by John Carpenter | Dec 18, 2019 | Camp News
Well, dear family of God, we have come unto the close of yet another year in this sinful world. Yet another milestone of God’s will and sovereignty on the stage of our life and existence has been accomplished. The ministry of our Lord here at Del-Haven continues to manifest the testimonies of His presence, His purpose, His provision and His preservation. We continually praise and thank Him for this reality. And, this includes all of you who have kept – and continue to keep — us in your prayers. We know this is of the Lord’s doing! So, therefore, as we thank Him – we also want to thank you as well.
In many ways, we have seen days, weeks, months and years – come and go – but no matter the changes that have occurred over time (in this world) – God’s great faithfulness remains strong and sure! This means that — with the Psalmist do we declare: “Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy Name give glory – for thy mercy and for thy truth’s sake!”[Ps.115:1] Praise His Name!
Our prayers must be evermore constant for the staff and campers that God supplies for the work that is performed here. Everyone He has sent and continues to send needs the uplifting of our praying for them to survive the onslaught of the spiritual warfare that surrounds them in this ungodly worldly environment. The ramifications of this adverse reality are constantly upon them, and us! But, praise God, another constant is also always present – and that is — where sin abounds – God’s grace does much more abound! “That as sin hath reigned unto death – even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord!”[Ro.5:21] Your prayers, therefore, are invaluable to us! Hence, we continue to pray for all of you — that you will continue to pray for all of us. Thank you in advance for doing so. May you all have a blessed and wonderful time – a Christ centered time – all during this season.
by John Carpenter | Nov 27, 2019 | Camp News, Miscellaneous
Well, dear friends and family in Christ our Lord and Savior, we have come once again unto one of the most blessed times to gather together around a meal to express our thanksgiving to our God and enjoy the fellowship of the ones we love. And, from all of us here at Del-Haven – unto all of you – we want to sincerely wish a
Happy Thanksgiving! for 2019.
Please remember, when you bow your heads to pray, all the boys and girls that have been sent by our great Savior into the hearing of the gospel of His great grace here at Camp Del-Haven. Many do not have the same welcoming and loving family environment in which to encounter and experience. But, the great Comforter – the Holy Spirit of our sovereign almighty God – can make all the difference! He can do anything! And, He does everything for His family – Praise His all glorious Name! His Word declares that for Him – Nothing is too hard, or wonderful!
Please do not forget to pray for our staff. The young men and ladies that our Lord will groom and prepare to be His witnesses unto the campers. These true Christian warriors need our ever constant prayerful support! We can never let down our guard while on the battleground of this world. Remember, our adversary, Satan, is like a roaring Lion – seeking whom he may devour! And, our most vulnerable children have always been – and still are – his prime targets!
Please seek the Lord with us for His continual guidance and protection in the ongoing provision of our many needs. We continually thank our God for all of you whom He has enlisted to faithfully and prayerfully support us in this ministry. We love you all – for being there!
by John Carpenter | Oct 29, 2019 | Camp News
Well, dear ones, we continue to praise our wonderful Lord God for everything that He continues to demonstrate in regards to His great faithfulness! A favorite text of Don Carpenter was Lam.3:22-23: “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed – because His compassions fail not. (23)They are new every morning: Great is thy Faithfulness!” It’s interesting, as well as encouraging, that this text tells us that God’s mercies are new to us every morning. Every new day that we are still here in this fallen-in-sin world – He refreshes upon us His everlasting mercies and His unfailing compassion. Praise His Name – He cannot fail! [see Jn.6:39]
As the calendar approaches another season of holidays, please do not forget to hold up in your prayers the campers and staff. For many of them – this time of year is fraught with depression and disappointment. Pray that the precious Holy Spirit reveals Himself to them with the comfort and joy that He is particularly famous for. Pray for us as well, dear ones, as we pray for you! There are so many times where all I can do is pray and trust in the Lord and His awesome sovereign control over it all. Like the scripture tells us concerning Abraham as he faced his impossible situation. Ro.4:17 tells us that “…he believed God – who quickeneth the dead – and calleth those things which be not – as though they were!” And, once again, God proves Himself as being absolutely faithful to His Word!
by John Carpenter | Sep 23, 2019 | Camp News
We are fast approaching yet another beautiful Autumn time of year – and we have yet many things that need to be done! Our insurance company has determined that we need to get some much needed roofing and/or wood rot repairs accomplished on some of our buildings by June of next year – or, they will not even continue to insure those structures. For that reason we are needing to set aside some special work days during the good weather of this Fall in order to tackle these tasks. We need help. If you (as an individual or group) can be available to assist us in doing these things – could you please give us a call and let us know?
Our phone numbers are: (816) 690-8465 or 277-7071.
Now, dear friends and family in Christ, our young people and children – our staff and campers – have been incorporated once again into the modern world of our schools. This is where they will be compassed about in the corrupt culture and influence of this fallen world. This is where they will definitely need the direct guidance and preservation of our Lord, Himself. Please remember to constantly be lifting them up in your prayers! Please pray that these young and spiritually vulnerable “vessels of mercy” be “kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed…” (which is what we all need). As it has been from its beginning – Del-Haven is a ministry of God’s Word of His grace – that was founded on prayer – supported through prayer –and sustained by prayer! This means that you – and your prayers for us – are a vital part of what has been – and is being – accomplished through the ministry of Del-Haven – unto the glory of Christ Jesus our Lord.
We love you – and we thank the Lord for you!
by John Carpenter | Aug 25, 2019 | Camp News
Well, dear ones, we have officially completed our 67th season of Del-Haven camps. Praise our Lord and Savior! The Lord definitely blessed us this year…as He always does! It is wonderful to witness His faithful provision – preservation – and especially His presence and power. “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ – for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes.”
After every one of our summer camp seasons, we encourage you to – please remember to pray for the campers that the Lord sent to us – and the staff help that participated in this evangelistic ministerial endeavor. Your prayers for us are much needed! We love to hear that you are praying for us. I am certain that prayer is the appointed means that God has — ordained from eternity – to maintain His constant presence and power – and to provide and preserve this – His work. This is the evidence of His matchless grace in keeping us going all these 6+ decades!
We want to make a special request for your prayers for a 12 year old boy that was a part of our last camp session of this season. His name is, Harley. Harley lives with his Aunt. His father is in prison for dealing drugs. Harley’s mom – he really doesn’t know where she is. All he knows is she was pulled over by the police and in resisting them from searching her car (because she had drugs in it) she struck a police officer. Most likely she, too, is in jail. This young man needs our earnest prayers. He learned all the memory verses — and he heard the gospel every day at camp – and he indicated very strongly that he wants to come back next year. Let’s pray that the Holy Spirit will use the planted Word as only He can do in quickening and regenerating him – for the glory, only, of the Lord Jesus Christ! Praise His Name!
Beloved friends, we wish to give special recognition to the passing away of 95 year old, Wilma Flansburg. She was the mother of Gary and Joyce Flansburg – who are members of Strasburg Union Church – a strong and a longtime supporter of the ministry of Camp Del-Haven. Those that have known Wilma – at Gary and Joyce’s authorization – may give a donation to Del-Haven in her memory. We thank and praise the Lord for what they have done.
As always – Thank you, dear ones, for your continual prayerful support of this ministry. We love you — and we pray for all of you.
by John Carpenter | Jul 25, 2019 | Camp News
Well, dear friends, we are right now into the midst of the fourth camp session of our 67th Del-Haven camping season. It is our second 6 to 8 year old camp. Already this year we have been blessed to witness evidence and testimony of our Lord’s provision, presence and work in this ongoing ministry.
Right after the second bible class during the older boys camp (9 to 12 yr. olds) – two of the boys – Jason and Ethan – came to me separately and asked if they could have bibles to read of their very own. I was more than happy to comply with their requests. Things like that are so encouraging! “Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness – for they shall be filled”. The campfire times have been rich with positive indications of the Holy Spirit’s leading. In our first 6 to 8 year old camp of this year, one little girl, Laleah, spoke up and said, “When I was a little kid …” She revealed how she feared her step-father – especially at night – and since she came to camp (she started coming when she was 6 yrs. old) she just talks to Jesus when she is scared – and that really helps. I asked her how old she was and she said that she was 7. Also, one of our staff help that is a part of our LTS program — testified that she had been coming to Del-Haven since she was 6 (she is 16 now). Both her parents were in prison. She had been bullied throughout her school years – both at school and through the internet. The oppression and stress of it all was horrible – to say the least. Learning about the Lord Jesus (and growing in Him) has kept her from being swallowed up by all that’s happened in her past. She has born witness of her personal assurance that she, indeed, belongs to the Lord…her name is, Madison. Praise the Savior! Please pray for Laleah and Madison.
This is why we keep urging you all to keep praying for both the campers and the staff (as well as us). This is the true spiritual warfare that we are all in! If we’re true believers, we are all in the Lord’s army! Pr.3:5-6 is our “marching mantra” as we pass through this wicked world: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart – Lean not on your own understanding – In all your ways acknowledge Him – And He will direct your path!”
Please continue to pray for the Lord’s ministry here at Camp Del-Haven.
Thank you and we love you.
