To friends of Camp Barakel,

“…fear not, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand… For I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, ‘Fear not, I am the one who helps you.’ ” Isaiah 41:10, 13

It has been one year since we became Resident Missionary Staff Appointees, and three months since we were able to remove “Appointee,” move to Camp, and join the resident staff in God’s work here.

The one-year mark causes us to pause and reflect on the eventful year behind us. As we consider the words of the Lord in Isaiah, there were many times in the past 12 months when we had opportunity to be in need of strengthening and help. And the Lord was, as He promises He will be, faithful to provide.

We recognize the Lord’s provision of strength and help by way of the many people He has brought into our lives in the past year:

* In those who made commitments between March and November to co-labor with us as they support us as missionaries in this Christ-centered camping ministry;

* In the family and friends who helped us prepare our house to be sold last summer; helped us load our household belongings into Camp’s luggage semi trailer; and made a welcome, temporary home for us in their home last fall;

* In the saints from our sending church in Grand Rapids - Whitneyville Bible Church - who, with their love, prayers, and financial support, commissioned us to full-time missionary service, and in the many guests who came to share in that day with us on November 11^th, to the glory of God;

* In the resident staff who welcomed us warmly when we arrived on November 13^th to work among them;

* In our brothers and sisters in the assembly of Christ Our Life Church in nearby Curran, MI, who also welcomed us warmly into their church body and prayed for us during our journey to Camp;

* In the seasonal staff ladies who have blessed us with unexpected kindnesses of help in the kitchen on busy days;

* In the resident staff men who have converged on the dining hall after a heavy snow to help Bruce with his shoveling responsibilities around the large East Side Dining Hall;

* In Dave and Betsy Proper, the East Side Cooks whose ministry roles we are stepping into at this time, who are training us well and with much patience, and who have assured us they are just a phone call away “24-7” when we are without them in the kitchen;

* In all those who, in the past 3 months, have sent us notes of encouragement and reminders of their prayers to the Lord for us. These have been from people we know well, and from some who know of us but we have yet to meet. We are grateful for, and sustained by, these prayers;

* And finally, we continue to be amazed and thankful for how the Lord helps, strengthens and sustains us this busy retreat season by way of His provision of Camp’s volunteers, known as Part-Time Staff (PTS).  These dear folks show their love for the Lord by serving Him on weekends in the kitchen (and elsewhere around Camp). Their busy days begin around 6:30 AM Saturday and Sunday mornings (often after a short night of sleep), as they arrive in the kitchen with such a willingness to worship God in their service. We have been blessed repeatedly by PTS who have asked, with a smile on their face, “What can I do to help?” and then stood patiently as we determine what needs to be done next. Then there is the dish room crew, also PTS volunteers, who receive the mountain of pots and pans, dishes and silverware that are sent their way, doing so with willing hearts. The Part-Time Staff are a distinct and treasured joy in this ministry, and we are grateful for them, each weekend, as they minister to us and with us.

Each day, we praise and thank our God for the privilege of being a part of this ministry. As well, we are deeply grateful to the Lord for the help and strength He provides by way of all those dear ones mentioned above. We recognize His sovereign hand in bringing these people into our lives in the past year to equip us to do what He has called us to do at Camp Barakel.

To Jesus Christ be the glory!        

“But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ‘The LORD is my portion,’ says my soul, therefore I will hope in him.”  Lamentations 3:21-24

Bruce and Kris Schedlbauer