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Dear Friends of Dauphin Bible Camp, I trust that this letter finds you and your family enjoying the summer months that are upon us. Elsie and I have been enjoying some extra time with our grandchildren, as well as occasionally visiting the camp to see what sort of summer Richard and Carma and their ministry team are having. I have the advantage of living only a few miles from camp and what a blessing it is – each week I have the experience of watching nearly a hundred campers and summer missionaries come together to learn about the unconditional love of God. It is quite the sight to see! I have been involved with Dauphin Bible Camp for over 35 years, many of those years as chairman of the board, and I can honestly tell you that I cannot remember the last time I have been so encouraged with what I see God doing.
This summer we are on track for a 10% increase in our number of campers (from 550-600) as Richard and his team continue to find new and creative ways of ministering to our communities – whether it is through our special needs camp, our golf camp, or our newly initiated community “Kiddie Camp” for moms and their young children.
Through all of this I am most encouraged by the stories I hear from Richard’s team, stories of lives being changed by the power and presence of God:
• A young camper who has lived tougher years than many of us much older have, flatly stated at the beginning of his camp week that he had no one in his life who loved him; by the end of the week he responded to the love of God shown him by his cabin leaders and the other summer workers. “I know there are people who love me, and that there is something special about this love.”
• This past week, another young camper who does not come from a church-going home was dropped off by his grandma. God spoke to this young camper through chapels, quiet times, and his own Bible reading. On Thursday, he came up to his cabin leader and said, “I have decided to commit my life to Christ. I want to follow Him.” No pressured prayer. No forced confession. Just the fruit of the Spirit of God at work.
I could go on, but I want to stop here and let you know that these stories are only possible because of the people that God has brought together with Dauphin Bible Camp – gifted and caring directors like Richard and Carma, a motivated and passionate summer mission team, and people like you who stand behind the camp with your support.
As chairman I know the difference that people make to an organization. Dauphin Bible Camp is blessed to have directors like Richard and Carma and supporters like you, and as a board we would like to give you an opportunity to bless Richard and Carma.
For the past five years as the Bankerts have provided leadership to our camp, they have lived, now along with their two children, Brooklynn and Braeden, in a small 700 square foot apartment located on the one end of a very busy camp building, which also houses the administration offices, registration area and craft room.
We would like to change that.
Last year the board established a fund that would help see a proper home be provided for Richard and Carma and their family. This past spring the board began to explore viable options for such a home, and after exploring a number of possibilities decided that the best option would be to purchase a new 1520 square foot modular home. We believe providing a home for Richard and Carma and their family should be a priority and we believe that this particular home is a quality, long-term solution which can be achieved at this time. I realize that you may have a few questions regarding the details, and I have enclosed a brochure that should answer them, however if you still have questions please call me at 204-638-6478.
The total project cost, from start to finish, is $139,000, of which over $98,000 has been already raised. This leaves just over $40,000 to come from our supporting community.
I realize that this amount may seem overwhelming, however in light of the number of people like you, who believe in what God is doing through the camp, the total becomes very reachable.
Would you prayerfully consider how you could be involved in providing a home for the Richard and Carma and their family?
Our hope is that by early fall we can have our goal reached in either gifts or pledges. This would then enable us, Lord willing, to have the site prepared and the home moved on by the end of this year.
Your gift or pledge towards a new home would provide the additional room for the Bankert family, as well as provide a sanctuary away from the busy camp ministry for Richard and Carma. Your gift or pledge also helps to show the commitment that we as a supporting community have to Richard and Carma, as they have shown their commitment to us over the past number of years they have served and as they continue to look forward to serving God at DBC in the years to come.
From one supporter to another, I would ask that you would take time to consider what you can do. Be it $100, $500, $1000 or $2500, your gift or pledge will be appreciated and will make this home for Richard, Carma and their family a reality.
Have a great summer, as we trust God for a great summer at Dauphin Bible Camp!
Norman Long
Chairman
Dauphin Bible Camp Board
You can download a Brochure or response cards from here.
FAQ Why is DBC starting a new building project when the kitchen/dining hall hasn’t been completed?When we first started the planning for the new kitchen/dining hall facility, Richard and Carma had just begun as directors and had yet to have any children. Five years later we are still blessed to have Richard and Carma (now along with two children) serve as directors of DBC and we recognize the crucial role a director plays in the health and vitality of the ministry. We would like to continue to support the Bankert’s and their ministry here at DBC by providing them with a home.
For the price of the project ($139,000) why doesn’t the camp just build a house on site?We looked into the possibility of building a house on site, and even with donated labour, the costs of such an endeavour were significantly higher ($75,000 - $100,000 more). We also looked at bringing a used house onto the yard site, and after factoring in the cost of the house itself, moving costs, and renovations, along with yard prep (sewer, water, electricity), it was determined that we would spend just as much and have a significantly lower quality residence.
Isn’t a modular home just a trailer?No, as a matter of fact, it is quite a bit different. This home has 2x6 walls, Low E Vinyl windows, R44 insulation in the ceiling, R24 in the walls, and R28 in the floor. It has 1520 square feet of living space, three bedrooms, ample room for storage, and includes all appliances and window coverings. It will be a long term home for our director and his family
When are you hoping to have all the money raised?Our plan is to have all gifts and pledges in by the end of August, and then begin the preparation work on the yard site – drilling the well, installing the septic field, etc. for delivery of the modular home by the end of the year.
How were you able to raise $98,000 already?The board, anticipating the need for a home for our director and his family, has over the last couple of years, set aside or secured through donations over $60,000 for the project. This, in addition to assistance from CSSM Manitoba, has enable us to begin the project with over 70% of the money in place.
Why don’t you just get a bank mortgage for the rest?We believe that God is honoured when God’s people come together and support His work. We would rather wait and have God receive the honour with His people involved than rely upon debt financing from a secular bank.
How do pledges work?Pledges give an opportunity for our supporters to prayerfully consider not only what they would like to give in this present moment, but also what they would like to contribute towards the Bankert home over the next 12 months. By collecting this information from our supporting community, it will help us as a board to know, Lord willing, how much will be contributed in the next year.
Who do I contact for more information?Feel free to contact the board member who represents your church. You may also contact our chairman, Norman Long at 204-638-6478 or our treasurer, Jeff Robinson at 204-686-7765 or contact the camp.
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