It has been a busy season for En Gedi Acres! We have been booked since May and have bookings until late fall. We are so thankful for this place the Lord called us to; we’ve been here 3 years this September.
Our heart is to serve the church (we do this by hosting families, house churches, youth nights, praying and being involved with the community), and the church at large by creating a place where people can come and get away from their busy life and ministries, jobs, and rest and enjoy God’s creation on our side of the mountain. This sometimes looks like worship, prayer, quiet times, and being enveloped in the peace that God brings when we rest in Him and/or sometimes it looks like an adventure like kayaking, hiking, biking, or going cruising in the mountains. We want to be here to serve and create spaces to be an En Gedi- an oasis in the wilderness; a place of Rest, Refuge, and Restoration.
Recently we had a couple guests up that have been on the front lines of a spiritual battle for a long period of time. I just want to take a moment and say these are my heroes-The ones that are face to face with hard everyday. There is a war that rages that we cannot see but we have no fear because God is on our side. The overwhelming and humbling testimony that we heard over and over is that there is a Peace at En Gedi Acres. Now we know that the only way that there is any sort of peace is because of the presence of The Lord in this place, where we invite Him. It is definitely not Ryan and I; or the mini zoo the kids have accumulated. We pray for all our guests before and after they come and until we reach Heaven one day we will continue to serve and obey God in the mess we are to be a place of rest, refuge and restoration for others.
I want to encourage the body that you can be this too. No matter if you live in an apartment in the city, or cabin on a piece of land, You have a ministry. The King Jesus has a call on your life and a purpose for your existence. There have been many people who have been an En Gedi to our family over the years. Probably even some of you. There is no greater joy than walking in His will for your life. HE is so good to us. It may not always be easy but our reward is so much greater than any pain or trial we endure.
Current Projects:
-We have been working hard to add a couple more bathrooms to our property. We have been working with one shower and a camper bathroom but hoping to add 2 more bathrooms this summer.
-We built an outdoor seating area with a fire pit in the middle and have been able to host worship nights, house church, and youth nights around the fire.
Worship and Discipleship in the Sukka
-Last summer we bought an old camper and remodeled it to host families when they come. Our long term plans are to convert an old barn that is on our property to be able to host larger groups, all in God’s timing.
Camper Renovation for Visitors
Current Prayer Request:
-One of the families we have house church with are feeling led to move out of state. Prayers for them as they connect with a body in the area the Lord places them and the transition for our community.
-We have plans to move forward with a septic test hole this summer for the barn project. Pray for favor and good soil as we trust the Lord for the Vision He has given us. Getting septic figured out is the first step.
-Continued strength and wisdom as we open our home to our fellow sojourners on this earth. This world is not our home, we are just passing through.
In Christ,
Ryan and Becky Vandenberg
hello@engediacres.com
Give to Ryan and Becky