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Haven River Inn Breaks Ground on New Chapel

The historic Haven River Inn in Comfort, Texas celebrated the ground-breaking ceremony for the new chapel Tuesday, January 29. The Lamb’s Tale board members attended the ceremony and included Rev. Tim Farenthold, Claudia Farenthold, Marilyn Johnson, Acie Johnson, Rev. Len Johnson, Andrea Culpepper, Dr. Suzy Ramsay and Cindy Cone as pictured.

The Haven River Inn, a renowned Hill Country bed-and-breakfast facility, is a Victorian-style mansion that has a capacity for 26 guests. There are four additional cottages with a capacity for 18 guests for a total capacity of 44. It is a place that is free of distractions while offering a free two-night stay provided by Lamb’s Tale Ministry, to pastors and their spouses, to give them a moment to “Catch their Breath” as stated in the organization’s motto. Other guests pay to stay at the inn located next to the Guadalupe River among sprawling oak trees. The wrap-around porch invites you in upon your immediate arrival on the grounds.

The Haven River Inn, under the guidance of Lamb’s Tale Ministries, a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization, provides respite care for those in full time ministry. It is the mission of Lamb’s Tale Ministries to allow them a time to reflect on their calling and have an opportunity to refresh their minds and souls. Lamb’s Tale Ministries relies solely on donors to provide the funds necessary for their stay. The Haven River Inn is compensated at a reduced rate for this service to help serve God’s purpose.

The chapel project is part of the organization’s mission as a soul ministry that helps believers live out of the heart God gave them. The chapel facilitates stillness with God, while providing a place for retreats, workshops, reunions, weddings and special worship experiences.

Perry’s Foundation in Olney provided the initial seed money and challenged the organization to raise matching funds for the final $25,000. Pastor Len Johnson, the former pastor at First United Methodist Church in Olney, led the fundraising mission and worked with the board to accomplish this goal.

Construction is expected to begin soon. The chapel will be open to the visitors of Haven River Inn within three months after the project commences.

The group is $20,000.00 short of the amount needed to complete the restrooms. Donations to complete the restrooms and for the ongoing respite care ministry are welcomed. There is still time to contribute to the chapel project. For more information on Lamb’s Tale Ministry, visit www.LambsTale.org. For more information on Haven River Inn, visit www.HavenRiverInn.com

Below is an excerpt from Pastor Len Johnson’s opening speech at the ground-breaking ceremony:

“Matthew 7:24 says the wise man builds his house upon the rock. The rock we will build upon is Jesus Christ. In Matthew 11:17, Jesus says His house is to be called a house of prayer. The Chapel to be built upon the ground on which we stand will have as its foundation, the purpose to exalt God’s purpose, to provide a place for all who gather to be renewed in faith, vision, and love and for them to carry forth God’s purpose to those whom they serve.

 A long journey is made up of many steps. Tonight, our journey is not over but is at a monumental moment and place in time. Our steps on our journey have brought us to the threshold of setting aside a sacred place for establishing a building where those who gather in this building may find respite care, divine guidance and the presence and power of God. And that they may go forth with renewed strength in body, soul, and mind for the glory of God and for the benefit for all people.

We thank our Heavenly Father for those whose patience, vision, and gifts which have brought us to this moment and which enables us to continue the beautiful journey to go forward and soon to see a beautiful edifice rise up from the ground with its steeple pointing upward for the glory and honor and praise to God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. To them be all glory, honor and praise. Let us now break ground.”

Pastor Len Johnson