Looking forward to spring...and summer

Here are a few things we are looking forward to this spring:

• Spring OEE season starts April 15 with Triton followed by Chandler, Benton, Parkside, Waterford, Westview, Millersburg, Centreville, Wakarusa, Riverview, Middlebury, and still some more firming up dates.
• Even more than the schools coming, our program continues to develop as Cheryl Mast works very hard to keep current and improving education opportunities. With Jess Andrews helping and some summer staff coming early, our instructors will do a great job providing unique experiences for the students.
• We have a transitional ministers training, a mother daughter crop and an Exploritas (formerly Elderhostel) session coming this spring as well.
• With Addie Leaman returning to lead summer camp, I am excited as we continue to focus on making the week a special time for the campers.
• I have been blown away by the quality of the applicants I have gotten this year, which has forced me to turn away some very good people.
• And Day Camp is coming back, Sara McDonald will be leading it as we continue to develop this program in serving youth in the area.
• And on a personal note, the Lichti family is anticipating a third child any day.

grace&peace

Jason Lichti

see ya next year Winter...

It has been a very exciting and beautiful winter this year. We had about 50 more youth attend our winter retreats this year than last year. Plus we had an OEE group here, several Sunday School class retreats and more this winter. We had snow and ice and all the good things that go with Michigan winters and so while the sun is out and spring is very promising, I know that winter is not necessarily gone. Here are a few pictures to remember what a good winter it has been...soon spring and summer will be here with new blossoms and green all around. I love the seasons and the changes that we go through. Enjoy

December Scrapbooking 2009

Telling the Stories and making new ones. More than 30 women gathered this past weekend to scrapbook. From my vantage point of a male, it seems like a lot of stuff and a lot work. But as I watch the books grow and talk with the different ladies, I am amazed at how they use the time to tell their family stories. While they have fun and laugh together, they also pray together and support each other. We are now offering 4 weekends each year. We provide space, food, and time so that you can focus on your stories and on your family.

Here are some pictures from the past weekend.

grace&peace

Jason

Quilt Retreat 2009-"Sisters of the Bible"

The theme from this year's quilt retreat was "Sisters of the Bible". The project and worship time was led by Carol Honderich and focused on different sister relationships. Basket patterns were used to symbolize the different relationships and Carol taught a new technique which I wish I could explain but I can't. It was fun to see the ladies working on their projects and helping out each other. Below are the patterns and the ladies at the end of the weekend, a weekend with very little sleep...

Dorothy Horst

Carolyn Smith

Kathy Mark

Thelma Bixler

Marie Troyer

Dee Birky also attended, but I didn't get a picture.

I think the sewing machines are so cool looking!
Hard at Work
Thanks for a great weekend!

Grace&Peace

Jason

the auction...and the new auctioneer

The Celebrate Amigo Auction


The auction is always a highlight for me not only of the weekend but for the year. It is amazing to see the talents of so many people demonstrated by the quality of items made. Then there is the generosity of the crowd as the bid each other up, all to raise money for Amigo. Here are some pictures from the night. Thanks for a great time. We were able to raise nearly $10000 in the auction and thru donations.

The Auction!

A lot of thanks to Greg Blucker, who kept asking for more and more...


One of Ross' awesome birdhouses

Pictures from Cheryl from around camp


Some of our little helpers showing off birdhouses by Ross


Irene Troyer's handiwork, beautiful comforter and very warm

Kent even got to fulfill a dream of auctioning off an item.

Not sure what Willie and Greg are doing over there, this might have been when Kent had a bid for $50 and ask for $40. A good laugh was had by all, Kent included.

For over two hours, people laughed and bid. It is overwhelming to see the support and the generosity of people, especially when times are tough and the future is unsure. Thanks!

grace&peace

Jason Lichti