UNEXPECTED TRANSITION ...

Hi friends and family!  We have made it a month as Indiana residents! We are in our 4th week at our new ministry location and are settling in nicely. Most of our boxes are unpacked and pictures hung. We are still overwhelmed by God's goodness in this move. We arrived on Saturday March 5 and took on our positions on Monday March 7. With cabins already reserved there had to be a seamless transition. We are learning as we go and are thankful for the great training we received from our predecessors Jerry and Nancy Smith and current staff, Dick, Sibyl, Skip and Linda.  We were welcomed by this sign (picture) on the door to our new home, which made me smile in remembering when we "welcome home" ladies as they come to Redeemed Home, we place a sign much like this on the back door. It certainly was humbling. We truly loved our years in Price Hill working with the men and women who just need to be loved, as well as the amazing staff and friends we met through and with BLOC. We could not do what we do know without having that time there. We are thankful. 

We have met some amazing guests already. They are coming from all types of ministry life and come seeking quiet rest. We love to hear their stories as they love to hear how God led us here to The Springs. We look forward to meeting them and helping in any way we can. 

In the last month we have welcomed approximately 36 guests. For me; Karen, that means around 20 cabin flips and mounds of laundry. I have made countless reservations through November of this year already as I learn a new system. We book 8 months out so if you are thinking of coming for a stay, get your request in soon! Who can come? Anyone who is in ministry, which means anyone serving in any compacity for the Lord. Pastors, group leaders, ministry leaders and workers, lay leaders. Ministry is hard mental, emotional, physical work. We offer rest, quiet, peace and nature which is at The Springs a place to be. You can also come and be our guests. We have a guest suite in our home that can be a quiet get away with a separate entrance, bed and bath that can be yours all to yourself! …just know Teddy will want to say hello from time to time :).  Another option would be to come for the day, do some fishing or sit by the lake and walk the trails. Visit The Springs website to see all we offer and to put in a reservation request. To be our personal guest - just call or text us! Our home is open. 

Jim's work has been gearing up to begin mowing season by checking mowers, filling gas cans and making sure all the equipment is ready to roll. He takes care of 2 horses, Bailey and April who are so sweet. He is walking trails making lists of upkeep and repairs needed....

We have had THREE power outages so far and a tornado WARNING! So Jim fires up our generator and we alert the guests and invite them into our space if they wish to come. The guests are our #1 priority. So - you could say we are in the people business :) The tornado storm didn't reach us and we are thankful for that. 

OUR MOVE

Our move on Friday / Saturday March 4th and 5th was a long couple of days but we could not have done all we did without so much help on both ends. Leaving Price Hill, many of our BLOC & LIT families jumped right in, along with family and friends.  On The Springs end, the staff here provided food and lots of help moving and unloading boxes.  It was such a blessing to us in so many ways and we can't say thank you enough.

SUPPORT PARTNERS

What does being here at The Springs mean for us financially as missionaries? 

Although this is a different mission field than inner-city and we are being provided a place to live and a small stipend, we still have expenses we need to cover over and above that. We would love to chat with anyone interested in supporting the work we are doing here as we serve and support all those coming for rest. As we get cabins ready, upkeep the property etc., we serve those coming. 

A personal note from Karen (some as seen on facebook)

The work here is physical yet so filled with God. As I clean cabins and make beds with clean sheets, I pray for those coming next. Each week I prepare a report with guest names and what they are seeking during their stay, for each guest coming...it is so necessary and personal. They all come seeking rest from hard hard ministry work.

As I wash, dry and fold endless piles of laundry I find simple joy in knowing the guests will sleep comfortably. We have met so many wonderful people from many areas of ministry. We share stories. Springtime brings new-life sprouting up all over the grounds which I feel is symbolic to our journey.

We have also become a bird watchers. The birds here are extraordinary. We have seen a Tufted Titmouse, Northern Flickers, Red-bellied and Downy woodpeckers, Nuthatches, Cardinals, Blue Jays and many more. WHO KNEW I would want to learn about birds. HAHA! Yet....I often think of the scripture that speaks of how God cares for the birds of the air and the lilies of the field and ponder on HOW MUCH MORE does God love and care for us than these beautiful created things? (Matthew 6:25-34) Do not be anxious about your life, what we will eat or drink or wear. God will provide. He always has and He always will. We simply are called to trust in Him.

Teddy has settled in so good. He has a couple of perches as he watches out over the comings and goings of mommy and daddy, or as friend Judy says, "he is watching out over his new kingdom!". HAHA. He tracks us and greets at whichever door we enter as if we've been gone days...every time. He loves greeting the other staff members as they come and go. He mostly loves that on guest-free days (mostly Sundays), he gets to run free and that he does. He puts his ears back and runs like a mad-man. Living his best life for sure! :)

We come today thankful,  humbled, honored to be here, surprised by God for this move, willing and available to be used by Him in any and all ways. We are honored to serve those who are also serving God. I truly didn't realize how weary I was. We understand deeply those coming to rest how important and needed it is.  I know deep in my heart God moved us here for His purpose. The work in Price Hill is so important and needed. God knows what we need when we need it and HE makes ALL THINGS POSSIBLE in HIS timing! We desire to learn better how to serve in hospitality. 1 Peter 4:9 says to offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. God's two greatest commandments are to love God and love others. God has given us the desires of our heart in living in a cabin in the woods, yet in such a way that has blown our minds in so many unexpected ways and blessings. Psalm 37:3-5 [NIV] says, "Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act." 

Philippians 2:13 says, "For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure."

John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life"

THANK YOU ALL for being with us on our journey. Your love, prayers, physical and financial support means so much to us. We truly are the ones who are humbled by you. We love you!

We need volunteers here too!  Come help clean a cabin or two or work the grounds. 

Jim and Karen Green

8173 Davison Rd.

Oldenburg, IN 47036

Same phone numbers!