CWE Build | Week Three

If I were to pick one dominant emotion evoked from week to week with these CWE volunteers, I would pick overwhelming gratitude. People! — we are busy, am I right? Life just tends to suck us in and it can feel too hard to step away from. Yet, each week we watch a new set of volunteers show up to camp, ready for the work of the week, ready for their part in this big (to us) project. And each week we feel washed with the gratitude again, just when we thought we couldn’t possibly feel any more grateful.

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I was talking with one of the volunteers this past week and he was commenting on how so many of us just make so many excuses. We make up reasons why we can’t do this or that, and yet there was a man on the crew this past week with bone cancer. If anyone has an excuse it’s him, but he was so excited to be there, taking part in the work. It was convicting and left me feeling again just so grateful for all the people giving up something, stepping away from or out of their lives for a week to serve us. God weaves all our stories for His glory and there’s nothing more beautiful!

Watch this week’s video right here:

We say it a lot around here, but Volunteers, YOU are the superheroes! Thank you for inspiring, serving and leaving the fragrant aroma of your love for God behind with you!

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Author & Photography | Cassi

CWE Build | Week Two

The volunteers from last week’s group were just as excited to be serving as the first week! They were responsible for putting on the roof and siding, and they did so with gusto! Because of their hard work, they finished early and were able to enjoy a little swing by choice on our ropes course at the end!

We’ve put together a video we would love for you to watch! Let us know what you think of all that’s happening!

We are entirely grateful for each person who gives their time and energy and talent to be a part of this building! God continues to encourage us by His provision, but also His people!

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Author & Photography | Cassi

The Tale of the Concrete Pour

Early and still dark, my eyes opened to the realization of the rain pounding on the roof. Concrete day at camp and it was absolutely pouring rain. Noooo. God, you knew. Why today? Up the road, Marty was having the exact same experience from his own bed. Doesn’t it sometimes feel like God isn’t hearing us or might not care as much as we think He should? Boy, how wrong we are to think like that. He’s all about getting the most glory, so He keeps us on the edge of our seats, desperately needing Him so we can be in awe of Him.

We all went through our morning routines, getting ready, grabbing work gear and shuttling out the door. It might be raining, but we were still showing up. We drove up to the pad where the work was supposed to be taking place and found work crews huddled in their trucks, watching their weather apps predict rain all day. We sent texts asking people to pray, we sent out a call on social media to pray; please, God, stop the rain and allow the work to be done.

Do you see the light shining down on the concrete pad? Didn’t know it when the picture was taken!

What might have seemed forever was only a handful of minutes. With workers standing by, the pump truck arriving, multiple concrete trucks en route, and an audience on social media and text praying hard, we saw the glory of God. The rain not only stopped, but as if by some divine wind, the clouds cleared out and the sun was out ALL DAY LONG!!

Because of the sun, the temperature warmed just enough to move the process along rather swiftly. The hard work of the crew, the orchestration and timing of God allowed our slab to be poured before CWE arrives to build!

Every day before and after the day of the concrete pour we had rain upon rain upon rain. But for one important day God showed us He controls the weather, He provides all we need, He listens, is personal and more than cares. I’m so thankful we get to see Him working up close and personal. I’m so thankful for all of you who care enough to pray and share this journey with us.

Watch the video of the process up to this point! To God be the glory!

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Author & Photographer | Cassi

Spraying the Mountain Green

We are continuing to catch you up on the progress of our land for the new camper lodge build this spring. (Did you see this post?) Well, one of them…but that is a story for another post! Today we are showing you how we painted the mountain green!

Marty and Dave

May 2021

Nancy

Before the spraying came the hard, grunt work of cleaning up the sides of the mountains. Raking the rocks out, clearing out the roots, setting the pipe to help steer the drainage down the right parts of the mountain. This kind of work never has anyone excited, but it’s the necessary work everyone gets on board with together. Many hands make light work, or something like that. Dave and Nancy Houchin have been such willing help — we couldn’t be more thankful for them!

Once the ground was prepped, we made the call to our hydroseed guy (Hey, Josh Stephens!), and he began the magical work of spraying our mountain green!

Of course rain on the green is the ideal situation. And of course, we had a bit of a drought following the spray, so we had a few people pass through last spring who hand watered our baby seeds. Isn’t that just true service? I mean really! The small things really are the big things! Not only did they help save the precious investment of hydroseed, they also helped our mountain have lush, green grass all summer long!

Stay tuned for more progress posts to come! Oh, and have we got a curve ball story for you!

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Author & Photography | Cassi

Camper Cabins | Phase 1 Continues

This post was written in June of 2021 but was forgotten 🤦🏼‍♀️ …Let’s begin here anyways!

We began preparing the land in January 2021

The work continued through the spring!

Did you know we have been preparing our land to build more camper cabins? Sometimes we think everyone knows, but this kind of information can sometimes slip through the cracks, especially for those who may not be on social media much!

We never like turning away larger groups who are wanting to give their teens the Whisper Mountain experience. We do camp a bit different than a lot of other camps. We major on intentional connections and knowing people’s names. We are careful to have purpose to the fun and build up groups as a unit. We help teens escape their noise, to practice quiet each day and offer them the chance to encounter the whisper of God.

Our vision is to never exceed 125 campers at a time because we believe the quality of what we are trying to offer can easily be lost if we get too big. We want each person to continue to feel the personal interaction and be known. We can currently sleep 60 campers in the summer because our summer staff stay in the cabins with them. In retreat season (every season except summer) we can sleep 72 campers. So these new 32 bed camper cabins will step us closer to the goal! And we are completely excited!

We are most thankful for Eddie who has used his expertise to set us up for success in many ways! His knowledge and experience offered ideas and suggestions to help us maximize the land in the best ways and to problem solve with the struggles the mountain offered.

He even has helped us create a place that is useable for campers this summer! We mentioned helping campers practice being quiet. Each morning, surrounded by the beauty and quiet of the mountains, campers go find a spot alone to be still, to interact with God’s Word and to practice listening for His voice. Some teens thrive in this time, others find it uncomfortable and challenging. But God shows up.

Eddie has helped us create some new spots for Solo Time (as we call it) at the very top of our mountain. He’s created a flat space and large rocks for sitting on. The space is breathtaking and beautiful. And when all is quiet, it’s heavenly.

We are paying as we go and as God provides so if you would like to be a vehicle of His provision, you can give using this link!

Thanks for your interest and for sharing our excitement in all God continues to do in and through Whisper Mountain Camp!

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Author & Photography | Cassi