Oasis in the Desert

A Spiritual Oasis
Since January 1, we have hosted over 40 events and 50 guests at the Hacienda. Almost every weekend we are praising the Lord for a soul saved and many decisions made. At times I get the chance to wander around camp and talk to folks. Over and over I hear words such as, “This is so refreshing,” “I’ve been looking forward to this time all year!” or, “I needed this in my life.” Every year we have the opportunity to share God’s Word at over one hundred events at least a couple times a day—over 50,000 times the truth of God’s Word is heard by a soul! Ironwood is a spiritual oasis. We praise the Lord for His amazing work in people’s lives.

A Real Oasis in the Desert
Many years ago three wells were dug that service the lake, irrigation water systems, and the domestic water system. Every green tree and blade of grass lives because of a water system that spans over 400 acres. Every staff member and camper enjoys the water that flows in 66 cabins and 22 homes. We all appreciate a well that allows restrooms when we are at the horses, the lake, or the Edge. This past summer our Hospitality Team picked up what looked like a piece of trash and upon further inspection realized it was a junior camper’s to-do list for Day 1 of camp—#6 states, “I’m thirsty.” One of the most important needs a camp in the desert has is a good water system to quench the thirst, fill the lake, water the plants, and provide an oasis in the desert.

We Need Help
We are sending this letter out to a few folks who I know care about the spiritual oasis that Ironwood provides as well as an understand that the physical oasis is part of the whole package. We are in the midst of installing a new water system that will triple our storage capacity, treat all water for the domestic system (to comply with water purity regulation changes), power it with solar, and build a structure to house all the pumps and equipment. All of this is required by the county of San Bernardino, and we need to have it finished by the end of July. The budget for this project is $374,000, including the solar array. After we subtract all the donations of material and labor, pledges, and gifts, we still need $78,000. We are thankful for how God has provided so far. In every step of the process, we have seen God do things that only He can do.  Now we share this need with you so that you can pray and/or give towards the oasis in the desert. Thank you for considering this project!