A Note from Dan
Greetings
to my fellow Christian sojourners! I trust you are seeking to walk daily
with your hand firmly grasping our Lord's hand. Daily - that is my
intentional habit. I can't imagine beginning a day without the conscious
awareness that I belong to God and that He longs to use me in some way each
day.
Do you remember the passage in John's gospel where it's recorded that "many of His (Jesus) disciples went back and walked with Him no more." Jesus then asked the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?” I often feel like Peter when he answered Jesus' question by saying “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." Some "disciples" do turn back and no longer walk with Him. I have to believe that those who choose to do that must never have truly known our Savior at all. He alone has the answers to life and He alone has promised NEVER to leave us or forsake us. In turn, we should walk so closely to Him that we will NEVER want to leave or forsake Him.
Let's be genuine & serious daily disciples, followers of our Savior and Lord. Let us know how we can encourage you and pray for you!
Do you remember the passage in John's gospel where it's recorded that "many of His (Jesus) disciples went back and walked with Him no more." Jesus then asked the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?” I often feel like Peter when he answered Jesus' question by saying “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." Some "disciples" do turn back and no longer walk with Him. I have to believe that those who choose to do that must never have truly known our Savior at all. He alone has the answers to life and He alone has promised NEVER to leave us or forsake us. In turn, we should walk so closely to Him that we will NEVER want to leave or forsake Him.
Let's be genuine & serious daily disciples, followers of our Savior and Lord. Let us know how we can encourage you and pray for you!
Graduation at the Farm
One of the most memorable
graduations took place at the Farm earlier this year. A small group gathered in
the Chapel to honor two Program graduates: Johnny Allen and
Jorry Todd. Each graduation celebration is special but this one particularly
captured the essence of what the CLP / NLP journey is about.
To accept Christ as Lord and Savior, to become a child of God and experience all the joy that can bring, living day-to-day clean and sober, and finally, re-connecting with family so powerful that “all things are possible through Christ” is proven true.
To accept Christ as Lord and Savior, to become a child of God and experience all the joy that can bring, living day-to-day clean and sober, and finally, re-connecting with family so powerful that “all things are possible through Christ” is proven true.
We recently met with Johnny and
Jorry to ask what’s going on in their lives.
We Remember You: It’s been a few months since the two
of you graduated from the Farm. What are
you working on now?
Johnny: I’m living here at the Farm doing a
lot of repair and maintenance projects.
I’m getting a lot of work in the community. I’m also hoping to get involved more in
ministry here at the mission.
Jorry: This summer I’m working at a
restaurant here in Warsaw.
This fall I’m starting school at State
Fair Community
College where I’m going to get an AA Degree in Auto
Mechanics. When I graduate I hope to get
a job working in a large auto dealership.
We Remember You: Johnny, the letter your son wrote that was
read at your graduation was very touching. You clearly reconnected with your
family while on program. Speak to us about that.
Johnny: I’m going to my grand kids’ ball
games - which is just great. But I’m
really just trying to be a good father, grandfather and son to my mother. I
know I really hurt and disappointed a lot of people but through God’s grace I’m
getting another chance to be there for them like I should. This is a chance I never thought I'd get; I'm very thankful.
We Remember You: Jorry, you’re close to your family as well. Your grandfather spoke at your graduation and had a lot to say
about how far you’ve come. He’s very
proud of you. You also have 2 young daughters. How has that relationship
changed?
Jorry: They are a big reason I’m going to
school. I want to be able to be a good
father to them and provide for them. I'm now ready to take on the responsibility of being a father.
We Remember You: This
interview is just a short piece of the conversation we recently had with Johnny
and Jorry. It’s clear though that both men have been experiencing God’s grace
in their lives. God’s transforming grace has also impacted the lives of those
dear to Johnny and Jorry. Thanks to Johnny and Jorry; thanks and praise to our
heavenly Father.
Farm Bunkhouse Renovation
Almost every graduate has spent time at the Farm either on
retreat or on Program so you’ll likely recall fond memories of rustic living
and the sound of crackling campfires of this memorable place tucked away in the
Missouri back
country.
Since the early 1930’s the Opportunity Farm near Warsaw, Missouri
has stood as a place of hard work, commitment to serving the Lord, and spiritual
healing. Carved out of the Ozarks over the decades, the Farm is now home to a
free-standing extension of the Christian Life Program. We spent a morning at
the Farm getting caught up on recent changes and future plans and want to share
with you.
Under the leadership of Lee Burns, the Farm is upgrading
facilities; from a new water treatment project, wood burning heating system and
renovated quarters, the Farm is moving forward. Bunkhouse 1 was recently taken
down to the studs and rebuilt. David
Busick gave us a tour of the modern yet rustic comfortable building which can
house 12 men.
David explains, “We look forward to the planned changes that
will allow us to increase our number of clients to 24. This will be
accomplished through the remodel of Bunkhouse 2 and setting up rooms for 3
men each. In our remodel of Bunkhouse 1 we were able to establish much
needed privacy and space.” (Post-renovation photos on the right)
Much has changed since the Farm opened during the great
depression and much is planned, with God’s provision, but one thing remains constant:
Christ is King.
In Focus: David Busick
David Busick, long-time CLP Administrator enjoys hunting (firearm and archery) and fishing, old firearm restoration, all fields of construction, and especially family. He and Diane, married nearly 30 years have two sons, Joshua and Jacob, and two granddaughters. Ordained in 1988 to minister the gospel of Christ, he pastored children and youth while working full time as a grocery meat cutter, and worked later manufacturing Craftsman toolboxes.
David has had his faith and strength tested by several
major illnesses since 2009 and God continues to supply and restore
strength.
David explains, “He is without a doubt the source of my
personal peace and hope. I can do nothing except through Christ; my
strength fails me but He does not”.
He shared scriptures that became instrumental during this
season.
Psalm 23 “For giving me strength and
stability in the midst of trouble.”
Psalm 139:23-24 “To
focus on my personal life; that I would remain humble, teachable and
correctable and not disqualify myself for God's work. I will not
forget the years of my rebellious attitude, the pain it caused and the doors it
closed.” James 1:19-20 “I have not always lived with that kind of focus for or toward others. I've learned the value of listening and every day I am reminded to think wisely before I speak. And repent quickly when I don't.”
Special Interest - Fireplace
A varied collection of buildings, old and new, peppers the land on the Farm. Back in a quiet corner is Ruth’s Lodge. Ruth was Ruth Vanderberg, the daughter of the founders, Rev. and Mrs. David Bulkley. Among the many buildings on the Farm, Ruth’s Lodge could be easily overlooked. Once you enter, however, one special feature captures your attention. The large cozy fireplace compels you to sit and imagine a roaring fire on a cold winter’s night.
As you rest, you begin to notice
how well-built the fireplace is with intricate construction details evident of
a true craftsman. And something else catches your eye - a cross carefully built
into the brickwork.
Who built this? Too many years ago,
a client at the camp asked and got permission to build a fireplace onto the
lodge. Slowly and with great care he built this fireplace adorned with a stone cross.
Concluding Thought
Anyone who has been on program at the Farm knows it’s about hard work in the woods, Bible study and reflection. It’s hoped and prayed for that everyone who walks the Farm’s trails for a day or a year will reflect upon their own lives. Maybe you did. Maybe you saw that a life without Christ was empty and lonely. Maybe you saw that through Him there is a future and hope. Maybe you chose to take a different path in life – one committed to Him. We pray you did and that you are still on His path. It is the road less traveled, yes, but what a glorious that road it is. My God bless you.
The final stanza of The Road Not Taken
by Robert Frost:
I shall be telling this
with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
The client who crafted the fireplace was J.R. Rouse...he graduated in 2006,
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