Darci Hakvaag and the Importance of Women's Ministry

With the Fall Women’s Retreat approaching we wanted to give you a behind the scenes meeting with one woman who is a part of making the event happen. Meet Darci Hakvaag!

Darci came to Tuscarora for the first time in the summer of 1989. The trip was a memorable one because she took her first plane ride from Minnesota to spend her summer serving with Summer Staff and visiting her sister Denise who was working as a registrar. It wasn’t long until Darci fell in love with the ministry, the grounds, the friends she met here, and her eventual husband! She loved her experience on Summer Staff – and enjoyed the location being so close to New York City, and the New Jersey beaches. “It was eye opening, for a Minnesota girl,” she remembers.

She returned home to Minnesota for her Sophomore year of College, but eventually decided to return back to Mount Bethel and worked at Tuscarora while she finished her last two years of school. During that time she filled a variety of roles from lifeguard to housekeeper. This variety of experience has allowed Darci to have a unique perspective in her current role as Business Assistant. She is able to use her professional knowledge and experience for the betterment of the ministry she loves – and the benefit of those whose shoes she has walked in.

Darci also serves her communities in other ways. Darci and her family attend Mount Bethel Lutheran Brethren Church, and she serves as the President of the Eastern Region Women’s Ministry of the CLB. This group works to ensure women in all of the Lutheran Brethren Churches have the opportunity to come together as sisters in Christ.

One of her responsibilities in this role is to plan the Annual Women’s Retreat which takes place each fall. This retreat welcomes women from all churches who need a time of relaxation, refreshment, and encouragement – but it’s also a wonderful family reunion for generations of women who attend the Eastern Region churches.

This year, Darci is excited to welcome Casey Baardson as the retreat speaker. Casey has been involved in women’s ministries for over 35 years, and has spent many years traveling with her husband in Japan and Norway. Her mission is to see relationships formed and strengthened as people gather in Bible Study and fellowship. Darci knows Casey is going to present Word based messages which will nourish and encourage the women who are coming. The environment that Tuscarora provides is perfect for finding the time to dig a little deeper into the Word of God, and hear the voice of the Lord.

Darci knows that the fellowship of the weekend is also important. Each year she has looked forward to gathering with her sisters to worship, and spend time eating around the table enjoying the company of friends. Saturday afternoon is also set aside for some free time activities where people can break off into small groups and explore the area – or find your way to the Olde Engine Works Market Place Antique Mall in Stroudsburg!

Alongside the rest of the Eastern Region team – Darci is excited to see who God brings to the grounds on November 3. They are excited to deepen old relationships, as well as create new ones. As an attender and an organizer, Darci loves being able to watch others benefit from this time of retreat. She hopes to see you there!

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Please consider joining us November 3 - November 5 at the Fall Women's Retreat at Tuscarora. Register by visiting tuscarora.org/our-events/women. We look forward to seeing you then!

Tuscarora Remembers George Akselsen

We believe Tuscarora is made up of the collective lives and stories of those who have experienced the ministry here and become a part of the Tuscarora family. Tales of Tuscarora is an attempt to collect these stories in order to paint a picture of who we are. George Akselsen, in his service to this ministry through God's grace, exemplifies the impact that comes from a life lived in faithfulness to the Lord.

George Akselsen served as a member of the board of directors for 33 years from 1981-2014. During that time he helped Tuscarora grow from a fledgling ministry to the facility of today. Our board members all possess different gifts - and George had the gift of making each and every member of the staff feel valued and cared for. George would seek out those in every role, from kitchen staff to housekeepers, from maintenance to the front desk, to see how they were doing and visit with them.

“George truly cared about all the staff as well as the guests at Tuscarora and made a point to have conversations with so many. Even as his health was failing he would faithfully attend retreats with Lois by his side. George’s leadership and heart for the ministry of Tuscarora was an amazing blessing. ”

— Paul DiQuattro

Brian Abrahamsen, our current Executive Director, shares this experience with so many others. 30 years ago when he started at Tuscarora as a dishwasher George would come find him and ask him how he was enjoying his experience on staff. This gesture at the beginning of Brian's journey into leadership was important in making him feel valued and supported in his work here.

This time spent with each person was so memorable because George possessed the gift of encouragement. Whether he was on the grounds for a board meeting or as a guest for the Midweek Retreat he would always bring humor and heart, and he was able to lighten the mood with a joke. He was also fond of walking around the dining room when he was a guest and forming new relationships with anyone he met. He would almost always find that he had a connection to someone.

“When I think of George my thoughts are of a sweet, thoughtful and caring man. He would always arrive at Tuscarora with a smile and a kind word for all of us behind the front desk. His thoughtfulness and love towards our families and Tuscarora as a whole were a great encouragement! Our love and prayers are with you Lois and all the Family. ”

— Clarice Danielson

He was also a valuable member of the Board for his wisdom and discernment. He was comfortable being the lone dissenting vote on an issue if that is how he felt called. However, he trusted the judgement of the group and even if they disagreed with him he would support the direction that was taken.

George wasn't just a valuable Board member, he was a loving husband, and a beloved father and grandfather. His Christian leadership to his family has left a lasting legacy. His children and grandchildren continue to serve in many areas of ministry. Most notably for the staff of Tuscarora, we get the opportunity to watch his grandchildren serve as counselors for Junior Week and Teen Week each summer. His legacy will continue into the future - and we look forward to seeing more of his grandchildren and possibly great grandchildren walk in his footsteps.

We never truly know our own impact during our time on earth - but we can say with certainty that many people have come to know Christ, or have recommitted their lives to Him through God's work through the ministry of Tuscarora - work which George dedicated his service to. Today, George is hearing from his Savior, "Well done, good and faithful servant." (Matthew 25:23)

Our deepest sympathies to Lois, Laura, Linda, and Ken and their families.

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In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that a donation be made to any of the following ministries:

Tuscarora Inn and Conference Center
Athletes in Action Ministries
Whiting Bible Church

Erik and Lauren Listor - A Tusca-Romance

Brianna Esposito

The summer youth camps hosted by Tuscarora each year are meant, first and foremost, to bring young people together in fellowship and worship and learning of the Lord. On that front, Junior Week accomplished its goal double-fold in the relationship it fostered between Erik and Lauren Listor, two life-long guests and volunteers of Tuscarora.

Lauren Adriance was just three years old when her family started a tradition of attending Leisure Week, and at eight years old, she made the natural step of becoming a Junior Week camper. At this time, her path began to overlap with Erik Listor. They wouldn't formally meet until it was time to sign up as counselors. Their decision to be involved with introducing other children to Christ would be even more life-changing than they could have foreseen.  

“The fact that we met because we decided to go into a sort of ministry is very special. Our shared responsibility of counseling helped us bond in the beginning. It helped us see each other in the best light, and see each other’s passion for ministry and helping other people”

— Lauren Listor

After their first summer counseling Junior Week campers, Erik and Lauren’s inevitable relationship began with a first date. They saw each other once a month the last two years of high school. They were connected through phone calls, letters, and the patient commitment that ensures a successful long distance relationship. 

When college came around, Erik and Lauren knew that they could defy all of the statistics and make it work. Their long-distance communication continued to stretch from Messiah College and Liberty University with sporadic but romantic dates, until the fateful season of graduation when Erik decided it was time to propose to his high school sweetheart.

Both Erik and Lauren credit Tuscarora with the founding of their relationship, as it is where they met and found a shared faith and joy in service through counseling children. They were surrounded by their fellow Tuscarora friends and co-counselors in their wedding celebration, and those friends continue to be a part of their lives whenever the chance to reunite presents itself.

Tuscarora’s campus has continued to have a magnetic pull on them as well – enough so that the couple felt called to contribute to the Per Rune Larson Scholarship fund at their wedding.

“In lieu of wedding favors, we decided to give the money we received at our wedding to the fund because [. . .] we wanted to help other children go and be as positively impacted by this place as we were. [. . .] We shared a passion for Tuscarora’s ministry and we knew the money would go to a worthy cause.”

— Erik Listor

With such a strong connection and beautiful story attached, it is no wonder that Erik and Lauren have already planned to make Tuscarora a part of their eventual family. Their relationship which was kindled on the campus, as well as the friendships and memories made, is most certainly a legacy that is worth building on for many years to come.

"Stop and Think What He Means to You" - A Legacy of Barney Jensen

Last week, we asked what you thought our theme song was. Many of your attempts were entertaining, but none were correct. They ranged from "Sweet Home, Tuscarora," to "Friends are Friends Forever." By far, the most commonly guessed song was "To God Be the Glory." This is Tuscarora's tagline - but when a theme song was instituted in 1992 it was decided to pull from a different part of Tuscarora's history and preserve a legacy of impact. 

Barney Jensen, a charter board member of the Conference Center who served as its secretary until his death in 1991, was valued by all for his warmth and wise counsel. As a young man, he was called to active duty in the United States Armed Forces during World War II. During his experience he was inspired to write a chorus titled "Stop and Think What He Means to You."

Stop and Think

Stop and think what He means to you,
when you're all alone.
Thank Him and praise Him for saving you,
when you're all alone.

Give Him the honor and glory
in everything that you do.
Tell out the old, old story
of the Christ who died for you.

Despite being written long before his service at Tuscarora Inn and Conference Center, this chorus in many ways describe the mission of our ministry. Tuscarora is made up of people who desire simply to create a space for people to hear the old, old story and through this work to bring glory and honor to our God. For many years, in fact since the very beginning of Tuscarora as we know it today, Barney Jensen helped to make this possible.

In July of 1992, in commemoration of the 20th anniversary of Tuscarora this chorus was adopted as the theme song. It was a weekend of celebrations, with a Smorgasbord dinner, activities in the afternoon, and a recognition service led by Fred Stoutland. During this service, Gladys Jensen and her two daughters, June and Becky, received a plaque in recognition of the song as Tuscarora's official theme song. A similar plaque hangs in the main office to this day.

Today, Barney's legacy continues at Tuscarora. His wife Gladys, who played an active role alongside her husband in the early years of our ministry, has continued to return year after year with members of her family - immediate and extended. They are playing crucial roles in ministries and continue to allow themselves to be inspired by the words of this chorus - thinking on Christ's sacrifice and bringing glory to His name.

John Ahrens, current President of the Board of Directors, leads the Board of Directors and audience in singing "Stop and Think What He Means to You."

Tusca-Romance - Lloyd and Kathy Svendsen

The best Tales of Tuscarora are of life-shaping moments, warmed hearts, and hold a little piece of our history. Lloyd and Kathy Svendsen tell a story of a Tuscarora that encompasses all of these things.

Lloyd and Kathy met each other in Princeton, New Jersey during the early 1970's. Before they met, Kathy was in charge of summer youth recreation in their town and Lloyd and his brother attended a baseball game as chaperones.  Kathy initially turned down his offer for a date after the game, but soon after she changed her mind and the two were married on July 14, 1973.

Being married so young they didn't have the money for an exotic and luxurious honeymoon in Hawaii, but they were happy to stay local in the Poconos as long as they were together and alone on vacation for the very first time. As a member of the Bunker Hill Lutheran Brethren Church, Lloyd's family was familiar with the newly founded Tuscarora Inn and Conference Center. His grandmother would come up for six weeks in the summer time and his younger brother would attend bible camps. He suggested the unconventional honeymoon location and the two traveled to the Tuscarora grounds in their 1965 Plymouth Valiant.

They booked Cabin 21 which was frequently used by Lloyd's family and had a view of the pool (only one at the time.) They arrived to a celebratory greeting from their friends who had filled up their cabin with balloons. On their first morning they were even announced at breakfast and given a round of applause. They fondly remember sitting on the bed in their cabin opening wedding cards and being shocked at the generous $20 gifts!

This Tuscarora was much smaller; the grounds consisted of the cabins, the pool, and a smaller dining room. Nevertheless, Kathy and Lloyd both speak fondly of their time here, remembering especially how delicious their meals were - they were served Norwegian pancakes for breakfast, and meatballs and gravy for dinner. Lloyd says, "If it's possible though, the food has gotten even better."

In addition to the grounds, they were able to enjoy the surrounding area. One night they traveled to see a movie in a tiny theater in town. Only one film played at a time and they just headed in to see whatever was available.

“We saw this movie, and we were so impressed with the movie. When we got done we were so surprised by how good it was! And it was of course the Sound of Music!”

— Kathy Svendsen

Another day they visited a carnival nearby, making use of what was in the area to entertain themselves. Lloyd was determined to win Kathy a big teddy bear as a prize - and he lost $40 of their wedding money playing round after round! Kathy was able to talk the vendor into returning some of it since they were honeymooners.

The week went by quickly for them, venturing off the grounds during the day and returning for supper in the evenings. In the first few years after their honeymoon they returned to Tuscarora, spending weeks with family and with their church. After moving to Arizona a few years later, their connection faded.

This summer, their son Lance was invited to come help with the LOUD Summit organizing a Glow Run with his organization RunAnyway. When they found out where he was going, they were eager to revisit the grounds they had celebrated such a momentous occasion on, so they traveled with him to assist with the event.

Many things have changed on the grounds of Tuscarora since they last visited in the late 1970's. Lloyd and Kathy were shocked to be given a room in the "new" Riverside building - and to enjoy having air conditioning in their room. They were happy to see the growth and transformation that has happened in Tuscarora over the years, and were even happier to be able to share this special place with their son.

There are some things that haven't changed. Tuscarora is still a place that welcomes everyone onto our grounds and offers the highest quality in Christian hospitality. We offer a community of believers who are able to fellowship and enjoy refreshment and retreat whenever its needed most. It connects generations of people from honeymooners, to athletes, to young adults to worship together and experience God's blessings.

Now that they have relocated again to New Jersey, they are looking forward to making Tuscarora a part of their future, and the future of their growing family.