January Letter

January 2011

Dear Friends,

So many of you who support this ministry have become cherished personal friends — and I have known some of you for many years previously! It is often my intention to send out a personal letter after the very busy holiday season. With the New Year, though, summer camp preparations become much more intense and my good intentions are lost. This year I am combining a January camp newsletter with this brief personal update.

As we begin a new year, it is with a sense of anticipation. Now, in the third decade of this ministry, we feel the need to work on a new ten year strategic plan. God has positioned us to serve young persons and we want to discern the way in which we can best do so. “Vision 20/20” will involve the completion and expansion of existing facilities, but even more importantly, it will chart the course for a greatly expanded ministry. God has been faithful to us these twenty-two years and we wish to be faithful stewards of His work in years to come.

2010 was a year in which we were pleased to experience a significant camper attendance increase along with very encouraging feedback and response from campers. Our newest program, La Semana Aventura Con Dios, after several years of anticipation, proved to be an effective outreach to the Hispanic youth of our area. Several times last summer, we reached our new, expanded camper capacity which underscored the fact that a future need will be additional bunking capacity.

The new chapel was used to its fullest due to the generosity of Donna Maurer, several faithful volunteers and many other friends of the camp. Rocky High Adventure Camp moved to a new location in the Medicine Bow Range of Colorado in preparation for future growth. With many blessings in the past year also came some very real challenges, perhaps the most significant of which has been short term debt. Approximately thirty thousand dollars is needed at this time and we have set a goal to raise an additional three thousand dollars per month in regular support for camp ministries during the coming year.

On a personal note, 2010 brought about some very significant developments in my family. In March, my cousin Dutch married Vanessa in San Clemante, CA. We are proud of Dutch and Vanessa and so happy to have a new cousin in the family. In late June my son Kammal returned home after being away for several years–what a blessing! Then on July 4th, the daughter of another of my cousins, Ashley married a young man from Canada.

Tyler and Ashley have made their home in Canada where he is a wilderness outfitter. In August, my foster son, Dominick, was able to participate in the Rocky High Adventure Camp while Kamaal and I spent about five days with cousins Dory and Molly, their seven kids and Molly’s parents in a couple of rustic cabins along the Poudre River Canyon. September brought another addition to my family as Donald came to live with us as a foster son.

Now that we are in the New Year, we are looking ahead to our parent’s sixtieth wedding anniversary on February 23rd. Dad turned eighty on the sixth of January. My sister, Cynthia, continues to serve with us here at camp in the area of development. My sister Diana and her husband Ron live on acreage outside of Runnells where they hope to build a new home.

May God bless each of you who give, pray, and support us with friendship.

Serving Christ at Camp Appanoose,

Pat Amsden

LOOKING BACK, LOOKING FORWARD

Sharing recently with a friend of the camp a few details of the 2010 camp season, one of our best summers ever, I mentioned that, after camp, we were facing some very significant financial challenges. “Isn’t that just like the Lord,” said our friend, “to bless us greatly and then present us with some real challenges to our faith.” My mind went back in time to a number of examples in the Bible such as Elijah’s fear of Jezebel after the great miracle on Mount Carmel. Along with great evidences of God’s power, provision and blessing, often comes severe stretching which God designs to push our faith to a new level. HE is pushing us to a new level, here at camp, and while we attempt to move ahead, it is with the continuing reminder of our dependence upon Him.

JUST AHEAD IN February 2011

• Best summer camp prices available through February 15. Register now, pay in full and save. You may pay with MC, Visa or Discover if you wish (requires a phone call to the camp office).
• Hangtime – every Saturday night from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. for teens. Activities and Bible study.
• FOCAS (Friends of Camp Appanoose) will meet on February 15 and March 15 for fellowship and service projects (lunch is provided)
• February 23rd; Ray & LaDonna’s 60th Anniversary. Cards may be sent to the camp address.

MATCHING GIFT Opportunity for Camp Appanoose

Up to 15,000.00 may be matched in special gifts for the ministry of Camp Appanoose. Act now — cut off date for this great opportunity has not yet been set!

ROCKY HIGH ADVENTURE Camp held again this year in the Rawah wilderness and open to teens, ages 13 and up, Rocky High is a life changing, unforgettable experience. Register while space is available. Camp Appanoose is licensed through the National Forest Service.

A Big Thank You …

…to the two families who provided the camp with a new 2011 Chevy HHR, upon hearing of our vehicles needs.

ITEMS MOST WANTED List

• Carpet for the new chapel and adjacent rooms. ($3000.00)
• 2 Commercial/Industrial strength vacuum sweepers
• $300.00 for floor hockey equipment for the new gym
• Ice skates, in line skates or roller skates
• $200.00 per camper for paint ball equipment ($6000 goal – equipment for 30)
• Baseball backstop for the new athletic field
• $9.00 per chair for up to 30 stackable chairs for the outdoor chapel
• 30×60 storage building for tractors and equipment
• Full Sized, Roadworthy pickup truck
• Two new queen size mattresses (60” x 80”)
• 40-50 gallon electric water heater
• Trailer to haul lawn tractor – provided, Thank you!
• Oster (or comparable brand) 5 cup food processor

CAMPAPPANOOSE.ORG

Our new website is in the process of being updated thanks to our web providers; G.Rrafics, Inc. Please visit Camp Appanoose.org for our latest version of the site. We hope to include the monthly newsletter at that site!