by John Carpenter | Oct 26, 2015 | Ministry News
Dear friends, this is absolutely a favorite time of the year! The weather as of late has been just wonderful. The campground is lovely beyond words! We have scheduled a cookout for our staff along with the members of our board as a show of appreciation for their service for the glory of Christ this last summer. Please be in prayer for us and them as we have them out here once again for a relaxing time in the Lord. Lord willing, we hope and pray that they can be with us again next year.
We received word that a dear friend and faithful supporter, Florine McClain, has been diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. She needs all of our prayers. The Lord has used this dear prayer warrior to support and sustain Del-Haven from the beginning of its existence. She is a precious member of our prayer family, and we love her very much! Please remember to lift her up before the Lord. Also, please be in urgent prayer – once again – for our board member, Dan McElwain. He has suffered yet another stroke and needs our prayers. Tests are still being given that will determine exactly the right course of medical procedure. Dan is an important asset to the leadership of Del-Haven. We pray that our Lord will afford him a quick and complete recovery.
Please do not forget to pray for the meeting of our every month operational expenses. The last couple of months have been especially hard for us in that department. Our Lord sustains us by His grace, but not without stretching our faith and trust in Him. We need your continual prayerful support.
During this last summer’s first older boys camp, after the first morning Bible class, it was unusual to see 4 boys just lingering around — and a couple of them even remaining in their seats. One of the seated boys — named, Jacob — emerged as the leader and spokesman for the group. He informed me that he really liked it that I taught the Bible so thoroughly. He said that when he went to church — all his pastor said was: “…blah, blah, blah — Jesus loves you” and that’s it! Now of the 4 boys there was, Jacob – his brother, Lucas – and his friend, Cody. Then there was another camper named, Amaury. Each camp day Jacob and Amaury had questions that needed additional explanation with deeper understanding. Jacob claimed that by the gospel he had been changed; and Amaury stayed up till 3 AM reading his mother’s Spanish Bible. He was elated to be given an English version of the Bible. The other boys, Lucas and Cody, more or less just followed Jacob into the further hearing of the truth. Please remember to be praying for these lads that the Holy Spirit will – by grace — seal the gospel to their hearts and lives for His glory!
by John Carpenter | Sep 15, 2015 | Ministry News
Firewood
One of the things that we discussed as a Board as a way to be a source of provision to some of you — as well as perhaps elicit some extra funds throughout this fall and winter — is firewood. We will cut some up and make it simple for you come and fill up a pick up truck load to take home with you for an additional donation of $100. What do you think? Would you, or someone you know, like to help us out? Just give us a call and let us know…(816) 690-8465 [leave your name and number and we’ll get back to you]
by John Carpenter | Sep 15, 2015 | Ministry News
Well, dear ones, Fall has officially fallen upon us, and along with the Autumn breeze there comes the color changes where the Autumn leaves are concerned (which is always a beautiful sight). There is also the end of the year responsibilities and expenses with which we must contend. As this newsletter is intended to be a “prayer letter” — we do covet your faithful prayers that our Lord and Savior will continue to provide for the meeting of Del-Haven’s ongoing financial needs. We are continually relying on the truth of God’s Word (which is faith’s “spiritual meat”) where it says from Mt.6:33: “Seek ye first — the Kingdom of God and His righteousness — and all these things (worldly necessities) shall be added unto you.”
2015 Staff Journal Entry
In your praying for us — please do not forget all those that God has sent to us to labor with us on the frontlines where the presentation of the soul saving, life transforming gospel is concerned. From the pages of our camp journal — here is an entry from, Brittany — which was written during our first older girls camp:
07/23/2015> “This is my fourth year of serving at Camp Del-Haven. Every year I learn more about Christ — connect with the kids — and sweat more that thought was humanly possible. Sometimes all the staff become irritated by one or two children, don’t get enough sleep, or just missed out on the coffee; but, that is life. Every detail is meant to bring patience, laughter, or even just bring us to our knees. When I am exhausted and have no energy left, I wonder why I came back. Then a child finds joy in a butterfly, or needs help using a broom — and it reminds me that I am here for the Lord. We are ALL here for Him! Our prayer times as a staff group is one of my favorite times here. (Note to anyone nervous about prayer: You’ll do fine! We won’t judge you. Just pray to Jesus — He will give you the words) To everyone: You have all been Jesus to me in some way. Thank you for letting Him use you here — befriending everyone here — caring for the kids. Thank you, Jesus, for this camp!!!
This journal entry, from this young and willing servant of the Lord, literally speaks volumes as to the outreach of this ministry of Camp Del-Haven. It is not only to the boys and girls that the Lord sends us each year — but also to those whom He sends out here to serve Him where the kids are concerned! Praise His Wonderful Name!
by John Carpenter | Aug 19, 2015 | Ministry News
Well, dear ones, as we conclude, once again, another blessed summer session of Del-Haven camps – we can, and do, bear testimony after testimony of our Lord’s guiding us – providing for us – preserving and perfecting us – all along the way. And, it is obvious to us – that the reason this is true is due, in a large way, to the overall faithfulness demonstrated by all of you – in your praying for us and in your supporting us! We constantly thank and praise the Name of our Savior for all of you!
This summer has been filled with some wonderful experiences that we will be progressively sharing with you in the coming months. Experiences that have involved – not only the children – but many of the staff as well. All of this will be made plain in future newsletters. God has definitely used the ministry of His Word in a marvelous manner in all of the lives who have been blessed to be chosen to serve Him on the platform that He has made of Del-Haven camp sessions. Praise His holy Name!
Due to the fact that we always have some post camp tasks that need to be tended to, we have decided to resurrect the Saturday Work Day routine for this fall. This means that if you – or your church group – have some time to spend helping us, you all can come out on some good fall Saturday and spend some time helping us tackle and complete some of the many things that we need to get done. Please pray about this and let us know if this might be possible for some of you. We will kick this off on Sat. 08/29/2015.
Urgent Prayer Request: Dear friends, please be in prayer for our Board Member, Dan McElwain – he suffered a severe stroke just last week! Praise the Lord, they got him to the hospital within the one hour widow of time in order for him to receive the necessary medication that provides the greatest percentage for recovery. He is at home and is doing remarkably well – with only some residual numbness on the right side of his face. Nevertheless, he is not out of harm’s way. In their thorough examination of him they discovered a foreboding hole in his heart and plan to perform some procedure to correct that condition. Please remember, Dan, in your prayers as he faces some major life altering decisions and expenses.
Thank you all! We love you and thank and praise our Lord God for your prayers and faithful support.
by John Carpenter | Jul 10, 2015 | Ministry News
Well, dear friends and family in Christ, the 2015 Del-Haven camp season is officially under way and we have had two great camps to bear testimony — once again — that our Lord God — is indeed — our Lord God. The much needed repairs for our tractor have been met, and I can once again use it to knock down the everlasting growth of all the grass in the rougher and most hard to reach places on the campground. Thank you for your prayers — and thank you to all that could give of your substance as well — in order to meet this special need. God uses your prayers — and your gifts — in the accomplishment of His will and good pleasure. Bless His Name!
We also want to give a special thanks to a special man who literally rebuilt the patio roof (plus other areas) so that we should not have anymore leaks in that part of the dining hall. Literally, for years — we have been in prayer that the Lord would provide us with someone who would know just what needs to be done to stop all the problems that we have had with this. And, though Jack Chaffee — we came into contact with Russ Gaston — a professional roofer — and between the two of them — we have a whole new patio and utility room for our dining hall. We Praise and Thank the Lord for His using these men! Pray for both these men — that God will richly bless them for labors.
Most of all, dear ones, please continue to lift up to the Lord everyone on our staff who persevere for Christ on the front line where the rigors of the camp operation are concerned. They need your prayerful support for the wisdom and the patience that only the abiding, guiding presence of the Holy Spirit can provide. More and more of our campers are coming to the age of enrolling in our “Learning To Serve” program so they can continue to be a part of the Del-Haven Camp event. This provides a great plan for spiritual follow-up and growth for the children that manifest Christ in their lives. What great staff members they make, but they need our prayers!
Also, as always, pray for all the children that our Lord sends out to us to go to camp. Pray that they are, each one, being prepared by the Holy Spirit — drawn by the Father – unto the Son. There is no other way to truly come to Jesus [Jn.6:44-45]. Thank you for all your love and support.
by John Carpenter | Jun 5, 2015 | Camp News, Ministry News
Prayer Requests
Well, dear ones, June 2015 is here — and in spite of the camp ground being a soggy mess — we are once again ready to officially begin another camp season. Yes — we truly desire your earnest and devout prayers that our God and Savior will once again bless the heralding forth of the pure truth of His holy Word unto the children that He sends out to Camp Del-Haven. It is our prayer — that you all will be in prayer — for our staff and campers as we involve ourselves in this evangelistic endeavor.
We want to remind you that June through August is, indeed, our most expensive months of the year. May the Lord be pleased to use this reminder – however He wills and pleases – where you all are concerned. May all of your prayers for us – and gifts to us – be by His leading you to do so.
We have had — and still have — some unexpected expenses facing us where our tractor is concerned, which we rely on to mow the most rugged parts of the camp — as well as, we use to grade the ruts out of our dirt roads (which really need it after all this rain). Please pray for our Lord’s provision of this need.
He will provide!
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Please pray specifically for these staff members who have already committed to help with the children this summer.
Adam Blevins
Brandon Bowlin
Cheyanne Feldman-Brown**
Cassie Carter
Mykala Cobbins*
Cheynne Deiter*
Sheri DeSchepper
Brittany Fuller
Jeff Hall
Haley Hassler*
Kendle Laycock
Dakota Lewis*
Summer Marshall**
Chelsea McDaniel
Rick Monson
Amber Mosely*
Isaac Richardson
Hannah Rollet**
Savannah Rollet**
*Former campers who are currently in the Learning To Serve (LTS) staff training program
** Former campers who are now on staff
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Each year it is a blessing to hear from the parents/guardians who are delighted for their children to have another opportunity to come to camp.
The first camp applications of the year were received in January 2015 without having even sent out notices of the upcoming camp dates. When I contacted the grandmother about the current dates for this summer, I was told that her two granddaughters just couldn’t wait and wanted to make sure they signed up right away.
Not long ago I talked to another woman who sent her children to camp when they were younger. Her children are now sending their children. She was calling because she had another child late in life and couldn’t wait to send him to camp too and have her house filled once again with Christian songs and memory verses.
Seeds will be sown all summer long in the lives of young boys and girls and staff members that will attend camp, but we know those seeds can spread also into houses and can grow in the hearts of others and impact families in a great way. Pray for the seed of God’s Word to fall on good soil!
