It is sometimes easy, when working at camp, to lose sight of to whom Ewalu belongs. Throughout the year, the staff puts in long hours preparing for retreats and programs, hiring summer staff, preparing for special events, visiting churches, organizations, businesses and individuals, preparing tens of thousands of meals, keeping up with over 700 acres, 16 winterized buildings, over 20 other buildings, nearly two miles of road, 15 miles of trails, four bridges, a pool and campground in addition to hosting nearly 10,000 people throughout the year. When the day is done, some staff drive the few miles home while others walk the short distance to their house. At any given time, camp is only a phone call away. It is not a job that we do but a lifestyle that we live. Because we devote such a large amount of time to the ministry of Ewalu, it is tempting at times to refer to it as "our" camp.

But one of the greatest joys of working here is working with a staff that realizes, first and foremost, that this is God’s camp and we are merely its stewards. Psalm 24:1 reads, "The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it." Everything we do, the resources we have, those who use the camp are the Lord’s, and we, as staff, are here to serve God through this ministry so that those who come to this "place apart" can grow in their faith and go out renewed and refreshed to share the love and grace of God with those at home.

Ewalu also belongs to the people of God. It is "owned" by nearly 200 ELCA congregations through eastern Iowa. If you belong to one of those congregations, it is your camp! You have a say in what is done here, in what direction we go in the future, in how we share the Good News of Christ. I tell every congregation I visit that Ewalu is not a separate entity from the Lutheran churches of eastern Iowa but as much a part of them as all the other organizations within their church. Ewalu is an extension of the ministry that takes place within your congregation. Ewalu is here to serve your congregation to grow, refresh and renew as a tool of the body of Christ. Ewalu is you!

So what is our (staff and congregations) role in the life of Ewalu? Since everything, including Ewalu, is the Lord’s, I believe that we are simply stewards of the gift of this place. Stewardship simply means to manage someone else’s property. We manage the property of God. We are mere lessees of property, money, relationships, talents, time, and even our lives. Stewardship is about being in community, working together, complementing one another’s gifts and abilities with what we can offer. It is the way we use the gifts God has given us in order to benefit the people who use Ewalu and to benefit the camp and the congregations who "own" Ewalu.

There are many things that go into being good stewards, too many to list here, but I feel it is important to share a few.

• We need to spend time in prayer that our will and desires be set aside so we can listen to God. Prayerfully decide on how to implement God’s desires and call to be a better steward of all the relationships, time, talent, money, and resources in your life!
• We need to recognize our gifts and abilities as well as opportunities, remembering these are gifts from God, and then exercise the responsibility of their care.
• Use the gifts God gives, not letting them waste away. We are to find these gifts: financial, time and talents, and put them to use with joy.
• Stewardship is the giving of ourselves and our resources with joy and gratitude for what we have been given.