I shared the idea/vision with Bev later and she immediately affirmed the validity of it. Throughout the summer we began the process of clarifying the vision. We wanted to build a place where we and others could connect with God in a tangible way. Because of our own experiences of connecting with God through nature's revelation of Him, we felt like we needed to build on a lake, somewhere among the trees. We prayed about it, waiting for God to do something to make it happen. As summer turned to early fall, we realized that instead of us waiting for God to do something, God was waiting for us to do something. We put a "for sale" sign at the end of our lane, having decided to downsize and take the equity from our spacious home to purchase land on which to build a cabin.
By the end of 2005, we had purchased 4 acres in Upstate NY on Black Lake. It was an area with which we were a bit familiar, having spent our summer vacations on the lake for the previous ten years. In our finite understanding of reality, we assumed that we would build the cabin in 2006. It turned out to be a much longer process than we anticipated.
In 2006, we purchased a camper, cleared brush, and put the lane in off the right of way. With the help of family and friends, we built a pathway and steps down to the lake. One night as I sat by the fire outside of the camper, I felt the temptation to relinquish the dream of building the cabin, choosing instead to stay at what felt like a safe place on the journey. We had the camper, we had a place from which to enjoy the lake. Why should I risk financial failure by pushing ahead? However, deep in my heart I knew that I would be trading the God-birthed dream for my selfish desire for safety. And so we forged ahead.
During the summer of 2007, we installed a septic system, and drilled a well. Finally we no long had to haul water from across the lake! We cleared more brush and seeded some grass. We also began to realize that the process was going to take longer and cost more than we ever imagined. When confronted with the normal fears that occur in the unfolding of a vision, we realized that we had come too far to turn back.
In 2008 we installed the electrical service. We cleared more land, preparing the actual site where the cabin would be built. It was in 2008 when suddenly the final design came together for us. Up to that point we had difficulty incorporating everything we felt need to be in it into our design. By the fall of 2008, we had the strong sense that the only thing left to do was to build. At that point fear began to confront me regularly. How would we ever get financing for the project; who would give us the needed funds? And believe me, the estimated final cost was rapidly growing. To make matters worse, the economy took a massive downturn. To keep myself afloat mentally, I continually reminded myself of how up to this point, at every crisis in the process, it seemed as if God had arrived before we even got there.
By late winter of 2009, I knew I had to contact some banks in NY. (Our local banks in PA could not use a property in NY as security.) In late March, Bev and I made a one day trip to Upstate NY to share the vision and plan with several banks. I had spent a good deal of time drawing up a plan to present to the banks. Much to my surprise, the banks were very receptive to the plan. Within six weeks we had our funding.
Our good friends, Jim and Deb Dressler, had plans to be in the USA for the summer of 2009. (For the past number of years they have lived in the mountain regions of India, partnering with God in His work there.) They agreed to help with the construction. In late June we dug the footers and basement. By the middle of July the basement walls were completed. (One advantage of the poor economy was that it was easy to find contractors to do work immediately.) The log cabin kit arrived on site in late July. The following weekend a group of us began building. And it rained...and rained. We would have several sunny days that were always followed by the rain. By October when Jim and Deb left for India, the cabin was weather tight. In November we brought the camper back to PA. We no longer had a need for it in NY.
Throughout the fall, winter and into early spring, Bev and I made numerous weekend trips to work on the interior. Once again, friends volunteered to help, doing the things about which I had no clue.
We celebrated Easter of 2010, with Bev's parents in NY. What we saw that weekend was a foretaste of what we believe will occur on a regular basis. A month later, my parents and my siblings spent a weekend at the lake. Once again, the restorative work of God touched me to the point of tears.
And here we are, five and a half years after the initial picture in my mind. We made mistakes, we didn't always follow God's leading, we struggled with fear, and we continually felt completely overwhelmed. It took longer than we thought. It cost more than we imagined. It took perseverance, pain (literally), and an incredible amount of labor. We've mortgaged everything we have for the realization of the dream. Yet God provided continually, and I might add, in miraculous ways. The actual lodge (my father-in-law insists that it is not a cabin but a lodge and so that is what we will call it.) has turned out much more glorious than I could imagine. We built it, not just for us, but for others. We desire people to experience the re-creative power of God through creation, to join the water, the rocks, and the trees in the declaration of His goodness.
No comments:
Post a Comment