Jan

14

Tragedy at Toccoa Falls College

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Early on the Monday morning, January 12, 2009, Gate Cottage, built in 1939 and renovated in 2002, burned to the ground.  It housed the gift shop for the Falls, the restaurant, and the School of Counseling.  I was in Indiana and upon returning to campus I walked around the building that evening and tears flowed as the memories of my forty plus years of association with this college and this building rushed through my brain. 

I received many emails from other college presidents, vice presidents, alumni and friends over the next two days wishing us God’s best and a promise to pray.  I praise the Lord that no one was hurt and that the School of Counseling is now in temporary facilities.  Already we are discussing rebuilding the gift shop and gate cottage in the original location.  We are also discussing building a School of Counseling in a separate location on the main part of campus. 

God is good all the time and all the time God is good.  I received an email from a student on Monday as I was traveling back to campus from Indiana.   I want to share part of that with you.  “Dr. Gardner, you and the rest of the Toccoa Falls Staff are help up in continuous prayer!  This is indeed a great loss for our campus!  As much as we mourn the loss of this building, we also give great praise for the many years Gate Cottage served the students, faculty, and community!  Although we stand amidst rubble, our Lord provides a firm foundation!  There are some things that don’t burn.  What we gained with the walls of the classrooms will never fade.  The spirit of our students, the foundation of faith that we are built upon, these things also remain.  As in tragedies of the past the Lord hears our cry!   The Tree God planted has stood through it all!   Our roots are deep and we will not forget God’s hand of mercy.”

We praise the Lord and rest on His promises to us.  In Isaiah 43:1 -3 the Lord says, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine!  When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you, when you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you.  For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”

Praise the Lord from Whom all blessings flow!

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