Preparation. Over the last couple months, I have made the transition to Sequoia Meadow. While we didn’t have our first campers until July, there have been a lot of projects going on. From getting staff housing ready, to remodeling cabins, to getting activities like the pool and zipline ready to go. We have spent a lot of time preparing for the arrival of our first campers.
Stewardship. Each day I am reminded of God’s gift. Without God this camp up in the mountains would not be possible. For a little context, in 2021 there was a wildfire that surrounded the camp, but not a single building burned down. Without God, we would not have the resources necessary to take care of this camp facility. Each day we make decisions on how to best steward what God has given us. Our priority projects may change from week to week (as we either finish something up or a more important issue comes up), but our purpose stays the same.
Hope. While we went half the summer before there were any campers up here at Sequoia Meadow Camp, we have been preparing a place where people can come to draw near to God. Our theme phrase at Ironwood this past year was “Design to draw near.” What we do today will help facilitate worship, discipleship, and fellowship which is exciting!
So, what has been some specific happenings? To prepare for our first retreat in the mountain, we had 4 work weeks between May and June. Many volunteers came out to help, and we had 3 different missions teams as well! The big projects were staff housing, a couple cabin remodels, and deep cleaning. In June our summer staff arrived, and we have 3 for the full summer and 1 for half the summer. The other big thing for me was that I became a certified lifeguard. Since there is a pool up here, we needed at least one of the resident staff on property to have an up-to-date lifeguard certification, and I was the lucky winner.
As we look to the future, we will be serving churches starting in July every week (except for our break week in August) until October. Please pray for the campers as God works in their hearts. Our first week of camp went well, and it was evident that God was working in their lives. They loved the time to disconnect (and literally disconnect because there is no cell service), spend time with friends and family, and be challenge with truth to grow. Also, continue to pray for wisdom as our team here at Sequoia continues to work on projects and maintenance issues. Please pray that we will be good stewards of the resources provided and have wisdom in choosing which things are higher priority.
After a couple months of not having campers, it has been exciting to be serve campers again! The long days and hard times have all been worth it to see church families coming together to fellowship and worship God.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Romans 15:13
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