You are on page 1of 6

Amazed. Blessed. Encouraged. Excited.

These are the words that come to mind when Leslie and I look back at all that God has done in our familys life. I am amazed at what can happen in just one year! It was just over twelve months ago that I turned in my resignation to my previous ministry and began the process of packing up for our move to the Copper Country. We said goodbye to good friends and to eighty-four degrees, sunny Florida and moved to twenty-eight degrees, snowy Upper Peninsula where we began building all new relationships. We saw God provide in some miraculous ways financially, spiritually, and relationally. I quickly realized how blessed I was to be a part of this exciting ministry to all age groups. It was during the three youth weeks that we got to see over 29 students accept Christ as their personal Savior and 70 others dedicate their lives to Christ, Leslie, Robbie & Maggie Fischer desiring to walk in a more intimate relationship with Him. Many others committed to go home and share their faith with friends and family. The family weeks were an unexpected blessing as I was ministered to in such a special and unique way seeing families give of their time to be in a place where they could grow closer in their walks with Christ together. It was also during family camps that six of the children came to know Christ as Savior in their own classes. During our bike camp we saw a young man wrestle with his beliefs and understanding of God. After praying for him all week, we had the opportunity to see him turn his life over to Christ on the last day of camp, just before heading home. We finished off the camp ministry for 2013 with the senior saints retreats which surprised me the most as I went into the week not knowing at all what to expect. I was so blessed to see veteran Christians sold out to the Lord and as on fire to share their faith as they were when they first believed in Him. I also found myself just as worn out after the senior saints retreats as I was after youth camps! Looking back on Leslies and my first season at Gitche Gumee, I would say that another recurring theme was that of encouragement. I was encouraged to see the love, passion, and desire for this ministry in so many people who gave voluntarily of their time, made financial sacrifices, and most importantly, labored with us in prayer. The summer ministry was also blessed with volunteers who came wanting nothing more than for the Gospel to go forth and for the camp to succeed. It was also a blessing and encouragement to sit in the office and daily receive financial gifts that were given to aid in the continuing ministry of Gitche Gumee. Finally, I am excited. Nothing gets me more excited than seeing someones life change for the glory of God. My Grandpa Hart used to say, You will not be able to leave the same way that you came in to camp. You will either be in a more intimate and close relationship with the Lord or walk away with your heart hardened to the things of God. It was exciting to be a part of a ministry that puts the Gospel and a resulting, transformed life as a focus for people as they are confronted with His Word. I look forward to what God has for this ministry and am so amazed, blessed, encouraged, and excited that I get to be a part of it!

Youth Camp Review


Words cannot express the blessing it was for the camp to be able to provide financial aid for families to send their children to youth camp. Due to your sacrificial gifts, we were able to give out over $13,000 from the Hart Youth Scholarship Fund. Over 70% of our campers required a full or partial scholarship in order to come to camp, and we used every bit and more of that money. I had a young girl who had filled out her own scholarship request write me a hand-written note to thank me after I told her that her week at camp had been fully paid. What an awesome testimony to the Lord as He provided through His people! Those who gave to this scholarship fund will never know exactly who their money went to but can be encouraged to know that their gifts had a lifelong impact on a young persons life. One of the requirements for the kids that came was to write out their testimonies at the end of the week. We asked them to share what their lives were like before camp and what God had done in their lives through the teaching of His Word while at camp. Below are a couple of examples. I didnt really want to come to camp but just came because I did before. When I was listening to the missionary speaker and Pastor Paul I realized how far I had wandered from God. I thought that God was not even talking to me but the truth was I was not trying to listen. This week I recommitted my life to Jesus and thank God for the shout! I have been coming to Gitche for many years. This week at camp has convicted me in many ways. I have now realized that I need to be a witness to others wherever I go. The Lord is really telling me that I had to show others in school the true way to eternal life, Jesus: I am now feeling a need to tell other non-believer friends about the Lord. The messages this week have helped me grow spiritually and I am very grateful for this camp and its faithful servants of the Lord. The Lord is really talking in my heart and I just really want to strive to do everything for Gods glory. I have encountered many trials being a part of the public school, but I now see that I have more opportunities to spread the good news. I never felt as secure as I have been here. Ive never told about my cutting or my suicidal thoughts but being with these girls made me feel safe. I still havent accepted Jesus as my savior because I believe that Im such a piece of (trash) that I dissevered to go to Hades. But, I hope that in a few years Ill accept Him as my Savior.

As you may imagine, it was both a blessing and a heartache to read through some of these. It was also apparent that the students fit into one of three categories: those that came to know Christ as Savior, those that rededicated their lives to Him, or those that left having learned about Him but having not accepted His free gift of grace and salvation. The need for the youth scholarship is great as the last testimony suggests. Would you please continue to pray for the youth of the Copper Country who are dealing with some very deep and difficult issues? If the Lord would impress upon your heart to give financially, that would be an added blessing to these campers and to the future ministry of the camp as well. When you consider that your gift could change the course of a campers life for eternity, you can see that it pays great spiritual interest. Our goal this year is to see $20,000 raised for this fund, as it would allow even more students to come and hear the Gospel. We did not have to turn away any campers who needed financial aid last summer, but what we gave only scratched the surface of the number of kids in the area who could have come if we hit the streets, schools, and other local areas.

Projects
We were so thankful to see almost all of our big projects completed last spring with the financial gifts of many and the willingness of others to serve during the work weeks. We had a large group of people give of their time and expertise, allowing us to complete necessary projects which would not have been an option without their service. The bridge project, which was probably the biggest undertaking, was completed just before our first group of junior campers arrived on campus. We saw many other tasks accomplished including replacing heating, lighting, and a variety of other electrical projects which made life much easier and safer in many of our cabins and dorms. In addition, the ladies met countless needs with their cooking, sewing, cleaning, raking, and organizing. This year we already have a growing list of necessary projects for which we are also raising funds. We already have money donated for a new playground that will be erected before camp

next summer. We dismantled the old one as it was a bit of a safety hazard. We have need for the continued replacement of outdated electrical wiring, new roofs on four of our cabins, a new mower, and the replacement of our handicapped accessible ramp leading up to the lounge building. We have already had money given specifically to some of these needs and look forward to seeing God provide for the remaining projects.

Other Exciting News


Gitche Gumee has another staff member who has joined the team! Caleb Hamm served at camp this past summer as our program director and support staff manager and did an excellent job serving in both of these capacities. Caleb will be working as an intern, helping update our website, initiating use of social media, developing promotional material, and aiding in a plethora of other projects. Caleb will also play a vital role at First Baptist Church of Calumet in the youth department as he works with Pastor Tony Laidlaw. Please pray for Caleb as he is in the process of raising monthly support to meet his financial needs in order to minister alongside of us here. You can follow his ministry and progress at CopperCountry4Christ.com.

Caleb Hamm

Life of Ministry
Mel and Carol Jones have faithfully served for almost five decades in the ministry here at Gitche Gumee! Mel has worked in the capacity of director for thirty-two years and was involved in many other areas of ministry before becoming the director. Carol

has ministered faithfully by his side by serving as kitchen manager, office aid, housekeeping supervisor, childrens teacher, and in whatever capacity was needed. It is impossible to describe the powerful impact that they have had on this ministry and in the lives of the many people who have come through the gates of Gitche Gumee. At the fall Gitche Gumee board meeting, Mel requested to set the date of his official retirement to be October of 2014. This will give me another camping season to work alongside of Mel, learning all the tasks and responsibilities that are involved in being camp director. This should provide the smoothest transition from Mel and Carol to Leslie and me. The camp extends this invitation to attend an open house dessert fellowship dedicated to Mel and Carols ministry during the final week of family camp on Sunday, August 9th from 3-5:30. We would certainly welcome any and all kinds of letters, emails, and gifts that would show your appreciation for their lives and ministry which will be presented to them during this special service. If you would like to provide a financial gift please make checks payable to Mel and Carol Jones. Send your gifts to the camp office where they will be placed in a separate account until the party date. Mel and I have had many discussions about what this time of transition will look like, and I am comforted and thankful that they will continue to be a part of this ministry that they know and love, willing to serve in whatever capacity that is needed. They have been so good to Leslie and me as we have adjusted to life in the Upper Peninsula, working patiently with us as we have learned the ropes during this time of transition. It is a huge support knowing that they are just across the street as needs arise. We understand that we have some pretty big shoes to fill! Please consider being a part of this week of camp as we celebrate Mel and Carols ministry and their great example of dedication to the Lord!

Carol & Mel Jones

You might also like