8
Oct
16
Oct
Fall Retreat 2007
This past weekend 4 TreeHouse’s gathered together at Camp JIM (Jesus Is Mine) in northern Minnesota. It was an awesome time of fun, spiritual renewal, and bonding. The kids were able to boat, play games, sit and talk, relax, hang out, jump in the lake (yea it was pretty cold!), play volleyball, basketball, football, and spend time thinking about the pain, hurt, and suffering we all experience. They were challenged not avoid the hurt by stuffing it and trying to move on without taking it to God. It is only when we give our pain and hurt to God that we are able to truly forgive, move on, and experience healing from the wounds we receive on a daily basis. A lot of tears were shed as kids began to step into the pain and hurt they carry around each day. God worked in awesome ways this weekend and I pray that it does not stop but that it continues to be something they take to Him each day.
I was able to have several awesome conversations with a few of the Chaska guys who came on the trip. One in particular has been on my heart the last few days. Please pray for me as I continue to share the truth of the character of God is and how He is not some universal “god” that all religions believe in. This youth said he is having trouble trusting God (”god”) because if he does and is let down than it would have been a waste of time and it would just add to the hurt. Pray that I am able to accurately communicate to him who God is and how He will never let us down. This kid is amazingly smart and intellectual so he tends to rely on logic and brains a lot. At some point the facts, proof, and logic have to step aside so his heart can be reached. Pray that he is able to get to that place quickly. He has so much potential for spiritual growth, knowledge, and peer influence that it would be awesome to see him begin to impact his friends for Christ while still in high school.
I took a bunch of video of the trip but I didn’t get any pictures! 
Sorry! I might be able to get some from other kids and staff so you can see what the retreat was like.
Thanks in advance for all your prayers and thoughts. If anyone has any questions about the United Way info in the newsletter please let me know. Thanks!
Dan
PS…. I have been having trouble with my website so if you leave a comment and you don’t see it or it has an error message don’t worry. I am trying my best to fix it. So far I haven’t figured it out but don’t let that keep you from commenting on postings or other things. Thanks!
21
Sep
TreeHouse on TV
On the 19th TreeHouse was interviewed by our local CBS TV station. Since TreeHouse is starting a new location in the Plymouth/Wayzata area we were able to gain the attention of reporters at WCCO. I have posted the link here so you can watch the interview and read the article. It is very exciting to know that TreeHouse is starting to get the attention of local media members because that can only help us as we grow across Minnesota and eventually the US.
Make sure you click the TreeHouse picture above the video player before you hit the PLAY button on the picture. There are a few videos that scroll through and the TreeHouse one is first in line. The video will play right there on that page.
Thanks for checking this out!
Dan
Today TreeHouse welcomed 5 new intern staff. They came to us through YouthWorks and will be staying as staff for 9 months! It is so fun to have more staff to help out as we seek to increase TreeHouse’s area of influence. Currently TreeHouse reaches approximately 1,200 kids a year. Our goal is to have that number reach 5,000 within 5 years. The YouthWorks interns are a huge step in that direction and I know they will give us an opportunity to reach many new kids.
The expansion of TreeHouse is also going to get a huge boost. After the interns finish in April or May 2008 they will take the TreeHouse program to their communities in an effort to spread TreeHouse across America. We are beginning to implement a Community Based model of growth which is very similar to the model used by Young Life. The goal is to spread TreeHouse across America in 10 years. Our interns come from all across the mid-west and there is even one from PA!!
I am excited to see the growth of TreeHouse. The more kids I talk to the more I realize we are going to need more staff to continue to reach kids for Christ. Last summer we had 72 kids attend our Summer Kick-Off event. We were busting at the seams and there are plenty more kids out there who are searching for help.
Continue to pray for TreeHouse, for me, for the staff at TreeHouse, and for the kids we come in contact with each day. It is so encouraging and warming to hear words of thanks and gratitude from the kids I meet with each day. When they think you’re pretty cool than I guess you’ve arrive! 
Have a great day and enjoy the awesome weather! Those of you in MN, get ready for the opening of the hunting season (it starts tomorrow for bow hunters) because I have a good feeling about this fall/winter!
Talk to you later!
Dan
ps. One thought… if you are going to donate money through United Way I would appreciate an email from you as well letting me know you have donated. That way I can check at the main office to make sure they have received your support. Thanks.
10
Sep
United Way Info
The weather here has cooled down SOOO much! It feels good to wear my jeans and sweatshirt again. The heat is gone (for now) and we are even starting to have a few leaves fall from the trees. Fall is finally here!
I have written a short letter describing how giving to United Way can directly benefit TreeHouse and even be added to my personal account. Last year United Way’s drive was over by the time I started my fundraising so I had to wait until this year to give you this information.
Just read the letter and let me know if you have any questions. I hope you have a great day! Talk to you later!
Calender
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Pictures
The Weather
Maple Grove
| January 5, 2009 | |
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tmp: 20°F |