20 Questions with Tuscarora Staff - Danika Adderley

1.       What is your name and position at Tuscarora? 

Danika Adderley - Programs and Marketing Assistant

2.       How many roles and jobs have you had here?

Three! Summer Staff Supervisor, Programs Assistant, and Programs and Marketing Assistant. 

3.       When did you first visit Tuscarora?

December 29, 2013

4.       When did you come to know the Lord?

I grew up knowing who Jesus was and what He did for me. At a very young age, around 6 when my older sister explained the importance of salvation. But I am continuing to grow in knowledge of the Lord. There have been many moments of the Lord rescuing my mind and softening my heart throughout my life. 

5.       What is your favorite place on the grounds?

Probably just outside the front door of the office under the magnolia tree when it is blooming in early spring. You can almost feel the life of the tree and the sweet smell of the blossoms. It makes me look up every time! 

6.       If you could eat three Tuscarora meals forever – what would they be?

Oatmeal! Sunday's chicken, rice and carrots and the grilled chicken Caesar salad.

7.       What is your favorite event that takes place at Tuscarora?

The Mother Daughter Weekend is so much fun! I love seeing moms and daughters getting together and being silly, learning together and just having fun! 

8.       Three favorite Christian songs?

I'm not sure I can pick three favorites, but I like these three!  Carried to the Table- Leeland; His Eye is on the Sparrow - performed by Monica Giannone; Brighter Day - Kirk Franklin. Pretty much anything that brings me to my knees or makes me dance! 

9.       What made you decide to work at Tuscarora?

I had never heard of Tuscarora and I think the fact that I was offered a job doing something I had never expected made me think it was a God moment.

10.   Best lesson you’ve learned during your time here?

God's plans are DEFINITELY above my own. 

11.   What is your most treasured Tuscarora memory?

I have so many! One at the top of the list is when my husband Craig proposed to me in the bathroom of Apartment 40.

12.   What is the best part of your job?

Most definitely my co-workers and friends. The fact that this job brought such amazing people into my life blows me away! 

13.   What is your favorite Bible verse?

Jeremiah 31:3 - Jehovah appeared of old unto me, saying: "Yea, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with loving kindness I have drawn thee." (ASV)

14.   What is something guests don’t know about you?

I am not from here and had no knowledge of Tuscarora until about 4 1/2 years ago! 

15.   How would you describe the mission of Tuscarora to someone who had never been here before?

Tuscarora is here to provide a safe place to relax and see God in a fresh light or in a whole new way! 

16.   What is your favorite movie?

I can't choose a favorite movie, but it probably involves superheroes or mystery!

17.   What’s your most common snack shop order?

Strawberry ice cream in a cone.

18.   If you could stay anywhere on the grounds where would it be and why?

One of the Riverview Cottages just because they open up to a view of the river. 

19.   What is your favorite thing to see guests doing?

I love seeing people gathered under the trees in the summer talking. I also love seeing the guests at breakfast meals! Everyone is chatting and excited for the day!

20.   What is your biggest hope for the future of this ministry?

I hope that Tuscarora continues to grow to accommodate and reach out to more groups so that they have a place to call their home away from home. Or even for them to look back and say that this is where God made an impact on their hearts.

Good Friday

Good Friday is a crucial day in the church calendar. It is the beginning of what Christian's believe to be the most important three days in human history. On Good Friday Jesus willingly suffered and died by crucifixion as the sacrifice for the world's sins.

This morning, the weather was gray and rainy, reflecting the spirit of all those who ponder the reality of the Lord's sacrifice.

Today, mourn the events of Good Friday. Linger in contemplation of the great price that was paid. But, know that celebration is coming, that Good Friday was not the end, and eternal joy is yours in Christ Jesus.

20 Questions with Tuscarora Staff - Paul DiQuattro

Paul and Rachel DiQuattro with their sons Caleb, Micah, and Ethan

1.       What is your name and position at Tuscarora? 

Paul DiQuattro, Operations Manager.

2.       How many roles and jobs have you had here?

13 (Waiter, Dining Room Host, Grounds, Snack Shop, Summer Staff Head Counselor, Conference Attendant, Snack Shop, Housekeeping, Receptionist, Conference Coordinator, Assistant Conference Manager, Program Manager, Operations Manager)

3.       When did you first visit Tuscarora? 

August 1982, when I was 8 months old.

4.       When did you come to know the Lord? 

When I was 5 years old.

5.       What is your favorite place on the grounds? 

My office…just kidding.  The deck of the Overlook…it has an amazing view!

6.       If you could eat three Tuscarora meals forever – what would they be? 

Omelets, Beef Stew in a Bread Bowl, Chicken with Onion Straws

7.       What is your favorite event that takes place at Tuscarora? 

Couples Retreat.  Hearing Couples’ stories on Sunday morning of the work God did during the weekend in their marriages has been amazing!

8.       Three favorite Christian songs? 

Seas of Crimson by Shane & Shane, Joy by Rend Collective & Came to My Rescue

9.       What made you decide to work at Tuscarora? 

It has been a place that I loved attending all my life.  After working on Summer Staff for 3 summers, I knew this was where God was calling me full time. 

10.   Best lesson you’ve learned during your time here? 

Be flexible. 

11.   What is your most treasured Tuscarora memory? 

Meeting Rachel (my wife) in the Snack Shop in 2003.

12.   What is the best part of your job? 

I get to be involved in many areas of the ministry and dream about the future with the leadership team.

Paul DiQuattro and Brian Abrahamsen

13.   What is your favorite Bible verse? 

Jeremiah 29:11  "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

14.   What is something guests don’t know about you? 

I am not Norwegian  

15.   How would you describe the mission of Tuscarora to someone who had never been here before? 

A place where you can retreat from the daily stresses of life and be refreshed spiritually and physically

16.   What is your favorite movie? 

Karate Kid 1

17.   What’s your most common snack shop order? 

Double Dunker ice cream in a cone

18.   If you could stay anywhere on the grounds where would it be and why? 

Riverview Suite.  I like the king size bed and the view is great.

19.   What is your favorite thing to see guests doing? 

Boat Tubing on the River.  It is a highlight for so many guests every year and they have a blast!

20.   What is your biggest hope for the future of this ministry? 

That it will continue to be a place where people hear about Christ for the first time, where marriages are strengthened and people grow closer to God.  We pray that this will be accomplished for many, many, many years to come.

"Power" of Hospitality

So far, this March has been a month to remember at Tuscarora. The nor'easter two weeks ago reminded us that those things that are out of our control (weather, and electricity or the lack thereof) are not out of God's control. Power was restored on Tuesday and we began welcoming guests as normal.

One of the great things about Tuscarora is that we are tied to tradition. We have many guests who choose to return to our grounds year after year. These guests become a part of the Tuscarora family. The staff often gets accustomed to seeing the same faces enjoying our ministry.

But every once in a while we have the opportunity to meet guests who might not have visited otherwise.

Last Saturday evening, when we were full with weekend guests, we received a call from Jersey Central Power & Light asking about room availability for the following week. About 200 lineman from around the United States were going to be in the area, working to restore power in Sussex, NJ and needed a place to stay. Having the availability and wanting to serve, but knowing there wasn’t staff scheduled, we took a leap of faith and said yes.

Nothing would be final until Sunday morning, but the evening was spent planning for the arrival of these new guests even though it might fall through. That night, we began reaching out to anyone that might be available. We would be short staffed, but members from all departments of the Tuscarora staff arrived to clean bathrooms, vacuum, and make beds. Even Brian Abrahamsen was making beds for six hours alongside managers, supervisors, volunteers, and one very enthusiastic four year old boy!

From parking attendants, all night office hours, and 6:00 AM breakfasts, the Tuscarora staff came together to make it happen. After a stressful few weeks one would never expect to hear laughter as so many unusual participants were found on the grounds Sunday afternoon doing the work that needed to be done.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. ”

— Colossian 3:23-24

While many guests to Tuscarora have mountaintop spiritual experiences, the work of performing the ministry runs the risk of feeling repetitive. But moments like these, we have the chance to step outside of the ordinary, to appreciate the people we work alongside, and truly understand the power of hospitality.

At the end of the day, when two hundred linemen checked in and the parking lot was filled with trucks, we had the opportunity to serve the community at large and help others receive electricity. During their stay, as they rested from weeks of hard work and public service, we pray they were able to become aware of the broader ministry of Tuscarora.

It is our mission to provide hospitality to groups in need of refreshment and we were able to provide that in a different way this past week!

What the Storm Can't Stop

In Matthew 8, the Bible tells a comforting story about the Lord’s approach to the storms of life. Jesus steps onto a boat, and his disciples dutifully follow him. While they are on the boat, circumstances change.

“ And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?” ”

— Matthew 8:23-27

The day before the Spring Women’s Retreat, the Tuscarora staff was much like the disciples upon entering the boat. The storm was forecast, but we were prepared to follow our call to ministry and continue with the upcoming event as planned.

By Friday afternoon, the nor’easter forecasted had arrived. The winds raged, the rain and snow came down, and Tuscarora lost power at 3:30 pm. With 180 ladies here for a retreat, and an incredible sense of optimism, the program began.

As nightfall approached, reports of the widespread damage began to come in. Trees and wires were down blocking most of the roads. Electricity was out throughout most of the Lehigh Valley and northwestern New Jersey. Those guests who had made it to the grounds were facing a night with no power, no heat, and limited running water. They gathered in the dining room for a dinner served by candlelight. Cold and tired, this was not the retreat they imagined.

The temptation to say, “Save us, Lord, we are perishing,” in these moments is great. Too often, we try to decide how the Lord will speak to us. We plan to leave our everyday lives and experience His spirit in places like Tuscarora, where we are comfortable and peaceful. But in the Matthew 8 story, Jesus is not troubled by the storm, only the disciples.

Through the storm Jesus said, “Why are you afraid.” There, in the darkened dining room the attitude became one of expectancy. The storm was so severe, the circumstances so unique, that many women wondered what they were there to experience. What was so important that Satan would try so hard to stop it?

“Knowing that God often speaks loudest during the darkest hours, we were not afraid of the snow, or the wind but rather looked forward to how God would reveal more of who He is to those of us who came. ”

— Carol Andersen

The spirit of the Lord is not stopped by the wind, the rain, and the snow. Choosing to stay in the candle lit dining room, our worship band lead the group of ladies in several songs. Voices, unaltered by microphones and speakers, were raised to the heavens glorifying the Lord. Hearts, burdened by frustration and discomfort, praised the Lord despite the circumstances.

Eventually, the storm quieted, but so did the storm within the hearts of our guests. Terry Wilson, called in to speak when we heard our planned speaker couldn’t arrive, spoke about changing our perspective and realizing we are enough. We have enough. We do enough. Our God, even in the midst of the storms of life, is enough.

In the morning, we assessed the downed trees and power lines. Power was not estimated to return until Wednesday. The damage in the area was worse than Hurricane Sandy years before. At its peak, over 587,000 homes were without electricity.

Once the roads were clear, Tuscarora made the difficult decision to end the weekend after dinner on Saturday. Many guests didn’t want to leave, expressing over and over that Tuscarora had been a safe place in the storm for them, never causing them to be fearful, and in fact creating a unique mountaintop for this year’s retreat.

“We laughed and enjoyed sweet fellowship in spite of the limited heat, hot water, and yes….coffee. There was no shortage of food or lack of hope - but an abundance of sweet Christian fellowship, making new friends, discovering creative talent and exploring difficult topics.”

— Carol Andersen

Only Jesus has the ability to calm the storm. Only Jesus commands the winds and the seas.

Tuscarora is humbled by the joyful hearts that rode out the storm with us. We are thankful for the many hands who have worked over the last few days to repair the damage, on our grounds and everywhere that was impacted. We are thankful for the generous hearts that have provided gifts of support to help with the clean-up required.

This experience has revealed that we are always dependent on the support of others. We are dependent on our guests, who allow us to perform the ministry we are called to. We are dependent on our volunteers who give their time and talent when needed. We are dependent on our donors, who anticipate our needs before we even ask. Many of our guests this past weekend made gifts to the ministry as they left, and while we were still offline, gifts came in online to relieve the clean-up efforts.

It is our prayer that God is even calling some of you to support our ministry through this storm. Gifts can be made online by visiting tuscarora.org/giving, or mailed to 3300 River Rd, Mount Bethel PA, 18343. While our need is great, God has always provided for our needs in the past, and we are faithful that He will do the same now.

Please keep Tuscarora in your prayers, as we are often called to perform our ministry in the midst of physical and spiritual storms. Remember though, even when we are frightened and call out for help, we can be reminded that our Savior is never stopped.

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To support the ministry of Tuscarora Inn and Conference Center while it works on storm repair and clean up, click here.