"A River Runs Through It." That could have been the theme for our Fall Harvest Banquet in November. Even though this area had a record-setting downpour of rain that evening, the faithful supporters of Lake Retreat managed to arrive in good spirits. Through their generosity, we had "showers of blessing" inside, as well.

The setting for the banquet this year was the picturesque Meridian Valley Country Club in Kent. Dave DeHart, one of Lake Retreat's board members, was the person who helped facilitate our use of this setting for the banquet. The smiling couple, Dave and Michelle DeHart, are pictured above. The food was delicious; the service superb. Most importantly, we had the opportunity to share how the Lord has been working at Lake Retreat this year, that kids came to know Jesus, and how lives have been changed through the ministry here. Cliff Howery was our speaker, who encouraged us all to pray about where God would lead us to give to His ministry.

Because of the generosity and gracious giving of those who attended the banquet, as well as those who could not attend, we are edging near the goal of matching the Murdock Foundation Grant. Total giving from the Harvest Banquet as of this date is over $10,000. For those of you who wish to help bring in the last few thousand dollars to match this grant, you may still give as the Lord places Lake Retreat's ministry on your heart. If you send a check, make the notation that this money will go toward matching the Murdock Grant for the final phases of completing the recreation pavilion. You may also contact us with credit card or debit card information and designate an amount, either a single gift or a monthly gift.

Once again, thank you for a heart for the ministry of Lake Retreat, your prayers, and gracious giving.

Prayer Partners

Our goal at Lake Retreat is to accomplish much more than is humanly possible. We deeply desire to see people transformed because they encounter Jesus Christ through this ministry. This can only be accomplished through God's power, grace and will. That is why we are enlisting the help of men and women who have a passion for prayer. The impact of a concentrated prayer effort is immense and eternal. With almost 14,000 visitors and several hundred decisions of salvation or rededication last year, the opportunity for future life changing decisions is remarkable. Imagine the possibilities of what God can do through the fervent and effective prayers of those who know and love Him. We desire to recruit at least twenty prayer partners. God says that the prayers of righteous persons have power. We are not seeking "Super Christians" but simple, ordinary followers of God who want to see Christ work amazing miracles in the hearts and lives of our guests/campers. Our prayer partners will begin with a prayer retreat on February 2nd -3rd (Friday 6:30 p.m. - Saturday 12:30 Lunch). We will have a prayer walk around the camp and the lake, followed by a "Concert of Prayer". We will pray for our future campers, current ministry staff and the 40-60 summer missionaries we will be recruiting soon. If this task seems overwhelming, relax; there will be plenty of encouragement and direction for those who may be new to this type of prayer retreat. After the retreat, prayer partners will be e-mailed or mailed regular prayer items to help you focus your prayers and to be encouraged by God's answers. During our 6 weeks of summer camps we would also like to have at least one prayer partner on site praying. We have only begun to see what God can accomplish through Lake Retreat. Our ability to reach our guests/campers for Jesus Christ is magnified when the prayers of His children lift us up! If you are interested in joining with our prayer team please call Rick Burleson, Program Director, at 1-800-315-0093 or e-mail Rick at rburleson@lakeretreat.org. Rick Burleson Program Director

Places, People, and Situations

We have the great opportunity in 2007 to be people of prayer. I cannot think of a better place to practice and experience the power of prayer than at Lake Retreat Camp. Our God continues to impress me as the Mighty One who operates and moves in the arenas of places, people and situations. Places. God moves and operates everywhere, but our almighty God seems to do special things at a place like Lake Retreat Camp. So to physically get myself in the place where God will do His work and pray for that place (such as the Camp) is truly a blessing. I look forward to going out to the Camp and pray; for the cabins, the recreation areas, the offices and the beautiful grounds, and ask God to continue to have His way with the Camp. He is a God who will do special things at the place we call Lake Retreat Camp each week in '07. Do you want to try a prayer walk this year? Why not go out and have a prayer walk at Lake Retreat Camp? People. Take a look at your Old Testament and New Testament, and you will be impressed with how our Father cares about people. He cares and loves them with an everlasting love. As I think of Lake Retreat Camp and what God might do through the Camp in the year ahead, I can not help but imagine the faces of boys, girls, men and women who will commit their lives to the Savior while they are meeting at Lake Retreat Camp. As relationships are forged and strengthened during time at Camp, God will work through people to make Himself known to a lost and dying world. What a thrill to think of the people that God will impact while they are at Camp in 2007! Situations. Campers will bring with them their hopes and dreams to camp in the year ahead and give them up to God. I believe it is when we can get away to a special place such as Lake Retreat Camp that we gain insights into the situations and circumstances of life. As we pray for these situations God will work in each one. We will find God getting all the glory as we trust Him and make Him Lord of our every care. I am excited to step up my prayer involvement in 2007. I especially look forward to being a prayer warrior for the camp. I look forward to driving out and having my own prayer retreat and to pray for the various camps and conferences that might be there when I am at the Camp. 2007 promises to be a great year of prayer for me and I hope for many who care about the Camp as well. Chaplain Mike Ballinger Serving Federal Way through Chaplaincy