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.
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
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
-------------------------------
Serving the Lord and Strengthening the Church by:
enhancing the current camping program
establishing new opportunities
encouraging continued involvement
