Water For the Soul
You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name, I will lift up my hands. Psalm 63:1-4
Our family has had the privilege of serving in many areas of camp over the last seven years. In our little corner of the southeast Alaskan wilderness, it never ceases to amaze us how God utilizes the beauty and majesty of nature to bring glory to His name. As we drive or hike around the cove, share meals in our crazy noisy dining hall, hear the Gospel laid out in our volunteer-built chapel and gather around campfires, we are reminded of God's presence in every aspect of Creation. It is evident in every cabin, on the beach and in the spaces between that the work we are doing here at Echo Ranch fosters spiritual growth and community in Christ.
The psalmist David often found solace and inspiration in the wilderness. In Psalm 63, he expresses his deep longing for God, comparing it to thirst in a dry and weary land. Similarly, whether our family is cooking up meals and organizing work teams in Juneau or helping run day camps in Haines, serving in camping ministry allows us to encounter God in the “middle of nowhere” through the majesty of His creation—from the awe-inspiring mountains to the novelty of skies that never quite grow dark throughout the summer. These natural surroundings speak of God's creativity, power, and glory, drawing us into moments of worship and praise.
We’re privileged to serve alongside the full-time Echo Ranch staff and a host of volunteers that join us for any amount of time. Even out here in the wilderness, this team cultivates a sense of community among believers that is often transformative for those who spend a week or a summer with us. Whenever we gather to share stories, sing songs of worship, and pray together, we strengthen our bonds in Christ. The apostle Paul reminds us in Hebrews 10:24-25 to "consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another." Echo Ranch has been that space where we can encourage and support each other while welcoming individuals from all stages of faith, from seekers to seasoned believers, all growing in our faith journeys.
We are so very thankful for the gift of camping ministry, where we can experience God’s presence in the beauty of nature, share the hope of the Gospel with all the campers that come to camp, and strengthen our bonds of fellowship with fellow believers. What a wonderful refreshment these blessings are to thirsty souls going through the wilderness of life. Join us in prayer, that we Echo Ranch staff would earnestly seek Jesus and thirst for His presence in all aspects of our lives, and that we would be able to pour out the refreshment of the Gospel to all those who visit us. May we all be inspired like David to glorify God with our lips and lift our hands in worship, that we may grow deeper in our relationship with Him and be transformed continually to reflect His love and grace to the world around us.