When you mention fall camping to those who are familiar with Camp Barakel it might bring to mind memories of sleeping in bunk beds, eating sticky buns on an old log picnic table or singing praises to God in a chapel filled with the smell of real wood fires. To the broader audience though, thoughts of fall camping might include crisp nights around a campfire enjoying conversations with friends and eating s’mores. This fall during our men’s retreats I was able to experience a bit of traditional fall camping within the program of Camp Barakel. Each Saturday evening I would head out to a campsite near the new zipline tower (the tower makes for excellent star-gazing!) and start a campfire around dusk. Then as evening chapel ended many men would join me. We would laugh and joke and just plain enjoy the fellowship around the fire. Eventually a few musically-gifted men would bring guitars or a box drum and singing would follow. Men would share what God was teaching them throughout their weekend here. It was a great time that would last well past midnight. It is truly a gift when God gives us glimpses of His working here at Barakel. These campfires allowed me to hear some of what God has been doing in the hearts of the husbands, dads and grandfathers who joined us for fall retreats. The God we serve is alive and actively drawing men to Himself!

As you may be aware, the economy here in Michigan is hurting even more than it is in the rest of the country. Our guests are feeling that as much as anyone. During the fall season I talked with many people who had lost their jobs or who were facing the prospect of losing their jobs. I was reminded of what a privilege we have to provide a retreat for them from the day-to-day struggles; where hearts can be retuned to hear God’s voice.

The economy has impacted us here at Camp Barakel too. The number of people who joined us this past year was lower than it has been in a long time. While we are actively seeking God’s wisdom in how to do practical things to save money, we are also praising Him for each individual He has sent our way since January. The state of our economy and nation has not taken God by surprise and He is not twiddling his thumbs wondering what to do next. No, the God we serve is sovereign and we rest assured that He is in control of all things.

With the fall camping season behind us we now have a couple of months to wrap up 2008 and gear up for 2009. My days are spent putting together budgets, dreaming of new activities, putting game gear away and wrapping up outdoor projects before the snow comes.

We are also able to spend a lot more time together as a family during the months of November and December. I took a day off recently to blow and rake the leaves in our yard. One advantage to living in the national forest is that our kids loved jumping and playing in the biggest leaf pile ever! They sure are growing fast! Josiah is learning new words every day and enjoyed helping me with dishes during retreats. Tylee, well Tylee loves to talk! She has an incredible memory and an imagination that can keep her occupied for hours!

Thank you so much for your prayers for our family and our ministry. Isaiah 26:3 says “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.” We pray that God would grant you and us peace and that our minds would steadily trust in Him no matter what trial He leads us through.

In Christ,

Jeremy (for Kerrie, Tylee and Josiah)