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Summer 2007 Dear friends of the ministry, Yes, we know it is September and we are way behind in updating you, so please accept my apologies… We will not blame the 2 computer crashes experienced during this time period, nor the heavy schedule of vacation, bike trips and just an abundance of guests, for our lapse. But we can say that the first half of 2007 reflects the past…exciting, fulfilling and stretching for Innkeeper Ministries AND Bob and Jan Hartenstein. We have seen the total number of guests grow to over 5,650 since the ministries’ inception in January 2002 and it will most likely exceed 6,000 by year end. Pastors from all over Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky have availed themselves of the beauty of the grounds and the comfort of the facilities. Churches from every spectrum of the Christian worship experience have enjoyed God’s good pleasure here on the property. Bookings, new and repeat ones, are up at both the Inn and the Manor! And the joy of our hearts has been the sharp increase of pastoral couples coming to enjoy the facilities! In reflecting upon this impact of the ministry, since its inception in 2002, focusing upon Christian leadership and ministry couples, we marvel that over 283 congregations have been indirectly touched by the ministry. You do the math as to how many individuals may have been affected by the positive experience their pastors and ministry teams have had in finding renewal and rejuvenation here at Innkeeper. So many pastors, their wives and ministry leadership teams have sought a Sabbath rest here at Innkeeper. It still remains our greatest joy to minister, serve and fellowship with such a diverse group of godly servants. God has provided the perfect “spacing” of guests so that we have had to turn away fewer couples due to being full. We still struggle with the last minute cancellations, usually by groups, at the Manor (11 so far this year), which leaves the facility empty. That is why we have decided to re-focus upon our original calling. As of January 2008, we will no longer book groups in excess of 7 individuals or 4 couples for the Manor as we strategically move away from larger groups. There are two fine group oriented facilities in the area – The Legacy and Center and King’s Domain. We have already begun redecorating the facility for couples. Here are pictures of just a few of our many guests: 
Two wonderful couples enjoy an evening with us – the Klines and the Shellabargers. 
Mary poses with a pastoral couple from the area. 
A ministry family from Michigan enjoy the bear (he’s the one in the middle). 
A young couple searching for God’s Will as they redirect their ministry path. 
A youthful volunteer helps get the pool ready for summertime guests. 
Painting the bridges was one of Bob’s summer projects. 
We redesigned the landscaping around the pool area, starting with cutting down some trees that had matured and were too close to the pool. The motif is Southwestern with the planting of several new pine trees, grasses and flowers. In regards to our personal lives, we will soon be including a section on the web site about what is happening in the Hartenstein family. The short version is that we have no new grandchildren to report – we are on hold at nine (9). Bob went to Montana in July for a 360+ mile bike ride, while Jan took care of the ministry and enjoyed her grandkids. Vacation was in August, at the beach, of course! 
Visited a local buffalo farm and decided to incorporate buffalo meat at the Inn. 
Even our guests get to enjoy the grandchildren! 
Enjoyed our latest purchase with the grandkids started this year, mowing all the property. 
Putting the floating dock in the pond… 
realizing that the dock was taking on water (sinking!!!)… 
The Hartco team cycling Montana! Please continue to pray with us in regards to the State of Ohio granting us our exemption from property taxes. Although in the past, ministries like ours were a “no brainer” (our lawyers sited 16 examples in our application), the Tax Department has refused to give us the exemption. This is nearly $12,300 per year for a ministry that does not seek operating funds nor charges its guests! Legal counsel has investigated the situation and believes the Tax Department has covertly changed its interpretation/application of the law and is now requiring non-profits to prove their rights to the exemption. Now with last November’s elections and subsequent change in State leadership, we are dealing with a whole new group of people – new to the job and new to us and it means we are starting the clock all over again. We are not even scheduled to have our hearing yet and it has been over a year. 
Some of our volunteers! It is also the time of the year that we are asking church and youth groups who desire to serve other ministries to consider a fall project here on the property. We always have leaf raking and yard clean-up projects for early November. If you know of such a group please point them in our direction! 
Bob’s favorite picture of the summer…three generations, enjoying God’s good pleasure! 
One of many of Jan’s favorite pictures of the summer…the grandkids! 
In closing we want to encourage you to continue to pray for the vision here at Innkeeper. Is there something we can pray about for you or yours, if so, let us know! As we remain… …In His Service, Bob and Jan Hartenstein PS: This is not a reference to Acts 2:3… 
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