It is truly with mixed emotions that this summers camp season comes to an end.  On one hand it is the for me the most enjoyable part of ministering here at camp.  However, it is very exhausting and stressful when your dealing with other peoples kids who have entrusted their well being to you for a week.  The best part is knowing that every camper had an opportunity to here the gospel of Jesus Christ.  That gospel has the power to save and to give eternal life.  That will never get old!  I want to thank all those who had a part in making this summer a great one.  We look forward to doing it all again next year.

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Wow!  This summer has really gone fast.  Of course the fact that school ended so late I think has messed with my internal clock a little bit.  The camp weeks have been great.  We started with our 3 day day camp of 101 1st, 2nd and 3rd graders.  Then over 120 4th and 5th graders to start out our residential overnight camps.  That was a good test and quick initiation for one of the most inexperienced summer staffs that I’ve ever had.  They passed with flying colors.  That week was followed by almost 100 6th, 7th and 8th graders.  Not to be out done was our high school camp which was one of the biggest in 20 years numbering 129.

What a priviledge we have to pour ourselves into the lives of all these kids.  Please pray that the truth they are hearing will take hold and change their lives.  Our theme is “Ransomed”.   If you ever do a word study, I would encourage you to do one on that word.  It is so central to the gospel message.  By the way,  over 40  decisions have already been made!  Loooking forward to the next couple of weeks.  Keep praying.

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I’m thoroughly convinced that after prayer the most important ingredient for a successful summer is the summer staff.  I am so thankful that God calls both high school and college aged students to be a part of ministry here during the summer weeks and weekend conferences.

This year we have had a lot of students ask for an application to be on staff for the 2010 summer.  In fact we almost have all of the positions filled already!  We will hold an orientation and training week starting June 6.  With all the school that has been missed it could be a conflict for some but I think it will all work out.

Perhaps you would committ to pray for these young people as they sacrifice their summer to be part of sharing Gods love with those who attend camp.  Without them this ministry would be virtually impossible to do.

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I actually have an excuse this time.  No really… there is a legitimate reason why I have not written on my blog for over a month.  Somebody turned the lights off.  I know what some of you are thinking.  “Jeff’s lights have been off for a long time”.  While it may be true they’ve been dimming, believe it or not those lights are still on.  What I’m referring to is my eye sight.   After that weekend in NC I had last wrote about I noticed a slight shadow in my left eye.  I went to the eye doctor who immediately referred me to a retinal specialist who promptly diagnosed that I had a torn and partially detached retina.  Yeah… Not!!!  Funny that the retreat I had just been at talked about being content in whatever state you find yourself.  Well, God was going to find out how true that was for me in my life.

After a few needles to the eye and insertion of a “gas bubble”  and a week of positioning my head to allow this bubble to do its thing it became clear (ha, play on words) that it was going to take surgery to repair this inconvenience.  Thankfully the eye has progressed enough in the last two weeks  that the doctor said I can use the eye again.  Hence the void of entries to the blog.  That’s my story anyway, and I’m sticking to it.

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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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