ja_koniga

Dear praying friends and family,

Well, Jessica has gone back home. When she left she was seriously considering returning, and we hope she does return this summer. Please pray for her to seek God’s will and understand what His plan is. She was a huge encouragement to us and many others and a willing helper even for things that may have been outside of her comfort zone.

Yards full of cars, buildings and campers full of people, every outside outlet connected to a camper – that describes Pilgrimage-Cedar Springs Camp this Fourth of July weekend! No one even really knows exactly how many people were here this weekend, but it was easily in excess of fifty. This was the first time in over a decade this family has gotten together like this, and they had such a great time they have already requested to reserve the camp for the same time next year.

Fellowship Baptist Church in Cabot, AR, is working hard preparing for puppet shows, crafts, and some work projects they will be doing while here ministering through daycamp July 25-29. We were able to go visit their church and talk to the church about what Pilgrimage-Cedar Springs Camp is about and what they will be doing while here. It was good to meet more people from this church, and hopefully help forge an even better connection. River of Life Church in Hutchinson, KS, just finished their fireworks fundraiser to help cover expenses to bring their youth group to minister through daycamp August 1-5. We are still praying for more volunteers that week, and for the August 8-12 teen camp.  We are counting on our local friends to fill in the gaps, but we aren’t sure yet how many will be able to help this year.

Regarding support:  we have now been depending on the Lord to provide through Pilgrimage 100% of our income for three months.  Pilgrimage support has not increased, but God is enabling us to be paid every month.  We praise God for this, but at the same time are somewhat concerned as Pilgrimage expenses are consistently more than donations, which is obviously an unsustainable scenario!

The Pilgrimage board is currently considering the first steps to improving the mile of “gravel” road to the camp. I have proposed that we start by clearing a larger right-of-way of 70’-80’. I am thinking this will cost in the neighborhood of $2,000 - $3,000, and will result in: 1) the road drying and thawing more quickly, 2) a better possibility of good drainage, 3) the ability to widen the road surface allowing two cars to pass – with more neighbors on this road this is becoming more of an issue. Please pray for the board as we consider the best way to deal with ease of access to the camp.

My back is improving.  Now I am in the difficult position of feeling well and wanting to do things that I know I shouldn’t (like cut down trees that are in the way, dig ditches for drainage, pick up rocks, replace the waterslide).  I have nothing to report from the neurologist, as between mistakes in her office and the hospital, the dye test to determine what surgery would be appropriate didn’t happen and hasn’t been rescheduled (at least not that they’ve told me).  I am doing stretches and exercises daily, and not planning to go back to this neurologist if I can avoid it!  Besides that, the little bit of insurance that I have is pretty much used up for the year.

Thanks for your prayers and support,

-Phil & Melissa