I found another surprise in this journal entry of 3-3-03. I’d forgotten how early God had been stirring me to buy property and expand the ministry I was doing in the Waconia residence.
- “I especially turned over the crazy idea about buying the neighbor’s house to double the size of my 1950’s rambler. What would I want with more property! Expensive and crazy with work! I do wish I had more property to work with. Gardens, greenhouse, children’s playhouse, parking…more headaches, more responsibility, less flexibility…It’s the wildest idea I’ve ever had. And besides I don’t have the money. If money were no issue and time of no consequence and proving myself no longer a necessity…what would I see happening? This is the most impractical and crazy thought. Should I be taking into account my age? Yet, such a project stirs my imagination of a life of huge proportions. O Lord, what is happening to me? Is this from You? This idea simply floated out of nowhere. One thing is for sure…it is not simplifying anything in my life!”
It wasn’t until 2010 that this crazy idea began to take on flesh and blood, brick and mortar, along with land issues, set-backs, lawyers, bankers, engineers, fraud, architects, builders and governmental issues. Nothing was easy. Yet Grace won! We have been open for five years as of March 13, 2013 and the fifth year is the Year of Grace! It definitely was grace that has brought us this far so that this year alone we could host 65 different churches, 6000+ individuals through ministries, businesses, families, college kids, and the many cultures who find a home here.
I hope you enjoy the photos of the building events on our website that show how we took a treeless farmer’s field and bog and turned it into the beautiful Blessing House. I, also, want you to know that your contributions are enriching and expanding the kingdom in ways we can’t count simply by providing a home, an oasis, a retreat, a creative and energizing space for those whose influence reaches into the whole world.
The Board of Directors, the extraordinary staff and myself, especially recognize without you this unique home could not exist or continue. We are grateful for your gifts and talents that have made the Lord’s dream come true.
Rev. Gail L S Berger