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It has been a long-awaited moment with many trying days, but our road is now built up to our training area. I have spent countless days and nights, along with numerous hours, worrying about how the rain might hinder travel to and from our training area. However, we can now fully access the entire property.
The Road's Message A Test Of Faith: God’s Tempering
This road carries a profound message; it reflects how God has shaped me throughout this lengthy process. I was concerned that our students would become upset or resentful because our property wasn't finished, and having to hike a path instead of driving to their camp spots might cause them frustration. I prayed earnestly because of this road. I shed tears because of this road. I lost sleep and experienced extreme stress due to this road. I spent numerous hours trying to find a solution to repair it.
An Unlikely Companion: The 75-Year-Old Tractor
I utilized a 75-year-old Ford 8-N tractor to work on the road, as it was all I had. Now, pause for a moment. That 75-year-old tractor and I have a love-hate relationship. I must handle it with great care, but it still performs the task it was designed for, even if it leaves me unable to walk for a few days afterward. It remains a blessing, and God paved the way for how we acquired it.
Prayers & Patience: A Shift in Perspective
Returning to the message, after repeated prayers, I had some individuals examine the road and provide quotes. I would gather most of the funds and then contact them again, but I wouldn't receive a callback or a start date for the work. I gave up for a while. I nearly reached the funding goal and again attempted to reach out, only to receive no response or a promise to get back to me. Then, this past February, I spoke with a gentleman, who wishes to remain anonymous, and he mentioned he was busy at the moment but would come to inspect the road in a few days. Once again nothing happened, so I moved on and allocated the funding to other projects and even some crises. I resigned to the idea that it is what it is.
Fast forward to a few months ago; several significant events occurred. I had reached a breaking point regarding the road. Instead of asking God to fix the road, I prayed for Him to grant me complete peace about it. I expressed my unwavering faith in knowing that He would meet any need Janna and I had, and that the school was precisely what He had intended it to be all along—a ministry to advance His kingdom. While the road would provide easy access, it was better for people to follow the narrow path.
On that day, I realized something profound—I finally embraced the message from James 1:2-4.
"My brothers and sisters, you will have many kinds of trouble. But this gives you a reason to be very happy. You know that when your faith is tested, you learn to be patient in suffering. If you let that patience work in you, the end result will be good. You will be mature and complete. You will be all that God wants you to be."
We would always face troubles, and we had definitely endured suffering. However, through it all, I began to comprehend and endure suffering with patience. Patience was what I needed, to wait for His timing. My way of thinking had shifted, and my trust in Him came from the heart.
No More Worries:
No more planning how to raise funds or burning the midnight oil trying to earn income from every possible source. God, as clear as day, revealed His plan for The Woodsrunner School to me—speak His Word first in all we do, share the Good News, and love others and He would take care of the rest. Our duty was to love broken people and introduce them to Him.
Divine Intervention: An Anonymous Benefactor
Since then, numerous supernatural occurrences have taken place. I stepped up and asked questions I was not bold enough to ask in the past. I contacted many individuals again to address the road issue, and the results were the same as before. I recalled the gentleman from February and thought, "Why not?" I called him, not even remembering his name at first. When he answered, I apologized first, and he said, "Hang on, I feel the same way." He had lost my number and felt bad about not visiting earlier. He asked if I was at the property, and I requested half an hour. He left his ongoing project and drove straight to me. Ninety-nine percent of our conversation centered around Christ and how He had worked in each of our lives. We emphasized the importance of sharing the Good News. It was incredible! He mentioned that he had a truck down but assured me not to worry; he would be there as soon as possible. Not to fix the road but to build a road and clear land for us to fulfill our calling. It gets even better.
Unexpected Gifts: God's Hand at Work
We received several unexpected gifts, both from unknown and known sources, seemingly out of nowhere. All inspired by God. Just this week, the gentleman, who would like to remain anonymous, showed up and went above and beyond. He built a road in less than two working days, loaded and hauled two different pieces of equipment alone, acquired fuel, and even rushed to haul enough stone to cover the road before the weekend's rain. He did all of this because he was sent here to help advance God's kingdom.
While we still need more rock, as soon as his truck is out of the shop, we will have a completed road and a larger parking area. This road will always serve as a reminder to me that I can rely on God through all the troubles that come my way and that the verse from 2 Corinthians 9:8 holds true.
"And God can give you more blessings than you need, and you will always have plenty of everything. You will have enough to give to every good work."
A New Beginning:
Through countless days and nights filled with concerns about how we would obtain a road for the new property or deal with rain-hindering access, we can now rest assured that we have easy access. Nevertheless, it remains better to walk the narrow path.
In conclusion, we can now fully open the gates and offer numerous training opportunities and events, just as we did at the previous property, and most importantly continue to share the Good News. Look out for an announcement about a late Fall Campout schedule coming in a few weeks.
I want to extend my gratitude to each and every one of you who donated and prayed not only for the road but for the many years of praying for me personally, and for me to gain an understanding of God’s plan and timing. Thank you for the prayers for Janna, who has been a rock through it all, and for all who have participated in what we have to offer at the school. There is no more holding back or worrying. We eagerly look forward to having you. And remember, in your times of trouble, pick up your Bibles and read the Word, for it is living, it is the Truth, and most importantly, it is Jesus! God bless you all.
Joshua Barnes
Founder & Director of Operations
Woodsrunner School, LLC