by John Carpenter | Sep 26, 2021 | Camp News
Well, dear ones, we are now experiencing some real nice weather. And, that means we here at Del-Haven can – more comfortably – get things done around the whole campground. As we embark on the season of Fall – we anticipate the wonders and colors that will come with it. Already our trees are showing signs of becoming brilliant by the way they will reflect only what God can do with the splendor of the Autumn leaves!
My dear praying friends, our thoughts and prayers do continually go out to the children that have gone through our camp schedule that is literally filled up with the proclamation of the Word of the Truth of the Gospel. For two years now – we have not been able to have a regular camp session. Please do not forget to pray concerning this matter. Pray for the children – and pray for our Country – and for that matter, our whole world! Pray that our sovereign God would be pleased to lift off of us this plague – as well as all of the lies that have been spun as the result of it.
Also, once again, please do not forget to pray for all of our helpers that have been so loyal to us in the way that they were looking forward to coming back every summer to serve the Lord in helping in our ministry. This has been beneficial in their Christian Walk as well as the boys and girls under their charge. Our hearts continually go out to these dear ones.
We want you to know how much we are so thankful to our Lord for all of you who have shown your continual support – both in prayers and gifts – throughout the stifling effects of the last two years due to the plague. Oh Lord! Please set us free from this untoward time! Do this for the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ! Amen.
by John Carpenter | Aug 21, 2021 | Camp News
Well, dear ones, as we come to another end of the camp season we are – naturally — somewhat perplexed about our future. However, like the song says: “I know not what – the future holds – but I know who holds the future! It’s a secret – known only to Him.” And, this is the reality. Our sovereign God is both Omniscient and All-powerful and He knows our needs before we do! We can (and do) trust Him. This is His ministry! We are His servants!
Once again, we want to tell you how much we thank you for your faithfulness in prayerfully supporting us. It is a great encouragement to know you are supporting us in your prayers and supplications.
Please continue to pray earnestly for all the children that the Lord has sent through our camp program. And, don’t give up on the real possibility that we will once again be able to implement our regular camp program. Of course, we must always pray, even when we pray for one another, remember to pray in the overall context of – “if the Lord will”. So, please pray for our boys and girls – and please pray for our staff and their helpers – that they be safe from harm or sickness and that they be strengthened and encouraged by the Holy Spirit!
Also, remember in your praying – pray for all the family groups that have responded to our invitations to come spend a big part of the day here at Del-Haven. Right up front I present the everlasting gospel unto them all. The last group we ministered to was the largest group yet! Fifteen people showed up – and all but four were brand new! The Lord may be introducing us to another whole new approach Del-Haven Ministry. Pray with us about this possibility. Thank you – we love you.
by John Carpenter | Jul 19, 2021 | Camp News
Well, dear ones, we continue to minister to scheduled families that come out to Del-Haven for hours at a time to experience what a day of camp can include. From Bible Class to Campfire along with swimming and fishing and other outdoor recreation – which also includes craft making – the whole family can enjoy themselves while getting a taste of the Del-Haven Ministry!
As the Lord continues to lead and provide – we continue to plug along and proclaim the pure truth of His wonderful gospel message. Please keep us in your faithful prayers as we make progress as best we can.
We have some wonderful news to report concerning the huge hackberry tree that fell on our Cabin two. Some men from the First Baptist Church of Oak Grove showed up early Monday – July 5th – and replaced the whole roof of the Cabin! Not just repaired it – but replaced it! Once again, the Lord has provided for us an outstanding example of Eph.3:20-21! To God be the glory!
As a result of this good work, however, we do need someone with a machine (a skid steer loader) that can help us bury the shingles pile that we have left over. Please be in prayer with us where this need is concerned. We would greatly appreciate it.
And, of course, in your earnest prayers – please do not forget to include all the campers that we have ministered to – along with our staff leaders and helpers. This world is definitely not our ally.
These soldiers in the Lord’s army need our continual prayerful support – just as we all do! May we be led by the Spirit to faithfully hold them up to Him who is our strength and shield.
Thank you – we love you.
by John Carpenter | Jun 26, 2021 | Camp News
Well, dear ones, we are still faced with the restrictions of our present situation. However, in spite of that, we rejoice in the way that our God and heavenly Father continues to reveal His presence through your faithful prayers and support. Our Lord is still on His throne – in sovereign rule and authority – no matter what! Praise His Name! We have several families that have responded to our offer to allow them to come out (with their children) for a block of specified time and then be able to experience Del-Haven Camp activities like fishing, swimming, hiking, crafts, etc. And, of course, that also includes Bible Class as well. This way we have an added opportunity to present – to announce – the Gospel of the glory, only, of our Lord Jesus Christ – the only Sovereign Savior Substitute that there ever was, is, or ever will be! What a Joy! So, dear ones, please pray that our Lord will give hearing ears and seeing eyes unto — even the parents and care providers of the children.
Don’t forget, please, to pray – always – for the boys and girls that have gone through our gospel camp program…and the young staff helpers that are living and going to school through these un-certain days and times. Pray that they remember their memory verses and that the Spirit of God will enlighten their understanding of His Word to their hearts and minds.
In the midst of everything that’s been going on – a recent storm – with strong winds – managed to blow down a large Hackberry tree on to one of our cabins. It put a hole in the roof. This is the first time in 69 years that something like this has ever happened. Please pray for the Lords leading and meeting of the need to repair the damage to the cabin. Already, the loving and loyal friends of First Baptist Church of Oak Grove have been and still are — on the case. Thank you Lord Jesus for them!
by John Carpenter | May 22, 2021 | Camp News
Well, dear friends and family in Christ, here we are in the midst of the month of May, 2021 – and we are still under the prevailing regime of fear and governmental restraint. Please continue to pray with us – and for us – in regards to our desire and ability to minister the everlasting gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ — here at Camp Del-Haven. While we are still hopeful that our Lord will open the door for us to be able to hold some regular camp sessions – as we have done over the last six decades – it appears that what we will have to do – is start our season out by inviting whole families out for a day of regular weekly camp activities to be experienced by them – all in one day. This is what we did last year – and the Lord blessed us with His presence in our times with each one of the different families that positively responded to our invitations. Pray that this will once again be well received – and that the Lord will once again be glorified – in our ministering the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ to whole families.
We have been greatly encouraged by how the Lord has manifested His sustaining of us through your continued prayerful support in every way. The last part of the month of April we had a record work day where three different groups of young men converged onto Del-Haven grounds and cleaned up the whole camp. It was monumental – to say the least! I know we had in excess of over 25 helpers that attacked some of the most difficult tasks of cleanup that we had – and — they did a super job! I have been praying for a long while that God would send us some young men to help us – not only with work that is taylor made for strong young males to accomplish – but also to potentially become interested in serving Him in the camps where needed! I had more than one conversation with the fellas that showed up to work about doing just that. Please remember to seek the Lord’s will in this regard when you pray for Del-Haven. Thank you in advance for doing so.
And, when you pray – please remember to pray for all the boys and girls that have already been sent by the Lord through our camp program. All the ones that looked forward to coming to camp last year, but were prevented from doing so because of the threat of the pandemic. This includes both camper and staff helper alike. Don’t forget – we are experiencing physical ramifications of a spiritual battle with an enemy that targets souls! Our Lord Jesus, Himself, said from Jn.6:38-39: “For I came down from heaven – not do mine own will – but the will of Him that sent me. (39) And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me – that of all which He hath given me – I should lose nothing – but should raise it up again at the last day!” This means – that Satan cannot Win! PTL!
“For we through the Spirit – wait for the hope of Righteousness by faith. [Gal.5:5]
by John Carpenter | Mar 23, 2021 | Camp News
Well, dear ones, we are now in the midst of March and we still do not know for certain if we will be allowed to – once again — accept campers for regular camp sessions. Please be in earnest prayer with us concerning this all important matter. There is nothing too hard for the Lord – regardless of the adverse circumstances! We already know that even if we cannot – again this year – do camp ministry like we have done for decades – we plan to once again have families come to Del-Haven for a full day of Camp Del-Haven activities – including Bible class – and minister to Mom and Dad and campers altogether. The Lord blessed our time last year when we did that. So, if need be — we are prepared to do the same this year. Again – please pray for our Lord’s wise leading where this is concerned.
And, as always – please remember to pray for the children that we have so much on our hearts — that have been campers (and that want to be campers) at Del-Haven. All the boys and girls that have come from all the different broken backgrounds that God has sent to us to hear the wonderful truth of the gospel of the glory, only, of the Lord Jesus Christ! We all have had a lot of other people that have been led of the Lord to pray for us – some whom we know – and a lot whom we do not really know. The prayers of the people of God are what God uses to graciously accomplish His will and good pleasure…and we all need just that!
Pray also for our staff as well. For over 60 years the sovereign Savior has always met our need of good help to fill the key positions of leadership in this camp ministry. Many of our staff were at one time in their lives also campers of ours. What a living miracle to see how the Lord God brings us campers only to enter into their lives and also turn them into our valued and faithful helpers. It is truly a marvelous thing to witness! Please pray for our staff – especially if the Lord sees fit to have us in full operation this year!
We do love you all and really appreciate you being so faithful in continuing to prayerfully support the Lord’s ministry here. This encourages our hearts and serves to strengthen and comfort us – as we wait on the Lord!
