From the bookkeeper’s desk…

This month the Elkanah Express is written by our recently retired bookkeeper Melody. She shares some numbers that are much more than numbers.

Recently I was asked to consider the perspective I have of God’s work at Camp Elkanah after more than 20 years as the camp bookkeeper.  The obvious theme, I thought, would be the way God has provided monetarily for each and every need that has arisen…when we needed funds, God has been faithful, and our needs have never gone unmet.  But more than money, more than the beautiful place with its unique history, more than the purpose with which God has tasked Camp Elkanah to bring campers of all ages to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, more than the plans that will take Camp into the future as a light in a dark world, what stands out to me is the number of people that God has used and continues to bring.

So I looked to QuickBooks for some examples.  179 people have been on the actual payroll since 2002 when the books were transferred to QuickBooks. 162 individuals received payments for services or goods outside of payroll, even more, were represented by mostly small businesses with whom we dealt. There has been a board consisting of approximately 18 pastors from the Blue Mountain Association for about 60 years.   There is an advisory committee of 8 or so that assists the director with their specific areas of expertise.  We have had 5 executive directors since the 1980’s, and more than 7 caretaker families have lived at camp as site managers.  For the first time, we have an employee program director. There have been at least 3 part-time secretaries and at least two bookkeepers in the office.  A volunteer serves as a camp historian.  Each summer’s Blue Mountain camps and Outdoor School have leadership teams, counselors, speakers, nurses, cooks, musicians, maintenance people, and Dream Team members, many of whom are volunteers.  In the off-season, untold numbers of volunteers have come to camp to work on specific projects.  We have an accountant who volunteers her time, and there are many prayer warriors in the churches of the Blue Mtn. Asso. who faithfully uphold the leadership and campers before the Lord.  There have been a number of major donors whose faithful giving has seen camp through times of building and times of leanness.  The Track Crew now consists of 24 monthly givers whose regular participation is beginning to cover the monthly expenses There are several young givers who have chosen to give part of their earnings to help at camp.

I don’t know about you, but this list reminds me of the story in the Old Testament of the specific people whose abilities and contributions were noted in the construction of God’s Temple.   I noticed that both in the Old and New Testaments, God has often purposefully listed the names of people who performed specific tasks and who were called on to contribute as He blessed them with talent and wealth.  The God of the Universe knew their names and recorded them in Scripture so that we would know about them as well.

This has encouraged me greatly from my perspective at the bookkeeping desk.  Each contribution, no matter how small or mundane, recognized or behind the scenes, is in the service of the King who knows our name!  As He provides in matters of place, purpose, plan, and finances for Camp Elkanah, He also has just the right people at just the right time, who He has created to bring glory to Him.  So be encouraged in the part He has you to play today, I know that I am!

Sincerely,

Melody “Song” Gabler