A Slap in the Face
"For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God." Colossians 3:3
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Note from Kate Schweikart, Office Manager and Women's Care
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I’ve never actually been slapped in the face, however I imagine it to be a rather shocking event that would leave one feeling a bit bewildered. I don’t know about you, but I feel that this year has definitely felt like a few slaps in the face. Corona virus hit. My missions trip to Israel was canceled. Students couldn’t return after Spring Break for in-person school. I was furloughed from Ravencrest for two months. Wildfires forced us to evacuate from Ravencrest.
I have asked what I can assume to be normal post face-slapping questions. Why did that happen? Do I need to brace myself for another assault? What do I do now? Honestly, my time of furlough was the most jarring of all the previous slaps. I reached the lowest of the low places. So much of what had come to define my life had been stripped away. I felt confused, alone, and numb. I went through the motions of life focused on survival. I can tell you beyond a shadow of a doubt God held on tightly to me as I wearily held onto my few scraps of faith.
A couple of months ago, when He knew I was ready, God impressed these words on my heart, “Is your life yours or is it mine?” Tears instantly streamed down my cheeks. Just as a slap in the face often triggers a self-protective reaction, so had all the year’s events drawn me to pull away from my Father and fend for myself. His tender question reminded my heart of Who He is and Whose I am. (“For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” Col. 3:3) He is the great I AM. If I believe that to be true, should He not have the freedom to ask anything of me, even to the point of death? (“Though he slay me, yet I will hope in Him.” Job 13:15) Can I not trust Him to take everything from me, knowing if I have Him I have enough? (“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:19)
Our wildfire evacuation was not the same kind of jarring slap for me. After months of wrestling with God and His goodness, I drove away with just a few bags of belongings at peace in my heart that He could literally burn everything I own and still be good, faithful, and trustworthy.
Has something painful, life-altering, or unexpected slapped you recently? Have you found yourself questioning your faith or if God is really good? Know you’re not alone – I’ve been right there with you. May we together remember Who He is and to Whom we belong.
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General Update
Bible School 2020-21:
We started September with two weeks of quarantine and just five days after you got our last newsletter we had to evacuate because of wildfires in our area. What an eventful school year we've already had!
We had been paying attention to the Cameron Peak fire to the north of us since it started back in the middle of August. We were not expecting the fire that began on the other side of the continental divide to be the one that would cause us to evacuate.
The East Troublesome Fire ignited on October 14th north of Hot Sulphur Springs in Grand County. On October 22nd, the fire spotted over to our side of the Continental Divide. By that afternoon, we were heading down the mountain to stay for almost a week at Stone Canyon Outdoor EdVentures in Larkspur, CO. For some it was a challenging time and for many it felt like a little retreat with an opportunity to explore another part of Colorado including a trip to Garden of the Gods (pictured).
We are grateful to be settled back into campus. While we are still prepared to evacuate again if the need arises, we are very encouraged by the dramatic increases in containment over the last couple of weeks.
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Accomplishments
Middle Berg (pictured): We are in the process of installing new floors (donated wood flooring) and trim in Middle Berg as well as giving it all a fresh coat of paint!
The Gym: We are sealing the nails that were used on the upper roof of the gym to repair and prevent any leaks in the gym. We are planning on replacing the west side of the gym roof in the spring with proper decking and flashing to repair the leak in the workout room.
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New Ministry
LTC Bible Study: Our LTC students will be helping to lead a weekly Bible study in town with Middle Schoolers on Friday afternoons. They will be split by gender, and then into small groups to allow each student to lead the kids as they engage in Scripture and seek the Lord together.
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We are so grateful that all of our staff and students have remained healthy!
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Life is strangely as busy as ever. We are supposed to be “retired", but as we live in the light of the Word, being sensitive to the needs around us, and the people God brings to our heart and front door, we keep living the adventure of life with the Lord Jesus ! We are of necessity more aware of our need of Him as the mind and body need more push and shove to get going, but as always God has been faithful. We still teach classes at Ravencrest as we are asked, mentor young people, lead men’s and women’s Bible Studies, do a lot of hospitality (and cooking for Bonnie) and travel as permitted during these COVID days. We are aware that sunset is coming, but we desire to LIVE until we die!
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Upcoming Events
Thank you to Firefighters: As a way of showing our thanks and gratitude towards the Estes valley Fire Department, a group of students and staff in the kitchen ministry team is planning on making a meal for the firefighters who spent so much time and energy to keep this place safe.
Year Long Interns: If you or someone you know would be interested in volunteering for a year on our Maintenance team, let us know! We have openings immediately. It's a wonderful opportunity to serve the Lord in practical ways.
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God's Provision
A message from our Director, Erik Snyder
As we have previously mentioned, we have been fundraising for a replacement work truck. For those who have already given, thank you. It has been so encouraging to see the support that has been coming in. Though we have not yet reached our goal, we are already blessed by the generosity of so many who are meeting this need. As I currently sit and look out my window at snow falling to the ground, I look forward to soon purchasing a safer and more reliable truck for our maintenance team.
Our confidence remains steadfast in that the Lord is fully aware of our needs as an organization. He has faithfully provided for all our needs time and again, and we trust He will continue to do so. If you are interested in seeing some of the other needs that we are trusting Him for, please follow this link to our website.
Thank you for your faithful care and support of Ravencrest,
Erik
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Pray With Us
Praise:
- For the abundant prayers and support of the saints. The LORD remains our ROCK and
there is a peace beyond understanding within the staff and students.
- For God's protection from the fires, and for His provision during our evacuation!
- Students have been building relationships with students outside of their normal social groups which has been encouraging to see.
Pray:
- That the fires would continue to be contained, for rain and favorable wind conditions during this time of extreme drought in Colorado.
- For the hearts of the students as they faced another unexpected and unsettling crisis, that
they continue to find peace in the Lord.
- We have quite a few students making decisions in the coming weeks about whether or not they will stay at Ravencrest or go overseas. As European countries are experiencing further lockdowns, please pray for our students to know how God is leading.
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