Executive Director Redwood Glen
April 2020
Dear Friends of Redwood Glen,
Redwood Glen is designed for groups of people to meet together in a Christian setting. Currently, the “Shelter in Place” order induced by the COVID-19 virus has completely shut down the camp. And while we’ve not laid anyone off, we've had to reduce many of the staff's working hours to a minimum, or even to zero.
This past week I scheduled myself to have a week off, although it was anything but that. I talked on the phone with other camp directors and participated in conference calls with Christian Camp and Conference Association leaders on how camps can survive this ordeal. I also had daily conversations with our Board Chairman, Richard Reaves. I also filled out applications for Small Business Administration emergency relief loans. And, along with the rest of the country, I've been waiting to see what kind of financial relief our government will be giving to individuals, and what kind of help will be available for non-profit organizations.
At the moment, we are still planning to host all of our summer camp sessions. But we know that if the virus crisis continues those plans may change. Please check the “FAQ” section on our website frequently for updates (Click Here for the FAQ updates).
This wait-and-see lifestyle is not easy to endure, especially for an extrovert like me. When we went through our water crisis we had step-by-step goals that we needed to attain. And we worked hard to attain those goals. Today's situation, however, is very different.
Financially, we have minimal reserves and are once again walking the same tight rope we walked during the water crisis. I am very concerned about the well-being of our staff and their families as the crisis puts a strain on their pocketbooks. I am confident, however, that Redwood Glen will pull through this crisis because I know God is in control of the situation.
I was recently listening to a song by Elevation Worship called “Do It Again.” The words in the song's bridge go like this:
“I’ve seen You move...You move the mountains. And I believe I’ll see You do it again. You made a way when there was no way. And I believe I’ll see You do it again.”
During our four-and-a-half-year struggle for Redwood Glen to have its own water supply, there were many times I felt that there would be no end to the challenge. But I saw God move many mountains as we successfully completed our new water system...and I believe He’ll move many mountains again.
Please continue to keep Redwood Glen in your prayers. We’re working out the financial obligations with our vendors, but I feel terrible about reducing the working hours of our staff to very few or none at all. If you feel God leading you to give, please click on the link below and know that your contributions will provide more hours of employment for the best staff anywhere.
Here’s to moving another mountain!
Larry Rice – Executive Director, Redwood Glen