Fall Happenings

 This past week Bethel Camp hosted the Bowling Creek Mennonite Church for their annual campout. They had a good turn-out. I think they fed between 35 and 40 people most meals. Kenny Miller, a pastor from Trinity Fellowship in northern Ohio, was the special speaker. Mary Eash said, “There were just so many little blessings during the entire weekend that added up to a big blessing overall.” They enjoyed the fellowship of the Turners Creek Mennonite Church for the Saturday evening service. A Christian brother (Pastor Peter) from India shared about the work he was involved with and the obstacles they faced. He challenged them to become involved in helping grow the church around the world. The Lord provided beautiful weather and brilliant fall colors set off by a bright blue sky as a backdrop for the weekend. It was even warm enough for a hayride up Little Buckhorn on Saturday to enjoy the fall scenery.

I’including a picture one of the campers took during the fall youth retreat. One of the afternoon activities on that Saturday was photography, and there were some really beautiful pictures taken. Another group made a Bible story video during that activity time, but if you want to see that you’ll have to make a trip over to camp so they can show it to you. Their video was out of an obscure passage in Isaiah – leave it to creative young people to search out a passage like that.

I sure like the good prices I can find on meat at our local IGA grocery store. Good meat too. My wife Ruthie makes a delicious “harvest stew” made with butternut squash, apples, and pork roast. It makes my mouth water just to write it down. I know that it doesn’t sound like it would taste that good, but you’ve got to try it to believe it. And, seeing that our garden produced about 25 butternut squash, we’re all set for some good eating. We’ll just have to get over to IGA to get some more pork. Speaking of IGA, do you all know about their e-scrip cards that can help local charitable organizations and schools. If you register one of their cards, and then give it to the cashier before you check out, they will donate a portion of each purchase to the charity of your choice. If you haven’t got a card and you shop at IGA, you can sign up and choose to benefit Bethel Camp when you shop there.

Phil Swartzentruber and the Teens for Christ group from Breathitt High School came here this past Tuesday. They came to spend an evening talking, planning and enjoying a campfire in the cold. We are encouraged as we see these young people standing strong for Jesus in their schools. Pray for them as they come to mind.

If any of you campers from this past summer left something at camp, a pair of your favorite jeans, shoes, a shirt, a disposable camera, or anything else, call us up or come over and we’ll try to find it for you.

Have a great week and make sure you get outside early in the evening just as the sun sets and breath 5 deep breaths of cool air. It will make you appreciate your warm house and will probably relax you and give you some fresh perspective. Try it and tell me what happened.

–Roger Voth