We attended the wedding of Genna and James a few weeks ago. Genna served at camp as our kitchen assistant for two summers. She was a wonderful help and took on a great deal of responsibility including running the kitchen by herself on our day off. She spent many long hours helping us prepare meals, snacks and packing the overnight meal crates for the campers. We watched Genna grow daily in the grace and the knowledge of the Lord Jesus. We became close friends during her time with us and consider it a privilege to know her. We are praying for a kitchen assistant to help us this summer. Maybe you know of someone ministry minded that would like to serve in the kitchen. Would you pray with us to that end?

I was looking over letters that other resident staff have written this spring and noticed that the younger families usually do not need to include a health update - well, because we are no longer considered young here goes: Dave continues to gain strength and energy after the heart ablation procedure last November. We thank God for the mercy and grace He continues to extend to us day by day and we do thank you for faithfully praying for us. Betsy's back is still about the same. She has less pain if she remembers not to do too much lifting or bending. Sometimes she forgets and has to pay for the momentary memory loss! We are thankful for the many helping hands that come our way to help out and know that God will continue to provide volunteers needed to get His work done.

We have made a few contact information changes. We no longer have a land line telephone number. If you need to reach us by phone our cell# is 810-730-2202 (Betsy) or 248-891-6604 (Dave). We also have now entered the 21st century by changing from dial-up to broadband. Our new e-mail address is daveandbetsy2@gmail.com We would love to hear from you sometime!

We still have plenty of room for any men who would be interested in attending the Spring Men's Retreat on May 14-16. It is a beautiful time of the year to explore the woods, catch fish on the lake and renew your relationship with the Lord. Also in May we are having a set-apart (girl) weekend. The date is May 21-23. The speaker will be Leslie Ludy who is the best-selling author of Set Apart Femininity, Authentic Beauty & When God Writes your love Story. Encourage the mothers, daughters, youth leaders, students and singles that you know to register for this special event for girls seventh grade and older.

Thank you for sowing generously to the work that God is accomplishing here at Barakel. "This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people, but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God" (2Cor. 9:12)