up Lake Chelan, the third deepest lake in the deepest gorge in North America. Buses meet the boat to transport visitors up a series of switchbacks on a U.S. Forest Ser- vice road, a 10.5 mile ride that takes at least 45 minutes. There’s no TV, phone or cell
phone service, and limited Inter- net is available only to staff. Yet Holden appeals to all ages. Couples who originally met at Holden are now bringing their grandchildren. Twentysomethings make up a large portion of the volunteer staff. People come to enjoy the spectacular sur- roundings, to hike, to attend classes and discussions, to participate in arts and crafts, or simply to rest. Part of Holden’s mission has been
to send people, rested and refreshed, back into the world to serve. Now, Chuck Carpenter said, “the
village is taking its own medicine” by going out into the world with “Holden on the Road.” During the remediation years, village leaders plan to work with other outdoor min- istries and colleges to offer samples of Holden programming in various locations.
Early construction work to pre- pare for the remediation project began two summers ago, and Holden found itself providing hospitality to workers coming from all over the country. Holden leaders were deter- mined that there still would be “one village,” with construction crews welcome to participate in worship,
crafts and other events. Many do. Many say they want to bring their families back some day. Rio Tinto, which inherited responsibility for the pollution through a series of acquisitions over the years, is paying for the remediation. “What does Rio Tinto get out of
it?” a visitor asked a company offi- cial last fall. The official’s answer wasn’t about Rio Tinto. Instead, he listed the environmental improvements— cleaner water and air, a healthier fish habitat—and concluded: “It’s going to improve the village. Now you say it’s beautiful here. In a couple of years, you will say it’s incredibly beautiful.”
40 The Lutheran •
www.thelutheran.org
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52