02/26/2019
Hello Friends and Family!
Mission Update... Saddle up for a long read!
There has been some awesome stuff happening here in Morris! It has been a joy, privilege, and honor to be serving at Three Springs Ministries and in this community for just about 9 months. Aside from my work at Three Springs I have thoroughly enjoyed getting involved in the community as a volunteer firefighter, Ski Sawmill, and more recently moving into a home. Why don’t I tell you a little bit of what is going on in each of these areas.
At The Barn we are keeping the horses busy with our after school programs, group and private lessons, open arena nights, arena / trail rides, and sleigh rides. It has been a little bit of a slower season at The Barn, leaving well needed time to gear up for our summer camps and also time for myself to chip in with other projects going on at Three Springs. As you might know there are other “silos” to the ministry at Three Spring. To name a few, the Link Hill Inn has been staying plenty busy with adult retreats. The Mansion has been full of youth on the weekends. OneLife, our 22 college students, has been maximizing their year seeking to develop character, discover calling, and gain relational wisdom. It has been very neat to play a part in and learn each of the ways Three Springs reaches the hearts of people.
We are in the middle of doing some renovations to what we call the Tack Rooms. This will create better suited sleeping arrangements for taking on more OneLife students next fall. We are also about to embark on a major renovation to the Mansion. This will involve clearing out most of the walls on the first floor making more room for dining and also we will be adding a bathroom to every room in the four story mansion. BIG project! Please be praying that details will come together and renovation will be done on schedule in time for camps this summer!
Being involved at the fire department has been one of the highlights of each week for me. They say when you join the fire squad that it is more than just sirens and lights. We all meet at the station Wednesday nights for training, cleaning trucks, working around the station, and some, more than others just sit around the station chatting it up. I am very excited about the relationships being built. Please be praying for us as a squad.
Ski Sawmill is the ski resort that I can see from the horse barn. My off days at Three Springs are Friday and Sunday so I have been able to work at Ski Sawmill on Fridays as a ski or snowboard instructor and lift operator. On Fridays we have school groups and it has been a joy to get to know as many of their names as I possibly can and somehow teach the 60+ kids how to ski. I enjoy being on the mountain while at the same time this has been a way to make some extra cash.
I have been blessed to be able to live in the top floor of the Mansion at Three Springs the past 8 months. However with the renovation coming up I was going to have to move temporarily. I knew that getting off camp would help me establish my roots and get better integrated into the community so for the past couple months I have been praying for an opportunity to find housing off camp property that would be close and affordable. Guess what, God did just that! He provided a single wide trailer 5 minutes down the road from camp. I moved in at the beginning of this month! I look forward to this opportunity of having my own place where I can host folks from the community for meals, game nights, and Bible studies.
Recently God has been reminding me of the hope we have in Jesus. The joy that He brings and difference that He makes in our everyday lives if we have truly put our faith and trust in Him. He wants us to allow him to make a difference wherever we are and in whatever we are doing. Yes it will take courage and faith but great is His faithfulness. He is faithful and just to forgive. His mercies are new every morning.
One area of God's faithfulness to me has been through your support! Prayer and/ or financial there has been evidence of His faithfulness. There has been many circumstances where I know there is a team of prayer warriors supporting me. His faithfulness has come through those who have continued their financial support on a monthly basis, those who are new monthly supporters, and those who have given one time gifts. I am 80% to my financial support goal!
Thank you for your prayers and your sacrifice as I continue on this mission God has called me.
Stay In The Light,
T.J. Arendt
1 John 1:9
Lamentations 3:23
