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September 17, 2006
Elim
We were privileged to serve at a retreat for global workers and pastors this last week in Huron City, Michigan, a short four hour drive from our home in GR. There were workers from around the world and we got to hear their stories and love on them for 5 beautiful, glorious, rainy days. The Lord is good.
This great couple, Henry and Diane, had a vision a number of years ago to share their family's summer property, which has been passed down in Diane's family since the 1860's, with folks on home assignment. See, they have always gone there in the summers to get rested and rejeuvenated by the waters of Lake Huron. They chose to name the place Elim, after the "Wells of Moses" in Exodus 15:27, where the Israelites rested after coming through the Red Sea, escaping Pharoah's army. Of course, there aren't any palm trees like there were in Exodus, but it is surely a place of refreshment for all those who come.
Henry and Diane have worked it out with their extended family to rent the different homes and buildings on the property during the months of May, June, and September, and offer it to these global workers a week at a time, free of charge to them. There is often a deficit, but they see the hand of God at work very often as He provides the funding on His timeline. In the case of this year a check came on deadline day in the amount of $3000, to entirely cover the anticipated deficit, and they didn't have to cancel a week's retreat.
The retreats are very unstructured, with the only "requirements" being dinner as a group each evening Sunday through Thursday, a prayer appointment with staff on Monday, and a scripture lesson on Wednesday. The rest of the time was in their hands to seek the Lord through prayer, personal study, or interactions with others. Last week, there were 17 guests and 10 staff (that'd be us) who had the great privilege to be shut indoors next to warm cozy fireplaces because of rain outside. The sun tried to poke through on Thursday, and finally succeeded on Friday, departure day. Dan and I stuck around a bit on Friday to take advantage of the calmer waters and go for a spin in the kayaks.
We took a walk in the woods on Thursday, and because of all the rain, there were mushrooms everywhere. Earlier in the week, someone picked a puff-ball the size of a soccer ball and grilled it for dinner. I'm not so sure these would have been edible.
Some pics of us, the queens of the kitchen, our gracious hosts, and the whole gang of us
your host for this episode : carrie; September 17, 2006 12:18 PM
Comments
Yeah! :) I am so totally excited that you guys are doing this....you do such a wonderful job of loving on people (thanks for letting me be one of the first recipients of your hospitality at home :) :) (OK, I know not THE first.....but just after that!)......you are SUCH a blessing, and I am truly grateful that others get the opportunity to know you and be loved by our Father through you! Thanks for serving in this way! :) Hugs to you both!
from the peanut gallery of : Wendy ; September 19, 2006 03:06 PM