Camp Pyro

Every campfire has one.  Every mom or camp counselor fears them.  They radiate with inexplicable delight and are oblivious to anyone else round about. They come in all ages, all shapes, all sizes. You know who I'm talking about. You've all met them.  Perhaps you too fear them!

The camp pyro is fearless himself.  He delights in a fire feeding frenzy.  He uses a 'poking stick', a 'fire stick'...oh, there are as many names for that stick as there are pyros.  It's charred on the end and if anyone dares to make the pyro think it will become fuel for the fire they are dead meat.  IF it should accidentally disappear, the pyro seems to feel he has lost some tool of the trade.  It by all means must be replaced and the choosing and charring of the new stick is a ritual in and of itself.

Why do all campfires have a pyro?  What is it about fire that draws one into its spell and keeps us there, often silent and thoughtful, wistful and contemplative?  What is it about fire that makes us want to sing around it?  Why can fire never be left alone? 

I don't know the answers to those questions.  I do know that we would never be without a campfire.  I do know that many of life's deepest questions and greatest passions can be sought there and often figured out there. Perhaps a camp pyro is that person who in 'real' life is also the one who fans into flame the rest of us.  Perhaps a fire can never be left alone because it is a picture of something beautiful and intriguing and beyond our comprehension. Perhaps its warmth, its transforming abilities (of wood to ashes, smoke and heat), and its capacity to appeal to many senses at once, is a metaphor for the Spirit's power in our lives.  After all, even the disciples on Pentecost all seemed to be pyros...running around with flames on their heads. 

I think I won't be afraid of camp pyros any more!

The Mug Tree

 The Mug Tree

At the Athelas base camp we have our mug tree.  It's a cool post set a couple of feet into the ground with a bunch of nails sticking out like porcupine quills.  Each holds a different mug so that retreating adventurers will know for the duration of their time with us which cup is theirs.  There is the bright orange Boise, ID mug donated by a traveling friend. There is the Wells Fargo travel mug.  The large creamy white mug with grapevines given by my youngest daughter.  A favorite is the shiny brown square mug.  A mug with butterflies made in Mexico stands out brightly. All different, all able to appeal to a certain retreat participant.  They choose their cup the first day of arrival. It is interesting to see how many will remember what their cup looks like or remember the instructions that come with it.  "This is your cup.  Remember it.  Don't use any other cup.  Give it to us to wash or wash it yourself but don't forget which cup is yours."  By the end of a retreat most people have down the concept.  It is interesting to see what happens when camp has visitors who are unaware of the protocol.  Coffee pot always being on, you can bet a guest or visitor will be offered a drink...cold or hot.  They find a cup and use it.  If the 'owner' of that cup happens by the reactions can be quite amusing.  Most will realize a guest is a guest and wouldn't know the inside scoop. Others will look at me with big eyes and questioning mouths.  I smile and let them figure it out.   The Mug Tree is a very practical tool...but it is also a lesson in life.  We are all different...unique...different colors, different shapes, made in different places.  We may or may not naturally know how to share ourselves.  But one thing we learn we all have in common is that we are vessels used by God to quench the thirst of those whom we serve.  The Mug Tree stands in its place as a testament to that lesson.

 

"Teaching What is Good"

Here a young pack trip participant receives tender instruction in 'tying' down the cowboy hat so that it is not lost on the many mile trek by horse into the wilderness. Have you ever wished to be a cowboy for a week? Would you know how to? Would you need instruction? Who could teach you?

"Likewise, teach older women to be reverent in the way they live...teaching (young women) what is good." Athelas retreats intentionally support inter-generational learning. Staff support ranges from 10-12 year old 'camp chore kids'  to 77 year old horse riding outfitters, and everything in between. Each is chosen for their ability to pass on the love and mercy of Jesus to each person joining an adventure.

In that setting we are able to develop community and utilize, enhance and refine the gifts God has given to his people. Adventurers at retreats receive much needed 'spoiling' as physical needs are met so that their spirits may be renewed and refreshed. Service to others is the deepest joy of those involved as staff and volunteers. Staff instructs in the areas of safety, camp routine, backwoods skills, rock climbing, horse riding, first aid, food service, peeing in the woods, etc.  Skills learned by adventurers become metaphors for the spiritual life as well.  Older men, young ladies, middle aged...doesn't matter what age, we can and do learn from each other as we 'teach what is good' so that the mercy and grace of Jesus abounds and surrounds.  To God be the Glory. Amen!...and again I say, Amen!

"I Will Let Down the Nets!"

Athelas hosted a Mission Vacation Bible School this past summer. A group of 22 Minnesotans arrived for a couple days of training and preparation. Then about 40 students arrived for three full day camp adventures and two optional sleep over nights. Based on Jesus telling Peter to let down his nets into the deep, the VBS students learned to respond to Jesus' instructions as Peter did. Granted, Peter first stated why he thought Jesus idea was rather dumb...'but we've fished all night and caught nothing!' The cool response follows: "But because YOU say so, I will let down the nets!" Because Jesus says so we do his bidding...even when we think we are so much more brilliant than He. The kids put into practice this axiom as they learned fly and spin fishing techniques, as some rode horses for the first time, as others made their own fishing poles and caught their first fish. All of these activities required kids to do as they were asked in order to see results. Many 'fishy' lessons, crafts, games, food and activities took place during this time of loving and learning.

Athelas is looking forward to hosting another mission VBS at the same old schoolhouse in summer of 2011. We're anticipating a larger turnout, the arrival of the VBS Express Semi replete with climbing wall, and great music time. We are contemplating a 'rock' theme and building always on THE ROCK! We'd love to have YOU join us...no matter where you are from.
Check out Summer 2010 Missin VBS photos on facebook at Athelas Outdoor Ministry, Inc.

See YOU for VBS '11!

Welcome Home and Thank You, My Son!

My son Randy returned home after spending four years in the US Marine Corps. He is officially known in the military as Corporal Randall D. Kaarre. Unofficially he is Corporal Montana or Corporal 'Mountain Man' Kaarre. I am proud of those names for him...of the awards and honors and medals he received while there. He never even let us know about most of them until he got home four days ago. Wow! But what I am more proud of is his character....of who God has made him to be. He worked with Ordnance on F18 bombers and was deployed on huge aircraft carriers. He knows his job well. He took pride in doing a great job. What he learned over those four years will transfer to many a daily endeavor. Will he load bombs daily, prepare a fighter jet for take off, manage other marines, provide for the safety of others in his care. Most likely not all those things, but the principles that governed his responsibilities will be carried out in daily life. Will he be willing to sacrifice for others? Yes! Will he take his responsibities seriously each day? Yes! Will he perform his daily jobs faithfully? Yes! And for that I say thanks for a job well done and thanks for letting this mom watch you grow and become a little Jesus to others around you. You will always be my baby boy...but you have grown into an independent young man. To God be the glory!

"WE Climbed A Mountain!"

This group arrived one fairly late summer night. It was starting to get dusk as they arrived...and in summer this far West that means fairly late. They were given a brief orientation and welcoming. Then a mad scavenger hunt scramble had them searching for their particular tent accommodations. Athelas staff provided campfire snacks and opening devotions and singing. They continued to sing and pray and fellowship long afterward. We were impressed by the youth leadership found here. They insisted on their own closing goodnight prayer...student led! Slowly as it got darker and darker, individuals and small groups wandered off to bed. The last to depart thoughtfully put away all the camp chairs and put out the fire. From the moment they came...not at all sure of what to expect..till the moment they left...full of new and varied challenges and experiences...they built community. This picture particularly expresses that community. This is the top of a mountain summit...they got their together. They did not yell "I" climbed a mountain...they instead said "We climbed a mountain." And they did...not only physical, but spiritual mountains were climbed during their eight day adventure retreat. This 16 member representative of the Body of Christ bonded as community in a way that could only happen in the presence of Christ himself. He was indeed present and helped them proclaim, "WE climbed a mountain!"

Debut of climbinghigher.org!

Climbinghigher.org--the teaching arm of Athelas Outdoor Ministry, Inc. debuted its online "Story of the Day" today. You can go to www.climbinghigher.org daily to read a new story as you climb higher in your walk with the Lord. Marty is known at Athelas as an inspiring, encouraging and uplifting spiritual leader. We hope that his daily stories will also inspire, encourage and lift you up as you journey to know Jesus better. In the days ahead Climbinghigher.org will add more features and topics to aid in our spiritual walk. Stay tuned and join us each day. Feel free to leave comments and ask questions. Marty will take time to answer them!