Moving into the program Director House

The log house at the entrance to Judson Collins Center has become the Program Director’s residence over the years. When I first visited JCC I, like many others, turned onto Hane Hwy and passed by the cottage with little notice. The neighboring barn that acts like a giant billboard caught my attention announcing to my mind that yes you made it, you are finally at camp. I quickly learned that the Log house is in fact apart of the 240-acre camp and would soon be my new home.

            I am no stranger to living on my own or moving to an unfamiliar community. I first moved away from northwestern Wisconsin to southern Michigan three years ago. I actually enjoy the unknown. It is like traveling in the wilderness and trusting that God will provide the manna.  

Pieces of manna

            I was very excited to finally make the transition from an apartment to a house. There are a handful of things that I saw that increased my excitement about moving into the log house. These things may make you laugh but they were all answers to my prayers. I almost jumped for joy when I saw that a washer and dryer came with the house. I really dislike laundry, and the idea of hauling one more load to a laundry-mat was not high on my “fun things to do” list. The fake brick in the kitchen was the second thing I noticed, I love brick and fake brick satisfies my deep desire for the real stuff. Plus it gives me the ambiance I want for decorating the kitchen like a coffee shop (I love coffee and cafés). A tub in the bathroom is what I saw next. There is nothing better then sitting in a relaxing tub; it is like having a mini vacation. The fourth piece of manna involves my puppy. She loves people, so the fenced in backyard allows her to people watch with out running off to camp. And finally, my own mailbox. I love getting mail; it’s like opening up a present every day.

            I seem to be settling into the house well. It is interesting now that I live in a house by myself; I see details that I never really noticed while living with others. When you live with roommates you can rely on them for the things they own and do (for example furniture and dish duty). Now, it is my space that needs to be welcoming as well as my mess that needs to be cleaned. It is a growing experience.

            Living in Michigan for three years has given me the opportunity to meet several people who have become like family away from my family. I hope that this new adventure and my new home will become a center for fun, fellowship, and growth for the new family of Judson Collins Center that I am beginning to meet every day.
By Rachael Marcano, Judson Collins Center Program Director

 “Never choose to be a worker, but when God has put His call on you, woe be to you if you turn to the right hand or the left. He will do with you what He never did with you before the call came; He will do with you what He is not doing with other people. Let Him have His way.” Oswald Chambers

Your financial support helps make capital improvements at our Outdoor and Retreat ministry sites, providing facilities for summer camping and for churches and their members to use throughout the year. Many people respond to God’s love at camps and retreats, returning home as more committed disciples. Camp development allows our ministry to go forward. Donations will be used where most needed at Myers Lake, Camp Kinawind, Judson Collins Center, and Lake Huron Retreat Center. Recent donations have paid for the program director residence at Judson Collins and the comfort station at Myers Lake Campground.

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