Valley View Baptist comes to escue of Shepherd's Inn Retreat

EUREKA SPRINGS -- Valley View Baptist Church stepped up to the plate and proved that there are still some faithful people in the world who believe in helping each other in a time of need.

On May 9, 2006, Victor and Lilli Michel, discovered a fire in their house at Shepherds Inn Retreat Center, formerly known as Keller's Country Dorm, located between Eureka Springs and Berryville on U.S. Hwy 62.

A overload on the wiring system had caused the fuse box to catch on fire. Victor went outside and sprayed water on the fire till help arrived.

When Victor got a quote for the repairs, it exceeded $15,000 and they did not have insurance.

The camp is an Ecumenical Christian camp. The Eureka Springs Ministeral Association discussed the problem and David Kline, pastor of Valley View Baptist Church, and his members decided to pitch in and help.

The group doing the work consisted of James Garrett, Mike and Josh Sharp, Bob Perkins and Glenn Brown. The group has spent four to five hours a day for the past couple of weeks and replaced the wiring and other damage that had been done to the building.

Victor and his wife provided the material and the men of Valley View have spent more than 300 hours helping to put the building back in usable condition.

Mr. and Mrs. Michel have expressed their extreme gratitude to the church and stated that they were proud to have such fine neighbors.

The two are just separated by a few miles on U.S. Hwy. 62 in Carroll County

The Michels stated that they have been called to be ministers and not innkeepers and when the retreat gets on its feet he hopes that local church association will take over and operate the camp.

Church groups from all over the country come there to stay when they are visiting the Eureka Springs area and the Passion Play.