by John Carpenter | Dec 17, 2014 | Ministry News
A Word From The 2014 Staff Journal
Here are two excerpts from the 2014 camp journal that are particularly profound:
1. “I am not a counselor — and I haven’t been for a long time — but at one time many years ago, I was. Now I serve on the Board for Del-Haven and help out behind the scenes. I wanted each counselor to know how important they are in the lives of these children. Keep up the good work — and keep searching for the truth. It is a lifelong journey — one I have come to love. It is the favorite part of my life on this earth — and when I can speak of my God to others…well, it makes it all worth it! I can’t control who believes — or, when — but, He can! Just never think that you don’t matter, because all of you do. I pray for each of you everyday. Keep up the good work and may God give you the words that speak to each of these children and that opens their eyes.
All my love in Christ, Mary Ann Palmer” [Mary is the daughter of one of our male campers who attended Del-Haven as a camper in the 1960s’. She also was at one time a camper who grew up and eventually worked on staff with us. She and her husband, Shawn, are now on the Board of Directors with out ministry. Please pray for them]
2. “A crazy week of camp is over. We had temps in the 90s’ this week, but it felt hotter. Boat races were cancelled. Cabins 1 and 3 had it hard with ‘mouthy’ campers, and overall — the girls didn’t listen well. It tested our patience.
Last night after campfire — I sat down at around 11:20ish on the cabin floor to read my Bible out loud for night-time devotions. Areyonna asked Lydia and I a question — and her and Kaylee proceeded to continue asking us questions until we stopped at 12:30ish. They wanted to know how God exactly chooses and saves us — what heaven is like — and why God does things a certain way(?). Areyonna is concerned for her Dad, who is in prison — and Kaylee, who had never heard anything about God before, wants her drug addicted Mom to know Jesus and go to heaven. The stories of what they go through everyday in their lives broke my heart. Weeping — they both seem scared for themselves and their family member’s souls. I pray that Christ would draw them to Himself and that they prove to be His chosen ones. Quell their fears, Lord! Shower them with understanding! Kendle”
These two entries from our 2014 camp journal reflect the ongoing battles and blessings that are impacted by your persistent prayers and ongoing support. Thank you — from the bottom of our hearts! Please continue to do so. We love you all!
by John Carpenter | Dec 17, 2014 | Devotional
“Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God — for no man can do these miracles that thou doest — except God be with Him.” Jn.3:2 “And the glory which thou gavest me — I have given them; that they may be one — even as we are one. (23) I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one — and that the world may know — that thou hast sent me — and hast loved them — as thou hast loved me. (24) Father, I will that they, also, whom thou hast given me — be with me — where I am — that they may behold my glory which thou hast given me — for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world!” Jn.17:22-24 “Behold, a virgin shall be (with) child — and shall bring forth a Son — and they shall call His name, Emmanuel — which being interpreted is: God with us.” Mt.1:23
Jesus, from Jn.3, replies to Nicodemus — who says to Him that which is conveyed here, from vs.2 — except a man be born again he cannot accurately make the observation communicated from vs.2 — that God is “with Him”. The expression, “with Him” denotes: an intimate, personal union and communion with God. This sort of union is something that each of us want to have — with our Savior — as we traverse through this troublesome world.
How marvelous it is, indeed, to also know that the truth of the next text from Jn.17 is a true description of our state of being. It is beyond grand to realize that we are so gloriously loved by God — in His precious and perfect Son. And, because we have been chosen and placed in Him (His eternal Son) [Je.31:3; Eph.1:2-4] — we can be assured that we are also “with Him” (I.e. in an intimate, personal union and communion with Christ)!
We could not possibly have as sure and firm an understanding of our being in union with the Christ — without His incarnation into our humanity being historically represented like it has been! He — God’s eternal, only begotten Son — was born of a virgin woman into our humanity — and is called: “Immanuel” — which being interpreted means: “God with us”; or, God being united with us!
This fulfills the scriptural description of He.2:14-15: “Forasmuch then — as the children are partakers of flesh and blood — He, also — took part of the same that through death [the consequence of the sins of the flesh] He might destroy [or, render powerless] — him that had the power of death — that is the devil (15) and deliver them — who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” Therefore, the birth and incarnation of the Christ of God was specifically for the deliverance of all of the fallen, yet loved and chosen children of God! Praise His Name! Hence, He.2:17 goes on to explain: “Wherefore in all things it behooved Him to be made like unto His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God — to make reconciliation [or, propitiation] for the sins of the people.” He was sent to be united “with us” so that we might be united “with Him”.
For Christ’s Glory Only!
– John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Nov 20, 2014 | Ministry News
Well, dear friends and family in Christ, we have arrived at the time of year for celebrating the union and communion of being a part of the America we have come to know and love. This, of course, is Thanksgiving Time. And, all of us from here at Camp Del-Haven want to lovingly wish all of you — our faithful prayer warriors and supporters — a very Happy Thanksgiving! We trust that you will be able to spend a holy blessed time of fellowship with friends and family – around a sumptuous meal – reflecting upon all the ways that God has born testimony to you of His presence and power in your lives. I can tell you for sure — that as we reflect upon these things in our lives — we will be thinking and thanking Him for all of you. You are each and every day, week, month and year — the Lord’s answer to our prayers! Thank you.
This ever present reality is often expressed during our camp season. For example here is another entry from this year’s camp season:
Little Kids Camp #2 — July 14-16 —
“We have 2 full cabins and one full dorm of boys. Chapel has gone really well. Most of the children seem really receptive to what Jeff and Sheri are teaching them. Jason is the most adorable kid I have ever seen (Layla is, too). Last night (Tuesday night) Jason was asking questions about God and being saved. It was great to answer some of his questions. We have been learning memory verses today (Ps.139:14) and it is a very hard one to teach because it is so long. It was hard for me to be patient with them because I knew the verse really well — so it taught me to be patient. There was one camper who didn’t know it very well so I said it with him for awhile so it was awesome to get to know him. At the campfire, I was sitting in between Jason and Nevaeh — and Nevaeh fell asleep on my shoulder. It was so precious. I will miss everyone so much! I’m realizing how this week is the product of so much prayer! It’s such a blessing! Isaac R.
Please remember to lift up Isaac before our Lord — for His ever present protective, providing and guiding grace and power over his life. He has been (and we continually pray that he will be yet again) such a valuable spiritual asset to us. Thank you, Lord! And, of course, along with him — please continue to pray for youngsters like Jason and Layla. They are just two examples of all the children that the Lord sees fit to send out here and into the hearing of His great and precious gospel — with its life transforming power. This is what is being accomplished through all of your faithful, prayerful support of Camp Del-Haven.
I thought I would be able to report to you concerning a much needed new roof on our dining hall patio, but that task has not yet been done. Please pray that the Lord will see this task through to its completion. We are so dependent upon Him for virtually everything! But, that’s alright — He is so very dependable and reliable!
by John Carpenter | Nov 20, 2014 | Devotional
“The Lord God omnipotent reigns” Re.19:6
“But our God is in the heavens — He hath done whatsoever He hath pleased.” Ps.115:3
“Whatsoever the Lord pleased — this did He in heaven and in earth.” Ps.135:6
“…the most High rules in the kingdom of men and giveth it to whomsoever He will —
and sets up over it — the basest of men.” Da.4:17b
Here are four places from God’s Word that declare clearly and plainly His sovereign rule and control over all the circumstances of mankind — in both eternity and time. He, and He, alone — reigns. Is.57:15 declares: “For thus saith the high and lofty One — that inhabiteth eternity — whose name is Holy…” So, we see that it is from eternity that He reigns. Time — as we know it — does not even exist in His house. Time — as we know it — is but temporary. There is nothing that is temporary in eternity. Perhaps the closest we can come to comprehending eternity is — to think of it as one continual present reality. This underscores the marvelous truth of Ps.46:1: “God is our refuge and strength — a very present help in trouble.” A truly wonderful way to realize your every day personal relationship with the eternal almighty God.
Not only is our Lord sovereign and in control over all that happens in our temporary earthly life and times — individually — but He is, also, sovereign and in control over us on a national basis. He, indeed, has everything already worked out according to His sovereign will and good pleasure. He has done whatsoever He has pleased — in both heaven and in earth! To us there is seeming chaos all around us — but as far as our great God is concerned — whatever happens — is in complete accordance with His perfectly orchestrated eternal purpose and plan. Nothing takes Him by surprise where this world is concerned. In fact, it is just the other way around — this world is always taken by surprise by the sudden evidence of God’s presence and power being completely worked out according to His purpose and grace. All of the generations of fallen humanity are included in the accomplishment of His purpose — and all of His chosen in Christ from before the foundation of this world are included in the accomplishment of His grace [Ep.1:4]. Praise His Name!
World leadership undergoes its changes in accordance to the designated means of its individual national governments — but God is the one in ultimate control of all the nations within the age of temporary time (the age of sin and death). He is the One who determines the ups and downs of both leaders and nations. Where we who are His true children are concerned — wherever we may be on the governmental platform of this world — that platform provides for us a stage before both time and eternity whereby we may bear a testimony of our true personal allegiance to our heavenly Father through His eternal Holy Spirit and His eternal Son — our eternal Savior — the Lord Jesus Christ! Whatever part we can play in the appointment of the temporary powers we are made subject to –by His sovereign rule and authority over us — this is where we can make known to the world He, in whom, we really do trust!
-For Christ’s Glory Only!
John Carpenter
“Amen: Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might
– be unto our God — forever and ever. Amen” Re.7:12
by John Carpenter | Oct 18, 2014 | Ministry News
It is a great time to reflect upon the many God given testimonies of this year’s ministry. For example, an unsigned entry in our camp journal for July, 2014 relates:
“We had 3 cabins full of girls this week at camp. About half were new campers and half had been campers in the past. I was so glad to see how attentive they were in each Bible class. One girl, Abigail, came up to me after each Bible class to ask me questions. It was obvious that she was really thinking about the things we were learning out here. This was her second year as a camper. I pray that the Lord will continue to put her in places to hear His word and that He will send people into her life to help mature the seed planted. May the Spirit quicken her to new life in Christ. This was such a good week and I’m so thankful to the Lord for sending out this staff of girls. I love how they have displayed kindness and the love of Christ toward the campers this week. I enjoyed our morning devotions and prayer time each morning before we woke the campers for the day. I pray that the Lord will continue to draw these young ladies to Himself — teach them through His Word — and strengthen them for the service for the Kingdom of God for which He has purposed them — whether it is now, here, at Del-Haven, or in the future. Thank you, Lord for your continued mercy and grace.”
This is another blessed entry into the historical records of what the Lord is doing with all of your precious prayers and support of this ministry. Thank you. We love you. Please continue to bear our burdens up before our loving and providing God.
