Wilderness Northwest Blog

What’s the Benefit?

Blessed be the Lord who daily loads us with benefits. Psalm 68:4

A basic principle of business relationships in our society centers upon the concept of “what do I get out of the deal?” “What’s the benefit for me?” A Christian’s relationship to God is based on love, and yet the benefits received seem to be almost endless.
I know everyone has moved past thanksgiving and into the malls as we accelerate towards Christmas, but maybe we can hang onto a few thoughts of thankfulness for the many benefits of God as we near the end of 2008. I am thinking of it as a Christmas wish list-and you can add to it as you like.
I wish I could be more thankful for……..

1. The God of Creation. (Isaiah 40:28) “In the Beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1) This means that the Maker has designed me with a purpose and I am of special value created in the image of a loving and personal God. Plus, it means I’m buddies with the smartest guy in the universe! You know the phrase—- ‘it’s all about who you know’

2. The God of Faithfulness (Psalm 36:5) He never leaves or forsakes us. His faithfulness reaches to the skies.

3. The God of all Comfort. (II Corinthians 1:3) He comes along side us knowing where and how we hurt. He has great compassion on His children and really cares. That’s always a good person to have in your corner.

4. The God of Victory (I Corinthians 15:57) We have resurrection power over sin and death. We can sing a new tune (Psalm 98:1) because a supernatural power gives us a new heart to please God. That’s a really good deal!

5. The God of Love (John 3:16) Even while we were enemies of God, He gave us the “indescribable gift” of His Son, Jesus Christ. (II. Corinthians 9:15) When the fullness of time came, God sent forth His Son…. (Galatians 5:4) That’s the “real” Christmas benefit.

6. The God of Truth (Deuteronomy 32:4) Symbolized by the solid and immovable nature of a rock—–, God is perfect and his words are always true. We can depend on it.

7. The God of Mercy (Psalm 107:1-2) I think we can all benefit from knowing that God’s mercy is available to me in spite of what I have done.

8. God of Hope (Romans 15:13) The coming days may reveal desperate times for our nations’ economy and moral condition, but the believer can always look to tomorrow in the hope of the God of all hope. Let’s be “abounding” in 2009!

We close out 2008 very thankful for those of you who support WNW and have supported us for 28 years of ministry with your gifts, prayers, labor and volunteer staff work. I trust we have all benefited from our camp relationships. We are all especially thankful for a Creator who became incarnate that first Christmas, in order to become our Savior offering an eternal future of incredible benefits.

“Bless the Lord, Oh my soul, and forget none of His benefits.”
(Psalm 103:2)

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Looking Ahead:

It has been a challenging year in 2008 to keep up progress in our plans, programs, and goals for the year. The WNW Board of Directors has been prayerfully shaping and retooling our vision for camp ministry and will be revealing those plans as we make progress in the coming months.
We still work towards completing Phase I Restoration & Rebuilding of the camp facility even through the winter months in an attempt to make camp ready for 2009. Limited resources and volunteers in 2008 have caused us to anticipate a possible reduction of available camp programs for 2009. We remain committed to do our best to maintain quality camp experiences for the future. Please pray for our plans and directions as we seek to visualize God’s desires for WNW camp ministries, and that we glorify Him in all that we do.

Jody Weed

Truck Upgrade: We were desperate for a replacement truck last
summer and the Hanna’s of Shelton, Washington responded by donating a 1993 Dodge Dakota in very good running condition. Thanks, Pat and Libby, for helping us stay operational.

We started construction on a storage shed behind the cookhouse in April and have just recently been finishing the interior.

Memorial: Marla’s mother, Dorothy Posthuma, passed away this last September. She was much loved and will be greatly missed by family and friends as reflected in the $400. of memorial gifts received by WNW.
(Obituary) Dorothy M. (Visser) Posthuma, age 88, went home to her loving Savior on Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008, at Rest Haven Homes in Grand Rapids, Mich. She was born in Downs, Kan., on June 21, 1920, to Peter and Martha Visser, the eldest the eight children. When she was a child, her family moved to Lynden, where she received her elementary education. She put herself through high school in Chicago, graduating in 1946. She then earned a degree to teach elementary education from Calvin College, graduating in 1950, and that same year married Rev. Roger D. Posthuma, who, after 53 years of marriage, preceded her in death in 2003. Living as a pastor’s wife in Zillah, Wash.; Tucson, Ariz.; Gallup, Zuni and Albuquerque, N.M.,; and Salem, Or., Dorothy raised five children and pursued her love of teaching in Zuni and Salem as her children grew. She also enjoyed painting, working with stained glass, quilting and volunteering. In retirement she moved to Grand Rapids, where she lived for 13 years. She was a wonderful example of a godly woman, who loved to share her faith and prayed faithfully for many people over the years. “We cannot find the words to tell you how much we love, respect and admire you, Mom, and thank you for raising us in a godly home.” Dorothy is survived by her loving family: children Linda Posthuma, Ruth Posthuma, Marla (Jody) Weed, Ardith (Robert) Kruis, and Richard (Carol) Posthuma; 19 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; sisters Henrietta Olin and Bermice Van Dalen; brothers Bernard (Ruth) Visser, Harold (Joyce) Visser and George (Gladys) Visser; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. The funeral service was held in Grand Rapids, Mich., on Monday Sept. 8. Memorials may be made to Wilderness Northwest Christian Family Camp, 1903 Duckabush Road., Brinnon, WA., 98320.

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Moose Alert: I recently made a wilderness trek to the Alaskan interior north of Fairbanks in search of the elusive moose. I joined Harley Brotherton, his daughter and son-in-law as we rafted down Birch Creek on the hunt. We eventually left the grizzly and the bull moose to live another day, but we experienced a very memorable camp adventure in the backcountry of wild Alaska.