Camp Patmos

I had a really nice week.  I took a week of vacation and went to Camp Patmos on Kelley's Island which is in Ohio.  I'd heard of the camp a long time ago when  friend of mine told me about it, but I really didn't have any idea where it was.  Kelley's Island is about 3 miles off of the coast from Marblehead, Ohio. 

You have to take a ferry to get to the island or fly in on small aircraft. We decided to take the ferry.  That's Masami above on the Ferry on the way over.

We left on Saturday and drove up.  I have to tell, it was wonderful to have Masami with me!  She doesn't get to travel with me very often because of costs and also because of how much she needs to do at home while I'm gone.  She now has to babysit Sweet Baby Trey so she'll not be able to travel very much at all.

Saturday night though was a big night though for my son and I.  We like MMA and their were some good matches on TV that night.  Camp Patmos doesn't have any TV's, which is great during camp.  But, I wanted to watch the fights so my boy and I figured out a work around!

I connected to my wifes computer using Skype, which is awesome.  I use it all the time especially when I'm out of the country so I can keep the costs down.  My son then turned the computer so it faced the TV and I was able to watch the fights and talk with my son at the same time over the computer!  I know, that's pretty sad!

I was able to get to Camp Patmos because I met the director last year when I spoke at Gull Lake.  Tim Richardson (pictured above), is a really good man who loves the folks that come to the camp.  They are doing everything they can to build folks up in their faith as well as bring the lost to a saving knowlege of Christ.

On Monday folks started arriving.  There were about 37 families from all over.  About 140 people total. 

I spoke once on Monday night.  Folks were really kind.  There were public school teachers, firemen, pastors, etc.  People from all walks of life.  I had really good conversations starting from the first night.

One thing that I was very encouraged by is that every day is started with a flag raising and prayer.  It was so encouraging to see these young men and women giving the Lord and our country respect each morning.

On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday I spoke in the morning and evening.  It was amazing to see the responses, especially from the teenagers.  I had many great conversations.  One 14 year old young man spoke with me daily about how encouraged he was.

Even though I spoke this really was a vacation.  I got to go fishing three days in a row.  That's Dick, my fishing buddy!  He took me out all three days and I have to tell you that I am now a professional fisherman.  I didn't catch a thing, but I can fish with the best of them.  I am so proficient at putting worms on hooks it's unbelievable!  Oh well, I was able to go fishing and that in and of itself is a blessing.

To add insult to injury one young lady went fishing with us one of the days.  She caught a 10 pound catfish, and I caught worms to put on my hook!!!  She did a good job pulling that big ole' fish in.  I'll show you her picture, without the fish unfortunately, in a second.

Kelley's Island also has very interesting geological features.  There are fossils virtually everywhere you look.  The island is made up of limestone which are filled with fossils.  One other claim to fame are the "glacial grooves".

Of course all of the signage teaches long ages.  What was encouraging though was our tour guide from Camp Patmos gave the interpretation from a young earth, biblical perspective.  This may not sound like much to you, to me it's huge though.  You can't imagine how many ministries compromise on this issue.

Wednesday night I got to speak to the staff at the camp.  We did a special session for me to, hopefully, encourage them.  Most of the staff are college students.  There are a number of other folks as well, but the majority are college age.  If we can motivate these young folks to take what they're doing at the camp and put it into place in the 'real' world the Holy Spirit will accomplish some amazing things.

One of the most fun things Masami and I did was to go tubing.  We've never done this before and it is a blast!!!!

Once we started going we found out how strenuous this really is!  It's a blast, but it's a workout.

Masami held on for a few minutes, but then decided to quit.  I got to go one more time by myself and he really picked up the speed.  That was an absolute blast.  My arms were so tired when we finished but it was totally worth it.  I'd do that again anytime.

On Friday I spoke in the morning and then we took off to come home.  Just before I spoke Libby, my fishing buddy, came uip and showed me her "tattoo".  It was cute so I thought I'd share it with you.

Look very closely at the bottom pieces.  It's a lemur, changing into an ape, changing into a human!!!!  After hearing the talk on Human Fossils she had that part put on there to show how silly it really is!!  Very encouraging!

Got an email that I'd ask you to pray about as well.  Met a couple from Tulsa in the Creation Museum after speaking.  He shot me the following email:

Hey Carl -

We met you last Friday at the Museum before your talk about keeping teens in church. We then visited with you following your presentation. We are the couple from Oklahoma, Clayton and Maria.

You mentioned you are speaking in Owassa in November and it's not far from where we live. We would like to visit with you more about your heart's message, strategy, etc. I have had a burden to share a very similar message and would love to spend some time gleaning, preparing, being sharpened ... being a Timothy, if you will.

I am 33, just moved to Tulsa. Was a youth pastor for 7 years, public school educator for 5 years, ran a secular homeless program for a year and a half ... and the state of the church is a heavy burden on my heart. Since we just got married, I moved to Tulsa with my wife and currently don't have a job and I am praying about next steps.

We are continuing praying about next steps for us, but if it seems right to you and works into your schedule while you are in Oklahoma, we'd love to take you out for a meal.

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Clayton

Lift Clayton and his wife up in prayer if you would.

Remember to cast your vote for the new "What's Going On Here?" for your chance to win.  Blessings and stay bold.

Carl K.

Email of the week!!