Heather (Bachman) Reichenbach has recently been appointed as the new Chair of the Builders Association. Heather’s roots go deep at Camp Friedenswald. As a member of Eighth Street Mennonite Church in Goshen, Indiana, she attended annual church retreats as a child; she experienced summer and winter camps as a camper, went on to serve on summer staff, and continues to attend camp each summer with her family at Family Camp.  Heather resides in Warsaw, Indiana with Brian (who proposed marriage to Heather by the waters of Shavehead Lake – for the full story, read on), and their two teenage children, Jonah and Claire.  She spends much of her time in volunteer capacities, and we are grateful that she’s chosen to add Camp Friedenswald to the causes she’s actively serving!

In reflecting on what Camp means to her family and why she is committed to being a Builder, Heather shared, “It is touching to recognize all the significant things that have happened – and will continue to happen at Camp.  I am thankful for the vision, care and commitment of individuals, families, and groups to nurture this space for our family, friends, and future generations. One of the ways we feel we help carry this vision forward is to be core support (a Builder) to Friedenswald. Being a Builder creates a purposeful connection for this support. Through volunteering work, sharing resources, and giving financially; vital tasks and strategic stewardship can be accomplished. This foundational/Builder’s work provides continued opportunities to retreat, reconnect, and renew relationships with family, friends, and God.”    

Thank you, Heather, for saying “yes” to serving Camp as Chair of the Builders! 

And, for those who enjoy a good marriage proposal, here’s Heather’s account of her Shavehead Lake proposal:

Of particular significance and connection to Friedenswald, is a story from the last summer Brian worked on staff.  He called me while I was in Goshen staying at my parents’ house.  His car had broken down at Camp, (he said). He needed a ride to Goshen and asked if I could please come to pick him up. I was a bit irritated because he was late – as we were already expecting him for supper that evening. 

I discussed with my parents the possibility of my dad driving up to Friedenswald to rescue him where he could perhaps look at Brian’s car and offer advice.  In the end, though, I drove my parents’ car for the 45-minute ride to Union, MI.

Brian, who was patiently waiting for me to pick him up, felt his heart sink when he saw my parents’ car come around the corner in the camp parking lot.  He was quickly relieved to see me get out of the car – rather than my parents.  He proceeded to share with me that he had one more item to take care of prior to departing for Goshen and could use my help down at the beach to complete this task.

In addition to Brian calling late to report car trouble, I was more than a bit peeved that he was still not ready to leave over 45 minutes later.  However, I soon acquiesced and accompanied him down to the lakefront.  Once we arrived on the beach, I could see this was no ordinary errand Brian was taking care of…the beach was beautifully staged with candles, and the waters of Lake Shavehead surrounded the scene with God-like excitement and energy, perhaps as a blessing of the commitment the two of us made that evening to one another when Brian asked me to marry him.