Last month was a buzz of activity. Saturday, April 20th, in particular, was full of the sounds of hammering, ripping out, sawing and cleaning! We felt like Nehemiah building the walls as the Work Retreat we announced, with very short notice, was a success with over 20 people turning out to help. Professional tile installer Mark Bellamy used his skills to lay out and set the rest of the tile for the bathhouse floor. Eugene Sivyy, also a full time tile installer, cut all the tile with help from his brother Yurik. Jeremy Woodall, along with his friend John, and another volunteer,Randy Fairbairn, assisted Peter Riegelmann with the beginnings of a twelve foot high tree house. CRC's own Bryan Rutschman gave direction to the rest of the volunteers: Bruce Rutschman and Kathy Bellamy bleached and scrubbed the Main Lodge deck and painted the Heritage furnace room with Charo Schaffer.       Derek Steiger and Isaac Shirkey pressure washed buildings and play structures. Leah Rosling rebuilt a rock wall and she and Derek improved a storage area by removing a disconnected shower stall. The Fouts and Shirkey families helped with landscaping. So much happened in one afternoon we can't list it all! It was amazing to see the whirlwind of activity, and all that got done in a very short time. A HUGE thank you to all of you good friends that came and gave of your time and talents. We really appreciate you!!

     That night after dinner, our new friend, Pastor Pedro Gonzalez, had us sit down with his friends to film an informal interview to be shown on Hispanic cable T.V!
     The next weekend, the kitchen staff and housekeepers were humming with activity, too, as we had over a 110 guests here, half of which asked for us to provide linens. And what blesses me is how the staff worked like a well-oiled machine, each doing their part so that things could run smoothly. Sheri Keepers did an amazing job fitting all the guests in and making them happy, though packed a bit like sardines. And we were all thrilled when Naomi Arvidson announced to us that she loved making beds! What a team that CRC is blessed with.

     We also want to give thanks to all who have served the Lord and have gone on to be with the Lord. Our family was reminded recently of the affect a life can have on you when that person has dedicated their life to serving Christ. Eunice Hansen and family attended her brother Silas Torvend's memorial service in Tacoma, Washington. He was a Pastor for 65 years, serving in over 10 churches, one of which was my mine: Gleandale Lutheran in Burien, Washington where Tim and I were married. He studied in Washington, California, Scotland, and at Cambridge University in England. His ability to guide and organize a sustaining healthy congregation was so good that different pastors from all over the world were sent to observe his skill.

     Also, a good friend from the Silverton Hills went home to be with the Lord unexpectedly. Barbara Muller led worship, VBS, and Bible Release in the surrounding hills for hundreds of children over the years. It reminds me of the song by Ray Boltz called, "Thank You", here is an excerpt from it;

" I dreamed I went to heaven 
And you were there with me; 
We walked upon the streets of gold 
Beside the crystal sea. 
We heard the angels singing 
Then someone called your name. 
We turned and saw a young man running 
And he was smiling as he came.

And he said, "Friend you may not know me now." 
And then he said, "But wait, 
You used to teach my Sunday School 
When I was only eight. 
And every week you would say a prayer 
Before the class would start. 
And one day when you said that prayer, 
I asked Jesus in my heart."

Thank you for giving to the Lord. 
I am a life that was changed. 
Thank you for giving to the Lord. 
I am so glad you gave..."

To all of our friends, we just want to encourage you in your giving to the Lord, you are a blessing and a joy!

All for Jesus,

Julie Hansen

See pictures of the work retreat below! 

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