One of the nicer things about growing older is seeing that your efforts have made a difference to something that you care about.Portia and Babs were pre-schoolers when El Jefe first joined the board of Cho-Yeh, the presbytery's camp and conference center. I remember that we were encouraged to bring them with us to one of the first board meetings he attended up in Livingston (about 90 miles from Houston). I was dubious about coming along with the two girls, but as soon as we got there, he went to the meeting and two perky college students appeared and whisked the girls away to entertain them on the camp grounds. El Jefe got to attend the meeting, I got to read my book on a rocker on the beautiful back porch and the girls loved the attention so much that they couldn't wait to be old enough to go to "sleep-over camp."
So is it any wonder that when we were asked last year if we would serve on the committee for a new capital campaign to upgrade and build new facilities for Cho-Yeh, that we said yes? Portia 
and Babs and their friends thrived at the camp in the summers and looked forward to the youth events sponsored by presbytery during the school year that were held there. Every year we've sponsored a scholarship for a camper who couldn't otherwise attend.
Yesterday we returned to the camp for Open House Day, because El Jefe hasn't been there in a number of years (I have!). It was a gorgeous day and there were lots of young families visiting the camp. He saw the newly dredged lake, the new cabins and the new-ish dining hall and meeting facility and was impressed. We still remember the WWII-era cinder block cabins and primitive trails through the camp that were there the first year Portia was a camper!
It's exciting to see all the changes that have already taken place, and to anticipate the plans for the future that should be completed in time for our grandchildren to enjoy. There is just something about getting away from an urban environment and back into the woods that helps you connect with God and develop faith. It's so satisfying to see that others cherish Cho-Yeh as well, and that it will continue to serve as a camp and retreat center for the presbytery and other church and community groups in the future.
and Babs and their friends thrived at the camp in the summers and looked forward to the youth events sponsored by presbytery during the school year that were held there. Every year we've sponsored a scholarship for a camper who couldn't otherwise attend.Yesterday we returned to the camp for Open House Day, because El Jefe hasn't been there in a number of years (I have!). It was a gorgeous day and there were lots of young families visiting the camp. He saw the newly dredged lake, the new cabins and the new-ish dining hall and meeting facility and was impressed. We still remember the WWII-era cinder block cabins and primitive trails through the camp that were there the first year Portia was a camper!
It's exciting to see all the changes that have already taken place, and to anticipate the plans for the future that should be completed in time for our grandchildren to enjoy. There is just something about getting away from an urban environment and back into the woods that helps you connect with God and develop faith. It's so satisfying to see that others cherish Cho-Yeh as well, and that it will continue to serve as a camp and retreat center for the presbytery and other church and community groups in the future.
That certainly is a gorgeous part of the state! Best of luck with the campaign.
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful and green! What a great place for your girls to spend growing-up time.
ReplyDeleteOur Presbytery sold its camp a couple of years ago. I had only been there once, for a week-end silent retreat -- it was a beautiful piece of property, where I was able to canoe in silence all by myself (in a very tiny pond) and walk the labyrinth laid out on a small hill under a full moon. Reading this makes me heartsick about the loss of those and all the other outdoor opportunities for, as you say, connecting with God, for people of all ages.
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way about Camp Johnsonburg here in NJ.
ReplyDeleteThe camp was also there for me at a crucial moment in my life.