Embracing Interruptions

“The great thing, if one can, is to stop regarding all the unpleasant things as interruptions of one’s ‘own,’ or ‘real’ life. The truth is of course that what one calls the interruptions are precisely one’s real life—the life God is sending one day by day; what one calls one’s ‘real life’ is a phantom of one’s own imagination. This at least is what I see at moments of insight: but it’s hard to remember it all the time.”
~ C.S. Lewis

"This is the day that the Lord has made, I will be glad and rejoice in it!" ~ Psalm 118:24

Rich Towards God

Kaleidoscope Campers Learn About Faith in Jesus

Thank You 2010 Donors!

As we look back over 2010, we want to say thank you for your support of the Williamsburg Christian Retreat Center. Because of your gifts, we were able to provide a place where young and old alike can begin a relationship with Jesus Christ and grow in Him.

Of course the most visible accomplishment of 2010 was the completion of the first cabin village. Five new cabins with space for 60 more people to experience Christ-centered fellowship, growth and renewal. The cabin village is truly a sight to see.

Even more important, however, are the things you can’t see with your eyes. Second Corinthians 4:18 reminds us to, “… fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” In this quiet place surrounded by creation, God has been at work in hearts and lives.

In 2010, our campers and guests were able to grow in their faith. Some put their faith in Christ for the first time and began a new life in Him. Others took the next step in their journey of faith and are walking closer to Him as a result. Your gift to WCRC has allowed that to happen and has had an impact on eternity. Praise God!

Author John Ortberg says, “Being rich toward God means making that which is temporary become the servant of that which is eternal.” Thanks for giving your temporal financial resources to cause an eternal change. Thanks for being rich towards God! What a wonderful investment. May the Lord richly bless you and yours in 2011.

Polar Bear Adopt-a-Highway

Well, you may have heard of the Polar Bear clubs where crazy people jump into ice-cold water for fun, but have you heard of people picking up trash in sub-freezing tempertures? That's exactly what happened here on Saturday.

As part of our Annual Association Day event we offered the Association Members the opportunity to do some service projects. There were several to choose from including wood cutting/splitting, Adopt a Highway, and brochure folding/stapling. We had a total of 15 volunteers and staff working Saturday morning and we got a lot of work done.

Barnes Rd. is looking great, we have a new pile of firewood, a stack of brochures and some staff that are very grateful.

Thanks to all who helped! You are helping provide a place to begin a relationship with Jesus Christ and grow in him.

Keep an eye on our website for more volunteer opportunities. Sign up to recieve volunteer emails by going to our website homepage and entering your email in the box.

Dreaming of a White…Winter Youth Retreat!

What could be more appropriate for the Winter Youth Retreat than snow? Well for this year’s event we had plenty. Sledding, snow man building, and snow ball fights were all part of the fun at the Winter Youth Retreat.

Our speaker was Sam Scaggs of Mt. Pleasant Mennonite Church. Sam is the author of a book called The Dream Weaver: God’s Plan for Releasing You into Your Dreams. Sam encourages people of all ages to, “Dream God-sized dreams for His glory and change this world into a better place.” Sam took the students through the Bible looking at how God puts a vision in a person’s heart and how that dream can be challenged and refined and accomplished.

Wow! It was a great time. Some of the campers made these comments on an evaluation of the retreat:

· I’m going to try to think through my dreams and make a plan…
· I’ll make sure I don’t crush other’s dreams
· I’ll try to be more open in my relationship with Jesus and others
· I’m going to read the Bible more and just be with God more
· This retreat helped me understand forgiveness
· I’m going to follow my “God dream”
· I’m going to spend more time in worship and prayer

Our goal in the Winter Youth Retreat is to help our campers develop a strong foundation in God’s Word and encourage them to be salt and light in the world. I was really excited to hear some of the dreams mentioned. From leading worship to being a nature photographer to making movies, these campers have some very big “God-dreams.” It will be exciting to see how God uses them to change the world.

Thanks to all the counselors and staff who worked so hard to make this a great retreat. The counselors volunteered their time and served wholeheartedly. Great job!

The tentative date for our next Winter Youth Retreat is December 28-30, 2011. Keep an eye on the website and register in the fall.

Your Gift Makes a Big Difference

Thank you!

...for your partnership in Williamsburg Christian Retreat Center's ministry this past year. We value the contributions from you and other like-minded individuals who appreciate the significance of having a place set apart for fellowship, growth and renewal.

I am writing now to ask you to strengthen this partnership with a year-end contribution. Although churches, ministries, schools and families regularly use WCRC's facilities for their retreats, this income does not cover all of our operating expenses. And because we strive to keep Kaleidoscope Camp affordable, that program is also financially supported by contributions to our Annual Fund.

As of October 31, WCRC's operating deficit was over $78,000. Fortunately, contributions from generous donors have totaled $45,000 thus far in 2010 thereby reducing the shortfall to $33,000. Would you please prayerfully consider a donation at this time that will help eliminate this year's deficit?

The impact of each child's time at Kaleidoscope Camp on his or her life is difficult to estimate but the youth do realize the spiritual significance. As one camper writes, "One hundred percent of this camp is about God which is my favorite part."

Parents, too, recognize the importance of Kaleidoscope Camp in their children's lives. A parent writes, "We thank God and the whole staff at Kaleidoscope Camp for the ministry rendered and that changed lives will be the continued testimony of service unto the Lord."

Your investment in WCRCin the past has allowed the ministry to make this kind of impact on campers, their parents, and the 10,000 other guests who come to the retreat center each year. Your year end contribution will enable this impact to continue. Please make checks to WCRC and mail your tax-deductible contribution to:

WCRC Annual Fund
9275 Barnes Rd.
Toano, VA 23168

You can also give online at www.wcrc.info/support.php.

Thank you for caring about WCRC and its ministry. May you have a blessed Christmas and New Year.

Sincerely,

Bob Briscoe
Executive Director

Thankful and Moving Forward

Back to blogging for WCRC. It's been a tough year, but we made it through. The cabins are done with only a few details left to finish up. Things are finally a bit quieter. I think I speak for most of the staff when I say we are both tired and thankful that we have come this far. God is good.

Though we are tired, it's exciting to look ahead to 2011. We have our summer camp theme picked out already, and the brochure is almost done. Dive In to Community is our theme. We'll look at how fellowship is critical to our growth and effectiveness as Christians.

We are also launching the Friends of WCRC Program in 2011. This new title will describe all who volunteer, donate, pray, and work at WCRC. It includes board members, association members, corporate sponsors, and church sponsors as well as monthly donors, Magnolia donors, one time donors, and prayer partners. Pretty much anyone who is involved in the ministry will now become a Friend. We are hoping that this will open the door to allow more people to be involved in providing this place of solitude, fellowship and growth that so many enjoy.

One key volunteer position that will re-emerge in 2011 is Weekend Host. About 6 years ago we were in the habit of having a host couple stay with us every weekend. They stay in Oakwood Lodge to be available 24/7 for guest needs. They help out in the kitchen and take care of minor maintenance needs and trash. They also get a good bit of down time especially on Saturday afternoon. It's a win-win situation. We'll also be re-starting the Adopt-A-Cottage program and the Adopt-A-Highway program. If you would be interested in being a volunteer in 2011, fill out a Volunteer Application found on our website at http://www.wcrc.info/volunteer.php.

On the home-front, I'll be heading to China in a week with my family to bring Lucas, our 5 year old son, home. He's in an orphanage in Shenzhen, China. Pray for a safe trip and a good transition for our Lucas!

Thanks for reading. Keep WCRC in your prayers. Drop by for some coffee and take a look at the new cabins if you get a chance!

Bob

Long Time No Blog

Ok, I know it has been forever since I last posted. I'll make this short. Pedal the Peninsula is really fun. I've participated in three of them so far. This will be my fourth. I did the 25 mile once, the 63 mile once and last year I did the 10 miler with my whole family. It's a really fun time. Great bike riding, great food, lots of neat people. I hope you'll consider coming this year. May 15. See the info on the website: http://wcrc.info/pedal_the_peninsula.php