Code # 931352

COVER PINE VALLEY CAMPAPRIL 2013

Psalm 62:2 “Truly He is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will never be shaken.”

504 Chapel Dr. Ellwood City, PA 16117

724-752-1661 Office724-752-1662 Faxwww.pinevalleybiblecamp.orgpinevalleycamp@gmail.com

Return Service Requested

ROCK sOlID

I am so excited to announce we have some special guests coming to Pine Valley this summer to share some amazing stories. I must admit, I am a bit of a fan of these guys and after this summer I might even become a groupie. This group is not only world famous, but they have played a significant role in history and have witnessed some undeniable acts of God. I hope the testimony of our special guests will help our campers discover a Solid Faith in God, who is our Rock, our Salvation and our Fortress.

Now this group was really hard to get to Pine Valley. I had to go dig them up since they don’t email, text or call. It took a lot of time, sweat and travel to unearth these characters but after a lot of sunburn on my nose and sand in my clothes I found them. So I bet your wondering

who it could be. Before I tell you who our guests are, I will give you one last clue; Jesus himself mentioned them near the end of his ministry. Who would Jesus have mentioned that could be around today? Are you ready? The Rocks! Yep. Rocks. Jesus said in Luke 19:40, “I tell you… if they keep quiet, the rocks will cry out.” Pretty awesome, huh?

Now I did not go down to the gravel pile and get just any old rocks, oh no. I went after the big boys. That’s right, you know the twins God tattooed for Moses during the exodus? Got ‘em. How about the little guy lodged in Goliath’s head? Yep, got him. How about the big lady guarding Jesus’ tomb who mysteriously rolled away, oh yea, got her too. I got rocks of all shapes and sizes; old testament rocks and new testament rocks,

ugly rocks and pretty rocks, famous rocks and unknown rocks, and they have agreed to come this summer and share through story, dance and song, how awesome and mighty and strong our God is. I can’t wait to hear the stories and songs of these rocks, as they cry out the glory of our God this summer. I hope and pray that the rock stories we hear this summer will empower our campers to claim the words of the Psalmist when he said, “Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.” —Psalm 62:2

Pray for our theme this summer. Our campers desperately need the hope of salvation. In the midst of their dangerous context they need a fortress, and we hope that God’s Spirit will grow in them a faith that cannot be shaken.

Rock Solid MeSSage | Special GueStS for thiS Summer’S theme | By Matto

• New Telephones• Pool Noodles• Bicycle Helmets• Working Bicycles• Hearing Protection• Safety Goggles

• Painting Supplies (brushes, roller pads)

• Water Pitchers• Shelving (any kind)• Rubber Storage Tubs• Life Jackets

• 3 vans, 8-12 passenger (2005 or newer)

• Volunteer Grant Writer• Volunteer movers to

pick up donations

Volunteers and work groups to come and help us get clean, built, and ready for summer

• To fill summer staff positions

• Camper scholarships $665 per camper

• For all projects to be complete by summer

poem | By: Susan Reichart

Lord, bless this place that by your graceMany children now call their home.Fill it now with love and joy,And the hope they have never known.

Remind us Lord to bow down low,And lock our eyes on theirs…So they may see your love for themAnd know our Savior cares!

Once they see the warmth of light,Lord, make the darkness flee.And give them strength to lock their eyes, On You, who set them free.

Rock Solid oppoRtunitieS | pine Valley WiSh liSt prayer requeStS

Rock Solid oppoRtunitieS | Double reDS | By: Dick Lynch

My wife volunteers to serve whenever there is a blood drive at our church. She handles the registration process when people first arrive to donate. Most individuals give one pint of blood when they participate. She tells me about a group of individuals who regularly give two pints of blood every time! They are listed on her sheet as double reds!

Double reds – that effectively means that they are giving one pint of blood and then matching it with a second pint. Do you realize that there is a way that you can double your donation to Pine Valley Camp? Many companies make it a practice to match donations

that employees make to charitable organizations such as Pine Valley Camp. They do this either directly or through a charitable foundation that they have established.

To find out if your company matches your contribution to Pine Valley Camp, contact your Human Resources office. If they do, they will have the necessary information to initiate the matching contribution. When you make your donation, send along the information to us so that we can confirm your donation to your company.

Matching contributions by your employer – one very easy way to double your gift to Pine Valley Camp!

Summer Staff Needs:

Male Counselors Lifeguards Guy Crew Leader Camp Store Volunteers Office Volunteers

Send God’s Word into the City!

$10 for 5 Bibles $20 for 10 Bibles

$50 for 25 Bibles $100 for 50 Bibles

We need 500 Bibles for Summer! Thank You to New Community Church for 100

donated Bibles!

Pine Valley Camp Newsflash

For more information please contact us at: pinevalleycamp@gmail.com - 724-752-1661 - www.pinevalleybiblecamp.org

Sunday Dates & Times June 23rd June 30th July 7th July 14th July 28th

August 11th Time needed for all dates is

3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Friday Dates & Times June 28th July 5th

July 12th July 19th

August 2nd August 16th

Time needed for all dates is 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Serve the children an evening meal or donate and serve an evening snack any

Mon., Wed., or Thur. during camp. Contact the office to set up a time!

Serve Pine Valley Campers!

Candy Anyone?

Donate candy to our camp store. Or volunteer in the camp store to

sell the candy to our campers.

Donation Options: $20 for 4 Shirts $50 for 10 Shirts $100 for 20 shirts $500 for 100 shirts

We need 600 Shirts for Campers!

Buy a T-Shirt

for a Camper!

www.pinevalleybiblecamp.org

Community Day 2013 Pine Valley Camp July 21st 2pm - 6pm

Free To All! 504 Chapel Drive

Ellwood City, PA 16117 724-752-1661

pinevalleycamp@gmail.com

Pine Valley Camp opens to the public for a day of camp activi-

ties including SWIMMING, HORSE RIDES,

WATERSLIDE, CLIMBING WALL, and FREE FOOD!

Bring your friends and family to this fun day at camp!

PAGE 2 PINE VALLEY CAMPAPRIL 2013

Rock Solid Faith | auDaciouS faith

II KIngs 3:16-20

Wow! Another year to do ministry. This will be our 18th summer of camp at Pine Valley, 23rd summer over all!!! I remember 18 years ago after we tore our house apart and moved it. People thought I was “insane-nuts-audacious”. To raise the funds and move the house was actually the easy part. It really got reactions when I brought contractors out to look at what we had and discussed how we could put it back together to make a home of it.

The greaT InvITaTIon

I invite you to join us in this adventure. When we arrived in May 1995 we had 2 months to raise the $ needed to prepare the house for moving. That task seemed daunting and impossible, but 18 years later I find us facing a similar situation. The numbers and task are much, much larger and even more unrealistic and overwhelming. To say we want to break ground on September 3rd of this year when we only have 5% of funds needed raised, seems ludicrous, even downright audacious...and you know what...it is! BUT we serve an audacious God. Realistically any normal

campaign would take at least 18-36 months to do properly but our needs say

“Do it now!” AND my faith says,

“Why limit God?!!!” I live by a compass, not a clock. This IS the right thing to do, but I don’t know what the Lord’s

timing is, so why not? Perhaps the Lord will deliver us and provide what we need in time to break ground this year.” Like the house we moved 18 years ago, we are doing everything on our part, in faith, to be ready to move when He provides. God’s timing is always perfect. I can’t say with certainty that it will happen this year, but I believe it can happen. I also believe a day will come when we celebrate the Lord’s marvelous provision. Wouldn’t it be great to say, “As crazy as it seems, I accepted the invitation and did my part, trusting the outcome to the Lord?”

DIggIng DITches

This may come across as foolish, but the Lord has never let me down. We have a great need at Pine Valley. We have seen the favor of the Lord as we’ve walked in faith in this ministry, His will and timing to accomplish His purposes and to encourage His people and grow your faith and glorify God. And I believe we’ll see it once again. Know that I surrender my agenda to His. This is an opportunity to demonstrate His power and ability to overcome this small challenge. If we will dig the ditches, God will provide the rain. Read II Kings 3:16-20, but in faith, we must dig the ditches! “This is an easy thing in the eyes of the Lord...”! Verse 18.

Will you dig with me? I hope so. Who knows what great things the Lord is yet to do!!!

Digging Ditches, Mr. Matt

To help dig contact me at 724 272-2047 or pinevalley.mr.matt@gmail.com

PAGE 6 PINE VALLEY CAMPAPRIL 2013 PAGE 3 PINE VALLEY CAMPAPRIL 2013

Rock Solid people | liGht of the city | By: Jim McCaslin - Discipleship Coordinator

Hello Pine Valley Supporters!

I want to briefly share with you how our Light of the City season has transpired thus far. Just to refresh you, Light of the City is our children’s choir that meets here on a monthly basis for discipleship and fun. We’ve had approximately 40 kids return for one weekend of fun-filled singing, dancing, learning, and a host of other activities. It is very affirming to hear the testimonies of the parents when I call them each month to discuss dates and times. Parent after parent says, “We’ve been waiting for your call; my kid(s) love these weekends.” Many times parents will call me in advance because their kids have continuously badgered them into calling me saying, “You have to call Mr. Jimmy or we’ll miss it!” It’s very obvious to me that the children love to be here and the parents appreciate us as well.

reminder to me that, for many of the youth, we are the premier role models that they can look up to. They need a positive adult presence, and we seek to supply it. Our goal at Light of the City is to be Christ-like mentors to the 8–12 year olds who continue to return from month-to-month. As a supporter of Pine Valley, you enable this mentorship to happen, and continue to happen on a regular basis. We want to expand our reach, and are taking steps to do so, but we are exceptionally grateful for the accomplishments God has worked thus far. Please continue to pray our Light of the City staff and campers. Pray that we would have enough willing volunteers, safety in transportation, and wisdom to be effective role models for Christ in the lives of our campers. Thank you again for all your prayers and support!

In addition to coordinating with parents and churches, I drive a transport van as well. I vividly remember one experience while returning kids home in East Hills—an area of section-8 housing in Pittsburgh. A group of kids that I recognized from our summer program came over to our van to say hi to me. They lingered around the van while I waited for parents to arrive. Several of them got into the van. They just wanted to hang with me. Even after the parents had picked up their children from Light of City, the other kids stayed in the van. I eventually had to tell them I needed to leave and encouraged them by talking about the upcoming summer and how I expect to see them all there.

I share this with you because I remember the sense of idleness and purposelessness I felt coming from them. It was a great

PAGE 4 PAGE 5PINE VALLEY CAMP PINE VALLEY CAMPAPRIL 2013 APRIL 2013

Rock Solid oppoRtunitieS | SprinG iS in the air | By: Benj Kragt

Rock Solid planS | at a croSSroaDS… | By: Mark Gray - Teen Camp Director

Rock Solid oppoRtunitieS | Staff neeDeD: holy internShip & character builDinG opportunity

Rock Solid placeS | my chilDhooD camp | By: Susan Reichart

Lend Us Your Kids! Every year we build a new “Camp Staff Family” and every year we also have to say “good-bye” to those we have served together and have come to love deeply. It is a joyful sorrow that I experience every year. I’m happy for those who move on to new opportunities, yet I also grieve at the loss of their presence and their ministry here at Pine Valley.

To apply for a summer staff position go to www.pinevalleybiblecamp.org/staff and complete the online application.

Joyful love

Your kids will be so blessed if they serve here, as will we! Their capacity to love, their world, their vision for the lost, their ministry experience, even their calling in life will grow and expand here. You’ve been sending us support, now send us your kids or grandkids, and let us give back by investing in your family. Will you lend us your kids??? I promise you we will love them as our own and their lives will never be the same!

Joyfully sorrowful, Mr. Matt

experIencIng loss

I’m reading a book called, “A Grace Disguised” it’s written by Jerry Sittser who lost his mother, wife and 4 year old daughter in a car accident. In a later chapter he stated that loss can expand our capacity to love. He says “Soul-filled people love: soul-less people do not.” If people want their souls to grow through loss, whatever the loss is, they must eventually decide to love even more deeply than they did before. They must respond to the loss by embracing love with renewed energy and commitment.

I sit down to write this at the end of a day in early March that must have top out at 65 degrees with mostly sunny skies and a light breeze that felt a bit like paradise! That being said I don’t feel bad sounding cliché when I say spring is in the air! Around here that means a few things that all lead to the same conclusion: campers are coming soon! Everyone here is neck deep, or deeper, into all of the work that’s required to make sure we’re ready when they get here. So, as usual, I’m asking for help. We need help in a ton of

Great opportunities always accompany great problems; and Crossroads camp, Pine Valley’s leadership development initiative for teens, is excited to address the challenges God has given us.

The first problem is SPACE. One-hundred and fifty campers are currently eligible for Crossroads camp, and more will qualify this summer. The old sixty camper maximum is too small. BUT… this is an opportunity. Without the resources to construct additional space, Crossroads is making a leap that Pine Valley has desired for over a decade. Consistent programming and curriculum for teen campers is now available during all seven summer sessions. Five sessions

different areas so here is a list of just a few of the bigger jobs on the list:

• PAINTING: there are many new areas to paint as well as a lot of refreshing and touching up too

• GROUNDS KEEPING: we have a lot of spring cleaning to do just like you do in your yard only our yard is really big!

• FACILITY CLEANING: the jobs that no one wants to do but really need to be done: cleaning windows, wiping walls, dusting, etc.

designated for Crossroads bring over 100 teens back to Pine Valley. The two remaining weeks invest in “Campers In Training” (CIT) who have demonstrated outstanding potential during Crossroads.

The second problem is STRUCTURE. As Crossroads attendance increases, intentional mentoring becomes more difficult. BUT… this is an opportunity. To maintain great discipleship, six summer staff dedicated to Crossroads and CIT camps are being hired. Updated curriculum focusing on empowering young leaders to serve Christ will equip campers to learn lasting life lessons. In addition to great memories and excellent experiences, everyone completing

This list is really only scratching the surface of all that needs to be done so please contact us and come on out! Also, we have a great group of retired guys who faithfully come out each Tuesday and do all kinds of jobs to keep things running and looking great! They would be glad to have a few more hands to carry the load. So if you have some free time on Tuesdays, whether you’re retired or not, come on out and give us a hand!

Crossroads will develop short-term and long-term goals; and through hands-on practice, they will gain the confidence and skills to achieve them.

As additional campers qualify for Crossroads each year, we are confident that God will supply the necessary space and structure to reach every camper who desires to follow Him. As we grow an effective discipleship process, thank you for praying, for recommending mature Christian staff to this team, and for continuing your generous donations of time and resources. Thank you for

“Rebuilding broken lives through Christ.”

There is one place in this world that keeps me grounded and reminds me in vivid memories, of God’s great and personal love for me. All my life I return to that camp yearly, and as I drive down the bumpy dirt road through the lush green woods, one of my grandpa’s favorite hymns comes to mind. Here is where Jesus “walks with me, and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own.”

The amount of actual time I have spent in this place set apart, is a small fraction of the amount of time I have been on the earth, but my memories of significant encounters with the Lord there have driven and inspired and comforted me.

God has made Himself know to me there. He has called me by name and into His service there, and has walked with me through my deepest valleys and greatest joys there.

I have traveled a good bit in this nation and even across the world, and I have seen mountains, caverns, oceans, deserts,

and have experienced both breathtaking beauty and fascinating cultures, but I would rather return to that little Pennsylvania camp than anywhere else. I think it is because it is a spiritual home. It is also because I have seen the Lord so powerfully at work there in the miracle of relationships that happen around a campfire or cabin devotions or the dinner table, when the focus is on the Lord and other people. It is a place where the Lord whispers and you are changed.

In the springtime it is with great anticipation that we work to prepare our camp for that kind of magical summer camp week for each child. I praise God for the privilege it is to provide that “camp” experience for the children we serve.

Many of our kids’ lives are unsettled, bouncing between homes, moving a lot, or even experiencing sudden unexpected changes that land them in foster homes, etc. There is not much in their life that feels safe and predictable and secure.

Add to that, the pace of our world and it is obvious that kids are suffering from deprivation and lack of connection. They are deprived of relationships in the form of focused time with a caring adult. Time is the simplest and most profound gift we give to kids at camp!

The power of camp is undistracted time to spend together, which translates into love.

This “face-time” happens during activities like the pool, horses, games, canoeing, chapel, etc. But any of the most powerful time we have with the kids is when they have our eyes! Like in devotions, one on ones, bedtimes, campfire time, and dinner table time. In staff training we always tell our staff, kids spell love T.I.M.E. We provide time and space for them to encounter the Lord.

It is my prayer that each year, when they drive down our bumpy dirt road through the lush green trees, that they will feel as I do about my childhood camp, that God has met me here! And I will never be the same!