by John Carpenter | Sep 14, 2014 | Ministry News
A Word From The 2014 Staff Journal
Brittany, one of our girl staff members, wrote in our camp journal about her experience in helping us at one of our June camps:
“This week has been one of the best for me at camp — as far as being able to answer spiritual questions goes (lol). The girls are proud to say, ‘I believe in Jesus’ — and I pray they continue that.
Some of the girls had attitude problems, but I think it’s just a reaction to such a different routine. So many of these children are used to being ignored — verbally/Sexually/physically abused — so coming here they expect the same treatment. They want attention and negative attention is mostly what they receive, so they try to gain it. What a shock to meet people who are kind to them — and encourage them! I pray that the staff will remember that — and press on to be kind.
I’ve gotten so much encouragement from all the staff here over the years. God bless all the participants of Camp Del-Haven! You’re forever in my heart. Mary Lee — we miss you.” Love, Brittany
Dear ones, when we ask you to pray for our staff and the children that the Lord sends to us to minister to — this is just a sample of what you’re prayerfully supporting. Please continue to do so. The Lord uses your support to meet our needs!
by John Carpenter | Sep 14, 2014 | Devotional
“But my God shall supply all your need — according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (20) Now unto God and our Father — be glory forever and ever — Amen.” Phil.4:19-20
This all too familiar passage of scripture communicates such great comfort and hope to all of God’s needy children who are yet passing through this fallen world. Just to know that sovereign God, our heavenly Father, knows our needs before we ask Him (Mt.6:8) and, also, has perfectly provided the means and the substance of the supply of them — gives unto us great reason to rejoice, rest and be at peace. This truth should also motivate us to further rejoice and thankfully pray to Him — without ceasing (1Th.5:16-18) — casting all our care upon Him — because we know that He so much lovingly cares for us (Pe.5:7)!
This simple truth, however, is one of the most misunderstood aspects about the sovereignty of God over all of the lives of His loved and chosen children in this fallen world. Too often it is — that many Christians miss the point of truly seeking after the Lord God — who already knows all — and already has everything all worked out — especially where the oppressive trials and needs of this life are concerned. It is a vivid expression of fallen and carnal reasoning — that is based upon unbelief instead of true faith — that in times of trial and adversity and need we become weighed down with worry, doubt and are even brought to the brink of falling to pieces under the stress and strain of that which we must face up to and go through in this life. “Much tribulation” is a definite characteristic that literally substantiates the proof that we are, indeed, on the narrow way, or the right path, that leads through this fallen world into the eternal, glorious presence and Kingdom of God. [Ac.14:22] Praise His Name!
Dear ones, there is no reason for us to ever have to fret the threatening evil of our day and time, or our circumstances — because our Lord God is still in complete control — just as He has always been! And, as the apostle Paul wrote to the Galatians while he was living under one of the most oppressive governments in Roman history: “I have been crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live — yet not I but Christ liveth in me…and the life which I now live in the flesh — I live by the faith of the [eternal] Son of God — who loved me and gave Himself for me.” We can trust Him, who is our Savior and Lord — to never, ever leave us, or forsake us (He.13:5). He will protect, preserve and provide for all those — whom He has eternally redeemed. He is our Head — and we are His body. We are bound to Him by His everlasting love and sovereign grace — which reigns over our whole lives through His perfect righteousness (Ro.5:21). We are His building — and He is our sure and firm foundation (1Co.3:11 1Pe.2:4-5). He supplies all that we need — and then shows to us that He, Himself, is that which fills all our needs. Blessed be the holy Name of the Lord!
For Christ’s Glory Only!
John Carpenter
“Call upon me in the day of trouble — I will deliver thee —
and thou shalt glorify me.” Ps.50:15
by John Carpenter | Aug 24, 2014 | Ministry News
Well, dear friends and fellow-supporters, the 2014 Del-Haven camp season came to a conclusion on a very high note! The Lord blessed us with not only a good summer — but an especially good last camp. It was an older boys camp (age 9-12) and everyone was so well behaved that we couldn’t give out a single best camper award — like we do at the end of every camp session. Therefore — we ended up giving all the boys a best camper award! This is because they all were truly a great group of young men. Praise the Lord! So, when you pray for us — thank our Lord Jesus in a special way for our last camp. We have more than one good candidate for our LTS (Learning To Serve) Program — from where we hope future staff and counselor help will come.
The whole summer of camps was good. From our camp journal — our very first camp session has some insightful entries — some of which include:
“After teaching the same Bible studies year after year after year, I felt like they needed something fresh and new. I spent some time trying to change my second Bible study — about the crucifixion. However, I just kept going right back to the same “old” stuff. So, that is what I taught. At our campfire testimony time — there were a few testimonies about what they learned, or enjoyed about that Bible study. Thank you, heavenly Father, for the encouragement.” [Sounds like the hymn, “Tell Me The Old, Old Story”]
“Session 1 — June 16-19 — Little Kids
Great week! We had only 7 girl campers and 6 boy campers total — so, because the counselor-to-camper ratio was almost one-to-one — we were able to really get to know them well. The girls were singing “Everlasting Love” at the pool, and jumping in at “deeper than the sea”– except they said, “deeper than the pool”. They were very attentive in Bible study. I pray the Lord would fill them with the Holy Spirit in their understanding of the scripture that they learned. More than just words — make it to be “living and active” — a light shining truth and joy into every moment of the day! Lord, challenge them to see their sin clearer — convict them of their need for your forgiveness, and comfort them with your everlasting love that gives purpose to the most floundering soul. I’m so blessed to be here! Kendle L. [Thank you, Lord — for, Kendle]
by John Carpenter | Aug 24, 2014 | Devotional
“My presence shall go with thee — and I will give thee rest.” “Take my yoke upon you and learn of me — for I am meek and lowly in heartThese three texts are cohesively connected to one another in that they each describe a close personal relationship with our Lord. A relationship that only He can initiate. A relationship that He has purposed to exist between us from everlasting — because He is everlasting! A relationship that is ear-marked with genuine “rest”.
The Exodus passage comes right out of the context of when Moses was afraid that the task — the commission — the vocation that he was called by God to complete with his life — he could not do by himself. From Ex.33:12-13 Moses said to the Lord, “See — thou sayest unto me, Bring up this people — and thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with me! Yet, thou hast said — I know thee by name — and thou hast also found grace in my sight! Now, therefore, I pray thee — if I have found grace in thy sight — show me, now, thy way — that I may know thee — that I may find grace in thy sight — and consider that this nation is thy people!” It is at this juncture that the Lord spoke unto Moses the blessed words of Ex.33:14. This becomes the divine seal of the close personal relationship that our Lord initiates with each and every one of His eternally loved and chosen ones. Just knowing that this exists between us and Him — delivers to us — even bestows upon us — blessed rest in Him.
Jesus taught this from Mt.11:29-30. To have the “yoke” of Christ graciously put upon us — is to become closely tied to the will of the Lord — even to be united with Him. He is meek and lowly in heart — and so are we then humbled and subservient to His leading, keeping and providing. His yoke is easy — because it commands us to love Him — and to trust Him — which, by His grace, we already do. And, it is in this that we find “rest” — because in Him we know we are eternally safe and secure.
The truth of Mt.11:29 is entered into from the irresistible obedient response to His command for us to “come” to Him from Mt.11:28. Jesus issues to all of His “weary and heavy laden” ones — not an invitation, or an offer — but an irresistible command for them to “come” to Him — for “rest”. We come — because we are drawn to do so by God the Father’s everlasting love and mercy and grace [Jer.31:3; Jn.6:44-45]. We come out of the darkness of our tombs of spiritual death — right into His Light and Life — where we find in Him — and in Him, alone — that we have true “rest” for our souls. Our whole lives — and the way that we live and walk through this fallen world — are, henceforth, made new according to the close personal relationship that we have with our Lord. In Him we abide. In His “yoke” we abide. In His “rest” we abide. Under His leadership and grace we abide. And, it’s only natural that our walk through this world should reflect his abiding, leading, providing “presence”. Praise His Name!
— and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy — and my burden is light.” “He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself, also, so to walk — even as He walked.” Ex.33:14; Mt.11:29-30; 1Jn.2:6
For Christ’s Glory Only!
John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Jul 5, 2014 | Ministry News
Praises and Prayer Requests
Well, dear friends and family in Christ, we have had — thus far — two wonderful camps. They both went very well — the gospel of the glory of Christ having been given and there not occurring any real trial, or difficulty. In short, our prayers for God’s presence and protection have been answered! Thank you — and please continue to pray for us!
Also — all our prayers — yours and ours — for God’s timely provision is also proving to be heard by our Savior. The Food Pantry of Faith In Christ Fellowship Church in Oak Grove, MO has been a continual source of year round supply for us — along with the annual food showers from our long time friends of Crest Bible Church, who collected over 600 cans of food this year, and Forest Grove Baptist Church. And then there are our friends from Strasburg Church — whom the Lord sends to us with specific things that we always have need of. The Lord is so rich toward us through these precious friends in being able to physically feed the children that He sends to Del-Haven — so that we can spiritually feed them. Praise His Name! This is the evidence of the outworking of the indwelling Spirit. We thank the Lord of heaven and earth for His bountiful provision and supply!
We have the busiest part of our camp season coming right upon us. Therefore, your prayers and gifts are much needed to see us through the rest of the way. Please keep on keeping on in prayerfully lifting us all up before the throne of grace. Pray for the children that God sends to us — as well as the staff that will be ministering to them. May our Lord and Master be pleased to continue to guide, protect and provide — as only He can do. Thanks for being there.
