Men's Retreat 2011

Sixty-five men gathered at Peniel Bible Camp for the annual OBF Men's Retreat September 23-24. Although the weekend began with overcast skies, the clouds moved out on Saturday and the men enjoyed a sunny afternoon. The theme for this year's retreat was "Men of Prayer." The Lord used the messages in the chapel, the devotion guide, times of corporate prayer, and the fellowship with other believers to encourage the men during this short time at Peniel.

Time for fellowship

Delicious food

Singing in the chapel

Preaching the Word

Disc Golf

Target practice

Trying to catch "the big one"

Zipline

Throwing horseshoes

VanderSchel Update: September 2011

(For a printable version, click here)

The VanderSchels / Ohio Bible Mission / September 2011

What We've Been Up To Lately:

Cooler weather, leaves changing colors, and the start of school all signify that fall has come to Camp Peniel. What a beautiful place to be in the fall! We are so thankful to be a part of it.

We finished up the regular summer program in August and transitioned right into week-long school camps. Izaac provided program support and spoke in several chapel services, while Kim and the kids helped out in the kitchen, snack shop, and craft cabin. We enjoyed seeing many of our summer "camp kids" participate in various activities with their school groups.

The beginning of September brought on a big change for us-- home school! After teaching in and being part of a traditional classroom for so many years, it's been a big adjustment for all of us. The kids are doing really well, and Kim appreciates the flexibility of our school schedule. When we have groups here at the camp, we make some adjustments to our weekly schedule and have school in the evenings or on the weekends so Kim and the kids can be involved in the camp activities as much as possible. As of right now, we've set up our "classroom" in the living room and at the kitchen table of the A-frame. We're anxious to get into our new school room downstairs within the next two weeks!

Izaac has been blessed with an exciting opportunity to serve as Assistant Director of the Buckeye Christian School Association (BCSA). He and Pastor Keith Hamblen (Calvary-Lima), have been working together to keep on top of state legislation that could potentially have future effects on our Christian schools here in Ohio. Izaac's new position will also help Camp Peniel partner with the BCSA in future ministry-- teen leadership retreats, school camps, sporting events, etc.

We're very grateful for a busy presentation schedule this fall. The Lord has opened up some wonderful opportunities for us to share the ministry of Peniel Bible Camp in the coming months. We've been blessed with nearly 70% of our financial support and are so thankful for the "great and mighty things" that God is doing for our family and for this camp.

What's Going On at the Camp:

Jim and Jenna Wright, missionaries to Cameroon, stayed for a couple days here at camp as they passed through the area while on furlough. Camp Peniel is a great place for our missionaries to rest and regroup while in the midst of their busy travels.

Pastor Kent and Jim (Grace Church of Mentor) spent two days putting many hours of work into our A-frame basement. We are so thankful for their ministry to us in that way. They trimmed out the bedrooms, schoolroom, and hallway, and hung closet doors. Thank you so much for your labor of love!

Dan Corey has been faithfully working here at the camp 2-3 days a week. Most of his time is spent working in our basement, although he's had quite an impact on many other areas of the camp. He will be serving as the Interim Facility Manager, and we're very grateful for his willing spirit and mechanical expertise.

Fall Retreats are happening right now here at camp. We've just enjoyed having over 100 ladies for Women's Retreat this past weekend. What a great time of fun and fellowship! Brenda Riley, who grew up at Westerville Bible Church and now serves the Lord in Florida with her husband, was our speaker. She encouraged our hearts greatly from God's Word. Men's and Couple's Retreats are coming up next!

We've recently had the opportunity to update and decorate the lobby of Ashbrook Hall. Last year's Women's Retreat offering was set aside for that project. We thank the Lord for your generous giving to the camp in order to make these improvements possible.

Camp Needs:

• Funding is still needed for reimbursement of printing costs of the summer staff t-shirts. If you are able to help meet this need, a special offering or gift would be greatly appreciated.
• We are in the process of replacing some of the outdated furniture in the lakefront and A-frame cabins. If you've recently purchased some new furniture for your home and have couches, chairs, end tables, dressers, lamps, desks, etc. that are still in good condition, please consider donating them to the camp. Contact us at pdirector@obf.net or through Facebook.

Kids' Column:

Well, I've realized these past few weeks that school is school, whether it's with your friends in a building or at home with mom, your sister, and brother.


At least recess is much more fun here at camp! Dad even set up the volleyball net in Ashbrook Hall so we could practice. We've had lots of fun looking for buckeyes around the camp too. So far we've found over 200!


Our cat, Ellie, likes it here at camp. She sits in the window and watches the birds.
Love, Brenna 

Our Prayer Requests:

• continued financial and prayer support of local churches
• sale of our home in Washington Court House
• completion of the A-frame basement

Presentation Schedule:

      October 2 - Cambridge Bible Church, Cambridge

      October 9 - Wayside Chapel, Bucyrus

      October 10 - Wayside Christian School, Bucyrus

      October 23 - Calvary Baptist Church, Willard

      October 30 - Falls Berean Bible Church, Cuyahoga Falls

      November 6 - Faith Bible Church, Bellevue

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Serving the Lord and Strengthening the Church by:

enhancing the current camping program

establishing new opportunities

encouraging continued involvement

Edinger Reception: Change of Date

Dear Friends of Jerry and Cathie Edinger:

An Ohio Bible Mission letter previously went out on September 15 stating that a Friday, October 14 reception would be held at Peniel Bible Camp in honor of the Edingers in conjunction with the the October Ohio Bible Fellowship Conference.  The time for this reception has been changed.  The new time is:

Reception for the Edingers

Peniel Bible Camp, Ashbrook Hall

Saturday, October 15, 12:30 p.m.

Please contact me if you have any questions.

Donald Gallion

Chairman, Ohio Bible Mission

Phone: 419-935-0595 or 567-224-5183

dnnlgallion@christian.net

Peniel Bible Camp Through the Year

Click here to view this photo book larger

Women's Retreat 2011

One hundred seven ladies gathered at Peniel Bible Camp for the 38th annual Women's Retreat on a perfect early fall weekend - September 16-17. The Lord used the messages in the chapel, the workshops, and the fellowship with other believers to encourage the ladies during this short time at Peniel. Thank you to all who had a hand in making this one of the best retreats ever!

checking in and signing up for workshops

Delicious meals served by Dan's crew

Speaker with a smile!

Singing in the chapel

Crafts

 

Workshop in the chapel

 

Workshop in the Rec' Hall

Tea time during a workshop

Group of hikers

Zipline fun

Plenty of time for fellowship

A little competition

Outdoor games

Snacks in the Snackshop

Shopping in the bookstore

Thank you, Jerry and Cathie

The Ohio Bible Mission board invites you to attend a special reception for the Edingers at Peniel Bible Camp on Friday, October 14, 2011. A special love offering will be presented to the Edingers at this time. For more information, please read the letter from the Ohio Bible Mission board here or see the text of the letter below.

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Dear Friends of Jerry and Cathie Edinger,

The Board of the Ohio Bible Mission wishes to publically express our appreciation for the service of Jerry and Cathie Edinger during Jerry’s employment at Peniel Bible Camp. We realize that the camp has grown in facilities and outreach during these years. Jerry acted as the general contractor as buildings were constructed and joined in the actual construction. At the same time he kept up the responsibility of daily camp maintenance. Cathie worked in upgrading the grounds, managing the bookstore, and supporting Jerry in whatever way she could in their service for the Lord. Jerry and Cathie treated these challenges as an opportunity to serve the Lord and minister to God’s people as they attended to the many details of the camp. Of course, the Lord keeps detailed records of all service to Him and will reward those who do service for Him.

Please continue to pray for the Edingers as Jerry takes his new job in Akron. Please remember to pray for us as we seek a Facility Manager for the camp. If you have suggestions for someone who might fill this important position, please send their name and contact information to mission@obf.net.

You are invited to a special reception for the Edingers at Peniel Bible Camp in Ashbrook Hall, Friday, October 14, 2011 during the evening meal hour of the OBF Conference hosted by Morrow Bible Church. Word has already gone out of a special love offering for the Edingers. If you would like to participate in this offering, please send your gifts to the OBM Treasurer, designated for the Edinger love offering. We plan to present this offering to the Edingers during the reception, so please send it by October 8, 2011.

With Thankful Hearts,
The Board of the Ohio Bible Mission