WSS January '10 Ministry Report"This is so cool! Thanks for sharing the pictures [of Heritage House construction on Facebook], and the reminder to pray for the construction guys." -- fan of White Sulphur Springs
Priority Obj. 1.2Foster mentoring relationships which will allow OCF members to reproduce themselves
across generations: Bryan and Sheri Burt brought us a full house of USNA midshipmen and USMMA (Kings Point) cadets for the annual MLK Jr. OCF retreat at WSS. Speaker LtCol (USAF, Ret.) Leemon Baird, faculty member at USAFA, taught authoritatively on techniques for interpreting Scripture. He used practical examples, helpful exercises and frequent interaction to engage the eager minds and hearts of these future leaders. Q&A and small group discussions after each session focused on personal application and relevance of Scripture in the lives of believers. In welcoming the group, I had the opportunity to share my own testimony of how Christ came into my life at a retreat such as this during my plebe year at USNA. As always, the teaching, fun and fellowship of this favorite retreat made it hard for the mids and cadets to relish returning to their respective academies. We are thankful for the help of several "weekend warriors": Nat Hale, Sarah Jones, Kristina Rehberg, Hannah Bryan, Sarah Bryan and Christi Halvorson. Priority Obj. 1.3Identify, communicate, and implement programs and culturally relevant methods across OCF that meet biblically sound fellowship needs and enhance personal growth and effective ministry outreach. Our weekend retreat group program brought a family group from Plymouth Haven Baptist Church of N. VA. with OCF members Cliff & Marilyn Perrin and Don & Debbie Baker. Don organized this "spiritual ski retreat" as an outreach within the local church. It was obvious this venue met their needs for home-style relaxation and refreshment in Christ. Priority Obj. 2.5Exhort, equip and encourage members to seek opportunities and implement efforts that reach beyond the local fellowship to affect the larger military community for Christ. Nothing to report here. Priority Obj. 3.3Train and equip local OCF leaders to teach and support biblical marriage and family. Three of us on WSS staff boarded a bus in Bedford and attended the March For Life held on the National Mall in Washington D.C. on 22 January, the 37th anniversary of the tragic decision of our Supreme Court in the case of Roe vs. Wade. Having arrived at the corner near the Supreme Court, as I looked back down Constitution Avenue, it was striking to see the many thousands of protestors totally filling that wide avenue and to notice the overwhelming number of young people in the crowd. That was a hopeful sign. Please pray with me that this national sin will be reversed, and join me in continuing to take action to protect unborn children. Priority Obj. 4.3Successfully execute the OCF Growing and Building Campaign, achieving all Phase 1 and 2 objectives Our last Growing & Building Campaign financial update showed the WSS project (phase I) at 98.7%, considering pledged and given funds as well as campaign expenses so far. We still need to raise the remainder and ensure we have enough to cover some pledge uncertainty. So I am continuing to brief all groups that come to WSS of the need to support the project. I have taken many folks up to the construction site and shared their excitement at seeing the great progress. Somerset Steel Erectors, our design-build firm, has done a great job of keeping the construction on track despite winter weather. The foundation footings are nearly complete, and basement foundation walls will follow. The 50-foot deep shaft for the elevator piston was drilled last week. We are posting numerous construction photos on our Facebook page and getting good comments. All concerned need to continue to pray and encourage giving so that we may meet the $7.5M goal and move ahead into phase II for needed facilities at Spring Canyon. To God be the glory; great things He has done! Other Ministry HighlightsIn January we also hosted Leesburg Community Church couples, Cherrydale Baptist Church youth skiers, Bedford United Methodist Church ladies and the Bedford Area School Board dinner and retreat. WSS staff families enjoyed a "Night in the Museum." Katie Chandler assigned each couple or family rooms in Harrison House, and after a pot-bless dinner we had fun playing games with the kids before a roaring fire in the Johnson Room, then watching the movie "Night in the Museum." Bedding down in various guest rooms of Harrison House gave us an opportunity to "see with guest eyes" what it's like to stay in the historic inn. Obviously we found numerous things that need attention or repair. This was part of our purpose in addition to spending some fun down time with one another. The event was a great success, and now we look forward to attending our upcoming CCCA "Fireside" conference at the end of February and honing our professional camp management skills. Prayer RequestsPraise God for the progress on Heritage House! Pray for Steve (site superintendent), Mark (foreman), Mike (skilled worker) and several other workers. Pray for all OCF members to become stakeholders in "declaring His power to the next generations" and that all the remaining Phase I funds will be pledged/given. Thanks for your prayers for Barb Pensyl who lost her husband, Don, to cancer in December. Barb is adjusting and trusting but still needs prayer support. Pray for our OCF members who are separated because of deployments. Pray for protection and spiritual growth for all our troops and for victory in Iraq and Afghanistan. Pray for many who have and are experiencing PTSD as a result of combat tours. Please pray for our son, H, to do well in his PA program at GWU as he heads into his second semester didactic work. Praise God for his finding a good church, Grace DC, and taking several classmates there. Pray for all of us on WSS staff to have strong marriages and raise our children in the nurture and admonition of God. Rejoicing in Christ, |