August 5, 2023, the hills rolling north of Kewanee and Neponset were “alive with the sound” of young voices raised in fun and shouts at the third annual Christian Day Camp. Sponsored by the State Road Church and the Church of Peace, the one-day camp occurred at Well’s Barren Grove, under the care of Pastor Andrew Christman of State Road and Dick and Jani Wells of Church of Peace. The theme of the day was “I Noah Guy”
Do you know about Well’s Barren Grove? Early pioneers found this land heavy on forest, so they named areas by groves– Barren, Camp, Buffalo, Walnut Grove and so forth. When Lt. Colonel Dick Wells retired from the US Army a few years ago, he and wife Jani (Wittmeyer) settled on a country property in what was Barren Grove.
Since then, Dick, with a degree in history, and just for the fun of it, has built walk-in replicas of an 1820s pioneer trading post, a cabin with a sleeping loft, and a small livestock pen featuring pigs, chickens and a goose made of cement. Definitely low maintenance, and smell.
Besides these features, Dick has added a farm pond big enough for boating and fishing, plus a guest house for visiting relatives. Add to that the hills, grasses, trees, and natural beauty, the plentitude of space for romping, and you have an ideal spot for a kid’s camp-out. Especially if you want to turn young minds in the direction of God.
The church campers had a day that included swimming, games, a boat race between girls and boys, and a contest in a cardboard “Ark” building. I didn’t ask, but I’ll bet there was some good old campfire cooking tucked in there, too. Surely s’mores.
Do you suppose some memories were made that day? Could some young life have been set on a better course than it had been following? Did somebody feel left out? Or part of “the group” for the first time? Did God smile to see His children enjoying His wonderful world? Did somebody “Noah” God a little better by the time the sun went down?
One last question to which “I Noah” the likely reply: Were Dick, Jani, and Andrew pretty darned tired by the end of that day? You guys are strong!
Keep the faith!
Your friend, Carol
