Mohonk

Today I drove through the Hudson River Valley and throughout the Catskills with a good friend of mine.  We were searching for facility to host our 2008 winners for our reading contest as well as a site where our staff and supporters will join us for two nights and three days. Though the majority of our time will be spent at Mt Mohonk Mountain and Mohonk Preserve, we were hoping to find accommodations that had the quality of Mohonk, yet affordable for a group of fifty.  After driving for more than five hundred miles, we were unable to find a site that would provide the setting that I desire for this special event. Spending time at Mohonk is going to be an exceptional experience for everyone, but it is my desire that every last detail gives each person who attends, a memory that will inspire them to a higher level of excellence in everything they do. So my quest continues to find this special site…as we plan and prepare for this event, I will keep you posted.  Here are some of the activities we will be involved in: rock climbing to the Lemon Squeeze at Mohonk, meeting with culinary chefs, tour of Olana where many of the paintings of Hudson River Valley painter Frederic Church are exhibited, hiking to a hundred foot water falls, canoeing, hiking the ridge to Mohonk, drama, music, Biblical Studies with Dr. Colin Smith and myself (we are waiting on a final date for the event before Dr. Smith will be official), an Amazing Race event, and much more! 

            Why am I writing all of this?  I was struck today by the shoddy craftsmanship of each of the facilities we toured; the lack of taste, professionalism, quality, and beauty was sobering. As I travel, i have not found many facilities that capture my attention.  But when I do come across one, there is such a deep satisfaction. Today made my resolve only firmer to pursue land to build our own facility, where we can host events such as this, with the quality that truly represents the character of God. It has always been my desire to build a Mohonk-like facility where families and young people learn of the redemptive power of God—then, making ready a people prepared for the service of the Lord. Luke 1:17

            It looks like I will be making another trip soon back to the Catskills…maybe we will just have to stay at Mohonk!