by John Carpenter | Jan 18, 2016 | Ministry News
Here is yet another very touching journal entry from last summer by Kendle:
2nd Boys and Girls week 2015
Jason, Amelia, Kenny, Hylee, Aiden, Royal, Amelia A., Ava, Montae…names of a few kids here this week. I love seeing kids like Jason come back year after year, growing in maturity, learning to love Jesus and His Word; excited for Bible Study, ready to memorize God’s Word. The kids — needing instruction in loving each other the right way and turning from sin. That’s all important. Some have never known their parents since they’ve been in jail — since the kid was born; or, others feel the loss of a parent by murder. All need to see Christ’s mercy and grace in their own lives so they can be saved and practice mercy towards others. Guide them to your Word with understanding. Teach them to pray to you as their greatest need and friend. Show them life eternal, and “who are His”. Keep them safe and grow them in their relationship with you. Thank you, Lord, for Camp Del-Haven! It is near the most dearest place on earth to me. So many wonderful years out here and I will never forget all I’ve learned and all I’ve loved here. Bless Del-Haven, Lord. Kendle
by John Carpenter | Jan 18, 2016 | Ministry News
Well, dear ones, 2016 is now under way and we already sense and see that this carnal world is poised to be much more oppressively against us as we press on in the ministry of the gospel of the glory, only, of God’s grace through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Please be in earnest prayer with us that He continue to lead us according to His perfect will and wisdom in protecting, providing and preserving us.
By His amazing and enabling grace we will persevere in fighting the good fight of faith out here at Camp Del-Haven. It can, at times, seem to be overwhelming, but by Christ’s strength — and your faithful, prayerful support — we can with confidence continue to bravely face the foe — and this — all for Christ’s glory only.
Oh yes, while you’re praying for us — be in earnest prayer for our country as well! We desperately need a quickening from God the Holy Spirit upon our whole land!
I recently received word that on the evening of Oct.15 — our dear friend and faithful supporter, Florine McClain, was welcomed and received into the loving presence of our Lord. Her family informed me that her final moments came with family at her bed side. They told me that she was in a “comfort sleep” when — as they put it: “Mom took her last breath with a slight giggle, smiled, and lifted her arms toward heaven. All of her children and several grandchildren were at her bedside to witness this incredible moment. It was bittersweet; but none of us will ever forget that experience as she left us to join her heavenly Father and be reunited with Dad in heaven.” Dear friends, Florine’s final testimony proves how grand it is to know the Lord Jesus — and to be known by Him throughout this life! I can’t imagine traversing through this sinful fallen world without Christ being with me — keeping me — encouraging me — ever drawing me into His presence! Praise His Name!
by John Carpenter | Jan 18, 2016 | Devotional
“When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back!
This I know — for God is for me.” [Ps.56:9]
The beginning of a New Year is always a time for sinful fallen human beings to make (and ultimately to break) resolutions. They feel that if they can keep them, they will make themselves better people so that they can live healthier and happier lives. The Word of God is filled with descriptive principles that provide a simple truthful way to measure (even in this fallen world) the character and behavior of those who are saved and of those who are lost. For the saved ones these descriptive principles become, rather than resources for failing fallen human efforts to make and try to keep resolutions for human improvement — but reasons for seeking from God in prayer, through His Word, His enabling, converting and life transforming grace. It is God’s grace that is needed in order for any fallen sinner to become a Holy Spirit living scriptural description of one of His eternally loved and chosen saved ones in this fallen world. Jesus said, “The flesh profits nothing! It is the Spirit that quickens. The words that I speak unto you — they are Spirit and they are life.” [John 6:63]
The above phrase of Psalm 56 is a descriptive of every truly saved one that is alive in this fallen world. Ro.10:13 says, “For whosoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord — shall be saved.” And, Ps.56:9 declares: “When I cry (or, call) unto thee — then shall mine enemies turn back! This I know for God is with me.” The saved one calls unto the Lord — and He hears and rescues him. Among other things, this text is a great assurance unto all of God’s people that when they are led to cry out to Him — then all their enemies shall turn back from them. What a comfort it is to know that this is the way that it is! And, if anyone imagines that the motivation to cry out to the Lord is all their own idea, then let me refer you to Ro.7:18: “For I know that in me (that is in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing; for to will is present with me — but how to perform that which is good, I find not!” There are many in this fallen world the seem to trust in — and put their hope in — their own will to succeed, but all of God’s true children are led of Holy Spirit to put all their trust and hope in Him — and Him alone!
All too often — way too much credit is put on the seeming personal power that is resident in our flesh. Another very important scriptural truth that describes only the eternally loved and chosen saved one is found in that which is taught from Ro.2:28-29, “For he is not a Jew which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh, but he is a Jew which is one inwardly, and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.” And, Phil.3:3> “For we are the circumcision which worship God in the Spirit and rejoice in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the flesh!” We grow in grace to realize that when we are faced with the threat of an enemy we know that, “with him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord God to help us and to fight our battles…” [2Chronicals 32:8]
For Christ’s Glory Only!
-John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Dec 18, 2015 | Ministry News
Here is another entry from our 2015 camp journal:
July 2, 2015> “First older girls camp! Tuesday morning it stormed, and Wednesday we only had a morning swim time. That evening we were under a tornado warning, so we skipped campfire, set up a projector in the basement of the dorm and watched movies. One key to being a good counselor is to hide God’s Word in your heart so He can give you opportunity to use it and relate to the kids. Get to know them; be goofy; be serious; speak to their need of a Savior in the small and the big ways. When Christ taught parables, He used their language and stories they could relate to. He listened patiently, took time away from doing things to truly focus on the needs of others, and gave Himself up for us. Let that be our mindset. This week, not many offered to pray, but I pray they would desire to know Christ and grow in their relationship with Him… Nothing can compare! Cause them to adore you, Lord.” Kendle
Kendle may not be able to be with us in 2016. Please remember to keep praying for her — that our Lord will guide and direct and provide and protect her in all that she ends up doing in this world. And, pray for us that He will provide another wonderful worker and laborer for His glory in what is needed here at Del-Haven.
by John Carpenter | Dec 18, 2015 | Ministry News
Everyone here at Camp Del-Haven want to wish everyone in our family on our mailing list — and everyone who happens to get a copy of this letter — a very meaningful, wonderful and Merry Christmas!
2015 — another year — is all too quickly coming to an end. We, indeed, have much to be thankful for. We, indeed, love you all and are truly thankful for all of you and your continual prayerful support for the gospel ministry that continues to flourish here at Camp Del-Haven. Our great God truly is a preserving, providing, protecting God — who is worthy of all our praise!
