Hello Friend,

A week at Camp Barakel has a certain rhythm. The tempo is quick and upbeat on Tuesday as we welcome campers and part-time staff. A couple of days pass and we settle into a wonderful feeling like the regular beating of a heart as the whole camp becomes comfortable with the sense of community. Soon we realize that the week is coming to a close and there is a diminuendo and ritardando wishing that somehow we could extend it just a little bit longer. The week does close and the busses and cars leave and we clean and you might think that the piece has come to an end. But Tuesday comes and the tempo picks up again. We have enjoyed volunteer staff receptions, one-on-one time with summer staff, leading singing, playing the piano, Thursday night chapels in the woods, Musicales and even cleaning. The rhythm is quick and steady and beautiful.

We have been delighted to have both of our girls and my parents on the property contributing to the ministry this summer. These are moments to be treasured and we thank the Lord for them. We are familiar with the feeling at the end of week 10. The word weary is a pretty good description. We can fall asleep just about anywhere in just about no time. So we are thankful that there is a time of rest coming soon.

Grace and Naomi get right back to school only a couple of days after we say good-bye to our last campers and staff. They have been fortified by the time spent in Christian fellowship and community here this summer. That is a gift from the Lord and we pray that they enter their next semester girded up and ready to run the race.

Thank you again for your interest in us and in what we do.

With love,
Hannah (for all the Gardners)

This is a picture of Naomi with her tribe and the speaker for the week, Kirby Huseby