I arrived back from Lagrange Wyoming last Tuesday encouraged by the students and faculty at Frontier School of the Bible.  A mentor and close friend, Mike Slone accompanied me.  Our fellowship was sweet.  On Thursday Mike called me and asked if I would be willing to go with him to a mens retreat up in Valle Crucis, NC.  I thought about the 3 days I just spent with him and thought “why not?”.  So here I am in the mountains of Boone, NC and man is it beutiful!  I’m so thankful for the oppotunity to be with 70 other men who want to focus on the Word of God and allow it to become real in their life.  I trust that is your desire as well.

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I can’t believe all the snow we’re having this year!  It is by far the most frequent snow falls since I moved to Kentucky almost 20 years ago.  I’m not trying to give away my thoughts on the subject but if this global warming doesn’t get here pretty soon I’m gonna freeze to death!  I will say that all the missed school could potentially mess up the dates for summer camp.  Right now as we speak Knott County schools are right up against their week of camp.  This would definitely be a matter of prayer.  Also pray for me as I travel out west to Frontier School of the Bible in Lagrange WY.  I’ll be speaking in chapel on the 15th of this month and hoping to make some good contacts for not only summer staff but full time prospects as well.  We are really excited about having both Kimmie and Candi join the mission full time (www.smmm.org).  They really need our prayers as they both are in the process of raising prayer and financial support.  In spite of all this snow I’m really excited about what the summer holds.   By the way the theme is set and I will let you all in on it very soon.

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It is never easy saying good-bye to someone that you have served with for almost 20 years.  I learned a lot from Leah on how to graciously serve.  I was first amazed by her talent at the piano.  She was always better than what she ever would portray.  She was so knowledgeable about music but never used big technical words.  She’d just listen for whatever key the singer was singing and within a few seconds be playing right along.   I’m going to miss that.

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All right all you 7th and 8th graders… this is your last chance to get involved here at camp in the year of 2009!  On November 13-14 the campgrounds will come to life one more time.  We are filling spots fast so if you or your friends want to reserve one you better have your parents call the Camp Nathanael worker in your county pronto.  We have limited beds available because not every cabin is heated.  It sure beats seating at the house and doing absolutely nothing.

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It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s… it’s…. Josh Feltner and the Camp Nathanael  ”All Fired Up” firetruck.  This fall football season is going to be just a little bit more entertaining, especially if your high school has been chosen to host the Camp Nathanael fire truck.

In an effort to raise awareness of Camp Nathanael and because of the desire to assist the local church in ministry, Josh Feltner is hitting the area football fields on Friday nights.  The trucks consists of several entertaining games and activities to earn prizes and food as well as a booming sound system.  There are informational  handouts as well as the opportunity for churches to sign up to have this truck come to their area as a way to draw in peolple so that ministry can take place.  Check out the dates below and make sure to stop by and say “hi” to Josh at the ”Fired Up” truck.

FIRED UP DATES

  August 28                     Leslie County High School

                               September 4                 Knott County Central

                               September 11               Breathitt County

                               September 18               Jenkins High School

                               September 25               Letcher County Central

                               October 2                       Harlen County Central

                               October 9                       Halan Independant

                               October 16                     Allen Central

                               October 23                     Hazard Independant

                               October 30                     Perry County Central

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The camp grounds sprang back to life this weekend with the invasion of D-Now.  Let me explain a little bit for those of you who may be scratching your head wondering what I’m talking about.  D-Now is short for Dicsipleship Now.  It  is one of the most spiritually impactful weekends that youth in this area can be a part of.  Hindman Student Ministries under the direction of Pastor Steven Bell sponsors and plans this awesome event.  This year was D-Now’s 8th consecutive year.  About 75 students participated and 150 people were involved overall.  It made for the biggest one yet.

The theme this year was “Gripped by the Greatness of God”,  based on the James MacDonald book of the same title.  Theme verse was Psalm 145:3.

D-Now utilizes private homes for overnight housing which creates an effective backdrop for kids to form friendships and bond with one another.  Of course there are awesome activities and food but the highlight is always the spiritual insight given at the meetings and of course the showing of that years “theme movie” during the course of the weekend.  If you would like more information concerning Hindman Student Ministries events just check them out on the web, www.hindmanstudentministries.com .

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There is something about sitting around a campfire that seems to make people think about things more deeply.  Last night I had the privilege of sitting in on a camp fire with some of my summer staff.  We had music and smores and then took some time to think and talk about some spiritual questions and topics.  I asked some to share about what made camp appealing or special to them and was very encouraged by their answers.  I know I’m a little biased but I feel we assemble some of the best young people to make up our staff every year.  This year is no exception.  Thanks to all the summer staff and full time staff and volunteers who made this summer so successful!  I would encourage you to perhaps have a campfire out in your yard with your family and friends sometime soon and see how looking at dancing flames of a fire spurs on good conversation.

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Sometimes I’m worried about high school week of camp.  As camp director, I know that many of those teenage campers have been here for 5 years or more.  We even had two eleven year campers this past week!  That’s right.  Anyway, when you have that much experience running around they know all the ins and outs of camp. 

This year was probably one of the top 5 high school camps that I’ve been a part of in my 19 years here at Camp Nathanael.  Gods Spirit was definitely present and many teens became aware of issues in their life that they needed help with.  The speaker, Dr. Gary Almon, called them “buzzards” and it seemed to hit home with many of the campers.   I also want to thank Steven Bell for leading us in praise and worship this past week.  He is pretty much a constant during high school week and we really appreciate him stepping up and leading a cabin group this week as well.

If there are any campers wanting to comment about their week just click below and let us know what you thought of your week.

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They may never record a song with a record label but I’d take the music being sung at music hour at camp any day over some of the stuff that’s being released.  You see, these kids aren’t doing it for fame or fortune, they just love to make a joyful noise.  And although there are a few times when quality may be lacking, that is usually super-ceded by heart.  No one is ever laughed at or made fun of at camps music hour.  Instead it’s enthusiastic applause and pats on the back when a camper finishes his or her special.  Dick Bowers used to say that during any given week “a star could be born”.  Of course there’s always that chance of being picked by the music committee to sing on the radio program that is produced every week of summer camp.  “The Voice of Camp Nathanael” can be heard on two local radio stations each Saturday morning.  We invite you to gather round and tune in.

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It wasn’t long after Beth and I arrived here in May of 1990 that I began dreaming of a gym being built at camp.  It was really not only a prayer request answered but a dream come true when camp finally opened its gym.  One reason why I think it was so high on my “wish list” is because I was the recreation director back in my early years and every time the thunderstorms came I was left scrambling for ideas to not only keep kids dry but also to keep them occupied.  One summer we had cabin skits in the shelter building.  One time we had a group of high school students that crammed into the Kentucky building.  Those were unique times it which you had to think very fast on your feet.  It was also very stressful too. 

Today we just funnel them into the gym and have fun there.  Tonight we had such a storm so we had after supper recreation in the gym with all 92 campers.  We even moved the store over there to keep kids out of the rain.  Yes, it still took some flexibility from my staff and some adjustments from the recreation director but not nearly as difficult as the “old days”.

Let me take this opportunity to just brag on my staff this year.  What an awesome job they did in rolling with the punches and allowing that great love of God shine through tonight, even through the rain!  “Thanks guys!”

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