Camp Lebanon: The People

It seems that all camps have long, rich histories. These histories include buildings, games, stories told, tragedies and blessings. But most of all they include people.

I haven’t even begun to touch the history of Camp Lebanon, a camp that has been around since 1947. None of us that work at camp were alive then. The pictures we have of camp 66 years ago hardly look like the place we know, and the people in those pictures are but names. In another 66 years, we will be but names. But for now, the people I work with make Camp Lebanon what it is: “A Meeting Place with God”.

Bill and Lisa began marriage like most: with nothing. No place to live, a paycheck that, Lord willing, would make ends meet. But they loved their God and knew He had a plan for them together. It took a lot of faith to begin their marriage at Camp Lebanon, taking on a task that seemed impossible. Camp had strayed from the truths of God’s Word. Bill needed courage to stand on those truths. Lisa hardly wanted to be a wife in ministry, but she supported her husband in any way she could. (Oh, the horror stories of the many places they bunked up their first year here!)That was 27 years ago. Today, Bill still stands on God’s promises and desires to lead this camp in Truth no matter what. God has used Lisa, now the Director of Women’s Ministries, in the lives of so many women. Like most marriages that have nothing but faith to live on, God has blessed and glorified Himself.

24 years ago, Phil and Jan moved to camp to take over the “Maintenance Ministry” as Phil calls it. Thus far, I think that ministry includes mostly moving snow. No one has felt the brunt of this long winter like Phil but even when he looks ready to fall over, he walks the extra mile: not just plowing but shoveling and sweeping off cars. Of course, with his small team, he also upkeeps everything: buildings, vehicles, retreat set up and even the lake!

Linda is Phil’s counterpart. Camp Lebanon sparkles. Before anyone arrives; bedrooms, bathrooms, cabins, meeting areas, dining halls and bathrooms are cleaned and pressed. I hardly ever see her, but I see her fruit everywhere I turn. Linda (or Sylvia) even clean my office!

Jim is our master chef. He cooks the most wondrous things, while his assistant Tony (who is always listening to soundtracks) discovers new things we get to try now and then. Jim is firm, but fun. He rarely cracks a smile but tells the most hilarious jokes. You have to be careful what you say around him because he’s very likely to take your words and twist them until he has everyone rolling. He also tells wondrous tall tales. Like the one that started out “When I was a little black boy growing up in the panhandle of Oklahoma…” Funny, but he’s the first “black” Norwegian/Scandinavian I’ve ever met!

It’s been 14 years since Eric was hired as Director of Operations. Sadly, he will leave us in three weeks to start a business of his own. He’ll be very good at that for Eric is very business minded. He keeps camp running like a well-oiled machine and ensures the books are kept in the black. But unlike some businessmen I know, Eric has a gentle heart and his greatest goal is to make those who work for him successful and happy. He won’t even be here this summer, but he already has in plan in place so I get some much needed Sundays off as the kids arrive!

Marc brought his new wife to Camp Lebanon for a family retreat 20-something. She says it was a little awkward – they were the only ones without kids. Now they have three and two grandkids. Marc is our “technoman/numbers guy”. If it’s plugged into a wall, Marc can fix it. And if I’m coming up short a few cents on a weekly deposit, Marc’s the guy to go to. In fact, most of our conversations are about money. But like me, he will spend hours finding that lost penny. That’s probably why we work well together.

Pete joined camp as a kid…well, a kid in an adult body. Like most youth ministers. He’s the Director of Youth Ministries. Right now he’s gearing up for summer, bouncing around with more ideas than he knows what to do with. But while his energy can throw me for a loop, I like him. Why? Because I know he has strong convictions of God’s Truth, and he doesn’t bend for anyone. Makes me feel a little sorry for his adorable 5-month old. I know what a dad like that is like!

Aaron is Director of Guest Ministries, and he’s good at it. Why? Because Aaron could make anyone feel at home. His office is right behind mine, so we have “shouted” conversations quite a bit. What makes Aaron even more likeable is his lovely wife Jaci. (He “loves that woman!” as he often exclaims when I tell him she’s on the phone.) She keeps the camp store stocked with wonderful things. For us, that equals first-come and free samples.

And last, but certainly not least, is Andrea. Officially, she’s my assistant. Unofficially, she works for everyone. As I’m learning my job, I don’t have her doing a lot. But I know she’ll be a huge asset this summer. At least, until mid-June when I have to turn her back over to Lisa who will have her scurrying around for Fall Quilt and Women’s Retreats. The variety of her job can be a frustration, but Andrea has a servant’s heart. I almost believe she’d jump off a cliff if I asked her to! And she keeps me smiling.