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 | 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.
by John Carpenter | Aug 8, 2011 | Camp News, Ministry News
As our 59th summer of camp ministry winds down — please be in continual prayer for both staff and camper. We are not ignorant of the enemy’s devices and know that he will be plotting wicked things to happen in order to try and thwart the word and work of the Holy Spirit. He always does — but he shall not prevail because of God’s word of truth: “If God be for us — who can be against us?!”
Your continual prayers and gifts will serve sustain us in the meeting of our worldly expenses and defending us through all of his attacks — and then some! Thank you all for being faithful in supporting us — we truly do love you!
Well, we have had to suffer the dog days of an especially hot summer here at Camp Del-Haven. Our brave and bold staff have weathered through these last few camps with amazing vigor and endurance — and with no complaints! God’s grace has indeed prevailed every hour of every day. And, the boys and girls have also behaved remarkably well in spite of the untoward heat. We have simply added more swim time to the schedule.
We have seen the Spirit of the Lord mightily at work in bringing the gospel of the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ into the hearts and lives of these chosen campers. Which is what it is all about — Praise His Name!
by John Carpenter | Jul 6, 2011 | Camp News, Ministry News
Please keep up your persistency in praying for our entire staff. The hot weather is all a part of the territory where camping is concerned — but it is amazing how your prayers can help to keep up the strength that is needed to endure it.
I overheard one of our girl staff members explaining to a camper that is approaching the age of being too old to be a camper anymore — about our Learning to Serve Program — whereby we allow young teens to come back the next year as a helper. This helps us out — as well as gives us an excuse to keep these good campers in the much needed hearing of the Word. Please add this program to your prayers.
Of course, your prayers are always needed for the children themselves. Pray that God will continue to bless in preparing them to hear the gospel of the glory of Christ that can and does transform their very lives.
