by John Carpenter | Oct 13, 2011 | Camp News, Ministry News
Fall Friendship Banquet 2011
The weekend began with a staff overnight at Camp Del-Haven. About half of the staff members attended and shared in an evening of fellowship and “catching up” since the summer sessions had ended.
On Saturday afternoon, we met with several of the faithful supporters for a time of fellowship and celebration. It is always encouraging to spend time with those who have supported Del-Haven through prayer and giving from the beginning (1952) and those who have joined the Lord’s work at Del-Haven along the way. As always, we missed those who were not able to attend this year.
The theme of the banquet was “Bless the Lord, O My Soul.” It was suggested by Marylee Carpenter who challenged both board members and staff to commit to memory and study Psalm 103.
John Carpenter emceed the event and gave a message over the many benefits bestowed upon us as mentioned in Psalm 103. His granddaughter, Sarah Jane sang “My Lord Knows The Way Through The Wilderness.” This was her first year to attend the camp as an official camper.
May you truly be blessed as you continue to serve our Lord and Savior. We appreciate your prayers and support and thank the Lord for each of you.
by John Carpenter | Oct 13, 2011 | Camp News, Ministry News
Please be in prayer with us for our staff members. The Lord has greatly blessed our need for staff the last several years and they are very dear to us. They volunteer their time and truly seek to serve the Lord by sharing the Gospel with the children who otherwise may not hear. They care for these campers and develop relationships with them, sometimes for several years. One such previous camper is Delano. He has been camping with us since he was six years old. He is currently in our Learning to Serve program as a 14 (soon to be 15) year old. He and his family have a great need as to where they are living and where he can go to school. This is a burden that he continually casts before the Lord, and we also ask that you be praying with him and with us about this situation. In addition, we have several of our staff members who are facing the trials and adventures of college and working their first major jobs. The Lord has sent these young people to Del-Haven for a reason and we trust that it is to minister to them and help prepare them for future ministry and Christian living.
The payoff on the bank loan for the waterlines and lake has been slow. The bank continues to work with us and allows us to pay a monthly interest and extra payments toward the principal as we are able. The current loan balance is $56,200.
by John Carpenter | Oct 13, 2011 | Devotional
“They shall ask the way to Zion with their faces thitherward, saying, ‘Come — and let us join ourselves to the Lord in a perpetual covenant — that shall not be forgotten.’” Jer.50:5
This verse describes the attitude and motivation of the true people of God. Eventually everyone of God’s chosen — throughout all the generations of history — suddenly — are awakened by the Holy Spirit to look toward “Zion” and express with resolve what is here spoken.
The particular context that is immediately upon Israel is the prophecy of Jeremiah of their captivity in Babylon. Herein is proclaimed the gospel of God’s judgment that will most certainly come upon the Babylonians — even though God used them to take His people captive for their unfaithfulness to Him. Hence, they have been carried off a long way from Mt. Zion in Jerusalem. And, vs.33 relates the judgment of God upon His elect: “Thus saith the Lord of hosts: ‘The children of Israel and the children of Judah were oppressed together — and all that took them captives held them fast! They would not let them go.’”
God’s purpose is revealed from what is written in vs.34: “Their Redeemer is strong! The Lord of hosts is His name! He shall throughly [or, through out] plead their cause — that He may give rest to the land — and disquiet the inhabitants of Babylon.” And, our Lord does this very thing for His elect people of every nation, kindred, tongue and tribe — throughout every generation of the history of fallen humanity!
All the people of God without exception — by God’s grace — by God’s Spirit — say: “Come, let us join ourselves to the Lord in a perpetual [or, lit., eternal] covenant that shall not be forgotten.” It is because of the eternal redemption obtained for us by our Kinsman Redeemer — the eternal Lord and Savior, Himself — that we then by faith do join ourselves to Him in accordance with the mandates of the eternal covenant — that has been cut and ratified among the counsels of the almighty Triune God! “But without faith — it is impossible to please Him! For He that cometh to God must believe that He is — and, that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him!”
Therefore this covenant union — secured by Christ our Redeemer — “shall not be forgotten” — by us. This, in fact, is what we celebrate as often as we come together around the Lord’s Table! Nor will it ever be forgotten by the Lord of hosts! He might as well forget Himself — as forget His “perpetual covenant”!
So then, according to the gospel of the glory of Christ, all God’s chosen people — throughout all time — by God’s great grace — with great resolve — will come out from sin’s enslaving captivity — into eternal covenant union with Him — and unto the eternal rest that is only to be found in heavenly Zion. Praise and glory to Christ!
For Christ’s Glory Only,
John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Sep 5, 2011 | Camp News, Ministry News
Please mark your calendars — for on Saturday, September 24th,we are going to meet together for our — non formal — 59th Friendship Fellowship Banquet. It will be held at Pleasant Grove Bible Church which is located at 4916 Lee’s Summit Rd. in Kansas City, MO. This year we are doing something a little different and meeting for the banquet over the noon hour. We are planning to hold it from 11:00AM to 2:00PM on that Saturday. We decided on a theme of the banquet this year to center on Remembering the Blessings. After being sustained by the Lord for 59 years –there will be plenty of God’s blessings for us to testify of and report!
Hopefully this new afternoon time frame will prove to be easier for all of you to be able to attend. We hope — according to the Lord’s will and purpose — to affect a greater turn out since there will be no night time driving to be concerned about. Please pray with us about this — and please try to attend! It will be a good time.
by John Carpenter | Sep 5, 2011 | Camp News, Ministry News
The camp season is over and the pleasant signs of fall for 2011 are approaching.
And, once again, we are rejoicing in the many blessings that the Lord our God has bestowed upon the ministry of Del-Haven. There are the many answers to prayers that testify of the Lord’s presence and power — leading and providing — our every step along the way. We give praise and thanks unto Him for it all and for you all!
Please continue to pray for the campers as they begin their school year. Many of them are entering into schools that struggle to provide a safe educational environment. We talked to several boys and girls this summer who were entering this year with a very hopeless spirit about their school situations. Please also pray specifically that we will be able to keep contact with them throughout the school year.
We would also like for you to continue to pray with us about the ongoing financial needs at Del-Haven. The overall operational costs seem to continue to rise. We praise God and continue to trust in His faithfulness. He continues to give testimony of His provision as we see that each month every bill is able to be paid.
