Camp David of the Ozarks

Sending campers home is one of the most difficult jobs I have. This time was no different. I had checked and cross checked all the evidence, and the fact was that this camper, *Ruby, had been secretly smoking and making cell phone calls at camp. I was also dealing with campers sneaking out at night. When we asked her about what we had heard she denied it all. I shared with her how addictions drive us to do things we hate and isolate us with the fear of others finding out. I encouraged her to be strong and ask for help, but she wouldn’t talk. When Ruby’s dad arrived (her mom is in prison) she was confronted on the stolen lighter and cigarettes, but she still remained hard. Her Dad spoke to us of the troubles he had had with her including stealing, and said that she was headed right for the juvenile home. Before she left we held hands and prayed for her. It was hard to see her go. Although we had campers that had made good decisions that week, we still felt for the ones that we feared would never come again. The opportunity to make a difference seemed gone for good. In November, Grace saw this camper’s grandmother in Rolla. She told us that Ruby had made a change! Since then we have received letters from Ruby telling us of the change in her life and expressing that she was sorry. She asked us to pray for her and said she’s learning to turn to God for help. God isn’t finished yet.

Some of you remember Princess Amethyst who was dissmissed from camp for smoking in the outhouses during senior girls week. Well, we just recieved a letter from her, to her sponsor who had sent her a birthday card and gift. Here is a portion of the letter:

“Since camp I have been going to church! I’m starting to understand more about God and realize how much he can help me! He has helped me through a lot with my mom being in prison and me and my dad not gettting along so well.”

We were so encouraged by her letter. A few weeks ago she wrote a letter to Ben & I and said she was sorry for her behavior at camp and said she had prayed and asked God to forgive her too. When P. Amethyst left camp that day in June she seemed so hardened and unrepentant. We had prayed a blessing prayer for her and I believe that even though we didn’t see it, God was working in her heart and softening her with the love that many of you, our staff, poured out on her. I feel confident that the seeds that we, as a camp team, have been planting in her life the past 3 years are beginning to bear fruit. Let’s pray that she will continue to grow in her walk with God, and that she could return as staff someday- think of the impact she could have when she shares with the campers from her own life and walk with God!

Serving Jesus,

Grace Smith
Assistant Director,
Camp David of the Ozarks
www.campdavidozarks.org

I had an amazing week as a counselor for the senior girls. Even though my wagon was packed with eight people (when it is supposed to hold six), our girls bounded well with each other and with us counselors and we made a great team.

When a guest speaker gave the gospel message five of my six
 campers stood up to accept Christ!

One of them was extremely dedicated to memorizing bible verse and had 47 by the end of camp!

I was touched when another one of my girl trusted me and opened up for the first time to tell me about her home life and to get prayer
 and help.

It was also great to see one girl come shy and quiet and open up and make friends.

Overall it was an awesome time of watching God work in the lives of some very needy kids, and it was an honor to be a part of His work at this camp!

-Lady Sparrow

I have really enjoyed my time at Camp David. The kids were good to learn with, and I feel that we have all grown in the Lord. I know that I have never prayed as much in one week as I have here at camp. I think that this experience has really helped me get closer to God and I hope that we helped these kids a little bit too.

-Deputy Dog 1st Week
This camp is a great blessing both to the kids, and the staff. As a counselor , I got a chance to get to know the kids and their situation at home. I also felt that the lessons were a good refresher for me. I really thing that Camp David brings everyone involved closer to God.

-Deputy Dog 2nd Week

“A worker at a local thrift shop connected us with Princess Sky. Princess Sky was eight years old, she had light blond hair and blue eyes, and she moved back and forth from her mom’s to grandparent’s home.

As her mom signed the registration papers for her to come to camp, she explained that her daughter had been crushed by her daddy’s recent prison sentence of 17 years.

When Princess Sky came
 to camp we quickly discovered that she was a very picky eater! We found the only thing she would eat was peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and they had to be folded and made just right.

During her week at camp our staff showed Princess Sky unconditional love and shared with her the hope of Jesus Christ. Princess Sky trusted Christ as her personal Savior and learned that God was her Daddy and He would
 and help.

always be with her. Just a few days ago, my wife asked the thrift store worker how Princess Sky was doing. Her face lit up as she responded “Oh, she really enjoyed camp; it did a lot for her… She really wants to come back nest year!” It is so neat to hear stories of the difference camp had made for these kids, months and even years, later”

-Ben Smith

(Camp Director)

Slouching across from me sat Pyro, with his arms crossed and a sad/angry look. He was 14 yrs. old and a little overweight. His face was slightly flushed, with freckles, and he had a cast on his right leg. Normally he had a great disposition but tonight, Pyro sat there fuming over a spat with another camper at supper. Despite my best efforts and the camper’s apologies, Pyro was stuck, refusing to forgive or enjoy anything at camp.

I stood and asked the last of the boys to sit
 down, and introduced the next event, which was “Character Awards”. Two college age team leaders in slightly stained yellow camp shirts stood up. They pulled up some awards and one began “ This award is for Orderliness and Determination. This camper always knew where his thing were and even set the stuffed animals in order…” Pyro stood up with a slight grin on his face and puffed out his chest. They continued “…He also demonstrated determination… by
 never complaining his leg but just giving it all he had… This award goes to Pyro!” As everyone clapped, Pyro half-marched, half-limped over for his award. Later, after all the activities were over, I saw Pyro on the way to his wagon. I put my hand on his shoulder. “Are you still angry?” I asked. “No, every thing’s fine now” He said with a smile. “I forgave him.”

-Ben Smith

(Camp Director)

This week was really a challenge. I had some tough girls, but it taught me some things. I’ve been involved with different ministries and camps, but never with girls who have a harder life with possibly abuse and other influences in their lives. It’s easier to run to God when everything is easy or just
 a little bad. When the girls lives are much harder, they have a hard time trusting people around them including Jesus. I noticed how each girl grew a little through this week. There is still a lot of hurt in their eyes, but I know that we are reaching them! God bless you, you have taken a step to touch the
 lives of boys and girls that most people forget about. They are usually left out or forgotten, even though it’s hard to do you’ve obeyed God and are making a big difference! Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your ministry.

-Mia-

“Speedman really didn’t understand that he was a sinner until I took him aside during the salvation invitation. After a lengthy discussion about how he rarely gets to see his father and how God can be a father to the fatherless, he prayed that he knew that he was a sinner and wanted to accept God’s gift.”

~Lance Fisher (Deputy Pirate)