In June I was excited to shed my jackets and long-sleeved shirts.  Now with the arrival of cooler weather, I am ready snuggle back into cozy flannel and fleece—not so thrilled about the shoes and socks though.  I wish there was some way to combine sandals and sweatshirts at the same time—without freezing my feet!  Before I close the book on the summer though, let me give you a glimpse into the months of  June to August. 

In June, we needed workers—counselors/lifeguards/nurses—and God provided enough to cover every week.  We needed campers and watched the numbers climb as the summer went on.  One week a Japanese boy came, who understood very little English.  Because his counselor cared passionately that he would hear the gospel in his own language, he contacted his sister (living in Japan) who sent him the means to tell this boy the Good News in his native tongue.  An unfinished story—a seed sown.

We’ve been getting more campers from other countries lately.   One of these boys was leaving on a Sunday.  His ride arrived during the chapel message and was invited to sit down and listen to the last 20 minutes of the service. Over a month later she contacted us through our Camp-MI Info box.  She wrote “the speaker was talking about the God’s plan. That was one of the most beautiful stories I ever heard…would you kindly advise me how I get in touch with him? sic”  Another unfinished story—another seed sown.

Sometimes we hear the results from seeds planted years ago. An email came from a friend of Barakel who wrote, “One of my employees came into my office and said that she noticed that we support Camp Barakel.  She went on to tell me that she accepted the Lord at the Camp and that, as you would expect, it changed her entire life!  It’s amazing to reflect on how God continues to use the ministry of Barakel and to consider the amazing legacy of faith that one camp in the north woods has!”

In June, Linda, my first camp counselor was here working as volunteer staff.  I remarked on the impossibility of predicting then, where we would be 40 years later.  Who would have guessed that the counselor would serve on staff and later become the wife of a board member, and that the bookish, shy little girl would someday return to be the bookkeeper? 

The last high school week firebowl  (testimony time) was a highlight as camper after camper got up for an hour-and-a-half straight sharing how God had spoken to them during the week.  Our founder, Uncle Johnnie, would often stand looking out at a chapel full of campers and say “there’s so much potential here.”  That is still true today. We only see and hear glimpses of what the future might hold.  Which of these kids might be our next generation of counselors?  missionaries? pastors? maybe the next bookkeeper?  Seeds are sown, and we leave it in God’s hands to provide the increase.

We are now in the next chapter of our camping year—autumn.  For me it means working weekends with Mondays off, the resumption of violin lessons (5 students this year), being able to attend my church regularly, and the expectation of some vacation time in the not too distant future.  Pray for the staff here, that we would continue to faithfully proclaim the Word of God to those individuals whose lives touch ours, and that the seeds we plant now would bring forth a great harvest in the future.  Pray that we would be attentive hosts, and that we would daily glorify the name of Jesus in all we say and do.

Counting for HIM,
Marilyn