by John Carpenter | Sep 15, 2024 | Camp News
The first thing I want to personally express is my thanks to my heavenly Father for all of you who have prayed for me – and my recovery from being in the hospital for nine days and out of commission physically for practically all of July and half of August. It’s not even clear just what exactly happened to me – symptoms seemed to indicate a urinary tract infection, however, I never experienced the typical burning sensation that generally goes along with that. Then a test result came back that indicated that I had a tick borne illness. At any rate, my malady kept me out of normal camp activities and on your prayer lists…and I seem to be getting back to my usual level of healthy energy. Praise the Lord!
We wanted to share a very sweet letter that my wife, Theresa received from a little girl that was scheduled to come out with her family once again this year. Here name is Marah, and this is what she wrote:
Dear Mrs. Theresa,
It’s me, Marah. I went to camp 2 years ago. We miss going to camp this year, anyway, I hope your family gets better. The Lord is keeping you guys in His hands and watching over you. I pray He heals everyone that is sick or hurt.
Sincerely, Marah
Is this not a spontaneous and insightful and sweet message to be coming from an 8 year old little girl? At the top of this page is a photo taken of Marah (on the right) from last year when she was out here for a Family Day At Camp. Let’s keep little Marah (and her whole family) in our prayers. It is so wonderful that our sovereign Lord allows us to receive these little indications that He is still leading and blessing His work here at Del-Haven. Praise the Almighty Sovereign Savior!!
We thank Him for all of you who continue to prayerfully support the ministry here – especially in these extremely inflated economical times. We must not forget that our God is in control and He will never forsake us! Please continue to pray for us in regards to building another staff – and we will continue to pray for you. We love you. — John Carpenter
by the Editor | Aug 18, 2024 | Camp News
Hello Friends! We have come to the end of our 2024 summer camp season. This summer, we sent invitations to our camper families to come out and experience a Family Camp Day. Each session began with a time of Bible study. We made a quick stop at the flagpole for the Pledge Of Allegiance. We then proceeded to the Shelter House for a craft/nature study project. Lunch was next on the agenda, but not before giving everyone a chance to ring the old Dinner bell. Then it was time for every camper’s favorite activity, SWIM TIME! We roasted marshmallows and offered fishing/boating.
Our plan was to provide Family Camp Days throughout the summer until August 9th. However, “A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps” (Proverbs 16:9). The Lord, in His sovereignty, changed our plans this year. Mr. John Carpenter developed a severe infection and spent just over one week in the hospital. We had to cancel the rest of our Family Camp Days.
John is at home and recovering. We appreciate your prayers for continued healing. Due to the illness, we were not able to send out our regular July newsletter or post it on our website. This camp news update is for the months of July and August.
We are praying that the Lord will use His Word to draw those families closer to Himself. Camp Del-Haven would like to thank you for your prayerful and financial support. — Jeff Hall
by John Carpenter | Jun 20, 2024 | Camp News
Well, dear ones, our Lord continues to faithfully manifest His Divine Presence and sustenance of Del-Haven. This is in spite of the fact that we have never seen such an oppressive and inflated economical environment as we have – right now! But, the Lord still hears and answers our prayers – Praise His Name! Through your prayers and gifts – He has met our monthly needs.
When we got our pool prepared to reopen – we discovered a mechanical problem with our pool filter. Jeff was able to determine what was needed and the Lord provided the necessary funds so that we could purchase the parts that needed to be replaced. Hence, Praise the Lord, Jeff was able to get that task done. This delayed the time for us to be able to have families scheduled to come out to the camp. The hot days we are already experiencing demand that we have a swimming pool! Please be in prayer for us – that the Lord will continue to provide and to guide us – as only He can do.
Jeff sent out an email to the camper families that we have on file for them to begin to pick a Family Day — beginning with the week of June 24th. We plan to make ourselves available for them up through August 9th. The lake is looking real good and we are making progress with cleaning up the campground. The rains and stormy winds have taken their toll on the trees and the like – please pray that our chainsaws, weed eaters and mowers will not break down. The Word of God says for us to “cast all our care on Him – because He cares for us” – so that is what we constantly are doing! Isn’t He Wonderful! (Hey – that’s a wonderful camp chorus!)
Please also remember to be praying that the Lord will lead to us (or us to them) five male and five female staff helpers so that we can once again put together some regular camp sessions. We want what He wants – nothing more and nothing less. Pray with us concerning the family group responses that we receive for this year – that those who come out will be blessed by the Lord with ears to hear and eyes to see (see: Pr.20:12) and hearts to receive and believe the pure truth of the gospel of the glory – only — of the Lord Jesus Christ.
As always – we want you to know how much we love you all – for your continued and faithful and prayerful support of this ministry. We thank our Lord God for you!
“The Lord is Righteous in all His ways, and Holy
in all His Works. The Lord is nigh unto all that
call upon Him – to all that call upon Him in Truth.”
Ps.145:17-18
by John Carpenter | May 22, 2024 | Camp News
Beloved, we are gearing up for another summer of having whole families frequenting the Del-Haven Camp facilities – both parents and children – to experience what goes on throughout a whole week of camp! Jeff Hall sent out an initial email to all the families that we have on record. To this we received an immediate positive reply from the group. Jeff simply said that we are planning to do this same format that we did last year – and that we will follow up in early June with more details as to what days and times there will be available from which to choose when they would like to come. Needless to say we were encouraged by the quick responses. Please be in prayer with us that the Lord will abundantly bless us in ministering to these folks – and bring glory to His Name!
These uncertain times are rife with oppressive inflation and difficult adverse circumstances. The enemy is very active in our world – as I am sure you all well know. We need much prayerful support! Thank you – one and all – for your continuing to stand with us in seeking the Almighty Arm and provision of our Lord God – in His leading us forward in our evangelistic endeavors! Our God is still in control – and He continues to make His divine presence to be realized among us. This is what comforts us and motivates us – to keep on keeping on – in preaching His Word! We thank and praise Him for you! We love and we pray for you, too!
We still have considerable work to do in preparing the campground. All the rain has not given us much of a chance to get ahead of a lot of the things that we need to do. Please pray that we can accomplish these tasks and be ready to meet all the challenges of effectually communicating –
“the Word of the Truth of the Gospel”. [Col.1:5]
by John Carpenter | Mar 17, 2024 | Camp News
Well dear ones, we are presently preparing to once again reach out to the families and care providers of the children for them to choose a day to come out to Del-Haven and experience all that goes on throughout a whole week of camp. They can fish – swim – do crafts – enjoy the playground – hike the camp paths – and of course have a Bible Study Time. This is where we will be able to present the gospel unto the whole family. Some interesting and – it is believed – profitable discussions have been experienced through this added camp ministry reality. Please pray with us that our Lord will use this to reach both the adults and the children.
Please remember that we are still seeking from the Lord those that we can train and use to rebuild our staff — with spiritually awakened and quickened male and female servants of the Lord — to fill positions of cabin and camp program leaders for regular camp weeks. A camp season would begin in mid June and run till early August. A camp week would start on Monday noon and end around 1pm Thursday. This would be every week – except the week where July 4th would fall. We have had such good feedback in regards to our Family Camp excursions that the regular camp season may contain a few of those as well. Please be in prayer for us in this regards.
The economy that we are in has been an added trial – to say the least! Thank you all so much that have continued to support us financially (as well as with your prayers). You have been a real answer to our prayers.
Don’t forget that beginning with April 6th – and every weekend – we have a tradition of Saturday Work Days. This is when we get the campground cleaned up and set up for the activities of whatever is on the schedule. If you or a group from your church would like to help us out – please give us a call at 816-425-0460.
We love you all – and we pray for God’s blessing upon you.
“So shall my Word be that goeth forth out of my mouth:
it shall not return unto me void,
but it shall accomplish that which I please,
and it shall prosper
in the thing whereto I sent it.”
[Is.55:11]
by John Carpenter | Feb 19, 2024 | Camp News
(Shown above, a recent February sunrise over the Camp Del-Haven dining hall.)
“My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord, in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee and will look up.” [Ps.5:3] “As for me, I will call upon God, and the Lord will save me! (17) Evening and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud, and He shall hear my voice.” [Ps.55:16-17]
Well dear ones, already the days seem to be getting longer – and a little warmer…at least warmer than the frigid cold we have recently had to endure. What is right upon us as camp season is concerned – is our intention of contacting our camper families to see about scheduling them for a day of Family Camp Activities. Please be in prayer with us in this regard – that we will get a good reception. There were many great times that we had last year – with encouraging responses from the children and their parents and care providers.
We are still seeking the Savior to send us male and female staff help. What we are asking for is for truly awakened and quickened folks to fill the bill of being cabin and camp leaders – so that, Lord willing, we can resume having boys and girls camp weeks like we had before. Let us keep this matter before our Lord – in accordance with His sovereign will and good pleasure.
Dear family in the Lord, please include Jeff Hall, our longtime camp assistant, in your prayers. He has been having pains in his chest, and after seeing a heart specialist – he has been prescribed some mild medication – as well as put on a schedule for further tests. Jeff will be 57 on his next birthday. Please pray that the Lord continues to strengthen and sustain our dear Brother Jeff!
Also, as a “heads up” to our supporters – our traditional first Work Day is coming up. It will be the first Saturday in April. We do have quite a bit of outside campground work to do if any of you – or a group from your church – feel like lending us a hand. Our camp number is (816) 425-0460.
Thank you all for continuing to pray and financially-support our efforts in presenting the pure Word of the truth of the gospel of the glory – only – of the Lord Jesus Christ. We love you – and pray for you. — John Carpenter
