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When one opens the cover of the book there is a photograph of the Moon Beach eagle. This eagle resides at and on camp. It shares its nest with its partner. for the last several years the camp has also enjoyed the experience of fledglings growing throughout the summer camping season. They grow, learn to fly, and move on... just as we grow, learn to fly, and move on.
Moon Beach Camp is one of two camps in the Wisconsin Conference of the United Church of Christ. They belong to an organization called the "United Church Camps, Inc.", an instrumentality of the United Church of Christ. Both Moon Beach Camp and Pilgrim Center have provided much time and space in my own spiritual growth... thus the many images of the eagle included in my book.
Recently I spent a couple of days at MBC with a work detail from my congregation. Not knowing of the specialness that lie in wait for me, I was along to "supervise" the work. I knew that I would not be pouring cement or splitting wood as these are dangerous for a one legged blind guy. However, the Lord had different tasks for me while at camp. I sat and listened. I had the privillege to sit and listen to two different people's story about their journey through life. It was a tremendous humbling experience, one story of and 84 year old gentleman who embellishes the word gentleman and the other, a younger woman who was there on retreat for her journey from "brokenness to wholeness". Below is a note that I received from her following our time together...
Hi Mark- It's Annie- You know your drinking buddy up at Moon Beach- yeah I know it was just coffee but it sounds cooler to just say drinking buddy-- anyway,
I was snooping around on line and found your site. Nice site!
I write terribly so be prepared...
I saw that you can request prayers too. Well, I have one...see I met this amazing man at Moon Beach. He sat with me, and talked with me about family,
friends, God, the wind, coffee...Through his eyes, which incidentally do not work here on this earth but definitely work to look into ones heart, through
his eyes,and his companionship I was able to see my situation so much more clearly. What I'm trying to say Mark is THANK YOU for using your gifts on me.
I hope to visit you one day soon down in your beautiful church.
I am off to Moon Beach again July 16-19- I will be thinking of you a great deal during that trip, as I have since I returned. I am so grateful to have
met you. I really do hope to visit soon.
Mark you played a huge role in a really great accomplishment. I made it 60 hours and 50 minutes without a flashback!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Exactly what I needed
to fill me with the strength I need to fight on. BRING IT ON!! Thank you Mark Schowalter- thank you
In Christ (and all things caffeinated)
Annie
God doth work in mysterious ways using the gifts that we possess. many times we find ourselves in the right place at the right time for reasons we'll never understand... but will realize with the fullness of knowledge that we can always hope in sharing the glory of God. (Romans 5:2)
Peace & prayers,
Mark |