Red Willow Ministries eNewsletter

Starting this month and continuing through the year, we will be offering two editions of the Red Willow eNews each month. The first edition will focus on upcoming events, site updates, and stories from camp. The second "Friends Focus" edition will be sent around the 15th of each month and include updates on fundraisers, camp projects, and ways you can support and grow the ministry of Red Willow.

Let us know what you think: Simply reply to any of the eNews emails or fill out our online feedback form.

Lakeshore Erosion

Barry Foundation Grant Update

From Denny Goetz, Co-Director

The grant funds are targeting lakeshore erosion that is threatening the foundation of the Ofstedal Retreat Center and for other land stewardship projects. The Barry Foundation will award the grant up to $12,500, but only if matched dollar for dollar with private funds raised by the camp.

As of September 11th, we have received $4576.24 from congregations and individuals to match this grant. These are funds above and beyond the regular giving by congregations toward the camp’s operating budget. We know some of you are currently doing fundraisers or considering donations for this project.

Our goal is to raise the remaining $7923.76 by November 1, 2008. That would allow the Foundation to award their grant for this funding cycle and provide us a total of $25,000 to move ahead with the engineering work for soil testing and construction of a retaining wall that is needed to secure the lake bank.

View pictures of the lake erosion and please consider helping the camp with this project as your partner in ministry in eastern North Dakota.

Donors who have already contributed to this special project as of August 18, 2008:

First Lutheran WELCA - New Rockford ($100.00)
High Prairie Lutheran WELCA - LaMoure ($50.00)
Walcott Lutheran - Walcott ($100.00)
Rev. Darrell Schultz - Jamestown ($20.00)
Darroll Wigen - Grand Forks ($25.00)
Rev. Ken & Velma Iverson - Aneta ($100.00)
David & Marilyn Isaacson ($200.00)
Dan & Marla Larson ($100.00)
Northwood Evangelical Lutheran ($500.00)
First Lutheran WELCA - Litchville ($200.00)
Trinity Lutheran - Enderlin ($130.00)
Laura Mae Davidson - Enderlin ($10.00)
Dr. Kenneth & Marlys Throlson - New Rockford ($20.00)
Blanche Bjertness - New Rockford ($10.00)
First Lutheran - New Rockford ($301.00)
Robert & Faye Bubach - Litchville ($40.00)
Our Redeemer’s Lutheran - Edgeley ($440.00)
LeRoy & Eunice Throlson Family & Friends - in memory of John Evanger ($60.00)
Bethel Lutheran - Wahpeton ($500.00)
Elm River Lutheran - Galesburg ($100.00)
Lester & Valborg Ellingson - Carrington ($50.00)
Atonement Lutheran - Jamestown ($1520.24)

Thank you to all who have already contributed to this important project.

Staff Notes

From Ken Gilbertson, Site Manager

In my few months here (OK, 4 months, 28 days, and several hours) the most amazing part of my experience at the camp has been the volunteers coming here for work projects. I’ve witnessed cabin remodels from top to bottom, painting, raking, mowing, and a variety of things getting done (sometimes in record time!).

A thank you hardly seems adequate for all that has been done here (most of the time the satisfaction of a job well-done is all that is needed). But, thank you! Without your help this place would not look like it does today.

On that note, I invite you out to see what more we have planned and volunteer at Red Willow Bible Camp. If your church has a cabin adopted, we can talk about what is left to be finished. We also have a couple of cabins left to be adopted. There is always a list of simple chores to be done, too, like a day of raking here or a day of painting there.

Remember too, the more the merrier, so get a group together and come out for a day. We’ll have the coffee on and Becky will whip up a great lunch (we can even have you stay over if you’d like to stay more than one day.)

From the Camp Kitchen

After a busy summer, the kitchen pantry is running low. Can you help by supplying any of these items?

Needs List:

Paper towels
Disposable styrofoam plates
Paper napkins
Electric knife
Facial tissue
Coffee (regular and decaf)

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