This day was full of adventure! A majority of the kids (and some of the adults) went white water rafting. They had a blast and Leilani and Chad now have the bug to tackle some bigger rapids. Some of the kids stayed back and slept in. Not a bad choice. A small contingent decided to take a hike! Literally. Nine of the male campers wanted to take a 10 mile hike straight up to Mt. Baldy (aptly named as there very few trees that high up). When they realized that they had to have a counselor with them they asked me. Not to be outdone, I heartily agreed to be their fearless leader. As God would have it, another male leader, an adept hiker, was able to make it last minute. All I can say is, thank you Lord! The ascension was straight up. May I just mention that when you live just above sea level, ascending to 10,000 feet at the pace of 9 teenage boys is NO JOKE! Alas, at mile 3 of 5 on the way up I became aquainted with altitude sickness and decided that, in leiu of fainting and embarassing my son, I would bug out and head back down. Two of the young men, Sam and Daniel, took one for the team and walked back with me. The other leader was able to take the boys the rest of the way. I'm told that from the point I left them they had to stop avery 50ft or so to catch their breath. The last 2 miles took them 2.5 hours. They all report that the view was breathtaking!
When we all gathered back together, we met for our Grace talk. The day's topic was the first of two on Sanctification. He first defined santification as "the deliverence of justified sinners from the effects of sin, changing you more and more to the image of Christ, enabling you to do more and more good works." The specific focus for this talk was Definitive Sanctification as "the immediate break of the ruling power and love of sin in your life."
Every talk we have been to has been rich with spiritual food for the teens and leaders alike. YXL has been such a positive experience. Our kids have really stepped up and I praise God for the priviledge of being a part of their lives as they work out their sanctification.
Thanking God for his saving grace,
Mindy
2 comments:
Mindy,
Are the teens learning to reach out of their comfort zone and interact with other teens and learning how to share the gospel with others?
The reason why I'm asking is God is doing some wonderful things in our church working through at least one family's teens I know on conversion. A bunch of us went on a floating trip (it's not really rafting) down the American River this month. There is interest in going again next month. One of the kids is a 15 year old. If the teens are being equipped to proclaim the gospel and share and minister, it would be good for them to stretch out and reach out to these folks during church. I can introduce them.
We're also planning another float trip next month and maybe a couple of them might want to join.
PRAISE GOD THAT EVERYONE CAME BACK SAFELY FROM ALL THIER VARIOUS EXCURSIONS! Sooooo very glad to hear that my child is alive and well, and not at all surprised that she wants to do it again.
It's so good to hear how the youth and youth leaders are being spiritually fed. We continue to pray for you guys back home.
Love in Christ,
sv
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