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!"
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
"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!"
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You never climb a mountain alone. He is always there beside you, guiding you ever upward.
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