What's does "off-season" mean?

Frankly, what "off-season" means here is that we're just a little less busy than our summer camp season. Our slowest season is really just the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas. When summer camps end around August 8th, we immediately begin a very, very, very busy retreat season, with groups here most days of August and September. (We sure LOVE to have staffies return to help us with these groups!)

Believe it or not, as soon as summer camps are over, we immediately being planning for next year's camps! While our ideas are fresh and the evaluations are coming in, it's fun to start again, and build on what we just finished. We almost hate to admit it, but we know that when the fall chill arrives, it is followed quickly by winter. So, winter camp planning gets into full swing about the time school starts! Truly, there's never a dull second here at Camp Jonah!

In this "retreat season" (notice I did NOT say "off season"), we also focus on the office and business side of things. As with every Christian camp, there is a reason we are called "non-profit." As fast and generous as the gifts come in, they are spent on necessary items and projects.This throws all camp directors and managers into the role of fund-raiser. I think we'll start calling it FUNdraising, because it is raising money so that we can offer fun camps that will draw kids into the arm of Jesus. We SO appreciate those of you who support Jonah Ministries financially. We truly couldn't do what we do without you!

One more thing. It's hard to explain what keeps us so busy in the office, but WE ARE! In order to keep camps and retreats (and all the legal/business side of things) running year-round, it takes an amazing amount of time to promote, organize, keep track of finances, write and send mailings, do payroll, stay on top of contracts for guest groups, keep the website current, hire staffies, etc. If we ever look happy, but frazzled, I hope this article explains why!

P.S. Did I mention cleaning, work projects, family time, and sleep?!!

Family Heritage

Some of you are familiar with the Duke family heritage and the wonderful story behind the beginning of Jonah Ministries. I'm grateful that my mother-in-law loves Jesus, loves her family, and has given her whole life in service to the Savior. It's her "fault" that Jonah Ministries is in existence today.

I also have a terrific family heritage! My parents are Don & Jo Anne Boldt. My dad has been a pastor forever (almost). They are loved by many congregations! Over Labor Day weekend, my extended family had our biennial reunion right here at Jonah Ministries. There were 59 of us here, from 10 months to almost 78 years old. We enjoyed the many activities Jonah has to offer; we were spoiled by our wonderful staffies; we went caving, white water rafting, did the high ropes course and the zipline, played games and held babies (I mostly just showed mine off). When the weekend was over, I was happy for the fun times and so grateful for the godly heritage! It was very special for Jeff and me to be able to host the Boldt clan right here at our favorite camp! What you can't see in the above picture are all of those who have hearts for Jesus, support Jonah Ministries through prayer, finances, loaning us their children, etc. What a blessing!

Who's at Jonah these days?

We LOVE this team of people! Just thought you'd like to know who they are! Clockwise from top left: Jeff & Beki with all the grandkids, the Duke kitchen trio, bookkeeper Steve, intern Flutterby with summer staffie Tinkerbell, intern Ish with summer staffie Dr. Seuss, and the interns with summer staffie and former intern Turbo

Not pictured: publications associate Dorina, long-distance secretary & webmaster Molly, part-time secretary Sherri, or the many other summer staffies who come back to visit and work hard to keep us running smoothly on weekends!

Scrapbooking Getaway October 15-17, 2010

It's that time of year again! Our fall Scrapbooking Getaway is less than a month away, and Harmony is hard at work making sure all the details come together perfectly. This will again be a wonderful opportunity to get away from all the distractions for a weekend, bring your unfinished scrapbooks (or any other crafty projects!), and spend a few days with the girls polishing up those memories. With a great stock of scrapbooking supplies, beautiful scenery in the surrounding area, and delicious coffee from the local coffee shop, can you imagine anything better?

This year there are two schedule options!

Option A: Early Bird Special! Arrive Thursday, October 14, at 6 p.m. Meals provided Friday brunch through Sunday brunch. $115
Option B: Standard Scrapbooking Getaway. Arrive Friday, October 15, at 12 p.m. Meals provided Friday dinner through Sunday brunch. $90

A non-refundable down payment of $40 will reserve your place in the Scrapbooking Getaway. Register now, check out our website for more information, or feel free to call us at (509) 395-2900 or email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with questions!

Winter Camps

Yes, it's that time again! We're planning winter camps... and you should be, too! Be watching this space and our website for the information soon to come.

For now, please save the following dates:

High School Winter Camp: December 26 (6 PM) -28 (11 AM), 2010. Cost is $91
Junior High Winter Camp: January 7 (6 PM) - 9 (11 AM), 2011. Cost is $87

Bus Barn Phase II

After 14 ½ years, Jonah Ministries finally owns outright the property and building next door, fondly called the Bus Barn! Due to sacrificial giving, we have recently paid off the low-interest loan that covered all the pledges. And guess what God did next?! He granted us favor in the eyes of the M. J. Murdock Charitable Trust in the form of a $94,000 grant that will enable us to remodel and improve the building! Even though this is an amazing amount of money, it's not enough to just call in a contractor to do all the work. It will take intense planning and funding and volunteering, plus extra time, to stretch this grant into enough to complete the project in 2011. This is where Phase II comes in. IF God continues to work at a fast pace through stirring hearts like yours, and we could raise an additional $30,000 quickly, we could tear into this project before winter hits, and hire the majority of the labor. This means that before 2011 is out, we could not only own, but be fully functioning in a fun, new, leak-free, insulated facility! This will be a fun-tastic 15th anniversary gift!

This building is not just about more storage or having a nice Rec Room, it's about increased ministry and the fulfillment of our purpose - to be the place where kids laugh, hearts change and God smiles. If you'd like to give toward this project, you can donate online or send a check to Jonah Ministries. If you'd like to talk to Jeff about the plans, reasons, ideas, etc., please call us at 509-395-2900.

Available Dates

Here are some available weekends. We also have many weekdays during the school year open. Please call me as soon as possible if you're interesting in booking your retreat with us. We'd love to help you tailor-make the best retreat ever!

October 29-31, 2010
December 3-5, 10-12, 17-19, 2010
March 11-13, 2011
May 13-15, 2011
June 3-5, 2011 (Some fall dates may open up for 2011.)

Image-Bearers of Christ

I listened to a sermon lately that challenged me in my walk with Jesus. Since I am called to be his "Image Bearer," do others see Jesus when they look at me? Do I reflect His glory, His wonder, His servant heart, His faithfulness, His love of friends AND enemies, His quiet times with the Father, His holiness, His love? There's nothing greater than being in the presence of God, and my face and life should reflect that gift. Would you pray for Jonah Ministries to be a place that reflects Jesus Christ? Would you pray for each employee, staffies, volunteer, camp director-that our lives would reflect our Savior? And would you pray that, in turn, campers and guest groups would be drawn to taking the next step in the walk with Jesus? Thank you for your prayers.

PRAISES:

1. We asked you to pray that we could transition well from camps to retreats and we're doing pretty well. We've been busy and it's been good. We've been blessed with fantastic staffies that have come back to lend a hand!
2. We're enjoying the start of another gorgeous fall in Trout Lake. It's so beautiful here. It only takes a short drive toward the mountain to be in awe at the greatness and creativity of God!
3. Personal praises: wonderful walks with my daughters, drives and evenings with Jeff, kisses and hugs from my grandchildren, weekly meetings with a group of young moms for accountability, emails from staffies, and good health!
4. We love our retreat guests! We meet great people. We love feeding them great food, leading them through our challenge course, providing a place for spiritual refreshment, and seeing the Holy Spirit move!

PRAYER REQUESTS:
1. We ask for continued wisdom as we move into Phase II of the Bus Barn project, that we will spend the grant wisely, and be able to raise another $30,000 that will enable us to finish the upgrade and remodel in 2011.
2. Please pray that we will always be asking God, "What is your purpose for me today?" And that we will listen and follow his answer. In the busyness of this place, it's easy to get distracted, or to get frustrated with "distractions" that just may be God's purpose for the day.
3. Please pray for our staffie, Aaron "Turbo" Dorsch. His mom is battling brain cancer.
4. Please pray for our upcoming board meeting (October 4th). We have a fantastic board of directors who desire to make godly decisions, leading Camp Jonah into a future that pleases the Lord. Please pray for us often.
5. Please pray for us as we plan for winter and summer 2011 camps!