1 minute read
Woodleaf
from Generous Portions
by Young Life
WOODLEAF — 1966
“After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper” (1 Kings 19:12).
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Are you a good listener? Do you know a good listener? Did you know that Woodleaf, Young Life’s camp in the Sierra Nevada Mountains was made possible by two generous people who listened? In 1966, Young Life was in need of a camp on the West Coast. “Vern Pynn, the district attorney for Walnut Creek, California, and a friend of Young Life, persuaded a local official to consider selling the land that would become Young Life’s next camp. ‘Have you considered maybe giving your rights to it to another group?’ Pynn asked the official. ‘I’ll tell you what I’ll do, Vern,’ the man replied. ‘You give me $3,000, and I’ll give you a week to look at it and see if it’s any value to your people.’” Following a frantic week, which included assessing the property and receiving the necessary $3,000 from long-time board member Bob Stover, Young Life signed the papers to purchase Woodleaf for $100,000, “Everything was wonderful except for one item; We were short $100,000,” said John Miller, camp director at Trail West. Fortunately, a few months later a couple of great listeners were guests at Trail West Lodge. Jack and Arlene Kough, being led by the Holy Spirit, first informed Miller that they would buy him a lot at Trail West where the property director and his family could live. Then, a day later, following a Sunday morning time of prayer, Jack Kough informed Miller, “God told me to buy Woodleaf.” Sure enough, the Koughs gave Young Life $100,000 and this 240-acre plot of land that served as a stopping point for stagecoach passengers in the 1800s during the gold rush era was now a Young Life camp. (MFT, p. 63)
Challenge, California
We all desire to hear from God, yet we do not always want to be quiet and listen. It’s interesting that Woodleaf was a direct by-product of a couple’s willingness to listen and obey. It’s incredible to think that 1,135 miles and four states of distance were not enough to squelch God’s voice. Take some time today to be still and simply listen. What is He saying to you?
