Updated January 26, 2010

Wow! So much to share. First, my family and I have been gone on an eight-week sabbatical, which means that very little has been added to the Smoke Signal. We’ll try to take care of that in the next few weeks. Although only gone for eight weeks, it seems like it took four weeks to get ready to go and will take another four weeks just to catch up with everything I have missed. This is the rapid-fire list of many of the happenings here at Ironwood. 

• The Institute of Ministry and Ministry Bound crews have been amazing.  Their willingness to jump in and learn and work hard has been such an encouragement. We are working on a 1500 square foot back yard at the Ministry Shop. We used the brick from the Glen and are now in the process of putting in arbors and a unique fence. We want to get a bit more done before we take any pictures. 

• The staff home that is near the Ministry Shop is starting to make progress again. In the last month, siding has been put on, a door added to the garage, plumbing and electrical nearly finished, and the heater installed in the attic. We are praising the Lord for the financial gifts that have allowed us to keep moving. We are hoping to have all the mechanicals and insulation done by mid-December. Just a few weeks ago we sent out a letter sharing the needs. We have seen a little more than $12,000 come in so far which has enabled us to fund 12 staff housing projects and keep the new staff home moving. We are praying that God will provide the remaining need. 

• The wood shop is getting an overhaul. We have taken the back storage area and turned it into a wood shop, and the main shop is quickly becoming a cabinet shop.

• The cardboard baler has been installed—it definitely squishes whatever you put in there.

• We have been able to put in video conference equipment that allows us to have Mr. Nathan teach one of our Institute of Ministry classes here at the same time he is teaching in Arizona. 

• The summer staff scholarship need has been totally met, which is a huge answer to prayer.

• September and October had a total of 15 camps, and both the Men’s Retreat and Women’s Retreat were at near-record numbers. As I look through the surveys and see answers to the questions regarding how campers plan to go home different, I see that the Holy Spirit has worked in each camper's life in a unique way. It is obvious that taking the time to consider the Word of God free from the distractions of a busy life is something that all of us need every once in a while.

Sam Brock
Director

. . . God uses Ironwood to bless me, and my life is always so much better after having spent time with Him here at Ironwood. Pam Shannon, Couples' Retreat

. . . I am always encouraged and blessed by the messages and staff's servant heart. Don Knehr, Couples' Retreat

. . . the atmosphere is great, and it's wonderful to get away from distractions. Logan & Janet Paine, Couples' Retreat

. . . [of] the obvious work of the Lord in this place.  Kimberly Luna, Couples' Retreat

. . . it was a wonderful place for my wife and I to separate ourselves from our daily stresses and glow closer together as we grow closer to God. Paul Luna, Couples' Retreat

. . . every activity has biblical application that truly benefits my life, walk with Christ, marriage, and relationships with others. Tia Wilson, Couples' Retreat

. . . it provides an ideal place for father-son bonding with spiritual encouragement from the Word. Clyde Greer, Father-Son Retreat

. . . it reminds me that the most simple things (time with the Lord and my family) are the most important!  Steffanie Diaz, Mother-Daughter Retreat

. . . great staff, food, and facility.  Rich Berger, Men's Retreat

. . . it is a great opportunity to take inventory of our lives and to re-focus our efforts to honor God in all things.  Patrick & Faye O'Keefe, Couples' Retreat

. . . it helps me keep serving the Lord and always helps me grow in the Lord.  Kris Erickson, Couples' Retreat

. . . it provides unchanging standards, preaching quality, and an un-compromising character and doctrinal position.  Bernard Gravel, Couples' Retreat

. . . it is a great asset to churches and families.  Gerry and Virginia Robinette, Couples' Retreat

. . . it is a great place to come with my kids and church. Walson Family, Father-Son Camp

. . . it glorifies God and takes focus off self. Lucia Ciuffetelli, Women's Retreat

. . . it strengthened my love for God and my family. Dale McCree, Couples' Retreat

. . . good ideas . . . good fellowship . . . good preaching . . . good people. Youth Leaders' Retreat

. . . it is always challenging me to become more like Christ and because of that starting to serve others even more. Youth Leaders' Retreat

. . . of the consistent challenge to examine every area of my life and ministry to make adjustments where needed. Youth Leaders' Retreat