Blessed at The Cove

Our project at the Billy Graham Training Center has come to an end :(  

Parting is sweet sorrow

Millie and Russ served as group leaders.  They have been on the road since November, serving in Florida and Georgia before coming to North Carolina.  They are heading to Virginia to visit some of their grandchildren before heading back to the Pocono mountains of Pennsylvania.  

Homer and Gloria have been sowers for many years, doing projects in the spring and fall.  They have been married for 63 years.  They live in the Poconos as well, about forty miles from Millie and Russ.  They are an energetic couple and are a blessing to know.

Amy, Tony and Sophie have been full timers for over a year.  They are from Minnesota.  Tony and I worked together most of our time at The Cove and I gained a deep affection for this brother in Christ.  We established a bond with all of our team mates and look forward to seeing them again on a future project.

We made a visit to Lake Lure near Chimney Rock.

They converted the old bridge leading to town into a lovely garden.

The golden rod glistened in the spring sunshine

Julie, Eli, and Micah spent a couple of days with us

Eli spent the first morning taking an online final for his Seminary class.  

So we enjoyed taking Julie and Micah on a walking tour of The Cove.  

The Rhododendrons came into full bloom during our stay at The Cove

Giga and Poppy with Micah.  Ella named Jane, not sure where Poppy came from

Micah was mesmerized by the reflections of light on the babbling brook

We took two trips up to Mount Mitchell.  It was raining on the first one and we hoped that we could get above the clouds.  No luck.  The next morning was cloudless so up we went.  It was so cold at the top that there were snow flurries and the tree tops were white with ice from the night before.

We really enjoyed our time together.  Micah is growing in leaps and bounds.  They are loving Wake Forest and Eli is doing excellently at South Eastern Baptist Seminary.

Becky, Corey, Ella Mae, and Isabell came to South Carolina for a wedding over the Memorial Day weekend and came up to The Cove for Sunday and Monday

Jason, better known as Uncle Buddy, came up as well

We toured the Chapel

Ella performed a stunning aria

Accompanied by Rebecca and Isabel

Jesus said, "Suffer the little children to come unto Me"

                        Ella loved Giga's silver dollar pancakes!

We walked the grounds and played ring around the rosie with Ella

Ella on the balance beam.  She loves gymnastics!

Isabel, or Esa as Ella calls her, is growing up too fast.  

She is twenty days older than her cousin Micah

We took a trip to Chimney Rock on Monday to pan for precious gems

We found several prized ones that the gemnologist said were jewelry quality!

The ending of a great visit and project at Asheville

The sign above the Maintenance building says it all.  Our hearts desire on each project is that we would have some small part in touching lives through our service.  

This is Ken Wood, the Grounds Keeper at The Cove.  He has become a brother beloved to Me and Jane.  He and his staff work tirelessly to keep The Cove up to a standard of quality that is an honor to our Lord.

He loves the Lord and his enthusiasm is infectious

Well, the project is over, the Sowers have pulled out, but we trust we have left our mark of love on this hallowed ground.  It has been a wonderful opportunity to serve our Lord here at The Cove

There is a great children's song that says "My God is so Big, so strong and so mighty there's nothing my God cannot do, the mountains are His, the valleys are His, the stars are His handiwork too!"

As you and I stand amazed at His glorious creation and marvel at His works we must conclude that He is the Light of the World.  But the world loves darkness more than light and the darkness covers the light in the hearts of those who need Jesus.  Jesus said we need to let our lights be seen so that others may see it and give Glory to our Father in Heaven.

He leads His sheep beside still waters, He restores our souls.

  

The Cove exists to bring rest and restoration to weary pilgrims and equip them to show the lost how to have Peace with God, which ultimately results in having the Peace of God.

Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the light.  No man comes to the Father but by me.

If you don't know Jesus personally, I encourage you to invite Him into your heart today.

He is the Peace giver.

I encourage you to take a Journey through Luke, John, Acts, and Romans seeking the understanding of the best news you could ever have.  Jesus died for sin and rose from the dead.

We are back home in Summerville awaiting the arrival of our granddaughter Wren.   Thank you for joining us by prayer during this project.  We will be home for a couple of months then head north for some fall projects.

                   Godspeed    Glenn and Jane

Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove



Cove ¹  (kōv) n.

1. A small sheltered bay in the shoreline of a sea, river, or lake.

2.

     a. A recess or small valley in the side of a mountain.

     b. A cave or cavern.

3. A narrow gap or pass between hills or woods.

4. Architecture

     a. A concave molding.

     b. A concave surface forming a junction between a ceiling and a wall.

The month of May finds us serving at the Billy Graham Training Center at the Cove located near Asheville, North Carolina, nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.  The Center exists to train Christ followers on how to share the Gospel or "Good News" of Jesus to an ever changing culture.  One of the dictionary definitions of  "Cove" is a recess or small valley in the side of a mountain.  This place is definitely a beautiful hideaway in the side of a lovely mountain. In architecture it is a concave surface forming a junction between a ceiling and a wall. The Cove is also a junction between the truths of God's Word and it's practical application to a desperate world around us.  

They have four RV sites for volunteers that were built by Sowers.  Each site has full hookups and a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains.  There are laundry facilities and a pavilion that we can use for group times.

Ruth Graham wanted the Cove to have the same feel as the Blue Ridge Parkway that passes nearby.

There are plenty of hiking trails across the 1,200 acres.

There are several groups of  wild Turkeys wandering the Cove

The Chapel and Visitor's Center

Two of us spent the first week power washing the decks and scrubbing the railings that surround the Chapel.  There are about 800 feet of railings.  We had great weather with highs in the 80's and no humidity.  This week we applied a sealer on the decks.  These simple tasks are a huge help to the maintenance staff.  One guy helped with some carpentry and one is a mechanic and spends his time repairing the vehicles and machinery used by the ministry.

Jane is back in her favorite place, the laundry.  She also helps out with housekeeping as well.

We climbed Mt. Mitchell (in the truck of course)

When I behold the beauty of Your Grandeur, who am I that the King would bleed and die for?

6,684 Feet.  Didn't know eastern mountains were that far up.  We can see for miles and miles!

Fireplace in Training Center Lobby

Our team mates.  Millie and Russ and Gloria and Homer are from the Poconos in PA.  Tony and Amy are from the twin cities in Minnesota.  Amy was away the first week and joined us on Thursday.  We were about to have dinner in the lovely dining room.

Asheville is just a few miles across Interstate 40

This street mime had an amazing act.  Not sure exactly how he did it.  Must be an apparatus that allows him to sit back this far. 

Street musicians on lots of corners

This hay loader is from the farm that Billy Graham grew up on.  It reminds me that the work of evangelism consists of sowing seed, cultivating, fertilizing, and reaping.  God is at work at the Cove training workers for His harvest.

The Cross of Christ on the Chapel rising high above the tree line.  So it is in the world we live in.  Often hidden in the leaves of life.  Our God is at work in the hearts of many, revealing Himself, rising above the distractions, opening the eyes of the blind, the ears of the deaf, the mouths of the dumb.  Bringing to His throne worshippers for His Glory.

It was and is the heart's desire of Billy and Ruth Graham that the Cove would be used by God to train up workers for the harvest.  Jesus said the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.  Pray to the Lord of the harvest that He would send workers into His harvest.  It is our pleasure and privilege to serve the Lord of the Universe as He works in the lives of disciples at the Cove. 

Your prayers are appreciated for us as we wrap up our work here the end of next week.  We will return to Summerville for the arrival of Wren, our sixth grandchild and fourth granddaughter.  Pray for Maribeth for a safe delivery.

Godspeed,  Glenn and Jane