On page 3 of the spring 2013 Deerfoot Tracks: “Contributions have been received in memory of …   Bill Gardner.”

Bill was a DL camper, and then a Woodsman counselor for the summers of 1986, 1987, 1988.

In the staff lounge is a bound, 365 page volume of the selected verses with brief commentary for each day of the year – with Bill’s written responses – including through staff training and summer camp. This discipline and what he wrote give insight into Bill’s thinking, into the desires of his heart.  We learned he did this from his parents, after he died.

Now when Daniel learned that the decree (pray only to King Darius for 30 days) had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.  Daniel 6:10

Bill had a congenital hip problem – he walked with a limp, and was frequently in pain – though this pain was never obvious, and he only spoke of it in response to specific questions about his hip or pain level.  He was a Woodsmen counselor who played the games aggressively – so much so that I had to ask him to turn down his intensity a bit.  Every week of summer camp he led Woodsmen canoe trips and sometimes hikes.

Bill was head of Wildlife and on a dark night of each session, after taps, Bill would meet a significant number of campers and staff to teach them about what they were seeing in the night sky.  From the Lookout, Sally Jo and I could hear Bill teaching about the constellations…and so much more!

I have in my head a picture of Bill taken during one of his many skits on banquet night.  100% involvement.

The illustrations Bill used in his cabin devotions were often talked about by his campers and others.  He communicated God’s truths in memorable ways.

Bill married Heidi, who worked one summer on staff, and he became a school teacher.  Soon thereafter, on his way to the school where he taught, Bill was killed in a car accident.   Those who knew him were stunned!!!  Contributions continue to be made to the camper scholarship fund established in Bill’s name by his family.

What will be remembered about me…and you?

That we spent time alone with the Lord every day – reading the Bible, thinking through the passage and recording our thoughts?

That, in spite of our physical limitations, and perhaps pain, we pushed the edges of our limitations, bringing encouragement to those who knew us?

That we shared our knowledge in a way that brought understanding to those who wanted to learn from us?

That we communicated God’s truths with a thankful heart, a joyful spirit?

I know Bill Gardner lived In Partnership With God!

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day–and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. II Timothy 4:7-8

After being the Director of Sky Ranch, where it was necessary to develop a camp/conference program, design the buildings, over-see the construction schedule (outside contractors), establish a camping ministry at a new location, and begin a conference ministry – where, after 7 years, there was a full time staff of 11 that served 8,700 people that year…

Nothing could have looked better than to become the Director of a ministry where I could be directly involved with young people.  The program was good, the location was choice, and the buildings were solid.  The fact that camper attendance was down 50%, the buildings were in poor repair, much equipment needed to be repaired or replaced – these were problems that could be used to build godly young men.

The building process included teaching Biblical truths in a variety of ways, teaching skills most of mankind had been using for thousands of years – while celebrating the joy of living in the wonder of creation.  To do this with an incredibly supportive and helpful Board of Directors that sought to be Christ-like men – while knowing that an ever increasing number of people of all ages were actively praying for Deerfoot and sharing their skills, money, and all manner of equipment…could it get any better?

It is a beautiful day at The Lodge:  mist coming off the water, fishing in the still of the morning, sun rising over the Dugs, sailing in a moderate breeze, learning to canoe in circles and in a straight line.  What fun climbing a hill or mountain, stopping to see a beautiful flower or waterfall, and at the top seeing the view.  How many places can you watch a beaver slap its tail?  Watch a loon from 30’ and hear its call at day break, at noon, and after taps?  Supper is great around the camp fire or in the dining hall.  Flex time provides good choices.  Capture the Flag or Prisoners and Bases pump adrenalin.  Singing choruses with a piano and 5 guitars or hymns with the piano, trumpet and cello encourages the heart.  Being part of a staff that desires to be and build godly men creates a climate for personal growth.

What a privilege it was to live in Christian community where having “stuff” did not matter and the distractions of advertising, television, and movies did not exist.  Healthy Christian living was the norm – including forgiveness when needed.

Much of what we did was routine – a calendar was prepared that showed when everything should happen and a 400 page staff manual explained how everything routine should be done.  Every After Breakfast Bible Study was developed on the same format.  Every summer ended with 1 on 1 walks with the summer staff – always informative, frequently challenging.  Doing the routine with excellence built godly men and enabled the ministry of Deerfoot Lodge to be effective.

Yes, there were enough problems to keep us humble and challenged – broken vans, broken arms, broken engagements, broken hearts, and broken rules.  Stupid things were done – by me too!  Dealing with these situations built godly men as did Bible studies, cabin devotions, and lying on our backs looking up at the stars.

Many Campers became Guides, and most Guides became Counselors and Support staff.  A few of these became Section Chiefs, Guide leaders or the Director’s Assistant.  Most Deerfooters became fathers, leaders in their homes, their churches, their place of work, and their communities by sharing their lives – by celebrating life.  Hundreds became ministers and missionaries, and several went into Christian camping as their vocation.

Deerfooters who seek to be godly men have daily time alone with the Lord, fight being caught up in much of what is considered normal by the majority of Americans.   Deerfooters enjoy sharing the wonder of God’s creation with their families and the young people at church.  True Deerfooters celebrate the life God has entrusted to them.

My dad ended a letter to me with “God bless you, Love Dad.  P.S. can you imagine anyone being given an opportunity for a greater impact on lives than you are having right now?”   Sally Jo and I couldn’t!

I woke up this Sunday morning with words of Mendelssohn’s “Hymn of Praise” in my head, words I would be singing tonight as part of the Jubilate Concert – 90 minutes of great choral music.

The words:  “I waited for the Lord, He inclined unto me.  He heard my prayer, He heard my prayer…”  I had been rehearsing this music for three to five hours a month for six months – plus four hours the previous day and many hours on my own.  The words were firmly into my memory and my heart.

After church, I was stopped by a member of the choir who said there was person who was in need of prayer.  I turned to see a friend, his wife and three others huddled together, all in tears.  As I walked toward them I was told that my friend’s wife had learned on Friday that she had Huntington’s disease – a non-curable nerve degenerative disease.  We prayed together ….   Heavy.   “I waited for the Lord, He inclined unto me.  He heard my prayer.”  After the concert I saw the lady, opened my arms, and as she came for her hug smiled and said “I’m ok now.”

A Deerfooter was with his wife in the delivery room as they waited for the birth of their baby – a baby they knew would be still born.  The Holy Spirit brought to the Deerfooter’s mind:  “Jesus is with me wherever I go; Jesus is with me I know.  Over the mountains, the land and the sea, Jesus I know is with me.  As oft through the valley of sorrow I go, His hand is upon me I know, I know.  Jesus is with me wherever I go, Jesus is with me, I know.”  As a camper and staff member, this Deerfooter had sung this chorus after every candle light service, at every Circle of Friendship for probably 12 summers.

At the end of every Lone Eagle ceremony everyone stands to sing: “Stand up, stand up for Jesus, ye soldiers of the cross.  Lift high His royal banner, It must not suffer loss.  From victory unto victory, His army does he lead, Till every foe is vanquished, And Christ is Lord indeed.”

One of the joys of living in the Director’s cabin, The Lookout, was that a trail to the point was about 3’ from the back of the cabin and 5’ from the front porch.  At the beginning of the sessions we would hear the campers talking about life back home, often trying to impress each other…movies…cars…soccer games. After a few days we would begin to hear campers going by singing choruses they had been singing after breakfast and at campfires.

In the staff manual is a list of 29 hymns from which are chosen 5 for the Sunday morning worship service.  These, and many others, are sung at the Breaking of Bread Service.  Over time these hymns become integral to the lives of campers and staff.

When I hike alone it is a privilege to sing to the Lord “Holy, Holy, Holy” and other great hymns of the faith.  On the night before my Lone Eagle ceremony I stood on Lone Eagle Rock, high above camp, and sang joyfully to the Lord!  The next morning, I stood to sing again and I vividly remember that nothing would come out right…the words, the notes…I quit.  I climbed down from the rock to the 2 Lone Eagles waiting for me.  As we hiked silently down the Dugs, my Lone Eagle name came to mind.  “Gentle Rock” This is what my parents had been to me.   At the lower lean-to about 35 Lone Eagles were waiting for us.  After Breaking Bread together, I saw a canoe coming quickly across the lake – not a good sign.  When the canoe was about 10’ from shore I realized the bow paddler was my wife, Sally Jo.  She came to tell me that during the night my father had died.  He was with the Lord.

In 1996 Deerfoot recorded its first CD, 26 choruses, 12 hymns.  The singing is alive, vital…intense.  The CD was mailed to that year’s campers and staff, and to all those who had made contributions to DL in the previous year.  Frequently first year campers arrived having learned the songs from their brother’s CD.  Many DL families sing the songs together.

“Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.  Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.  Know that the LORD is God… Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD. Ps 100/150

In 1947, when the dining hall was being completed, chairs were purchased for the end of each table from a lodge that was closing.  The first time I was in the dining hall, I noticed the caned seats of most of the sturdy chairs had broken through.  After camp, when we had returned home, I learned that Al Dence, a retired minister, did caning.  Al was 85 and had been a paraplegic since he was 74. He and his wife lived in his son David’s home, about 5 minutes from our home.

When I went to meet Al, he was in his small workshop in a closed-in porch. He greeted me warmly.  I remember thinking he looked about 60 – and that he was very muscular from the waist up.   I explained who I was, told about DL, and asked if he could replace the cane seats of perhaps 30 chairs.  I explained that there was no deadline as the campers and staff could sit on the benches if necessary.  Al said he would like to do the work as a gift to Deerfoot.  This was wonderful as Deerfoot Lodge had almost no money.  I would bring the chairs from DL to our home.  Al called when he was ready for 3 more chairs, and I would pick up 3 repaired chairs.  When summer came he, his wife, and his daughter would move to Al’s 50 acre farm in Wells which he had bought while a pastor in Northville in the 1930’s.  He continued to re-cane the chairs, sending a message to camp (no phone) that he needed more chairs.  He did excellent work and I looked forward to the 25 minute trip.

Al always greeted me with a smile – often a laugh!  We would talk for a half hour or more.  Being with Al was always an encouragement.  As a child, Al had lock-jaw and was fed with a straw through a hole from a broken tooth.    As he grew up, Al had enjoyed athletics.  He served in the U.S. Army.   As a pastor of small country churches, he enjoyed working with the congregations to up-grade their facilities.  When a church in town could not hire anyone to repair their very tall, steep steeple, Al did the work.  When he was 74, Al began to stumble.  Three months later he was a paraplegic. His daughter-in-law, Ann, says that she never her Al complain – Never.  He was thankful for the full health and strength he had enjoyed for so many years.  As he got older, his mind remained razor sharp, but he became hard of hearing, and always prayed out loud.  One night, when Al was 96, Ann went in to check on him before she went to bed.  She heard him praying “I know, Lord,  it won’t be long now. I can tell things are different”. He died within a few weeks.

I asked 86 year old Al Dence if he would speak to the campers and staff on a Sunday morning.   “I would be delighted to!”   We built a ramp and a raised platform.  When Al was to speak, we rolled his wheel chair up onto the platform so everyone could see him.

Al spoke on Victory!  He may have talked about being a paraplegic, but what I remember is when Al told about joining the United State Army.  His first night in his military barracks Al knew he had a decision to make.  Every night, when he was growing up, he had gotten down on his knees by his bed to pray.  His decision:  Did he have the courage to do this in the military barracks?  Was he going to let his situation control his actions because of possible ridicule?   Al decided he would get down on his knees – for he was not ashamed of his commitment to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

“That was VICTORY” Al shouted, and in his excitement he pushed himself straight up in his wheel chair.

I have never forgotten that moment, or the man who lived a victorious life as a pastor, and during the 21 years in his wheelchair.  Al Dence lived “In Partnership With God”.

The Apostle Paul wrote “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile”.  Romans 1:16”  Paul wrote of what happened as the result of his sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. “Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea “ II Corinthians 11:25

Hub Baehr was a DL staff member in 1933 when Deerfoot Lodge moved from its location on the Kunjamuck River to Whitaker Lake.   That summer Hub arrived before camp began, riding in his brother Conrad’s 1922 Buick open touring car     – “a heavily built vehicle with a strong frame, a powerful engine, a tough transmission and clutch, and 21” wood spoke wheels”.  The car was loaded with all manner of stuff needed for the new facility: coils of wire, hanks of rope, picks, shovels, pails, step ladders – and Connie’s “custom made” wheels –rims to which were welded pieces of angle iron.  The road into camp was almost non-existent – it took 2 ½ days to go the 2 ½ miles.

Hub helped to create the ball field – an open area used for a saw mill many years before.   Hundreds of trees, 2” to 6” in diameter were cut off at about 4’.  A chain was wrapped around the stump, fastened to the Buick, and yank…That summer he also milked the camp’s two cows, drove the horse team, and carried water from the spring, up the hill to the kitchen located in Old Hardwood.

Dad Kunz chose Hub and nine others to begin the Lone Eagle program in 1935. These were men who had excellent camping skills and were “well qualified in the areas of cooperation, initiative, spiritual maturity, leadership ability, and physical ability.”

In 1982, when I became the Director of DL, Hub was a member of the Board of Directors.  At age 70 Hub moved to senior status.  Those in senior status served in the same manner as did regular Board Members, except that they were not expected at every meeting.   Hub continued to attend every meeting, a consistently warm, supportive, encouraging man.  Occasionally he would make a brief comment, or ask a thought provoking question, often opening up new avenues of thinking.  He was the man who challenged the assumption that Sunday at DL should look like Sunday at home.  He was the catalyst for having the DL 75^th reunion at DL in 2004, when over 500 came for the weekend.  After two years of tentative discussion to change/clarify the DL doctrinal statement, Hub quietly said “I worked with Dad Kunz on the original – I think he would be pleased.”  Approved unanimously.

When Herb was about 78, he returned home from a Gideon meeting to find his wife, Lilly, dead on the laundry room floor.  She had been stabbed.  Three weeks later Hub went through with previously scheduled triple by-pass heart surgery.  A few weeks after the surgery, Sally Jo and I went to Hub’s home to visit him.  His preparation for our coming included pre-heating the tea pot and placing slices of pound cake on a beautiful plate.

We were having a wonderful visit with this gentle giant of a man when he asked if we had the Deerfoot slide show with us.  As we watched the slides together he would frequently tell a brief story.  Sometimes we would laugh together, and at other times, through tears he would quietly say “The Lord is Good, the Lord is Good”.  We looked, laughed and cried together for a couple hours.

Recently Sally Jo and I attended Hub’s memorial service.  His family was there, and I think every male in the family had been a Deerfoot Lodge camper, most had been staff members.  The majority of those present I did not know.  These were people who knew Hub in the context of his church, the Gideon’s, and from his years as the Assistant Superintendent of a large school district.  Many of these people gave testimony to confirm that Hub was the same quiet, steady man I had known.   Hub consistently lived his life as God’s man.

I have often thought of Hub as my Abraham – tested, and found trustworthy.

He lived In Partnership With God.

Sticky Buns are served every Sunday Deerfoot Lodge is in session, every work weekend, and at least once during staff training.  During my 23 years as Director of Deerfoot, sticky buns were served over 100 times, and they were always very good to excellent.  Every Sunday morning during summer camp, cabin owners were waiting for me to deliver their sticky buns via canoe.  And every Sunday they were delivered, though at least once from a station wagon due to lightening.  Consistency!

For 23 years, the Director of Tripping Operations had the needed hiking permits waiting for the hike leader, together with information as to route and difficulty of the trip – plus the location and time for their pick up.  He had the needed maxi-vans (up to 12) waiting in their designated location so that, immediately following the After Breakfast Bible Study, the campers and their counselors could go to their assigned van…and leave.  Consistency!

Each summer there were counselors who were consistently exceptional.  Their cabins won a disproportionate number of cabin inspections and their hike group van would arrive at DL full of singing campers – even after hiking in rain for two days.

The consistency of doing what is right every time goes unnoticed until the results of inconsistency become obvious.

The staff should have been counting off during the hike down the Dugs – certainly during staff training!!!!!!!!!   One year, when the staff gathered at the Dug’s bottom lean-to, we realized that 10 year old Daniel Tucker was missing.  Dan’s father, botanist Gordon, was helping with staff training and asked if Daniel could go with the staff while he taught us about the plants we were seeing.  Daniel had gotten tired of waiting while his dad talked, and gone ahead while we listened to his dad.  Daniel missed a turn…  He was a frightened little boy when we found him 30 minutes later.  I was with the staff!  We had been firmly reminded of the importance of counting-off when hiking- Consistently

One morning I was so frustrated with a staff member who was consistently late for the 7:00 A.M. staff meeting that I had another staff member take the cannon to the Hutch cabin and….you got it!   He was never late again.

Consistently good food is a DL tradition!  One noon, on the cook’s day off, his assistant served ginger bread cake – it was beautiful.  But it was inedible!  Somehow a large quantity of baking soda was mixed into the batter.   I told the assistant “It does not trouble me that you made a mistake – just don’t serve your mistake!  Bury it!!!!”

During an epidemic of staff inconsistency, I prepared a devotional on the subject for the 7:00 A.M. staff meeting.  That morning I accidentally over-slept. Instead of waking at 5:30 a.m. to review my After Breakfast Bible Study notes before the staff meeting, I woke up about 6:55, threw on my clothes and headed out the door…as Ken Hoffman was walking up to the Lookout.  When I was not on time for a staff meeting, the staff thought there must be something was seriously wrong with me.  Ken had come to check up on me.  Inconsistency!    A perfect introduction to my devotional.

“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us”.   II Corinthians 5:20

Do those who know me consistently see the love of Jesus lived out in me?  When we live In Partnership with God”, we are worthy ambassadors of the Lord Jesus Christ.  May this be our goal!!

No time to prepare IPWG this week – here is personal update…if you want it. Where my time went, as father, husband, past director of DL, while Living In Partnership With God

Let’s begin with fun ones! Time on phone with daughter, Sea, who is in her 16th month riding her horse across the country – to date: northern CA to MS. To read more: http://www.freerangerodeo.com

Free “housing” available for you in Vieques, Puerto Rico April 12 – 24. Several years ago same daughter, was living/working in Vieques and was able to purchase property off the grid, near the top of a high hill. Deerfooter’s Jason Reitz and David Speers spent 2 weeks beginning construction of the little casita – 16X16 2 story + decks. Finished many years ago – Sally Jo and I have stayed there perhaps 10 weeks. Incredible/simple living. Rain water into 1000 tank, sink, normal toilet and stove. Lay in swinging queen size bed looking out over green valley to Ocean in distance. Irish couple there now for 3 months. Sally Jo and I will stay there April 25-May 1. Would like to fill gap. If seriously interested – chiefchuck@deerfoot.org

Personal things include devotions/exercising with/without weights, walking 5 days/cross country skiing one morning, Sally Jo teaching 2 grandsons piano, fixing supper for son Dirk’s family – every Thursday after lessons-before choir. Got car inspected. 2 Concordia Touring Choir members – overnight. Prepared for and met with chairman of key committee at church. Phone Calls.

Sally Jo spends hours each week as chairman of church’s foreign mission committee. Three years ago church had no relationship with any foreign missionary. Now church significantly supports couple in Nicaragua. After leading trip to Poland, last summer she lead team of 11 men/4 women to work with this couple/school in Nicaragua. This year’s team could be close to 20. I will go too.

Caught up on e-mails for first time since July.

I was the minister for a couple’s wedding 30+ years ago, and they began contributing matching grant gifts for DL staff soon there-after. Last summer their grandson was at DL as a camper and they stayed with us for 4 days. This week – e-mail: $15,000 ready to contribute. E-mails to set things up with couple and Chief Ron

Spent hours evaluating/making 1 suggestion on a new “Recreation and Camp Administration” major at Indiana Wesleyan University. The head of a department talked with me about his dream about 6 years ago. Looks very inclusive.

I spend a couple hours completing a job reference for a former staff member – only to get more and more uncomfortable with what he was applying for, even though he was qualified: 2 Master’s and PhD. I spent 4 hours on the phone talking with 3 people who confirmed my feelings. I called “applicant” – who, when we talked, realized it was not where his heart was. I worked a bit more on another Deerfooter PhD placement.

I was the minister for a Deerfoot family’s daughter perhaps 12 years ago – the husband, 41, died this week of pancreatic cancer – wife and 3 young children. Really Tough!!!!!!!!!!!! Hub Baehr, who was part of DL from its very beginning, and for perhaps 50 years on DL Board of Directors, died this week at the age of 97. Saturday Sally Jo and I drove 354 miles to attend memorial services for these two special people. I spoke briefly at Hub Baehr’s funeral.

Today, after church, we had a 3 hour rehearsal for April 14 concert: Mendelssohn/Bach, etc.

Can you see why I did not have 6 -12 hours to write IPWG?

Sally Jo and I are frequently asked: How are you doing? We live wonderful, very full lives. Hopefully the above illustrates the answer.

No one worked harder than Austin Dover.   He served behind the scenes, often in the kitchen.  Austin was not talkative, and I only remember his speaking to the entire staff once: devotions at a 7:00 AM staff meeting

The thrust of Austin’s devotional has stuck in my mind.  His point:  we often want to do great things for God – and we would like to see God do great things.  We needed to focus on doing the small things for God that are our daily responsibility, and watch for the many small things God does.  The devotional was short…we got the point!

God is at work!  God is in control!  We can count on this, but we cannot count on God to routinely alter the laws of nature, the world He created.  Neither can we count on God to ignore the results of man’s disobedience – in the Garden of Eden, or in our daily lives.  As the result of man’s disobedience, past and present, we will all physically die. In the mean time we struggle with pain, suffering, loneliness, discouragement, sinful thoughts, desires, and actions.

Through Jesus Christ our sins are forgiven.  They are removed from us as far as the East is from the West.  Psalm 103:12   Wonderful!  But the scars of sin remain, even after our sins are forgiven by God, and often even after we have been forgiven by the person we wronged.

I know God loves me, and occasionally I feel an overwhelming love for God!  At such times, God provides within me an incredible joy – Joy in His goodness to me.   This can happen to me when I am having my morning devotions, in church, or when alone in the wonder of His creation – but these moments are not my norm.  I just plug away at living a life pleasing to God.  When I am aware that God is using my words, my actions for His glory, I smile, both inside and out.

I do ask God to do great things.   I wait, but struggle to have confidence in God’s wisdom. Recently a Christian friend of 33 years died of cancer.  The week before she died, we called Addie, and her husband, Jerry.  We talked and laughed together.  Locally we have a friend who is in need of a lung transplant.  Another friend has been told there is nothing more the doctors know to do that will save his life.  Recently another friend moved to North Carolina.  He lives with on-going bouts of cancer. Two days ago we had yet another friend call to say cancer had returned after 8 years of being cancer free   I know Mark 11:24:  “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours” And John 14:13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father”.   Many have prayed, and nothing has physically happened that is known, yet I have seen God heal others.  I identify with Solomon:  “As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the maker of all things  Ecclesiastes 11:5   I get discouraged with God, but yet I don’t.  Who should God heal?  How long should the healing last?

God has given each of these people who are special to us, and to God, peace…joy.  Those who still live are pushing life to the limit, with happy hearts. Sally Jo and I are thankful we are with two of them weekly.  On a trip planned months ago, Sally Jo and I will have time with the family where the cancer has reappeared, and with Jerry, whose wife recently died.  God’s timing?  God’s timing!

A month ago Charles Alexander sat next to me on the plane 3 hours after being released from solitary confinement in a federal penitentiary.  On Saturday he called me and we had a long conversation. On Monday I was able to call Charles and tell him I would come to his halfway house in Indiana on March 25^th.   I will bring Jerry with me. The 3 of us can have lunch together, and Jerry and I will have 4 hours in the car to talk.  Same trip.  God’s timing?

Yesterday I learned that my brother, Dick will be honored at a dinner on Saturday evening, March 23.  We will be there!

As Austin said: Focus on living an obedient life, in the little, the routine things.  I can go months unaware of God’s direct involvement.  And then, like now, I see what has to be God at work.  God is in control!

We may know the staff pretty well – but never completely.  We certainly do not know the joys, struggles, and needs of each camper.  And how could we possibly know where each camper was in their relationship with God when they first arrived at DL – even after 2 weeks.  When a camper was assigned to a cabin with two Counselors, hopefully the camper would be able to quickly build a solid relationship with one of them.  Perhaps both counselor and camper had struggled with the death of a sibling, or lived lonely lives after having moved to a new school, or had a father out of work.  Perhaps both had been to Europe, loved soccer, or liked to read.  In such situations, the Counselor, Section Chief, and I humbly thanked the Lord.  But there were situations where neither of the cabin’s Counselors was able to get close to the camper.

I remember one young camper who seemed to prefer being left alone.  Walking to instructional areas, during flex time, even at line-up, he kept to himself.  Many on the staff had seen the camper.  We knew he must be hurting deeply, but it is tough to relate to a camper who lives in a shell.  A few days into the session we talked about him at the 7:00 a.m. staff meeting.  We hurt for the boy.

A couple days later a staff member noticed that when this camper went into the camp store and saw one of the older staff girls, Heidi Naysmith, working behind the counter, he would just light up….he became a very different person!!   Walk out the door and his body language became very clearly “just leave me alone!”  Heidi, who had grown up at DL, became aware of the situation, and offered to take the camper on a hike up the Dugs.   I told her to “Go for it”.*  When asked, the camper came alive:  Huge smile!

The next day was beautiful.  After breakfast the two of them picked up their tripping food, went down to the lake, put on life jackets, and headed out for their great adventure!  During flex time the two of them paddled back across the lake.  The grin on the camper’s face was obvious!  Up to the camp store they went, and Heidi gave the camper an “I Climbed the Dugs” T shirt!  For the remaining days of the session, everyone experienced a very different camper.

“I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me”   Matthew 25:40

When Heidi Naysmith Rekard took the camper up the Dugs, she lived/hiked In Partnership With God, and she continues to do so.

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*Even as I write this, I know some of you are thinking – never take this risk!!!   I hear that, but in the late 80’s there was not the level of paranoia there is today about child abuse and law suits.  Would I make the same decision today?  Fortunately, I am not facing the same decision.

On Saturday afternoon a camper from New York City, Albany, Boston, or Newark  drives up Rt. 30, and, sees more trees than he has every seen in his life…and a shallow rushing river next to the road.    He sees the pig rock as the mini-van turns off Rt. 30 onto the stone road…never ridden on one of those before.  More trees!  He is welcomed, his suitcase is taken from the van, and he is soon walking with an increasing number of excited people who seem to know each other.  He is guided past a large, log building called Founders Lodge, and there is the lake – just like on the DL calendar.  He nervously gets through registration, has his temperature taken, his hair is checked for lice!  Someone picks up his suitcase and he is taken to his log cabin where he meets his counselor, few campers, and picks his a bunk.  He is asked if he wants to take the swim test.  Swim test?  The test is explained, he puts on his swim suit, and one of the campers takes him down to the swimming area.  He learned to swim at the park pool.  He realizes he will have to jump into the lake.  The lake must be very cold – everyone is talking about it – and there will be fish!

After supper and a camp fire, his cabin group walks back to their cabin. Entering the woods, it is very dark, and quiet – not like home with street lights and cars and horns.  The cabin is dark, until his counselor lights the two gas lamps…really cool!  He is relieved when his counselor says that if anyone is afraid to go to the Waldorf alone at night, they should wake him up.

In the morning he gets dressed and walks out the front door of his cabin to see the sun rising over the Dugs, and a lake that is beautiful.  Sparkling!   He knows about the soap scrub, and soon he is having his first.  What’s the big deal?

After the sticky buns in the dining hall, everyone is told by the Director to go with their cabin group into the woods.  “This is what I want you to do:  Notice the quiet beauty of God’s unaltered creation.  Enjoy the colors.  Listen to the sounds. Feel the textures in the woods.  Notice the different smells..  What are the differences between DL and home?  Do you see things that remind you of something about God? A “symbol” of God?  Many times Jesus taught with stories, called parables. Can you make your own parable, a story that teaches something about God?”  He comes out of the woods, excited and awe struck.   It was incredible!  The Woodsman cabin groups sit together on benches by the beak poll, and he hears what others have seen, what they have thought.  Wow!

Monday morning he learns he must take swimming, campcraft, and an instructional area he can choose – archery!  The singing with six guitars, bongo drum and piano is good.  Everyone sure sings loudly!  And some songs do really fast.  The after breakfast Bible study is about King David.  Interesting.   David did a lot of camping too.  Campcraft is first period.  He has never held an ax, built a fire, or seen a compass.   So much to learn!!!  Swimming is easy, now that he has been in the lake twice.  He passes his basic in one day!  Tomorrow – canoeing.  Those canoes sure look tipsy!

The hike is fun.  Never knew what a hike was.  Returning to sleep near camp sounded good.  While eating, he hears a loon.  His cabin sits around a small campfire while his counselor tells that Jesus must have done a lot of camping.  As he crawls into his tent, he hears the wind blowing in the trees and hopes one does not fall on his tent!  In the morning, while in his sleeping bag, he hears frogs – and the loon again.   The pancakes and bacon are really good!

The next summer he returns as Pioneer.  To get to his cabin on the Point, he walks in the woods along the edge of the lake – it’s about a half mile.   He learns that on the Point there are two outhouses – no Waldorf with a light in it all night.  Monday morning he begins working on his Basic in canoeing, learns how use a compass and geological survey map.  He starts a pottery project in crafts.  On Thursday his cabin climbs the Dugs – a tough hike with a back pack.   Incredible to be able to look down onto camp.  He goes with his assistant counselor to the small spring on the top of the mountain. He assembles his own hobo dinner and puts it in the coals of the fire.  Really good!  Then s’mores…and devotions by the campfire – This is his world.

Two summers later he is an Indian.  His first night it rained – really rained!  Noisy, but he stays dry.  He signs up for a canoe trip!  He has his advanced…ready!  The next summer he takes the Allagash River trip – canoes some rapids!  Selected to be a Guide, he gains confidence, sharpens his skills, canoes for two weeks on big lakes and rivers in Canada, and hikes for two weeks in the Adirondack High Peaks. He spends a three days in the woods – just himself and God.  He reads his Bible, thinks, prays, journals…then runs the last 10 miles into camp.  The woods have become another home for him.  He is ready, and he knows it!  Ready to be a counselor, lead a hike, teach canoeing,   Ready for college.  He is committed to being God’s Man!!

Deerfoot men know the answer to Richard Louv’s question: “What would our lives be like if we were as immersed in nature as we are in technology?”  Life gets back into perspective.  God becomes real – personal.

A University of Michigan 2008 study demonstrated that after an hour of interacting with nature, attention spans improve by 20%.  Perhaps this is one reason why boys who struggle at home and in school thrive at DL.  In 2012, University of Kansas research reported “a 50% boost in creativity for people who were steeped in nature for a few days”.  Perhaps this is why campers and staff come up with crazy stuff to do.

How can you spend time each week surrounded by God’s creation?   Why would this be worth the effort?

“Be still, and know that I am God….I will be exalted in the earth”.  Psalm 46:10