The most treasured memories of my childhood took place during the summers at Camp Duffield.

I first started attending Camp Duffield the summer after my father died. I was scarred and felt very alone and I was certain I was going to be miserable. It was raining the day my mom and sister dropped me off at Keeler Lodge and I remember fighting back the tears as they drove away. Little did I know on that cool rainy day that my life was about to be changed forever.

God worked a miracle in my life when he sent me to Duffield. For the next seven years my summers were spent in a community of loving caring Christians, whose mission was for me to come to know God in a way that I could understand.

I have so many memories of Camp Duffield. I enjoyed recalling some long forgotten memories when I read both Sandy and Ben’s stories (two of my very dear old friends). One of my fondest memories happened just outside Janeway. All the campers sat huddled up on the benches. It was the evening Vespers service and we were singing by the glow of the campfire. I think we had just finished singing Pass it On (Marge’s favorite). I looked up into the sky and saw that the moon was illuminating the clouds over the trees. The clouds had formed a perfect cross. Not an abstract cross, but a perfect cross. The trees around the clouds framed the cross clouds like a perfectly matted painting. I was the first to notice but my discovery quickly spread among the campers. We all knew on that chilly night that those clouds were no coincidence. God was there and he was pleased.

The presence of Camp Duffield in my life during those 7 years following my fathers death allowed me to heal and come to understand that God had not turned his back on me. Instead, I learned that God had embraced me and that he would never leave me or forsake me. I am so pleased to know that the legacy of Camp Duffield will continue. Children will still come, lives will still be transformed and friendships and memories will continue to be made.

My most heartfelt thank you to all involved in the preservation of this amazing place, full of grace and all of Gods amazing glory. I will continue to pray for your mission.