How can I be assured that God cares? Are the hards in my life worthwhile, and is my life meaningful? As a typical teenager growing up in the '90's in North Central Wisconsin living close to a relatively large Anabaptist Mennonite community, these were the questions I often asked. I wondered why there was so many Anabaptist churches in the area yet so little opportunity for our youth to explore questions, seek answers, or pursue and understand the heart of God. It became important for me to distinguish between Biblical Christianity and our cultural practices. To know what it was to hear from God directly. I had so many questions and wondered if anyone else did or was I uniquely different? Did no one else wrestle with life?
Meeting my husband Mike was inspiring; He had not grown up in a Christian home yet his commitment to his faith in Christ was clear, and he understood what God had done for him. The Holy Spirit was real to him. This prompted me to reflect on my testimony, my calling, and my purpose. I questioned whether suffering could serve a greater purpose? considered how individuals who influenced my Christian walk encouraged me and what would I have long to be offered as a youth. Giving back to the Anabaptist community became important to me. I felt Gods calling on my life to help create safe opportunities for Mennonite youth girls to grapple with their faith and learn to discern the Holy Spirit's guidance in their lives. A longing for the denominational walls of our Anabaptist circle to be broken down, for us to link shields for the greater cause of our youth while still respecting each other's views.
In 2014, with Mike's blessings, I initiated a one-day girls' retreat and began hearing more stories. Many of our young women were also seeking a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ and looking for answers. My passion to do more for our youth continued to grow.
In the spring of 2018, our guest speaker at Daughters of Promised girls retreat spoke on feminine beauty, and her message strongly resonated with many of the girls. That year, it became clear to the retreat staff that additional resources were needed. This realization ultimately led to the vision of the ministry. Mike and I frequently discussed what our future might hold and how God was guiding us.
In the fall of 2018, Mike had a dream where we were walking together along a lakefront property that we had purchased for ministry. I asked him what we should name this place, and he said it should be called Chadash Cabin.
When I asked him what that meant, he explained it was the Hebrew word for rest and renewal. The name kept rolling around in his mind until he woke up.
It was 3 a.m., he went downstairs to our computer to search for the meaning. Unsure how to spell it, he tried several variations without success.
Finally, he typed "What is the Hebrew word for rest and renewal?"—and there it was: "CHADASH". We felt this experience was the confirmation we need to move forward, and that God was in it.
In 2020, the Lord provided opportunities for us to start wilderness trips. It is often our wilderness experiences of life that we can truly grasp the heart of God. Stepping away from daily distractions and modern conveniences by living in the back country allows for an environment to seek spiritual growth and transformative experiences. In today's world, with technology, instant communication, social media platforms, AI, and countless other influences becoming increasingly prominent, it's vital for the younger generations to recognize that the Holy Spirit speaks in a still small voice. Scripture tells us to seek and we shall find, to knock and doors will be opened. The importance of withdrawing from the noise around us, and spending time in the word, listening for that "Still Small Voice" cannot be stressed enough. God has been so faithful, and we have seen first-hand the working of the Holy Spirit in the lives of the girls as God has showed up for them so personally.
In 2021, we acquired a beautiful 10-acre property, which now serves as the base for our trips and the hub of our organization. Our goal is to establish more long-term counseling resources for young women in our community.
Since 2022, we have been providing two annual trips: a ten-day trip tailored for younger participants aged 14 to 18, and a one-week program designed for individuals aged 18 and above.
Our 2026 trips have quickly reached capacity. By the end of March, the younger girls' trip was already full of 12 students, and the older girls' trip is about to fill up with 12 participants as well. We've increased the number of students allowed on each trip in response to high demand and in anticipation of what God may be guiding us toward next.
The message I want to leave with the younger generation is to understand that the enemy of our souls tries to deceive us with lies. That you are alone, no one will understand, you are the victim in your story, your life was unfair, living sold out for Christ is too hard. You may believe that you can't forgive or that restoration is too difficult. Shame may overwhelm you. Hope is loss.
Where the enemy attacks our life most fiercely is exactly where God seeks to bring the greatest healing so you can live out God's plan for your life. Often our greatest calling arises from our deepest pain.
The crucifixion and the resurrection demonstrates to us that God did use His own suffering for the greatest possible cause there could ever be, which is salvation to the entire world. We can trust God with our sufferings, our hard, our pain. We may walk with a limp, but I believe that only a wounded Savior can satisfy a wounded soul. How do we know God cares? Because the Creator of the entire universe paid the infinite price with His death on the cross to spend eternity with you and me. There is so much power in the blood of Jesus Christ. You are valued! You are worth it! There is hope!
It will be worth it to surrender your plans for your life into the hands of a God that sees and understands. Ask Him what His plan is for you.
“Of one thing I am perfectly sure is God's story never ends with ashes.”