Cascades Camp Blog

Give Thanks*

Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks unto the Holy One
Give thanks because He’s given Jesus Christ, His Son

And now let the weak say, “I am strong”
Let the poor say, “I am rich
Because of what the Lord has done for us”

Give Thanks…

*Words and Music by Henry Smith

Posted above are the words to perhaps the most common song sung in churches across the United States on and around Thanksgiving.  It’s message is simple:  we are to give thanks gratefully, to God, for the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ – it is because of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross that the weak can say, “I am strong” and the poor can say, “I am rich”.  I think it is safe to say that Christ turned this world on it’s head.  When our sins create separation from God, God chose for Christ to intercede on our behalf and He has righted this relationship so that you and I can be reunited with our Father in Heaven.  What we earn for ourselves is only death, but what we are given is eternal life…and Thanksgiving serves as a wonderful reminder of this gift.

I only pray that I strive to give thanks with a grateful heart not just tomorrow, on Thanksgiving, but every day following…

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In honor of the season, this week’s prayer requests are going to be focused on some of the many things that Cascades has to be thankful for!

• Praise God for His hand in using this place to share His love with others!
• Praise God for always providing for the needs of Cascades.
• Praise God for the wonderful supporters who donate their time, resources, and most importantly their prayers!
• Praise God for leading amazing summer staff to run our facilities and programs, year after year!
• Praise God for His leading for the future of the ministry of Cascades.
• Praise God for the opportunity to see Him in this beautiful place.
• And we cannot forget the thing that we should be most thankful for this Thanksgiving…Praise God for the gift of His Son!

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Welcome to our newest series of staff reflections!  One Thursday a month, a year-round staff member will share their thoughts on life at camp.  Our hope is to be able to connect more with you, our readers, as we continue to do ministry at Cascades all throughout the year.

It is a blessing to be able to live here year-round and see the ways in which God works in what we call the “off-season” too.  Guest groups come and use the lodging facilities year-round, we have volunteers come out and do service projects, there are several Covenant retreats including the Men’s/Women’s retreats and the Jr. High and High School retreats, general upkeep of the grounds, as well as summer planning all consume the time of those who work at Cascades throughout the year.

I guess I should introduce myself, my name is Claudia Fisher, some of you may know me as Dirt or Mother Dirt.  I came to Cascades as a camper in 1998 and 1999, was a SALT in 2000, and began on summer staff in 2002 as a member of the O-Team.  I have worked at Cascades for the past seven summers now.  After the summer of 2007 I stayed around to be the Program Intern and am now working as a permanent member of our Program Team.  I tell you all this not to bore you with my history, but to let you know a bit about how much I love this place.  I grew up going to church, but met Christ in a way that I understood the need for a relationship with His Son when I was a camper at Sunrise Ranch in 1998.  It was at the Discipline of Silence, which we continue to do to this day for all our campers, that my life was forever changed.  I promise you that I am not saying any of this just because I work here-but I truly believe in the power of this place to change people’s lives forever.  I can tell you countless tales of campers meeting God for the first time, being challenged to deepen their walk, or even deciding to go into ministry after spending time at Cascades.  Maybe it’s in the water…but I have a feeling that God has ordained this place to be a safe haven for many-a place where all can come and experience our Creator anew.

Thank you all for your continued prayer and support of the ministry of Cascades Camp and Conference Center.

Blessings,

Claudia “Dirt” Fisher

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All the believers were of one heart and mind, and they felt that what they owned was not their own; they shared everything they had. And the apostles gave powerful witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great favor was upon them all. There was no poverty among them, because people who owned land or houses sold them and brought the money to the apostles to give to others in need. For instance, there was Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means “Son of Encouragement”). He was from the tribe of Levi and came from the island of Cyprus. He sold a field he owned and brought the money to the apostles for those in need.
Acts 4:32-37

I love America. I love American culture. One thing I hate about America… and I’ll admit, myself… Individualistic Materialism. As I read this passage in Acts, I am always deeply convicted of how often I think about buying or acquiring things for myself and my own wants (not needs), rather than looking out for the needs of others. What really gets me, is when I begin to ask myself, as I’m looking at purchasing some new toy for me or my family, “How am I helping the least, the last, and the lost? Is this item/thing, really going to make me happier, or could I be just as happy without, and give to someone else in need?” This is my ongoing struggle, and I have no good solution except to read, and re-read this passage in Acts.

I think Paul lays it out pretty clearly as to what God calls us to do, especially in these tough financial times.

The need is great, my wants are petty.

In Christ,

Rob “Trane” Mohrweis

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Current Prayer Requests Include:

• Continue to pray for the recruiting of our summer staff.  We are receiving a steady stream of applications.  Please pray for the hearts of these individuals and that they would listen to God’s leading for their lives.
• Cascades is in the process of looking for a new Food Services Manager.  Pray that God would lead us to the right applicants and vice versa.
• As we are planning for the spring and summer, pray that we would be listening to God’s guidance and create programs where all campers and guests will be ministered to.

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Sunrise Ranch campers are all smiles as they stop and pose for a picture before moving on to their next roundup!

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One of the yearly tasks to keep Cascades in top shape is applying moss killer to the roofs of all our buildings.  This photograph was taken as Cean “Torque” Williard, this year’s O-Team Intern, just finished up the roof of the Kitchen Expansion of the Nisqually Dining Hall.

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“As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him.”
Mark 1:16-18

I came across this passage recently and realized something that I had never fully let sink in before, and that is that the words of Christ here-as they are spoken to Simon and Andrew-are meant for me.  Now this may seem obvious to many, but I think it is a call worth revisiting.

Simon and Andrew were fishermen.  Their entire lives were wrapped around their trade.  They would rise early, work hard all day and put all of their energy into catching fish.  It was their life.  And then they met Jesus and they were asked to trade in their profession for a new one-fishing for the souls of men and women.  Simon and Andrew were not asked to change how they worked, but just what they worked for.

It was a simple command that Jesus gave (at least in concept)-give up this task and work for me.  That is my call.  That is your call.  I don’t know what you do-I don’t know what types of things you put your energy into, maybe it is family, work, hobbies, etc…but it is ALL of our missions to leave our own goals behind and follow the one that Christ has given us and that is to become fishers of men and women.  This doesn’t necessarily mean that we all must quit our jobs or go off to some far lands to preach the Good News of Christ-but maybe it does…

Where is He asking us to go fishing?  I don’t know…The truth is that all I really know is God is calling you and me to follow without hesitation.  Think about it.  I promise I am and will continue to do so…

Let’s go fishing and see where God leads.

Blessings,

Claudia aka Dirt

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Current Prayer Requests Include:

• The effects of the shift in our economy has not failed to reach Cascades.  Please pray that with this slowdown and the general “tightening of belts” that God’s ministry here at camp would still flourish so that more people may come to know Him.
• It is that time of year again when we begin to search for our the 2009 Summer Staff.  Please join us in prayer for these young men and women.  Ask God to guide their hearts and prepare them for the good work they will be doing here.
• We are in the process of getting our Master Site Plan re-approved by Thurston County.  Pray that this process would go quickly and smoothly so that we can move forward with the plans for growth at Cascades.
• We would also greatly appreciate your prayers for God’s guidance and vision as we plan for the future of Cascades.

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Campers at Camp Timber Rock take a quick break from the Nuke’m Tournament to pose for a silly photo.  One of the many great parts of camp is the crazy creativity that counselors and campers get to share with one another!

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