Welcome to our little neck of the woods in north-central Pennsylvania. It's a quiet place to get away from the rush and stress of business life, and this is where the Gordon's live. Ron and Annie built a cabin in the middle of the woods and they call it Gordon's Glen. It's not big and fancy, actually they keep things pretty simple, almost rustic, much like their faith in God - very basic. Each one takes a very active part in their local church, the Bunkertown Church of the Brethren near McAlisterville, Pennsylvania. The Lord has richly blessed them with good health, family, and grandchildren. But the Lord has also taught them to rely on Him through the troubles in life, and they have had their share. Maybe this is why they are so quick to express their faith in the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Their faith in God has come about through "living" a principle, not just talking about something.

Just like the lane that winds down into Gordon's Glen, life can seem so peaceful and serene. But appearances can be deceiving, for out of the shadows the unexpected can leap upon you so quickly. Your life can be forever altered in just the blink of an eye. In 1966, Ron was in an automobile accident that claimed the life of his mother, while he was driving. Although unhurt physically, many and long were the years until that emotional wound was healed. Annie lost her first husband to a very prolonged illness in 1974 which taught her that the pathway of life can be a very rough road. Through their reliance on the Lord, they have not only been sustained by their faith, but empowered by God to serve more eagerly. Over the years, Ron has been admonished to seek the set-apart ministry on numerous occasions and began the process of self searching through his District Ministry Commission. However, the first lecture session profoundly changed his life and he soon found himself pursuing another type of ministry, an online ministry.

He created the Church of the Brethren Network, an unofficial, membership driven mission project offering free homepages to Brethren congregations, districts, agencies, and church camps. This was back in the mid 1990's - years before most congregations even knew about web sites. His own denomination was not online yet. Ron carefully launched a personal dream of helping pastors and members utilize the technological benefits of the Internet without cost or training. He's the head computer guy where he works (see below) and knew about technical things such as programming, file servers, e-mail, mx records, dns & dhcp settings, and how the web works. This was a chance for him to use every day skills to serve the Lord and help fellow Brethren who were just waking up to the existence of web sites and communication by e-mail.

Annie is an offline person who has chosen the role of a quiet servant to the needs of hurting people in her community. Her personal visits, greeting cards, phone calls, running errands, and meals to shut-ins has become almost a full time ministry. She has also worked on pastoral search committees and frequently served as delegate to District and Annual Conferences. Of course, this is in addition to the natural mothering of children and grandchildren. Hopefully this brief testimony will inspire you to also seek your own vision of ministry for Jesus Christ. Following are a few links that might offer yet a better understand of them and their community. Thanks for stopping by and please come back when you can.

Out the Back Window

Animals know they can get free meals at the Gordon household year round. Ron and Annie provide food for them all, whether it be field corn, salt blocks, bird seed, or table scraps. Ron likes to set with his camera and look out the Dining Room window. In the photo at right through the lower pane are three deer licking at the salt block. Just about every animal that lives in the woods has been here at one time or another. No, the skunks were not invited, nor was the groundhog who tried to dig under the porch. Following are just some of the many animals that he has captured with film or digital.

Deer

• Checking things out before licking salt (the cabin is only about 60 feet away)
• It's always nice to dine with a friend
• Mom watches while the youngsters try to chase away a cat
• Well, the cat left. Now what else can we do for fun
• This one almost came up on the back porch

Turkey

• They come in groups of 50 and 60 at a time
• Males are usually showing off
• Is it safe to feed yet
• They come in different colors

More Friends

• 17 Year Cicada - I did the copyright stuff just for fun
• Hummingbird taking a breath while drinking
• Groundhogs like to inspect things
• We called him Nuisance because that's what he did all the time
• Hornets frequently build nearby, but they haven't stung us yet
• Mrs. Robin will be right back
• These birds stopped for a migratory rest
• Swans on the neighboring dam
• Luna Moths are exceptionally beautiful
• Rabbits like to eat and watch

Additional Stuff

• Bunkertown Church of the Brethren Our home congregation for the past 40+ years
• Which Ministry? They have been trying to get Ron into the set-apart ministry
• Church of the Brethren Network A Brethren ministry of a different sort
• Christian Community Fun Night A local man started the ministry and Ron did the web site
• Dauphin County Case Management Unit Ron works here as the Computer Network Administrator

Spiritual Guidance

"Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God and the Father by Him."
Colossians 3:17

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."
Proverbs 3:5-6