BIG CHANGES AT VALLEY HAVEN
In 2022, we began asking ourselves the question - "What can we do to improve the camp roads so they are as safe and effective as possible for those we serve?" Valley Haven is located in a valley (surprise) and seems to catch the brunt of every major storm that passes through our area. Over 30+ years of rain and flooding had begun to take a toll on the camp roads:
- The erosion of the dirt and gravel roadways over time had begun to expose water lines that were buried on the road.
- Navigating down to the lodge had begun to feel like an off-roading adventure due to the excessive number of large potholes and ruts.
- Gate sensors under the road were exposed by heavy rainfalls.
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For years, we had been repairing the roadways by box blading the roads after every storm, frequently re-digging ditches, patching potholes as best we could, and paying to bring in additional gravel to make sure the roads were safe to travel when wet. In addition to the road conditions, we faced a safety issue at the entrance to the camp. Located in the "the curves" of Old Shelby Road, there are blind curves to the left and right when pulling out of camp and the gravel road made it hard to gain traction when pulling out. As a 501c3 Non-Profit ministry, Valley Haven sponsors over 120 under served youth to come to cost-free, Christ-centered Summer Camps and partners with local churches and ministries to hold over 60 Christ-centered retreats each year. With a deep desire to continue serving our community for decades to come, we began asking the hard question, "What's the wisest long term strategy for our roads to ensure their safety and longevity?"
I'll be honest... most times, bringing these things to the Lord in prayer involves long seasons of waiting, readjusting priorities, and surrendering to Him in multiple ways. This time, the answers came swiftly and profoundly. We had barely begun praying and getting estimates, when we received a phone call from a ministry partner who wanted to know what physical needs there were on the property. Seeing as how this was such a costly project, I hesitated to even bring the roads up. Our friend insisted though and so we detailed the need and the cost. 3 weeks later, we received a grant from this ministry partner for half of the road paving project. We were stunned. We were moved so deeply by this family's generosity and the Lord's provision. At our Board of Directors meeting later that week, we were moved after deep consideration and prayer, and in light of this road grant, to move forward with the paving project and prayerfully begin raising funds to cover the rest of the road paving costs. Surely this would be long process we thought...
I'll be honest... most times, bringing these things to the Lord in prayer involves long seasons of waiting, readjusting priorities, and surrendering to Him in multiple ways. This time, the answers came swiftly and profoundly. We had barely begun praying and getting estimates, when we received a phone call from a ministry partner who wanted to know what physical needs there were on the property. Seeing as how this was such a costly project, I hesitated to even bring the roads up. Our friend insisted though and so we detailed the need and the cost. 3 weeks later, we received a grant from this ministry partner for half of the road paving project. We were stunned. We were moved so deeply by this family's generosity and the Lord's provision. At our Board of Directors meeting later that week, we were moved after deep consideration and prayer, and in light of this road grant, to move forward with the paving project and prayerfully begin raising funds to cover the rest of the road paving costs. Surely this would be long process we thought...
The next morning we received an email from another ministry partner that left us speechless yet again. Bob Thompson, pastor of Corinth Reformed Church, had written to ask about our property needs. After 30 years of ministry in Hickory, Bob and Linda Thompson were in their final year at Corinth Reformed Church and had been asked by the board of elders - "What can we do as a church as an expression of our thanks to you?" The Thompsons had responded that the gift that would mean the most to them was to use this opportunity to support missions. In his email, Pastor Bob had asked us if we had a significant property need that they could consider. We were stunned. Over the next several weeks, the members of Corinth poured out their thanks to the Lord for Pastor Bob and Linda by giving to "The Thompson Mission Fund," which the Thompsons had decided would go to support Valley Haven's road paving project and 2 other wonderful missions projects. Fast forward several weeks to Sunday, March 5, 2023, a Sunday we will NEVER forget. Pastor Bob presented Valley Haven with a check for $100,000 to complete the road paving project at Camp! Stunned. Speechless. Because of the generosity of the Thompsons and the members of Corinth Reformed Church and because of the goodness, faithfulness, and provision of the Lord, we had the amount needed to pave the roads at Valley Haven!
It's with deep gratitude that we'd like to announce some BIG upcoming changes at Valley Haven Camp and Retreat Center. We are on schedule to begin paving in April of 2023 with a target date of completion before our Sponsored Summer Camps begin this year!!! Check out the graphic below to see all the roadways that will be paved! We can't wait for you to drive on the newly paved roads as you come in for Valley Haven Summer Camp, youth retreats, women's retreats, men's retreats, Scout camping, Leadership training, Discipleship Camps, marriage retreats, etc. Valley Haven exists so that those in and around the Catawba Valley Region might come to know Jesus Christ and grow in relationship with Him through the power of the Gospel. We are in awe of Jesus. This project is by Him, through Him and for His glory. And we are profoundly grateful for the generosity of all those that have given to make this project possible. From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU! May these new roads be used to make much of Jesus Christ and change many lives through the power of the His Gospel for His glory!