Spring Banquet Date Set for March
Oh, by the way, please remember to mark you calendars for Saturday, March 21, 2015. This is when we will be having our Del-Haven Banquet. It will be held at over the noon hour at Pleasant Grove Bible Church 4916 Lee‘s Summit Rd. in KCMO. More details will be forthcoming.
A Word From The 2014 Staff Journal
Another very appropriate excerpt from our 2014 camp journal includes this one concerning an incident from our fifth camp week. It was a girls camp.
“We were having a time of testimony around the campfire with the girls. I asked them to think about what they enjoyed about camp and what they learned. One camper said that she learned a lot because she had never really heard anything about God before!
This really made me think about many things, but mostly I was thinking about what a great responsibility Christians have — and that we have as a Christian ministry — to share the Gospel. This girl was 12 years old and had never heard anything at all!
I always encourage the staff to be purposeful in their conversations with the campers and take every opportunity to share the Gospel. Thank you, Lord, for bringing these girls to camp — especially Kayley! As God always has a plan — she was on the waiting list all the way until the day before camp began. He always works out all the details for His glory!
Prayer Requests
Please, dear faithful fellow laborers for the truth of the gospel of the glory, only, of our Lord Jesus Christ — keep us ever in your prayerful support as you have thus far. Our mighty Savior is able to do the seeming impossible! Remember the poor boy that had a demon since he was a little child, and the disciples could not cast the demon out? When the Lord Jesus, Himself, finally did — His disciples inquired just why it was that they could not. Jesus answered according to Mk.9:29: “This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting!” And, dear ones, whether it is individuals, or families, or neighborhoods, or nations that are held in the evil demon grip of corruption — it takes much persistent prayer and fasting for the direct action of none other than Christ, Himself, to set the prisoners free! We love everyone of you who prayerfully and faithfully help us to bear our burdens in this evangelistic endeavor to proclaim the good tidings of the Prince of peace. May God richly bless you all! Your support is an extension of His grace unto camper and staff alike — and a great source of encouragement to us. We need you! We are so glad that the Lord has touched your hearts to intercede like you do on our behalf.
2015 Camp Registration Begins Early
Dear ones, our Lord is giving to us an early testimony of His blessing upon the ministry of His word here at Camp Del-Haven. We have already received via the internet some applications from campers that want to come to camp this year. This has caused us to set up our summer camp schedule earlier than ever before! But — Praise the Lord — we are rejoicing in that 2015 is already showing signs of being a spiritually prosperous year!
A Word From The 2014 Staff Journal
Here are two excerpts from the 2014 camp journal that are particularly profound:
1. “I am not a counselor — and I haven’t been for a long time — but at one time many years ago, I was. Now I serve on the Board for Del-Haven and help out behind the scenes. I wanted each counselor to know how important they are in the lives of these children. Keep up the good work — and keep searching for the truth. It is a lifelong journey — one I have come to love. It is the favorite part of my life on this earth — and when I can speak of my God to others…well, it makes it all worth it! I can’t control who believes — or, when — but, He can! Just never think that you don’t matter, because all of you do. I pray for each of you everyday. Keep up the good work and may God give you the words that speak to each of these children and that opens their eyes.
All my love in Christ, Mary Ann Palmer” [Mary is the daughter of one of our male campers who attended Del-Haven as a camper in the 1960s’. She also was at one time a camper who grew up and eventually worked on staff with us. She and her husband, Shawn, are now on the Board of Directors with out ministry. Please pray for them]
2. “A crazy week of camp is over. We had temps in the 90s’ this week, but it felt hotter. Boat races were cancelled. Cabins 1 and 3 had it hard with ‘mouthy’ campers, and overall — the girls didn’t listen well. It tested our patience.
Last night after campfire — I sat down at around 11:20ish on the cabin floor to read my Bible out loud for night-time devotions. Areyonna asked Lydia and I a question — and her and Kaylee proceeded to continue asking us questions until we stopped at 12:30ish. They wanted to know how God exactly chooses and saves us — what heaven is like — and why God does things a certain way(?). Areyonna is concerned for her Dad, who is in prison — and Kaylee, who had never heard anything about God before, wants her drug addicted Mom to know Jesus and go to heaven. The stories of what they go through everyday in their lives broke my heart. Weeping — they both seem scared for themselves and their family member’s souls. I pray that Christ would draw them to Himself and that they prove to be His chosen ones. Quell their fears, Lord! Shower them with understanding! Kendle”
These two entries from our 2014 camp journal reflect the ongoing battles and blessings that are impacted by your persistent prayers and ongoing support. Thank you — from the bottom of our hearts! Please continue to do so. We love you all!
Well, dear friends and family in Christ, we have arrived at the time of year for celebrating the union and communion of being a part of the America we have come to know and love. This, of course, is Thanksgiving Time. And, all of us from here at Camp Del-Haven want to lovingly wish all of you — our faithful prayer warriors and supporters — a very Happy Thanksgiving! We trust that you will be able to spend a holy blessed time of fellowship with friends and family – around a sumptuous meal – reflecting upon all the ways that God has born testimony to you of His presence and power in your lives. I can tell you for sure — that as we reflect upon these things in our lives — we will be thinking and thanking Him for all of you. You are each and every day, week, month and year — the Lord’s answer to our prayers! Thank you.
This ever present reality is often expressed during our camp season. For example here is another entry from this year’s camp season:
Little Kids Camp #2 — July 14-16 —
“We have 2 full cabins and one full dorm of boys. Chapel has gone really well. Most of the children seem really receptive to what Jeff and Sheri are teaching them. Jason is the most adorable kid I have ever seen (Layla is, too). Last night (Tuesday night) Jason was asking questions about God and being saved. It was great to answer some of his questions. We have been learning memory verses today (Ps.139:14) and it is a very hard one to teach because it is so long. It was hard for me to be patient with them because I knew the verse really well — so it taught me to be patient. There was one camper who didn’t know it very well so I said it with him for awhile so it was awesome to get to know him. At the campfire, I was sitting in between Jason and Nevaeh — and Nevaeh fell asleep on my shoulder. It was so precious. I will miss everyone so much! I’m realizing how this week is the product of so much prayer! It’s such a blessing! Isaac R.
Please remember to lift up Isaac before our Lord — for His ever present protective, providing and guiding grace and power over his life. He has been (and we continually pray that he will be yet again) such a valuable spiritual asset to us. Thank you, Lord! And, of course, along with him — please continue to pray for youngsters like Jason and Layla. They are just two examples of all the children that the Lord sees fit to send out here and into the hearing of His great and precious gospel — with its life transforming power. This is what is being accomplished through all of your faithful, prayerful support of Camp Del-Haven.
I thought I would be able to report to you concerning a much needed new roof on our dining hall patio, but that task has not yet been done. Please pray that the Lord will see this task through to its completion. We are so dependent upon Him for virtually everything! But, that’s alright — He is so very dependable and reliable!
