December 2011

Grace & peace to you dear friends & family!

Can you believe 2011 is almost over and that the Christmas season has begun? We have so many things to be thankful for, and we pray your day of thanksgiving was outstanding! The Good News is this SEASON is all about JESUS! We are entering the time of celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior—the Redeemer of all mankind.

God desired a family when he created Adam & Eve, but as we all know that family chose another path. God the Father wanted his family back, so he made a way for reconciliation through Jesus the Way, the Truth & the Life. (John 14:6) Today we have the choice to be in the family or not. As He told us in Deuteronomy 30:19-20, “… I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life…” We choose life and that means blessings. Truly we have been blessed beyond measure!

There are natural and spiritual families. We have been so blessed by our natural family The Carlsons. Mr. Carlson left this earth in 1994 and Mrs. Carlson Berry moved to heaven in August of this year. We are dedicating this newsletter to their memory and to the legacy they left. Part of the land of Camp Harvest was bequeathed by the Carlsons to us some years ago, and then we added some acreage we had purchased to that land. That is how Camp Harvest came into existence. In memory of our dear mother, Jo Ann, we are in the process of clearing a trail named Cookie Trail which she named after the original property was purchased in 1978. This trail was a wagon road. When we told her before she passed we wanted to develop the trail and dedicate it in her memory, she was so blessed. Carlson Company which was started by Mr. Carlson in 1958, machines flanges for equipment used in the refining & petrochemical industries. One of the company’s flanges was placed in October as the entrance to Cookie Trail. The 7 Carlson children, 3 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren were recently at the camp to bury the remains of her ashes and to walk the trail. It was a very special time! This trail winds through the beautiful forest and ends on the highest peak of the camp called Holy Hill. The trail is not yet complete, but the plans are to have it ready before next summer. What a beautiful way to remember a beautiful woman! We are reminded of the passage in Psalm 127:3-5 NIV “Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate.” The Carlsons have left a wonderful heritage!

As we thank God for our natural family we also thank God for giving us the opportunity to be born again and to be a part of His family. As we reflect on the real meaning of this season and how and why Jesus was born we are overflowing with gratefulness. “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” Romans 8:17 NIV That is something to shout about! We have an inheritance!

Where will your focus be this season? Will it be on all the parties, the gifts to buy, maybe loneliness will weigh you down or will you focus on the wonderful gift of joy that God has given us through His Son Immanuel God with us?

As 2011 comes to a close you may want to give a year end donation to Camp Harvest. We will continue clearing Cookie Trail believing it will be ready for next summer. You may want to make an investment into this project. A swimming area is being developed on the property, so that may be an area in which you would like to partner with Camp Harvest. Also, you may want to give a gift in honor or in memory of a loved one or friend. An acknowledgment would be sent to the one you are honoring. You could support a camper for next summer or help with the operational expenses at Camp Harvest. Volunteering at the camp is also an option as there are always service opportunities, and prayer is the foundation of everything. Thanks for prayerfully considering how you can help.

The Women’s Advance held in October was a time of refreshing & refilling for 20 women. The theme was “Faith in Times of Crisis.” As we strive to go higher in the Kingdom we know it is impossible to please God without faith. One lady reported it was most definitely a divine appointment. The Lord told her she had come out of her tomb. May that be our prayer that we leave things from the past behind and move into the new things He has for us. It is so exciting to see how the Lord touches people!

We are collaborating with Cass Job Corps training their new students every 2 weeks in life skills for the 21st century. They bring these students to the camp. We also continue to help weekly with a group on their center who are overcoming challenges with drugs. Before Christmas vacation we will have the privilege of training the 60 staff at Cass. We are so honored to be partnering with the Job Corps program. Our local school brought 183 6th graders for the annual pre-teen workshop. Teambuilding was the goal of the students from the Kiamichi Technology Center located in Poteau, OK. We are blessed to work with so many different groups and ages. Please consider how we could help your church group or business team. Developing teamwork certainly makes the dream work!

Where will your focus be this season? Will it be on all the parties, the gifts to buy, maybe loneliness will weigh you down or will you focus on the wonderful gift of joy that God has given us through His Son Immanuel God with us?

Our wish for you this Christmas season is that you will seek His face and celebrate His glorious birth. May the words of “Joy to the World” resound in your soul & spirit. “Joy to the world! The Lord is come: Let earth receive her King; Let ev-‘ry heart prepare Him room, and Heav’n and nature sing, And Heav’n and nature sing, And Heav’n, and Heav’n and nature sing. He rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove the glories of His righteousness, and won-ders of His love and won-ders of His love, and won-ders, and won-ders of His love.” Our prayer is that you and your family will stand in awe of His love and that you will share that love!

We continually praise the Lord for our natural & spiritual families as well as our friends. We are blessed beyond words to have the love & support from all of you. As part of our family, we invite you to let us know how we can encourage you and pray for you and your family. Blessings to you in the upcoming new year!

Harvesting Together,

Joel & Lisa

December 2011

Merry Christmas!

We pray you’ve had a great first semester and you are enjoying your life!  How have you done with your goals for the school year?  We suggested some to you in the letter we sent to you in August.  Have you accomplished any of these? If you have we say HALLELUJAH, if you haven’t we encourage you to make and keep some new goals for 2012.  In case you have forgotten here they are: tell others about Jesus, read the Bible & pray, befriend the loners, do homework & turn it in on time, obey my parents, be respectful to all those in authority, go to church, get involved with a youth group.

Things have been happening at the camp.  We are developing a swimming area on the camp property that is really cool! We have also started clearing a really neat trail called Cookie Trail.  It will end on Holy Hill, and it is a beautiful hike through the woods.  Joel’s mother passed away in August and we have dedicated this trail to her memory.  She was a wonderful woman and this trail is a wonderful way to remember her!  We have also started building another dorm, so as you can see things are happening!  We are NOT staying in the box.  Are you staying out of the box?

No doubt you are looking forward to the Christmas vacation, the gifts you will receive and the gifts you will be giving, but don’t forget the REASON FOR THE SEASON——JESUS!  We encourage you to read Matthew 1:18 through the end of chapter 2.  These scriptures tell of the birth of our Lord & Savior.  Even before Jesus was born on the earth, He was given 2 names which both indicated His identity and ministry.  Immanuel tells us who He is—God with us.  Jesus took on human flesh while keeping His deity.  He became the perfect God-man.  He walked among men and suffered the weaknesses of humanity.  Yet He also displayed the power of the Almighty God when He healed the sick, cast out demons, and raised the dead.  Jesus means “The Lord is salvation” and that describes what He came to do and that is save us from sin through His death on our behalf.  He saved us AND He is with us!  Now that is something to shout about AND to share.  Be ready to share the Good News with your family and friends.  People’s hearts are more open at this time of the year, so be bold for Jesus!

Our prayer is that you count your many blessings this Christmas and become more like Him.    Philippians 2:7 says it so well. He gave up his place with God and made himself nothing.  He was born to be a man and became like a servant.

We love you and pray for you to keep focused on Him.  We would love to hear from you.    Blessings to you and your family  in the new year!

Mr. Joel, Mrs. Lisa & the Camp Harvest Team

Greetings to you in the magnificent name of our Lord & Savior, Jesus the Christ!

The Message Bible in Ephesians 3:20-21 says, “God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.” DO YOU BELIEVE THIS? Whether you do or not, it is the truth and that is what sets us free. God is BIG!!! We have just finished a season of camp like none other! The theme was Taking Off the Limits and we used the passage in Ephesians as our foundation. We taught about getting out of the box because so many times we limit what the Lord wants to do, and we stay within our comfort zone. We must change our way of thinking (Rom. 12:2) and think BIG like Him!

Every summer we experience so much at camp that it is truly difficult to put in words, so we must glean through our memories, pictures and written things to put together what we have in our hearts. We are the trustees of the greatest story that has been or will ever be told. It’s a love story that is so wonderful that it has changed the course of the world for eternity. It’s the story of the love of God shown through Jesus the Christ. At camp we are witnesses to some of the most moving stories told by campers, and we get to watch as they intersect with God’s love story. What a privilege and joy to be witnesses of this! We would like to share just one of these precious stories.

Brianna and her cousin, Abby, both delightful twelve year olds, attended camp last summer. This spring Brianna called and told us her mother had lost custody of her and her 3 siblings. The 4 children were taken in by a family in our community. Isn’t that like God to provide a home? She expressed her desire to return to camp, but told how the family didn’t have the money. I assured her the Lord would provide, and of course He did. Scholarships were given so that Brianna, a brother, a new sister and Abby could attend. The brother accepted Jesus, and the girls were filled to overflowing with the love of Jesus. At the end of camp we took the children home and received a phone call that very night. Brianna was overjoyed! The kids had prayed for the dad and he was so blessed. He got on the phone and expressed his appreciation for what had happened with his kids. Three weeks later Mr. Robbins told us, “The Lord has opened my eyes through my kids and now I am getting more and more from God. He will use anything to get your attention and he definitely has used my kids!” In the upper left hand corner of the picture page you can see these beautiful children. To God be the glory!

Here are a few unedited comments campers wrote while at camp.

“He has changed me by telling me that I am a leader and that I will be the one to encourage my

family to read the Bible and go to church.”

“He has shown me that I am beautiful in my own way.”

“He came into my heart and now I am a new person.”

“He changed me and I’m happy now that I now know how to forgive. God is good.”

“He restored me to back the way I was and should be.”

“He gave me love and respect for others. He showed me that I am not alone and shouldn’t be afraid.”

“I feel happy because I forgave my mom. I helped Angel to accept the Lord. He used me in a special way to talk to others and to not be shy to praise His name. He told me that I am forgiven and also I have forgiven. “

“I want to spread the great and glorious word of God. I know now that I am going to be a missionary and I love that idea. I want more of God. I never want to leave Him never. And I’m going to bless everyone that gets near me.”

Is that your desire to bless everyone that gets near you? Do you want more of God? In our teaching at camp we talked about the door to more. The door to “More” is open. You can have more of the Lord and then you can give more to others. The campers loved actually walking through the door. Let us be like John who said in John 3:30 NIV “He must become greater; I must become less.” Keep your eyes and heart focused on Him because what you focus on multiplies. Not that Jesus gets bigger but we understand more of His greatness. “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Eph. 2:10 NIV There are people in your sphere of influence who do not know Jesus the Christ or who need to be encouraged to go through that door to more. Step up to a higher level and go and share the greatest news ever told and that is——————

JESUS IS THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE! (John 14:6)

The door to more is open to all of us. We are looking forward to the fall season as we have opportunities to expand our teaching with Job Corps students. The heavy equipment department continues to make progress on the area surrounding The Gathering Place. As we mentioned before landscaping is a need for the near future, so we ask you to pray about how you might help with this.

We will be hosting some retreats for groups and former campers as well as participating in several school events. Check out our updated website campharvest.org. We now have a blog and Camp Harvest also has a facebook page so we can stay connected. We are moving forward!

We give glory to the Lord for the great staff we had at camp this summer, but most of all we give the Lord all the praise for what He did for the children, youth and adults. Hearts were touched and changed. Thank you to all who supported us in prayer and finances because together we are making a difference!

Love mixed with faith be yours from God the Father and from the Master, Jesus Christ. Pure grace and nothing but grace be with all who love our Master, Jesus Christ. Eph. 6:23 The Message

Harvesting Together,

Joel & Lisa