by Marshall Coleman, Associate Director

In 2003 I had a hip replacement. For two years prior to my 'procedure,' life and work were often difficult.  I learned an important lesson during those times. 

I learned that I couldn't do everything myself without suffering consequences.  This paradigm was really driven home to me after my operation.  I needed help to do virtually everything - from walking room to room, to getting dressed for the day. 

God allowed me to learn the lesson of asking for help the hard way, because I tend to think of myself as someone who can do most anything by myself without anyone's help.  Since God knows that about me, He often needs to use a 2x4 upside my head to get me to admit that I can't do it all.  There are those times that we need to ask for help. 

After Ginny and I first moved to California from Massachusetts, we took off from camp one Sunday afternoon - after all of the guests had left, of course - and took the fifteen minute drive down to the coast. 

We were standing on the cliffs in Pescadero overlooking a 100 foot drop to the beach below where sea lions were basking on the rocks in the February sun.  That was when I discovered that the California cliffs (at least in Pescadero) in February are covered in slick clay when it has been raining. 

As we turned to return to our car, I slipped on this slippery clay and shot down the steep decline.  A small ledge kept me from dropping off a steep precipice that probably would have ended my life.  It took me about thirty minutes to slowly and strategically climb my way back up to the top of the cliff.

Other than the fact that God allowed me to live, it was pure adrenaline racing through my veins and my repaired hip that made it possible for me to scratch and claw my way back to safety.  During this ordeal, Ginny was trying to find anyone with anything to throw down to me to help me back up, but to no avail.  As I strained my way back up, thrusting my fingers into the sloppy clay, I felt confident that I could make it; but I also kept thinking to myself how nice it would be if someone would throw me a rope to make my climb just a little easier.

You have been waiting for it, so here is my point: Redwood Glen is doing fine.  Summer campers and guest groups are going to continue to encounter Jesus at Redwood Glen.  Nothing, and I mean nothing, will deter us from giving the hospitality and service that God commissioned us to provide and people have come to expect at Redwood Glen for the last 52 years. 

It would be nice, though, if you could throw us a rope and make the process of living out that commission from God just a little easier.  We are not asking for a million dollar donation (although we would not reject it).  We are asking for churches and individuals who know our heart for ministry, who have experienced Jesus Christ for the first time or in a new way while staying at Redwood Glen and for those people who want to be a part of the legacy that Redwood Glen is building for the future, to throw us a rope to get us where we need to be to fulfill God's ultimate plan and purpose for this ministry. 


Our staff works very hard, and we love to work hard for the Kingdom. Our staff is primed and ready for anything that God purposes for us.  Please, consider what God has done in your life through your experience at Redwood Glen.  Help more people to have the same type of experience you have had by giving what you can to further the ministry that God has called us to.

Specifically I would ask you to prayerfully consider giving an amount that we can anticipate on a periodic basis (monthly, quarterly, yearly).  Or, if that is too difficult for you right now, a one-time gift that you might be able to duplicate "one more time" at a later time. 

Can you give us a hand...can you throw us a rope? 

We are going to go where God leads us to go. We would like to offer you the opportunity to go along with us.  Thank you for giving as the Lord leads you.