When walking in England, instead of opening gates between fields, you can climb across a stile. One or two steps on each side of the fence allow easy access to the next field, and you can literally be standing on both sides of the fence at once.

March is an interesting month. Not quite winter, not yet spring, it hovers between the two, teasing with warm breezes and melting ice, followed by a last blast of cold and snow. On February 27th, the last Saturday of the winter season, our staff children received their summer brochures in the mail. It felt like we were standing astride the fence, ready to step on down to the next field of ministry.

Some encouraging reports we received from the winter were:
• “I came to the Father/Son retreat and brought my two sons. It was the best weekend we’ve ever spent together. My oldest son went home and filled out an application to work for a week this summer.”
• “I came with three couples to the Married Couples retreat, and we all had a fabulous time.”
Pleasant words to hear, but even sweeter were these two reports: • “Six kids in our youth group prayed to receive Christ as savior.”
• “The teen that I called and asked you to add in at the last moment, accepted Christ last night.”

If fields are our camping seasons, then the ten weeks between the last winter retreat and our spring men’s retreat is the lane between the hedgerows. It is a bit calmer, out of the intense heat often found in the middle of the field, but active all the same. Much of our energy right now is focused on preparing for the summer ahead. Among the varied things that happen are:

• Interviewing, reviewing applications, and processing paperwork for the summer staff.
• Inflating the “Blob” and putting it, along with the pontoon boat back into the lake.
• Ordering supplies for activity areas, and the camp store.
• Our zip-line operators need to be recertified, and every rope, carabiner, harness, and support checked.
• Registrations are processed, and acceptance information sent out.
• The Board of Trustees meets, to review the previous period, and deal with future planning.
• License plate tabs are renewed, along with paperwork for all types of insurance.

Of course the inevitable cleaning, bill paying, and general tasks must be dealt with too—all of those things that are necessary to keep camp running efficiently.

We also try to accomplish some projects as well—this spring the bridge on the foot-path around the lake was replaced. Our head cook sanded down, and refinished all of the picnic tables in the West Side Dining Hall. (No small task!) Pine Cabin will be re-shingled—part of an on-going and never-ending plan to keep our buildings in good repair—and work continues on Heritage Lodge. As God provides, we hope to use it sometime next year. This spring we are offering something new called the “Set-apart Girl” weekend, with Leslie Ludy as our speaker. We are excited about it and it is completely full—with over 330 registered. Please pray with me that God will use this event to help girls gain a vision for His purpose in their lives. The dates for the event are May 21-23.

I appreciate your investment in me and this ministry. Thank you for your prayers for God’s hand of protection on this ministry, for strength to accomplish daily tasks, for joy in service, and that my organizational and bookkeeping skills would bring glory to God.

Marilyn Powell
MarilynP@Campbarakel.org