Jonah Ministries eNews

August 24, 2009

AN EIGHT WEEK MARATHON
Human plans, no matter how wise or well advised, cannot stand against the Lord. Proverbs 21:30

Each summer we know the camp season will be intense, life-changing, and over before we know it. It happened again. God worked in and through our 24+ summer staffies to reach hundreds of kids. Our two goals were once again realized: our campers 1) had fun, and 2) many took the next step in their walk with God.
This "marathon" is always challenging physically and spiritually. It brings us to the end of ourselves and there we find God. He loves it each year when we finally say, "I can't do this on my own." He just smiles, gives a hug or two, and then takes over our camp. For this we are extremely and eternally grateful.
We introduced three new camps this year (4Track Camp, Primary Camp and Grandparent Camp), each of which were successful and are already on the schedule for next year. The "old" camps (Jr. Variety Camp, Missions Camps, and Adventure Camps) have each taken on a flavor of their own and each has a wonderful committee of people that love, serve and plan all year long to make them happen. Put all these camps together and you have a jam-packed summer where kids spent time with Jesus!
As we finish up camp season number 13, we are humbled, excited, challenged and amazed with the great God that allows us to serve Him. Most amazing is how He works in spite of us! We'd like to give all glory to God for being our Camp Director and allowing us to once again be a part of his great invention of Christian Camping!
GOOD-BYE TO SOKA AND TURBO
Soka
It takes so many people to keep a camp running and these two spent more than a year serving their guts out at Camp Jonah. Soka has been our Program Director for two seasons and Turbo has been Jeff's right hand man (and our computer techie) for more than a year. Thanks, guys, for working so hard. It's obvious that Jesus is first in your lives and we wish you the best as you continue to seek the Savior to find his direction for the next step in your lives. Many blessings from the Jonah crew to you both!



HEARTFELT THANKS TO:
SUMMER STAFFIES: You know who you are. You know that you were overworked and underpaid. You also know that God used you as a tool to reach His children. And you know that you'll be blessed. We're praying that you'll be blessed spiritually and financially and that you learned many life lessons that will serve you well in years to come. We always say that "campers are just an excuse for staffies to grow in the Lord." I believe that is true again this year and that you'll never be the same in your spiritual walk. Be faithful in the Word and prayer and know that we are ever so grateful for your gift of service this summer. You are the best!
staffies

CAMP STAFF EACH WEEK: Since Jonah Ministries is crazy enough to do "Theme Camps," which means a new camp each week, that means we clean up and put away one camp and bring in a whole new crew to set up and run the next camp. Each camp has one or two "directors" and then a whole committee that plans and executes each week. Many, many (mostly) volunteer hours go into each program that targets a specific group of kids. Thank you, team, for the heart and soul that you each put into "your" camp each year. May God bless you in fun ways in return for your sacrificial and valuable service!
chris louie
dianneKITCHEN CREW (Grandma, Dianne, Elisabeth, Julianne): Camp Jonah is still known for its good ole home cookin'! It takes a whole lotta people to feed a whole camp of kids and staffies. 77-year-old Grandma still does all the breakfast cooking and so much more. Dianne (now known as "So Much") has come in to do the lunch/dinner shift and the menu and grocery list. Elisabeth or "Iggy" was our summer assistant cook and Julianne has done all of our grocery shopping, etc. This doesn't even list all the summer staffies that felt like "Cinderella" working long hours in the kitchen this summer. Thank you, Kitchen Staff, we love and appreciate each of you!
WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO


As you know, running a marathon takes a lot out of a person. The summer camp marathon season always brings about the question, "Is it worth it?" The answer is always "yes" and is proven by a few quotes:

~"Camp took N.'s walk with God to the next level. It was so great to see how he has grown in God. He learned that sometimes you have to take the first step to stand for God even when it is hard and it's not popular."

~"I can see God in a much different light now. "

~"K. is reading her Bible more."

~"Missions Camp confirmed K's call to missions, strengthening what God's put in her heart."


Scrapbooking Getaway
If you might enjoy:

Scrapbooking, Card Making, Sewing, Crafting, Free Gifts, Spa Treatments, Massages, Zipline, Climbing Wall, Coffee Delivered To You, Crafty Classes, Uninterrupted Time, Free Use Of Cricut, Meals Cooked For You, Cleaning Done For You, Prize Drawings, Girlfriend Time, On-site Scrap Store
and so much more...

this weekend is for you!!


A non-refundable down payment of $40 will reserve your place in the Scrapbooking Getaway.

Click here to register online.
CAMPERSHIPS AND NEEDS



Well, it's pretty obvious to Camp Jonah that the recession is real. This year we scholarshiped 58 campers (partial to full amounts) at a total of $9950.

It's pretty obvious to Camp Jonah that God is our Camp Director and he knew which campers should be here each week. It's also pretty obvious as we try to make payroll this week and pay our bills that we're short about the amount of the scholarships.

We believe in the God of Romans 8:28. We will always remember that "by the time we know a problem exists, God has already been working on it and his solution is on the way." (Quote by John Piper.)
Needs List
Six 12" x 18" Pyrex Baking Pans
AA Batteries & Good, Small Flashlights or Headlamps For Caving
Duct Tape

FROM THE HEART
"Don't be afraid and don't worry, Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life." 1 Peter 3:14b-15a


The concept of what worship means has me thinking these days. Growing up in the church, I'm used to the word worship being used most often in reference to singing praises to God. All summer long we talked about doing our work as worship. Do I worship my God with my thoughts, my concerns, my attitude, my work, as well as when I sing praises?

Father, may the words of my mouth and the mediations of my heart be acceptable in your sight. May the words I type and the words I speak and the jobs I do be worshipful to you, O Lord my Rock and my Redeemer.

PRAISES:

1.      The roof over the main building is done! No leaks! Amazing financial provision, safety, weather, etc.! To God be all the glory. Bring on the rain!
2.      Summer camps finished strong. So many kids were impacted with the message of Jesus and challenged to follow him closer. Our "Decision Board" is full of testimonies of changed hearts and lives!
3.      Our Summer Staffies blessed us once again. 24+ dedicated, Christ-followers spent at least eight weeks here volunteering their time, sacrificing sleep, finances, vacations and more to help reach kids for Christ. Blessings on you all! We appreciate you so much!
4.      Safety. One more summer has passed with only minor injuries. We even survived our Primary Camp kids stumbling (literally) upon a Bee's Nest! Lots of tears, but no allergies!
5.      Thanks to all of you team members who directed each camp. You are an amazing, dedicated, creative, giving, godly bunch of people.
6.      Thank you to Kim, Becky, Annie and others who came to help each Sunday with our registration BBQ. We appreciate you guys!
7.      Thanks Rachel & Donna for spoiling the staffies with such a nice End of Summer Luncheon!

PRAYER REQUESTS:

1.      Due to the amount of scholarships we gave out this year, our general fund is pretty sad today. We have great faith in our Great Provider, who continues to bless Camp Jonah through many of you.
2.      Just a few days after the Summer Camp season ended our Summer/Fall Retreats began. Now that our staffies are gone, we rely on some of them to return as they can to help. Pray foravailability and blessings on these servant-saints!
3.      Please continue to pray for our campers and staffies. God spoke to each of them while they were at camp. It is our desire that they continue to listen, hear, and heed God's call on their lives.
4.      Pray that we would give of our best to the Master and for energy and passion to serve and bless each guest group with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength.

Bringing Christ to kids & kids to Christ

through fun Christian Camps and retreats.
With you for Him,
Beki Duke
Jonah Ministries