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Mount Stuga - A Ministry
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My first stop was at a Bed and Breakfast At Mount Stuga. Stuga actually means house and this certainly was a mountain house. It is a log cabin on the side of a mountain. It is immaculate and charmingly decorated. You can find this delightful spot by taking highway 190 across Pine Mountain in Georgia, near Warm Springs and Callaway Gardens. Their phone number is 706-663-4121.
Walt and Grace Peterson have two married daughters and eight grandchildren. Their home is actually in Indianapolis in a retirement community but instead of deciding to spend their senior years in retirement, this couple decided to start a business. As I watched them, it became clear to me that this business was also a ministry. When we are told to love the Lord God with all of our strength, no exception is made for our retirement years.
Deuteronomy 34:7
Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he died, yet his eyes were not weak nor his strength gone. (from New International Version)
God sent me to this place in a miraculous way. I have relatives in the area. Because my cousin was ill, I wanted to make this my first stop on my trip. Pine Mountain is beautiful and I remembered that there were Inns along 190 on top of the mountain. I called my relatives and asked them for a suggestion. They didn't know the name of anywhere on Pine Mountain.
The day before my trip, I attended a community group that I belong to. I told them about my trip and where I planned my first stop. Sitting next to me was an employee of Mountain Stuga. She was on vacation in Jacksonville, Florida. I had met her previously but did know she worked on Pine Mountain or lived in the area.
I excitedly told her I wanted to stay on Pine Mountain. She called the owners and arranged for me to stay in her room. God used this experience to reaffirm that he would take care of my physical needs on this journey.
When I talked to Grace on the phone, the first thing she did was to invite me to her church. She made it clear that she and Walt were Christians.
When I arrived, Walt helped me move in. Grace was recovering from a broken leg so she was moving slower than usual.
I told Walt about my journey and he became helpful. He gave me the names of interesting churches across America. He brought me a tape of his favorite preacher and a religious article he had authored. He gave me telephone numbers of people to contact along my way.
When I told him about my sick cousin, he told me about being a cancer survivor. Part of his personal ministry is to visit oncology wards and pray with cancer patients. He is a Chaplin in an Indianapolis medical facility. He offered support and sympathy regarding my cousin's illness.
Walt and Grace pray with their guests every morning at breakfast. I asked him how his guests felt about his prayer. He said he has had only one couple ask him not to pray with them. He said no one in an oncology ward had ever refused to pray with him.
My cousin's death created the need to extend my trip. Walt and Grace were wonderful. They offered support and prayer. They changed their plans to make room for me and for other family members that needed a place to stay for the funeral. They made it affordable. They continually asked if I needed anything else.
Over the course of the week, they made several suggestions regarding places to go and people visit. They invited me to stay with them in Indianapolis.
They told me stories of their daughters. One of their daughter's is a minister and the other plays piano in her church.
Walt and Grace easily shared their faith. They invited me to a Christian conference they were attending in Colorado.
As I watched them, I realized that they truly "Love The Lord their God with all of their strength." They use their strength to create a wonderful place to stay for travelers. The it takes work to maintain the bed and breakfast insures their strength for the future. They make sure they are kind and let people know of their Love of God.
I pray for Walt and Grace's continued strength to maintain their business and their ministry.
1 Chronicles 29:12-13
In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name. (from New International Version)
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