by Pastor Dale Schatz
God is doing great things in the state of Arkansas. The churches of Arkansas have a burden upon their hearts for the camping ministry. Camp Hosanna is situated on a beautiful 65-acre campus in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas. Half a dozen churches, mostly mission status churches, are actively involved in supporting the ministry of the camp, especially since it is currently without a director. Evangel Baptist at Missionary Acres in Silva, Missouri, is fellowshipping and actively working with the camp as well, for which we are thankful.
Our camp was greatly in need of repair and upkeep in a number of areas. We have seen God working. There was a big need for a tractor to maintain the grounds, so a fund had been started to raise the money. But a considerable amount of money was still needed before the tractor could become a reality. We first challenged people to pray. As people prayed, the Lord burdened their hearts. And as a result, funds came in for a nearly new Kubota “work horse.”
After cooking for the camp last summer, my wife and I became more keenly aware of the camp’s needs. The kitchen was not climate controlled; stoves were inadequate and wearing out; paint was peeling from the ceiling; the floor tile was chipped and broken. We even had to discontinue using one of the stove’s burners because of a gas leak. Having formerly worked as superintendent of maintenance in a meat processing company, I shuddered to think of what state inspectors could do to us. One lady, who helped with the cooking, asked what it would cost to put the kitchen in good repair. Little did we realize that the Lord was burdening her to help with this effort. The board made a few estimates, and we challenged folks to pray for needed improvements.
The ladies’ retreat took a special offering, which totaled the approximate amount needed to buy a new convection oven and a holding cabinet. Next, inquiries came to us about the cost of renovating the entire kitchen. The rest is a working of God’s miraculous hand in our midst. The next gift we received was $8,000. Other gifts followed.
Approximately 1,200 hours have gone into stripping the kitchen to the bare rafters, insulating the room, and rebuilding it. In many instances, God has provided “giveaway” prices for needed materials. In other instances, Christian contractors and suppliers donated the materials. Much prayer has gone into what is emerging as a new climate-controlled, state-of-the-art kitchen. Above all, the ultimate goal is to have a tool to more adequately reach young people for the Savior! To God’s glory, we anticipate having the kitchen up and running in time for our camping season.
We are extremely excited for this year’s camping season to begin. The camp still needs an onsite camp administrator; however, we are looking forward to seeing how God will work in the lives of the young people in Arkansas.
