pipe repaired, faucet fixed and we had water again.

Now to some people, this would be a seredipitous coincidence. They’d say we were “lucky” - we’d say, no, this is God’s perfect timing - bringing our plumber out to us, before we even asked. You can be sure we gave thanks to Our Lord, big time. We share this with you, only because this is an example of how God has taken care of this project, and us, as we work on it. Sure, this was not really a big thing - this happens to people under these conditions all the time. But for us, it is a reminder that God is the God of the “little things” (as well as the big things) and that He is always right on time. Yes, His time is the right time.”

Meanwhile work goes forward on the main lodge-retreat house. Here are two shots of our plumber, Art and his helper, Cory at work. We will let you know soon about our next work party - we’ve got lots to do and can use volunteers.

Well that’s it from The Refuge for this week. Come visit us. But let us know when you’re coming in advance, so we can host you properly.

Robbie & Jim, Hosts

Dear Friends of The Refuge.

We send greetings from the “frozen” Duckabush Valley. It is very unusual (for us) for snow to stay on the ground and on the trees for four to five days - but that’s the case here. Because this part of The Refuge only sees the sun for about 4 hours in dead of winter, and with the temperature not getting above freezing much during the day, we have this rather beautiful “winter wonderland” setting, while a short distance away, and up on the south-facing hillsides, the sun has melted all the snow off the trees and open spaces. This is what it looks like at Creekside Cottage.

From our snug little cottage in a winter wonderland.

Our backyard at “Creekside Cottage.

Two of our Memorial Sequoias (now about 10 ft tall).

An unusually cold and dry day at The Refuge.

Since we’ve had five straight days without precipitation and sun at least part of each day, it would have been nice to take advantage of the time. But, because the roof has been covered with snow and the temperatures are low, we’ve not been able to make progress on the roof.

Partly sunny, but very cold - no roof work today.

However, Mark & Alan have been able to move ahead with installing doors despite the cold.

Mark & Alan installing French doors in the master suite.

Doors are now in place in three of the suites plus the master suite and the room above the master suite “the Upper Room” - so we’re happy about that.

Robbie steps out onto a balcony through one of our newly-installed french doors.

On Saturday, Jeff & Jan Brown came out to pay a visit and have lunch with us. Jeff is President of BCRA, Inc., the architectural firm that did our basic plans. Mark & Irene Pomerinke also joined us for lunch. Mark, as many of you know, is our Contractor. It was the first time they had met. Since we’ve made many changes in actual construction, Jeff’s firm is going to be assisting us in working up the revisions. We are extremely pleased with the work of these fine Christian gentlemen. They were able to talk about important construction issues - and there was a true “meeting of the minds.”

Mark Pomerinke, Jeff & Jan Brown on site.

A brief walk around the property reveals that despite the cold, our streams are still flowing.

Water still running under the bridge.

Despite the cold, this stream doesn’t freeze.

“Coyote Gate” — The Refuge West Entry.

A warming trend is on the way. And we’ll welcome it, to be sure. But, if you want to “tromp around” in the snow, now’s the time to come visit. Don’t let a “gate” keep you out. Five of our grandchildren will soon be joining us out here for some snow fun, before a warm wind wipes it all out.

Well, that’s it from the Duckabush valley & The Refuge.

Robbie & Jim Edgren

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM ALL OF US AT THE REFUGE!

Greetings to all of our Friends from all of us at The Refuge. Hopefully Christmas has been a time of great joy for each of you. It certainly has been for us We are thanking God for His faithfulness. As most of you know, God’ has provided the funds needed to not only meet the challenge of matching the anonymous gift , but thanks to many of you, to exceed that amount. So, God has been good, and we are able to move forward. We thought we would share some recent pictures of activity here.

A rare sunny day in December.

Since our contractor, Mark Pomerinke and his helper, Alan Reimann have been so responsive to every “off-the-wall” request in many areas beyond their primary job descriptions, we thought a personal Christmas gift was in order. You might say that they are known as “Odd Jobs Are Us” - so we made up some special T-shirts emblazoned with “We Do It All” and a listing of some of the things they’ve been called upon to do. Here they are with their new shirts, making a fashion statement.

“We do it all.” Alan & Mark with their new T shirts - compliments of The Refuge management.

Actually, despite reports to the contrary, we actually have had a number of sunny days out here at The Refuge - although we must admit that a full day of sun has been a rarity.

At work on the roof.

Good news for us, as right before Christmas we received a present - the metal roofing arrived on site. For several days now the roofers have been able to at least work part of a day, getting the edging in place and some of the panels on.. The bucket truck has come in handy with the lifting of the panels up onto the roof and putting the edging in place. Needless to say, work up on such a surface is precarious to say the least.

Lifting the metal roof panels up into place …

A “bucket” truck comes in handy for jobs like this.

Laying a metal roof on in such weather is a precarious business.

When snow halted the work on the roof, Mark & Alan were able to install the first of our exterior french doors. We were able to match the roof color with the door colors. Earlier they had begun installation of a number of our windows. Here are a couple of shots of the first doors in place on the second floor. This is an important milestone for us out here. Now, if we can just get some dry days in the next several weeks, we’ll get that roof on and make it a lot easier to work inside. Art Casillas, our plumbing contractor has completed most of the drilling work for pipe emplacement and will be out here next week continuing on with his part of the project. Then our electrical contractor, Jason Woods should be along shortly to get us power inside the building.

So, much is happening out here as the New Year begins. Please pray for good weather as we seek to get our roof on. Pray also that changes we’re making will be quickly approved by the county so that we can move forward.

Thanks for your continued help and prayers.

Robbie & Jim Edgren
Directors & Hosts

The sound of rushing water cascading down our steambeds can be heard everywhere at The Refuge. And now new snow sparkling on boughs and hillsides above adds its own beauty. I cannot hear the “poetry” of rushing water without being reminded of God’s faithfulness - His continual provision for our needs, and I cannot see the sparkling snow cover without being amazed at how He makes all things new. This is certainly the case here at The Refuge!

We have just experienced the faithfulness of God in such a miraculous way - the meeting of our goal of $50,000 to match a grant of the same! And this all before Thanksgiving! How we praise God for His faithfulness and the serendipitous surprise of His timing - meeting the goal before Thanksgiving - giving NEW meaning to the word “Thanksgiving” here at The Refuge.

But this could not have happened without many faithful friends (many of you!) who first prayed and then gave - sacrificially! I wish you could have been here as the mail came each day - notes of support accompanied many of the checks. Jim and I are truly encouraged! We know that there will be a great financial challenge ahead, but if this experience is any example, God’s provision will be there as well. (When our faith is “weak,” we will simply listen to the streams and look at the snow!)

We want to thank each and every one of you who helped us reach this “impossible” (from an “earthly” perspective) goal. But then, this should not be surprising. Didn’t Mary, when she was confronted with an impossibility of her own, teach us to have this perspective? “For nothing is impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37)

October is here and with it comes the sudden realization that summer is GONE! The weather denies it: clear skies, warm temperatures - oh, maybe a few fallen leaves here and there. And we, out here at The Refuge, along with the weather, are in denial as well. It may have something to do with all the wonderful people that came through, or the memory-filled events that took place here this summer, but I suppose until the frost comes and says in no uncertain terms that summer is truly gone, we will be still hanging on to the last vestiges of summer.

Several work groups filled the Duckabush House, accomplishing clean-up tasks, building a foot bridge, installing trail steps, weed whacking, and raking and weeding trails. Even guests lent a hand in emptying and cleaning out our pond and staining decks. Others came out for a day here or there - installing water pipes and electrical wire to our RV sites, and chain-sawing slash. All in all, a great deal was accomplished on the grounds.

Meanwhile, Mark, Alan and Greg (a new helper, until he and his family left for the mission field - Thailand) worked steadily on the building. Tarpaper now covers the roof, most of the interior framing is done, and balconies are in place. Everything is covered - we are ready for rain!

As for events, camp at Wilderness Northwest went well with lots of use of the Duckabush House during that week. Other groups came through - some using the grounds for picnics, others using the house for get-togethers and retreats. A Bible study group from Whidby Island came and worked one weekend, a father-son group (ELITE) came another weekend, a family group helped another weekend. And then another family came and worked while they vacationed here for two weeks. On Labor Day, we held our first Pastors’ (and wives) Retreat. Dr. Carl Armerding, a Board member, was our speaker on that most beautiful day - lots of food and fellowship, and of course, a tour of the grounds and building. To end the summer, a pastor’s family and seven of their nine children vacationed and worked here for a week. Lots of fellowship, evenings of singing, shared meals - all of these helped to make this a most memorable summer.

But for me, one event stands out which characterizes the whole tone of the summer - the lettuce incident! Let me recount what happened. Some dear folks called to tell us they were in town and asked to come out for a visit - and dinner only two hours away! Out here, 45 minutes away from stores can be a problem, so ordinarily we try to keep a good stock of food on hand. In this case, however, we had all the necessary ingredients for dinner except lettuce for a salad. Then I remembered that back in March, our grandchildren planted lettuce seeds up in our cold frame. I had noticed early on that the slugs got the seedlings and so had stopped watering. We were well into a drought where everything needed water, but I took a chance that somehow there might be a few straggly, un-eaten lettuce leaves left and asked Jim to go up and check - my last resort! He came back with the most beautiful head of lettuce that “somehow” had survived the slugs and drought! The only one, by the way!

It was clear to us both that God had known back in March of our future plight and provided for our needs as hosts and those of our guests. This “incident” was a great encouragement to us as we faced a financial “drought” during the summer. And sure enough, just in time, God provided a generous matching grant of $50,000 - right when we needed it. As of now, more than half of this amount has come in. But more than these gifts, the people behind this outpouring have touched and encouraged us both - people who have come forward to affirm this project and say by their gifts, ‘We expect that God will use The Refuge for His glory.’

And so, if this outpouring typifies the end of summer, we can only wait with joyful expectation to what God will do in the next three months as we enter Fall. Praise be to God for all His mighty works - including the lettuce incident!

Robbie Edgren