Below is an update from the Wahab family, servants of the Lord at Camp Good News in Florida and an extension of our Oakridge church family.
Camp Good News update
This last month at Camp Good News went by at warp speed with so much ground covered. Praise the Lord! This may be a record for us in meeting with the most believers at 10 different churches in 4 weeks. It’s such a blessing to meet and greet like-minded believers and have the opportunity to have them over to see what the Lord is doing at Camp Good News!
February was the month when a team of 3 SOWER couples (Servants On Wheels Ever Ready) helped out at the camp. Various painting, sign projects, maintenance and some small engine repairs got completed. Magnolia cottage is now 90% complete with only the shower tiling remaining and some touch-ups here and there. Our morning devotional focus was on the book of Ecclesiastes. As King Solomon would continue to remind us that despite “the meaninglessness” of the things of this world, we are to look beyond what is “under the Sun” to see God’s work in the hearts of men and most specifically you and I! A great reflective time as we were united and served the Lord at camp.
The month ended with an ‘EXPLOSION‘ of 21 servants of the Lord that came from Canada to help at the camp for one week. During this time some highlights included:
a) A deck off of Maple Lodge that got built,
b) Most of the low ropes course was completed with 12 elements,
c) More painting projects, including the Good News Gulch playground
d) Along with a dock repair and dock relocation at the lake
e) and the first stage overhaul to the prayer garden got completed with hammocks for the campers.
In 1 Kings 19 when Elijah went to mount Horeb, there was another explosion where God’s power was manifested through the wind, an earthquake, and fire. Here at camp, we like Elijah witnessed an explosion through the hand of God through these 21 servants of the Lord, yet far greater than that was God’s voice to Elijah that came as a gentle whisper. So too, we all could hear God’s voice through the week reminding us of the JOY in LIVING, the JOY in LOVING, the JOY in LOOSING, and JOY in LEANING all in and for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ! This daily devotional of JOY in Phillippians from Jim Rennie became our theme as we served one another at camp. As a team, we went to Eden Baptist and lead their Wednesday night service. What an out-of-this-world JOY it was to serve one another in offering our gifts to the Lord! Once again the Lord’s whisper was with us reminding us of where in Phillippians this JOY is found.
With weather-related delayed return flights to Canada for the missions team, we are glad to hear that everyone has returned safely as answered prayer! We are over the top grateful to serve with and enjoy close fellowship with many of our family at Oakridge. “I thank my God… for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel, from the first day till now.” Phillippians 1:3-5
Yet another of God’s provisions was a skid of 36 boxes filled with Florida oranges. What are we to do with that many oranges except make Orange Juice? =) After combined efforts (thanks for your help Jay!) to bless various believers and churches with them, we are now down to 4 boxes which will serve well for Spring camp next week!
I have included a link of some pictures highlighting the events of the month below. Please pray for a fruitful time with the children coming to camp next week, that souls may be saved for eternity. Our registration is growing daily as we approach the first day of camp. What better theme to have for spring camp than, “Remember your Creator in the days of your Youth” I wonder how that theme came to be?
Phil, Stephanie and family @ Camp Good News!
By job title, Alice is the office administrator at Oakridge. But her behind-the-scenes efforts go far beyond that! She is actively involved in the leadership team for the Tuesday evening women's bible study, she is on the mission committee, and she has recently both stepped into the leadership of church bridal and baby shower celebrations, and started teaching in our Ozone kids program. Oh, and if you see any special seasonal or holiday decorations around the church, it's a safe bet that Alice was involved!