by John Carpenter | Jan 17, 2015 | Ministry News
A Word From The 2014 Staff Journal
Another very appropriate excerpt from our 2014 camp journal includes this one concerning an incident from our fifth camp week. It was a girls camp.
“We were having a time of testimony around the campfire with the girls. I asked them to think about what they enjoyed about camp and what they learned. One camper said that she learned a lot because she had never really heard anything about God before!
This really made me think about many things, but mostly I was thinking about what a great responsibility Christians have — and that we have as a Christian ministry — to share the Gospel. This girl was 12 years old and had never heard anything at all!
I always encourage the staff to be purposeful in their conversations with the campers and take every opportunity to share the Gospel. Thank you, Lord, for bringing these girls to camp — especially Kayley! As God always has a plan — she was on the waiting list all the way until the day before camp began. He always works out all the details for His glory!
by John Carpenter | Jan 17, 2015 | Ministry News
Prayer Requests
Please, dear faithful fellow laborers for the truth of the gospel of the glory, only, of our Lord Jesus Christ — keep us ever in your prayerful support as you have thus far. Our mighty Savior is able to do the seeming impossible! Remember the poor boy that had a demon since he was a little child, and the disciples could not cast the demon out? When the Lord Jesus, Himself, finally did — His disciples inquired just why it was that they could not. Jesus answered according to Mk.9:29: “This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting!” And, dear ones, whether it is individuals, or families, or neighborhoods, or nations that are held in the evil demon grip of corruption — it takes much persistent prayer and fasting for the direct action of none other than Christ, Himself, to set the prisoners free! We love everyone of you who prayerfully and faithfully help us to bear our burdens in this evangelistic endeavor to proclaim the good tidings of the Prince of peace. May God richly bless you all! Your support is an extension of His grace unto camper and staff alike — and a great source of encouragement to us. We need you! We are so glad that the Lord has touched your hearts to intercede like you do on our behalf.
by John Carpenter | Jan 17, 2015 | Ministry News
2015 Camp Registration Begins Early
Dear ones, our Lord is giving to us an early testimony of His blessing upon the ministry of His word here at Camp Del-Haven. We have already received via the internet some applications from campers that want to come to camp this year. This has caused us to set up our summer camp schedule earlier than ever before! But — Praise the Lord — we are rejoicing in that 2015 is already showing signs of being a spiritually prosperous year!
by John Carpenter | Jan 17, 2015 | Devotional
“My presence shall go with thee — and I will give thee rest.”
“And the Lord — He it is that doth go before thee — He will be with thee — He will not fail thee, neither forsake thee — fear not, neither be dismayed.” [Ex.33:14; De.31:8]
It definitely goes without saying — as any spiritually perceptive true believer will agree — that we are (and have been) living in the “perilous times” that are vividly being described from God’s Word in 2Ti.3:1-5! The changes in our culture prove to be very pointedly anti-Christian. We, who are in Christ — in this world — definitely need the light — the leadership — and the loving-kindness of the Holy Spirit in order to navigate through the foreboding situation that confronts us.
The texts above deliver to every one of God’s chosen, awakened and regenerated children — who are yet in this fallen world — just the message that we need to assure our hearts that we will — though tried by fire — come through it all as gold [Job23:10].
Moses was, himself, a “type” of Christ — in that the same promise(s) that God made to him, would be received and realized all of God’s particular and peculiar chosen children that were given to Moses to lead as well. When God said to Moses, “My (eternal) presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest!”– that same promise is to be — by God’s grace — received and realized by each one of God’s particular and peculiar people [1Pe.2:9-10]. And, the same wonderful, reassuring promise of God is true for us who have been given to the Lord Jesus Christ — and placed in Him — “before the foundation of the world”! [Eph.1:3-4] For, indeed, “all the promises of God in Him are yea, and in Him, Amen, unto the glory of God by us.” [2Co.1:20]
Moses was commanded to deliver to all of Israel the meat of the gospel message of De.31:8. Which gospel message — in short — announces who the Lord God is: “He it is that doth go before thee”; and what the Lord God will, in fact, do: “He will be with thee”; and what the Lord God will not do: “He will not fail thee, neither forsake thee”; and what will be engendered and received by response — as a result of this great work of grace — from each one of us: “fear not — neither be dismayed!” Be reminded of Je.32:40: “I will put my fear in their hearts — that they shall not depart from me.”
Truly, there are no greater — or, more accurate — or, more appropriate — questions and statements of exclamation that can be made — than that which is declared from Ro.8:31: “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us — who (or, what) can be against us?!” This being true, we can meet with confidence the coming year.
What better meditation can a child of God ask for than, this. Let us trust in Him as we begin a new year of sojourning through this fallen and sinful world.
-For Christ’s Glory Only!
John Carpenter
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!
