New Earth Refuge rising....
November 16, 2007
Four years ago Gracie and I moved to a home on 35 acres of land bordering the Skagit River near LaConner after living for eight years three blocks from Tierra Nueva in Burlington. We had dreamed of and longed for a refuge for our family from the constant demands of ministry. Our life in Burlington was not sustainable and we often neared burnout. Our new place along the Skagit river is only twenty minutes from our ministry, yet we find rest among the firs and cedars in our home build on a rock outcropping above the river and fields where our llama, horse and sheep graze. Right from the start we knew this property was more than we needed for our family alone. We learned that Eilene Summers, the original owner, had dreamed of using the land for some kind of retreat where people could pray and receive healing. After her church refused to accept it as a gift for a retreat center upon her death, she willed it the Skagit Valley College, from whom we purchased it with the help of a loan from the bank and generous friends. In 2005 we set up New Earth Refuge as a Washington State non-profit and received recognition from the IRS as a 501c3. This allowed us to raise and initial $25,000 to refurbish an outbuilding as a guesthouse and prayer room that sleeps 6. Then a student of mine from Regent College, Elizabeth Turnman, felt called to join us after she graduated, and began raising support to work as ½ time coordinator of our new prayer ministry. In the last two years dozens of individuals have come to New Earth Refuge for prayer. Prayer meetings for local pastors, Tierra Nueva staff happen regularly and over 75 people teaching or receiving courses at The People’s Seminary have stayed in the guesthouse. In July 2006 The People’s Seminary hosted a six-day training course on ministry at the margins “Your Kingdom Come” which attracted over 35 people from across the country. Our guesthouse was filled, people slept on the floor at Tierra Nueva and others stayed with friends. In August a group of 15 of my theology students from Vancouver BC who had taken my courses at The People’s Seminary asked to come to New Earth Refuge to receive prayer and have a potluck. 27 people ended up coming that afternoon and we learned later that over 50 people were interested. People wanted prayer for greater clarity regarding spiritual gifts and empowerment for ministry. Two weeks later an additional 15 people came down for a similar event to receive prayer. A new prayer lodge is now under construction that includes two guesthouses that will sleep twelve people each and a meeting room where thirty or so people can gather. Between our existing guesthouse and the new ones we will be able to sleep 26-30 guests. $135,000 is needed to complete this building, which we hope to finish by February 2007. Once the building is completed New Earth Refuge will be maintained through volunteer work and contributions from those who benefit from the ministry directly. Our next series of TPS courses begins February 1. Building is currently halted until funds begin to come in again to finish the roof, buy windows, and then on to the electrical, plumbing, insulation, siding, decking and interior finish. Please pray for us in this new phase of our ministry of hospitality and prayer. The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few—and in need of discernment of their callings, healing, spiritual renewal, and further empowerment by the Holy Spirit. We welcome you to come by to visit and/or to receive prayer. Once the new building is complete we plan on having contemplative/soaking prayer one night per week that you are welcome to attend. We will keep you updated. Yours in Christ, Bob Ekblad
New Earth Refuge P.O. Box 410 , Burlington, WA 98233
New Earth Refuge Expenses
After Construction needs
|
