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The Lord never promises that we will not experience hard times. He never promises that we will have a smooth ride, a pleasant journey, or a painless life. In fact, Jesus told his disciples that, “The world will hate you because of me.” (John 15:18-27) He prophesied then and there that his own followers would in fact experience many trials in times to come. So, the scripture is clear on this matter. God doesn’t promise to keep us out of the storm. Rather, He simply promises to never “leave nor forsake” us in it (Deut. 31:8).
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The journey that we’ve all been on these past couple years has been one that many would perhaps prefer to have never embarked upon. There have been trials and tribulations for most as we’ve endured the challenges of the pandemic, governmental response, political unrest, economic hardship, disease & illness, relational division and more. These are interesting times that, if the Lord is willing, will likely be documented by academics as a difficult time in our nation’s and world’s history. It can easily be perceived as similar to the description in scripture of “the heat” or “a year of drought.” (Jer. 17:7-8) As a nation, as the Church, as a community and body of believers, we have certainly been stretched in the past two years, to say the least.
Thousand Pines has of course experienced much of the same as anyone else has in this time too. However, from this vantage point, it’s easy to see that the Lord has constantly protected and provided for this ministry…perhaps even sheltered us, throughout this entire thing. While many were confined to their homes in the initial stages of the government’s response to the pandemic, we here at camp had fresh air, miles and miles of open space and trails to enjoy, and we benefitted from the comfort and community of believers in the ministry as we leaned on one another and carried each other’s burdens through that time. When the world began to open back up and unrest began to settle in our nation, we were flooded with requests of friends and family to come visit to get away from all the chaos. We were able to open our doors and make a sanctuary, a retreat, a getaway, for churches, families and individuals to have a brief reprieve from the strain they were under in their own settings. And when churches and camps were finally able to gather again, though the virus was still spreading and actively taking a toll on our society and communities, Thousand Pines was able to be a place where our remote location and natural setting were ideal for healthy communion and relational reconnection to take place. We have been and will continue to be a sanctuary for many.
Thousand Pines has of course experienced much of the same as anyone else has in this time too. However, from this vantage point, it’s easy to see that the Lord has constantly protected and provided for this ministry…perhaps even sheltered us, throughout this entire thing. While many were confined to their homes in the initial stages of the government’s response to the pandemic, we here at camp had fresh air, miles and miles of open space and trails to enjoy, and we benefitted from the comfort and community of believers in the ministry as we leaned on one another and carried each other’s burdens through that time. When the world began to open back up and unrest began to settle in our nation, we were flooded with requests of friends and family to come visit to get away from all the chaos. We were able to open our doors and make a sanctuary, a retreat, a getaway, for churches, families and individuals to have a brief reprieve from the strain they were under in their own settings. And when churches and camps were finally able to gather again, though the virus was still spreading and actively taking a toll on our society and communities, Thousand Pines was able to be a place where our remote location and natural setting were ideal for healthy communion and relational reconnection to take place. We have been and will continue to be a sanctuary for many.
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We weren’t certain we’d be able to open in 2021, as camps were mandated closed again at the end of 2020. Shoot, we weren’t certain we’d even still be alive as a ministry by summer 2021 because of the economic strain that 16 months of closure had caused. But we did put our trust and hope in the Lord (Prov. 3:5-6). As we were more and more “sure of what we hope for” and continued to be “certain of what we do not see” (Heb 11:1), God continually showed his faithfulness and provision.
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Each month the Lord brought support, in many different forms, to the ministry. We received many generous donations of valuable (and extremely timely) equipment and vehicles. Property was sold and great proceeds were shared with the camp. Volunteers constantly made themselves available at just the right times to cut and stack firewood, remove brush and storm debris, paint buildings, and provide resources for the ongoing and ever increasing needs of the ministry as we began to reopen. And staff began to pour in from all over the country with the Holy Spirit-inspired desire to serve in this place of ministry…instead of receiving unemployment benefits which were far greater than the “corndogs and mac-n-cheese” salaries our summer staff are paid. (In reality, they make a little bit more than that.)
As we close this incredible year of ministry, and transition from a place of significant uncertainty, and as we look ahead to the next season, we do so with a steadfast assurance. The trust is not misplaced in our facilities, our financial resources, or the incredible giftedness of our staff and teams. Rather, we simply put our Hope in one place. Jesus. He is the “author and perfector” of our faith (Heb 12:1-3), and in Him alone do we trust. We are so grateful that God has entrusted us with this gospel ministry at Thousand Pines. He has allowed us to be a safe place, a place of retreat, and a refuge for those in need. This year, we may not be closing the year with having seen the largest number of campers on record (we were closed for the first 5 months of 2021). But we’re coming to the end of the year with a heart full of gratitude because He has allowed us to endure such trial, all while having provided so richly throughout, so that we would still be available and ready to help make his name known. Like the tree in Jeremiah, God has borne great fruit this year…despite some of the greatest challenges we’ve ever faced.
With this in mind, would you please consider a year-end gift to the ministry here. It’s through your generous partnership and ongoing support that Thousand Pines has endured, and continues to endure, one of the most challenging seasons in our 84-year history. We look forward to what God will bring in the coming year, and we hope to see you here soon! Thousand Pines exists to help people See, Know, and Experience God. And with that mission in mind and His grace to cover us, we faithfully persevere in that calling, as long as He permits.
We wait in hope for the Lord;
he is our help and our shield.
In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.
May your unfailing love be with us, Lord,
even as we put our hope in you.
Psalm 33:20-22
Sincerely,
As we close this incredible year of ministry, and transition from a place of significant uncertainty, and as we look ahead to the next season, we do so with a steadfast assurance. The trust is not misplaced in our facilities, our financial resources, or the incredible giftedness of our staff and teams. Rather, we simply put our Hope in one place. Jesus. He is the “author and perfector” of our faith (Heb 12:1-3), and in Him alone do we trust. We are so grateful that God has entrusted us with this gospel ministry at Thousand Pines. He has allowed us to be a safe place, a place of retreat, and a refuge for those in need. This year, we may not be closing the year with having seen the largest number of campers on record (we were closed for the first 5 months of 2021). But we’re coming to the end of the year with a heart full of gratitude because He has allowed us to endure such trial, all while having provided so richly throughout, so that we would still be available and ready to help make his name known. Like the tree in Jeremiah, God has borne great fruit this year…despite some of the greatest challenges we’ve ever faced.
With this in mind, would you please consider a year-end gift to the ministry here. It’s through your generous partnership and ongoing support that Thousand Pines has endured, and continues to endure, one of the most challenging seasons in our 84-year history. We look forward to what God will bring in the coming year, and we hope to see you here soon! Thousand Pines exists to help people See, Know, and Experience God. And with that mission in mind and His grace to cover us, we faithfully persevere in that calling, as long as He permits.
We wait in hope for the Lord;
he is our help and our shield.
In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.
May your unfailing love be with us, Lord,
even as we put our hope in you.
Psalm 33:20-22
Sincerely,
Steve Garcia
President and COO of TM Camping
PS: All gifts are tax-deductible and Thousand Pines is faithful to steward every dollar donated exactly as you request.
Be sure to select your gift category designation on the enclosed giving card or give online at: thousandpines.com/give
President and COO of TM Camping
PS: All gifts are tax-deductible and Thousand Pines is faithful to steward every dollar donated exactly as you request.
Be sure to select your gift category designation on the enclosed giving card or give online at: thousandpines.com/give
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Current giving opportunities
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Reroofing Long Beach Lodge
Reroofing Long Beach Lodge
Renovating May's Lodge
New Floor in Whittier Worship Center
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Help people see, know, and experience God.
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giving is now
easier than ever
All gifts are tax-deductible and Thousand Pines is faithful to steward every dollar donated exactly as you request.
we appreciate your continued partnership
in the gospel & your ongoing support of
The ministry here at thousand pines.
May god bless you & your home!
FOR CURRENT COVID-19 POLICY AND UPDATES -- CLICK HERE --
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359 Thousand Pines Road
Crestline, CA 92325 |
Day Time Phone
909-338-2705 |
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© 2020 Thousand Pines Christian Camp. Thousand Pines is a 501(c)(3). EIN: 35-2330805
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