by John Carpenter | Oct 11, 2016 | Ministry News
And now, another entry from our camp journal:
06/23/2016
“First camp of the summer…done!
This is my 10th summer serving as a counselor. I remember my friend, Sam, bringing me out here when I was 15…you could have never told my younger self I would be there this long. Over the years, Del-Haven was used by the Lord to fill a hole in my home, to draw me closer in love and knowledge of our dear Savior; to refine me to His likeness and grow me from a shy country girl. I’m so glad the Lord saw fit to keep me here this long. I feel so blessed to be able to serve and know others who love the Lord here.
Kamora told me (I asked the girls what scared them) that she was afraid of being kidnapped, shot or hurt – where she lives. She occasionally goes to church (described with great, dramatic, Kamora-style words), but it sounds like they rarely have scripture focused time at church, and that it is based on feelings. Keep her safe, Lord. Save her soul, and lead her to have her focus on knowing you; not just knowing how you apply her life, but how you want her to live for you – and that knowing and loving you intimately is the greatest treasure of all!
These children (and all of us in this world) need so much grace and mercy and truth that is only found in Christ in their daily lives. Teach us to flood their week with that when they are here.
Kendle L.
Please remember to pray for Kendle. Pray that the Spirit of God continue to use her for the glory of Christ. Pray for her needs – both of this world and more importantly, her spiritual needs.
by John Carpenter | Oct 11, 2016 | Ministry News
Dear friends and family in Christ, already it is upon us – the beginning of the autumn and winter end of 2016. This year has been another real testimony that our Lord truly does hear and answer our prayers. There is an abundance of evidence that our camping season has been fruitful in the lives of both our campers and our staff. This proves the real value of continual prayerful support. For this we thank God for you – and we also do not forget to pray for you all. We love you.
Please remember the boys and girls that the Lord sent here to hear His Word of truth; and please pray for us who are always engaged in the ongoing struggles that ever accompany the soldiers of the Lord. Pray that He draw us to Himself; for He is our strength, our refuge, and our peace.
A special need and prayer request of ours was ultimately met by a group of men from the First Baptist Church of Oak Grove, MO. We had an old trailer that needed to be demolished. They stepped up to the task and did the job! Thank you, Lord! Richly bless those men for their labor of love for you! By the way, this same church has (through their VBS) donated to Del-Haven $3800 toward a much needed renovation of our Shower House and their WMU has applied for and received a grant toward renovating the kitchen, $1292.36. After 50 years, it needs it! The whole job will take about $6700. Please pray with us that this need can and will be met…for Christ’s glory.
by John Carpenter | Oct 11, 2016 | Devotional
“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. (2) For men shall be lovers of their own selves – covetous – boasters – proud – blasphemers – disobedient to parents – unthankful – unholy…(5) having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof; from such turn away.”
This text from 2Tim.3 very aptly describes the current state of affairs of our present culture in this nation. It seems that everywhere in our society there is opposition to God and His incarnated eternal savior Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. This, indeed, is a direct cause in the breakdown of the fulfillment of the Biblical description of the family structure (as it is supposed to be). For example, we live in a land where there are laws against Christian prayer and Bible reading in our schools. This, by itself, engenders a general attitude of spiritual indifference as a rule among our students. This, in turn, adversely affects the teaching vocation as a whole. Our educators are diligent to make no positive reference to God, or the Bible, in the course of their teaching.
From 1Jn.2:15-17 we read: “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (16) For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life – is not of the Father, but of the world. (17) And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof, but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.”
How is this text relevant? Worldliness is running rampant – not only in our society as a whole, but also in our churches! Worldly ways, means and music has been, and is being, adopted and accepted as an attraction to accomplish and increase church attendance. Hence, our children are being trained to become citizens of this world – instead of heaven [Phil.3:20]. They are being assimilated into a predominantly carnal culture [Ro.12:1-2] Christianity, itself, is being massaged and manipulated to fit in with this fallen world that it is supposed to resist and avoid. Our children are being proselytized into a false carnal “christian” way of living instead of genuinely being evangelized and regenerated by the Holy Spirit in accordance with God’s Word! So called gospel presentations are being performed according to worldly wisdom – and are, therefore, not even able to be effective in producing any real change in a person’s life. This contributes to the misconception that worldliness is acceptable with God – when it is not!
Jesus said from Jn.16:33 : “In the world ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer – I have overcome the world.” In addition, He said from Jn.17:9 “I pray for them. I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me – for they are thine!”
Because of the current course of opposition to God that our culture is on – and the fact that worldliness permeates even the presentation and profession of true Christianity – unfavorable judgment from our sovereign, holy God is being poured out upon our nation as a result. Hence, there is only one course of corrective action that will deliver us; and that is to follow the example of our Lord Jesus Christ in earnestly and effectively praying – in the Spirit — for His good and Godly leadership in every way and at every level of our country’s government.
Jesus also prayed from Jn.17:15 “I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil (one).” He then declared from the next two verses: “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them (lit.) in thy truth. Thy Word is truth.” Let us praise His mighty Name!
For Christ’s Glory Only!
-John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Sep 20, 2016 | Ministry News
The very first entry from our 2016 Camp Journal comes from our own Sheri DeSchepper – and it is a very fitting way for us to begin to relate to you some of the experiences of the summer:
06/06/16 : Here we are about to begin the 64th summer of camping ministry at Camp Del-
Haven! I’m so thankful to the Lord that He has allowed me to be a part of it; that He has called me to be here and established this work as a place to serve Him and share the Gospel. How many children? How many staff members have walked on this campground, swam in the lake or pool, made crafts, memorized Bible verses, sang Gospel choruses, and heard about the Lord Jesus who saves us from our sins and who loves us and has loved us with and everlasting love!?
I don’t know the number, and it doesn’t really matter. I pray the Lord will continue to use this place, this camp, as a platform of ministry of the Gospel to boys and girls and those staff members who work with them.
We will begin today at 10 AM preparing our hearts and setting up the program for this summer. I can’t wait to see how the Lord will help us to work out all the details of preparation for the boys and girls who will be coming this summer. May He be the One who leads us all the way for His Glory Alone! Thank you, Father!
by John Carpenter | Sep 20, 2016 | Ministry News
Praises and Prayer Requests
Well, dear faithful friends, we have once again had a blessed and fruitful Del-Haven summer camp season. The Lord God has given to us many testimonies of His protecting and providing presence. Your continual prayers go a long way in validating this as being the truth. We consistently give our Lord praise for all of you for your faithful showing of love and prayerful support. Please do continue to lift up to the sovereign throne all the children that have been divinely sent through our schedule of evangelistic exposure and all those that the Lord has chosen to fulfill that ministry. They – each – earnestly need our continual prayers for God’s gracious provision, preservation and protection as they face the continual struggles with opposition of this world. Thank you in advance for your faithful persistence in praying for them. We love and pray for you all.
