by John Carpenter | Apr 20, 2017 | Camp News
Once again, as we are beginning to get the camp grounds ready for our summer sessions, we have special needs that continue to present themselves as items that we are not able to cover with our small monthly budget. We are so thankful to the Lord that he continues to sustain the ministry of Del-Haven in such a way as we can operate without charging a single child to attend a camp session. We have included some of the special items that we know will be needed to be covered again this summer. We are so thankful to the Lord and to those of you who have prayed with us and even given toward meeting the extra needs we had last year. After 65 years, many of our buildings are showing their age and are in great need of maintenance. You will notice, that the Lord has already began providing for the needed repairs in the kitchen area and the shower house.
- Van Rental to transport campers from Kansas City ($200/week x 6) = $1,200
- Chemicals for the swimming pool ($200-300/week x 10) = $2000-$3,000
- Recreation/Craft/Program Supplies = $400
- Many of our buildings (6 cabins, Dining Hall) need a new coat of paint = $900.00. $201 has already been given for this project.
- Kitchen Cabinets = The current estimate we have is $6,700. $4,129.92 has already been given for this project.
- Shower House updates and repairs = currently have $3,800 toward this project. The estimate, though not finalized, will probably be about $1,200 more.
by John Carpenter | Apr 20, 2017 | Camp News
Special recognition needs to be given to our faithful friends at First Baptist Church in Oak Grove, MO for their continual show of financial aide in helping us to meet the goal of renovating our kitchen. We praise the Lord so much for their show of love unto us. May the Lord, in turn, bless them abundantly for this (Lk.6:38)!
Please remember to be in prayer for the children that our God sends unto us this summer – as well as for those that He would have to be on the front line as far as our staff is concerned. We have learned that it is prayer that He uses to accomplish His perfect will and good pleasure.
by John Carpenter | Apr 20, 2017 | Devotional
“Then He said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken. Ought not Christ to have suffered these things – and to enter into His glory?” [Lk.24:25-26]
“…we must through much tribulation enter into the Kingdom of God.” [Acts 14:22]
“For even hereunto were ye called because Christ also suffered for us – leaving us an example – that ye should follow His steps.” [1Pe.2:21]
Living in this fallen, sinful and cursed world can often be an experience that is a living enigma to the truly regenerated child of God. The above three texts manifest to us what our Lord, alone, can teach us about being a Christian and having to endure our pilgrimage through this world of affliction and trial. What He continually teaches us is that life in this world is, indeed – each and every step of the way — a journey of sovereign, super-abounding grace. As the old Fanny Crosby hymn says: “All the way my Savior leads me – cheers each winding path I tread. Gives me grace for every trial — feeds me with the Living Bread.”
Indeed, having to suffer tribulation and trials are a part of the very fabric of our calling! The Holy Spirit of Christ leads all His saved ones through the tribulation and trials of this age. He does not avoid them. He grants us the grace of His presence and strength to be able to get through it – not around it! Be encouraged, dear ones, there is an eternal and definite purpose in God’s leading us through the things that we suffer. Take for example what the apostle Paul was inspired to relate to us from 2Co.12 7-9> “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations – there was given to me a thorn in the flesh – the messenger of Satan to buffet me; lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And He said unto me: My grace is sufficient for thee. For my strength is made perfect in weakness! Most gladly, therefore, will I rather glory in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” Likewise is it truly the same in our earthly experiences.
The marvelous wonder of it all is that the suffering that the incarnated Christ came into our world and endured for us – as our sovereign Savior/substitute – He purposely did so unlike us – totally and completely without sin (all on our behalf)! He lived the perfectly holy life that we, because of our sinful nature and condition, could not even come close to being able to live. He lived perfectly holy in this fallen world in order to make all His redeemed ones as eternally perfectly holy as He is because we were loved, chosen and placed in Him before the foundation of this world! Yes, Praise the Lord, He eternally accomplished for us – and eternally applied to us – our eternal redemption and justification before holy God – and our eternal reconciliation with holy God. This is that which constitutes the grand news of the pure truth of the gospel of glory, only, of the Lord Jesus Christ.
So, when we follow in His steps and we go through the afflictions of this age – we are not suffering for our sins. No – our Lord and Savior has already done that! All that is demanded and included as far as our sins are concerned – “Jesus paid it all! All to Him we owe!” When we go through affliction and suffering in this world – it is not punishment. It is for our chastening and disciplining and spiritual development. We are being developed by the Holy Spirit’s divine wisdom, direction and instruction. He, through the trials and troubles of this sinful, fallen world is continually making us more able and effective servants for His use. Hence, like Paul we too will come to glory in our earthly sufferings that the power of Christ may rest upon us.
by John Carpenter | Mar 7, 2017 | Camp News
Well, dear ones, the mild and comfortable weather we’ve been having has all our trees and bushes confused. They don’t know if it’s Winter or Spring(!)…but I like it. The birds are all singing and everything. Of course, it is March in MO and anything can happen. I must say, I have seen it snow pretty good in May. So, we shall see what the sovereignty of our Lord unfolds.
Praises and Prayer Requests
Plans are being laid for the much needed renovation of our Restroom and Shower Facilities. We really do need to get this done before camp begins. Lord willing this will happen. Please be in prayer in regards to this project. Also, pray for us as well where our kitchen is concerned. This is a task that we plan to seriously tackle after our camp season ends this Fall. As the Lord leads and supplies in answer to our constant prayers – we will continue to persevere.
As always, dear friends, remember to pray for the children that our Lord sends to us this year. We want to have their way here and their way back to where they came from paved with prayer for the Lord to make His Word a lamp unto their feet. And, pray also for whomever the Lord sends to be on our staff this year. This is always a real need in this ministry. Please be in earnest prayer for the ones who will be ministering on the front lines in this spiritual battle!
by John Carpenter | Mar 7, 2017 | Camp News, Ministry News
2016 Camp Journal
Now, another entry from our 2016 Camp Del-Haven Journal:
07/21/2016
The last little kids week has been great! It’s so hard to believe that the camp year is almost over! At staff meeting this morning, Sheri made a remark about how we really haven’t had any “bad kids” this whole year, and boy was she right! Almost all of the campers I’ve met this year have been such a blessing in the way that they’ve had good attitudes, learned the verses and songs and participated in the activities.
On one hand – it’s sad that camp is almost over – but it is so amazing and inspiring to see God’s work in the lives of children. Isaac Richardson
Dear ones, please pray for Isaac. He has been such a positive asset to our staff. Pray that the Lord continues to use him for His glory out here at Del-Haven. The children just love him.
