The Deloach Download

We're Moving!

2010-12-07T09:22:00.004-05:00

The Lord has richly blessed us once again. Last week, we were given the privilege of purchasing another home. This is not just any home though. We are the proud owners of a home that has been in Ingrid's family for almost 100 years. Her mother and grandmother were both raised there, so it holds lots of memories for everyone.

Soon after Christmas, we will be packing our things and heading to our new home in Simerly Creek which is just 4 miles from the Gorge. We will also be putting our current home on the market. So, pray with us that we can move smoothly and that the house sells quickly. It is a very hectic time at our house, but we are very thankful for this opportunity that God has given to us.

Wow!

2010-10-01T12:14:00.006-04:00

The Valley Forge Nation at CCC 2010

Words cannot describe the blessings that the Lord poured down on each of us as we experienced Camp Christian Challenge and Parent Camp 2010. The Spirit was so strong in the Big Top during each service that you couldn't help but feel it.

A Packed Altar at the Big Top

Thank you to our church family and all of the Valley Forge Volunteers who made this such a success. Our church is so blessed! We also want to say thanks to all of the Doe River Gorge Staff who came along side us and helped us with each and every activity! Last weekend was just proof that God is still doing GREAT THINGS!!! PRAISE HIM FOR ALL HE HAS DONE!!!

It's time for camp!

2010-09-21T12:46:00.002-04:00

This weekend is one of the most exciting weekends for us. We get to share Doe River Gorge with our church family. Starting Friday at 5:30 our church family, "The Valley Forge Nation", will invade the campus of Doe River for a weekend of spiritual blessings. This is an annual event for our church, and we are always so excited to see it come. We ask that you cover this weekend in prayer. Our desire is that the Holy Spirit will fill the Gorge and lives will be changed forever! Valley Forge FWB Church-It's time for camp!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mission Accomplished

2010-08-09T12:38:00.005-04:00

It is very hard to believe that the Adventure Quest season has come to a close. Everything wrapped up yesterday afternoon as another year has come and gone. It would be almost impossible to tell you all of the great things that God has done this summer. For now, let us just say praise the Lord for all He has done! We are just unworthy servants who He allows to do His will. Although we often feel incapable, He continues to show His mighty power. Praise Him for He is worthy!!!

Now, we will shift gears and start planning for the upcoming retreats that are scheduled. On the top of the list are the Mother-Daughter and Father-Son Retreats. If you are a parent, make sure to sign up for these life changing events. Each promises to be a very rewarding time! For more info, go to http://www.doerivergorge.com/.

Once again, thank you for everything that you do for us. Our ministry would not be possible without the love and support we get from each of you.

This is it!

2010-08-06T09:36:00.004-04:00

Today is the day we send the final group of Questors home. Adventure Quest 2010 will be complete! God has done so many marvelous things. We praise Him for He is worthy!

This week we got to share Doe River with some of our family. Shannon's niece and nephew came down from Maryland with two of their cousins, and Ingrid's niece met them for an action packed week of adventure. It is always a joy to see them having a great time!

The weekend will be filled with affirmations and fun for the Summer Staff. Hopefully, we can send them off with full hearts and excited spirits. Pray that God will continue to be active in their lives and encourage them to always work for Him!

Thank you for helping us through another summer! Our lives will be forever changed because of the work God has allowed us to do.

Only Two Weeks Left!

2010-07-22T12:31:00.003-04:00

It is hard to believe that the Adventure Quest season is almost complete. Over 200 young people have already accepted the Lord as their Saviour this summer. We praise Him for the wonderful work He is doing. We are very excited about what He has for us in the next couple of weeks ahead.

We would love for you to join us as we pray for the Questers who have started a new walk with the Lord, the remaining Questers who are scheduled to come to have a wonderful experience, and for the staff as their physical bodies are growing tired. All of us could use a dose of God's strength and protection as the end of summer is approaching. Thank you all for everything you do for us! God is so good!!!

Today's the Day!

2010-05-13T11:52:00.004-04:00

Today is the day Doe River Gorge welcomes all of the Summer Staff. It also marks the first day of a two week training session before Adventure Quest begins. There is lots to be done, and the devil would like nothing more than to trip some of them up. Pray that God will provide unity, strength, and encouragement for all that are involved.

Just to give you an idea of what you are praying for, this is a picture of the 2009 Staff. Several of them will be returning for this summer. The kiddos in the front are children of the full time staff members. It is amazing how God takes so many different lives and pieces them together to do a great work for Him! We will keep you posted on how everything is progressing. We can't wait to see what God has for all of us this summer!

Spring Happenings

2010-04-28T22:08:00.008-04:00

Since it has been so long since the last update, this one may be lengthy. Lots of things have happened in the last month. We are going to try to fill you in on most of them. The event that meant the most to both of us was a long overdue vacation. We were privileged to be able to spend a week together just having fun. It was incredibly refreshing and rejuvenating. By the way, the reflection in the picture is from a super glossy garbage can lid. (Only in Disney World.)

Plans are being made for a new activity at the Gorge. The "activity guys" have been busy constructing and testing the new zipline that will start the new activity. In the picture below, you can see how exciting it is going to be, and this is only the beginning.

The lake has also been drained so that the crud of the winter can be removed from the water and sparkling, fresh water can be refilled back into it.

Lots of office work has also been on the agenda for the last month. Recruiting summer staff, compiling training policies and procedures, and working through various scheduling tasks for the summer have all been parts of Shannon's days.

The next big thing on the "To Do List" is Summer Staff Training. This will start on May 13th. For two weeks, the young adults who will be dedicating their summer to God's work at the Gorge will learn the do's and don'ts of an action packed summer. This is a crucial part of the ministry, and we ask that you pray for each and every member of the staff during this time. God does great things through their lives, and we only want to provide them with every opportunity that we can for them to do His will.

After Staff Training, the first week of Adventure Quest will begin. May 30th the campus of the Gorge will be filled with anxious young people. We again ask that you pray that God will annoint each and every life that comes through the Gorge. Start praying now that He will open their hearts, ears, and eyes to the life that He has planned for them and help them to realize the christian life is the greatest adventure they could ever take.

Since our first posts were about how beautiful the snow was this winter, we thought we would show you some of God's masterpieces that He has provided for us in the Gorge. Sunday we were able to enjoy a wonderful afternoon of hiking, wildflowers, and beautiful scenery to remind us that the God of the Universe is the same God that holds us in the palm of His hand.

With all of the signs of spring all around us, we know that summer is just around the corner. We ask that you continue to pray that the Lord will use all of us in mighty ways to further His kingdom. Its all about HIM!

Worthy is the Lamb!

2010-04-01T09:06:00.006-04:00

Revelation 5:12 "...Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.
13And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. "

As the Easter season is approaching, we do not want to miss the opportunity to praise our Lord for all that He has done. The ultimate sacrifice was given to pay a debt we could not afford. Worship Him for He is worthy! If you do not have a home church to worship on Sunday, we invite you to Valley Forge Free Will Baptist Church. Our Sunday School will start at 9:45 followed by worship at 10:35. We are expecting a great move of the Holy Spirit, and we would love to have you there.

Attention College Students

2010-03-18T16:07:00.003-04:00

As you know, our summer would not be possible without the help of several college-aged students who come and volunteer to help with the incredible task of ministering to thousands of young people each year. They do all kinds of stuff that makes a ministry packed summer a little easier. If you think you are interested in taking part in a summer that will change your life forever or you think you know someone who would be, go to http://www.doerivergorge.com/discover.php and checkout all the cool stuff going on for Discover Weekend, March 26th-28th! This is a free retreat for young adults who are thinking about coming onboard for an adventure of their lifetime. You will take part in awesome activities, eat incredible food, and experience amazing worship as you learn what a summer at the Gorge is all about. So, fill out the application and lets get this ball rolling! We can't wait to see you there!

Happy Birthday Kinsley!

2010-03-12T23:32:00.005-05:00

Today was our niece's second birthday! She has become the joy of our lives. There is never a dull moment with her around. We love her so much! Here are a few pics of her enjoying a nice chocolate cupcake.

Going... Going...

Going...

All gone! How could you resist that smile? Happy Birthday Kinsley!

LET IT SNOW!

2010-01-31T09:48:00.013-05:00

We had a great time yesterday with Ingrid's brother, Clinton, and his family at the Gorge tubing. The Vernon's also joined us for a while. We have posted some pics for all to see.

Kinsley chilling in the tube.

Sydney waiting on the next ride.

And they're off!

Look what I found!

Jennifer and Reece getting ready.

Shannon and Clinton

Bottom: Clinton and Shannon

Top: Carla and Sydney

It was GREAT!

High Tech

2010-01-26T19:55:00.001-05:00

Shannon and I have decided that a blog may be the easiest way to get information out on what is going on in the ministry God has given us. Since we seem to be slacking on update letters, we thought this might be an easier and more efficient way of updating our supporters.

For those of you who haven't heard from us in a while, Shannon has answered the Lord's call to Doe River Gorge Ministries. He is now a full time Assistant Activites Director. If you know anything about Shannon, you know that God has allowed him to do what he loves to reach young people. So while Shannon hangs from trees, tubes down the river, and jumps from VERY high places, he is able to tell others how much God loves them!

The last couple of months have found Shannon in the office a lot. Now is the time for planning the upcoming summer. Designing new activities, creating schedules, and assembling a summer staff have all been part of his days at the Gorge lately. With the great opportunity of summer ahead, plans must be made to ensure that everything goes smoothly.

Outside of the office, we have been able to enjoy the beautiful snow that God has blessed us with. White landscapes and HUGE forms of ice have decorated the Gorge for several of the last few days. It is amazing! Our niece, Sydney, was even able to come with us and enjoy some sledding and adventuring in all the white stuff!

After updating from the past months, we ask that you partner with us in prayer for the weeks that are ahead. We need for God to assemble the right group of young adults to be our summer staff. These young people will be able to minister to the Questers on a very personal level, and they assist Shannon in all functions of his ministry. They are a vital part of Doe River Gorge. With God in their hearts and lives, young people can be changed forever. We also need for you to pray that God will oversee the selection, designing, and construction of the new activities that will be added to Adventure Quest this summer. Although they are always loads of fun, it is a very serious process that we do not want to take lightly. Last but not least, we ask that you pray for God to strengthen us as we prepare for another action packed summer of ministry. This is a time when the devil would love to trip us up. However, we know that God has a bigger and better plan. With His guidance, anything is possible.

We appreciate all that you have done to make the ministry that God has blessed us with possible. Our support team is what keeps us going. We love you all and we look forward to serving with you in the coming year!