 Augustana Lutheran Church should be very proud of the youth that went on the mission trip in early August.
These kids are HARD workers.
Isaiah 31:21 says, “This is the way: Walk in it”.
These are perfect words for the work that these youth did. They cleared trails and were prime examples of leading a life with Christ and their actions spoke louder than words could ever explain. Our mission was to work with the forestry service on clearing trails in the Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation near Essex, MT. They did more than that! These kids worshipped together, were challenged with new experience, cleared trails, learned about their peers, themselves, God, how to use tools, how to work as one unit and about their environment. We were truly blessed to meet such wonderful people along the way on our journey….they have made an everlasting impact!
God was right there with us, watching our back and guiding our steps.
Please join the youth from the mission trip on Sunday Sept. 18th during the 10am worship service as they share their stories and experiences and phenomenal pictures.
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Update August 5th, 2011:
At camp….headed to the passion play! We just had grilled burgers and brats at the camp grill out. Real food was AmAZinG!!!! White water rafting this afternoon was a big SPLASH!!!! (cymbal crash! Hahaha)
We will be leaving camp tomorrow morning right after the resurrection worship service. We are planning on driving from Kalispell, MT to Miles City, MT then staying the night there. Then leaving early Saturday morning to finish our trek home.
We have had a very interesting and challenging week!!!!
Top 10 things to ask your kid about (in No particular order):
1. Backpacking to Marion Lake (BIG cheer)
2. A Palasky, McLoud and a cross cut saw
3. A dinner tarp
4. Granola, biscuits and dehydrated fruit, and pumping water out of a stream
5. White water rafting
6. Mrs. Sally Walker
7. Brad AKA “Allen” and Nick & KinKaid
8. The history of Bob Marshall and the forest fires. The difference between a Park and a forest
9. Fart Baseball (I did NOT teach them this!!!!!!)
10. Swimming in a freezing cold stream brrrrrr!!! (snow run off from the mountain)
(11. The passion play!)
Update August 5th, 2011:
We ended our last night at camp with an Affirmation Circle and communion as a Fergus Falls group in our “tent cabin”. The boys decided to sleep under the Montana stars last night. They said they saw a meteor shower!
We enjoyed the resurrection service this morning at 8am at Camp. The van was all packed and ready to go so when that was over we said our goodbyes and crawled into the van. We just went through Missoula, MT and Kari and I hope to make it to Dickinson, ND today. It will be a long day in the car but we would like to make it home at a good time on Saturday. We have had a fabulous week. I am anxious for you to hear what your child has to say about their experience. There were MANY
NEW challenges and experiences.
See you soon! God Bless
Update August 5th, 2011:
Rebekah called to let us know that they are just leaving camp (approx. 10 am, Friday, Aug. 5th).
They are hoping to get as far as Miles City today or maybe a little farther if all goes well and then they will be spending the night.
They will be home on Saturday - no time given.
Thanks, Bev
Update August 4th, 2011:
Rebekah just called in, all is well.
They are currently at West Glacier, Montana and, from Rebekah's conversation, looking forward to hot showers.
They will be white water rafting soon at Great Northern Resort.
They worked with fellows from the US Forestry Service and they worked hard clearing a trail.
She said it was challenging but rewarding.
You can expect to hear from Rebekah because they should have reception now.
Bev
Update August 2nd, 2011:
Just heard from Kari Johnson--they have been up high on the mountain with no cell reception or internet reception.
She and a couple of the students came down briefly and are headed back up, so she was able to call the church.
They are doing fine, everyone is camping in tents - Rebekah and Kari have one tent and there are three other four-person tents.
She is not sure how high up they are but they are high up on the mountain.
It was cold during the night, everyone was wearing their stocking caps and could see their breath this morning.
They are clearing a trail in the Bob Marshal Wilderness area, they are located about 25 miles east of Glacier Parks west entrance.
She said 'not in Glacier, just across the road or across the street' not sure how she described it exactly and my notes aren't clear.
So far they have only seen one deer, no other animals. They will complete their mission work tomorrow and head down.
We should hear from them again, once they are back in an area that has reception.
But all is well at this time.
Bev
Update August 2nd, 2011:
That is a long drive!!!!!! After calculating the mileage on the map and google maps ….. the drive is a lot longer than what we were told and what we predicted. We arrived at camp last night about 12midnight. We were greeted by the camp director. I believed we were staying in a cabin on Saturday and Sunday night and when we arrived at our ‘home’ for 2 nights I am pretty sure that everybody’s jaws dropped. We are staying in a tent cabin. There is no electricity, no running water and we are on mattresses on a “deck” type thing in a canvas tent that sleeps 12 people. Kari and I looked at each other like a deer in headlights. The kids were excited. The boys were ecstatic….. pretty sure they spent most of last night making shadow puppets on the wall. We are definitely roughing it but having a very good time.
Our plan for mission work has changed. It sounds like another group has finished the work that we were going to do. So, we are headed towards Glacier National Park. The kids are SO SO SO excited to head towards that way and get into the park.
Horseback riding was a blast today. Two groups of 6 went out for an hour trail ride. The scenery is breathtaking and the guides were very talkative and attentive. We learned a lot about the ranch and the area. After horseback riding we went out for pizza and to Walmart on a flashlight run! We needed some light to get to the biffy!!!!
When we got back to camp we went swimming and some scouted out some showers down a trail. We then met our counselors and went to dinner. It was spaghetti supper tonight. After dinner we had some team building activities and evening worship.
You would be so proud!!!!! There were “stupid Olympics” and tonight there were 4 categories. Needless to say the ‘Minnesota Misfits’ AKA the Augustana group wone 3 out of the 4. The 3 wins came from the loudest burp, the uglies/weirdest feet, and a gross double jointed part of the body! Thank you Mitchell, Katie Shea and Tanner for contributing. I am sure that your parents are proud.
Gotta hit the mattress!!! Hahahaha we are getting up for breakfast at 6:45am
On a Mission in Christ!
Rebekah
Update July 30th, 2011:
Change in plans……. We headed out of Medora at about 9:30am after our delicious buffet breakfast at the chuck Wagon! We all left stuffed and uncomfortable. We went across town (to the only gas station in Medora) to fill up and it was an OLD pump and one of the kids asked how I was going to pay at the pump? They all laughed as the dials were clicking around. They all looked like serious tourists with their cameras out the windows! We drove through the park to get to 94 and we have been driving……and driving……and driving. Kids have been playing cards, napping, reading, resting, listening to music, looking out the window and visiting. The boys have been busy making creations out of duct tape (whatever keeps them busy I guess. They are very creative!!!) Its 4pm and we just passed through Billings, MT. We have a lot of time left on the road. Rachel, so sweet and innocent asked to look at a map and see where we were and where we were headed. Her jaw dropped when Kari showed her where we were. LOL she asked to see a smaller map----thinking that it wouldn’t be so far or look so far away on a small map. We all got a good chuckle! Thanks Rachel. Kari just took over the wheel and says it’s just like driving with a horse trailer! In the far distance we can barely see the mountains!
We opted out of horseback riding at Medora this morning to get on the road. We called and made reservations at the “Lonesome Dove Ranch”. Kari talked to the ranch hand early this morning. I was laughing when Kari hung up the phone…….women ask such intelligent questions. I’m sure the conversation around the ranch coffee table this morning was VERY humorous! I’m glad they could get a good laugh out of Minnesota women!!!
P.S. Thank you SteveS. and Gerald H. for the quick lesson in backing up a trailer. Your tips have been useful!
The camera cord is in the trailer. Once we stop I’ll grab is so we can post some pictures.
On a Mission!!!
Rebekah
Update July 30th, 2011:
Good evening……or should I say Good Morning?? It is 12am mountain time…..which means it is 1:00am in Fergus. The ride was great and the passengers were very relaxed and patient. Only a few asked “Are we there yet?” We arrived in Medora about 2pm and stretched our legs and looked around while we waited to check into the hotel at 4pm. After a mock shoot out downtown and a quick dip in the pool we cleaned up and headed to the pitch fork fondue and the musical. The meal was FABULOUS and needless to say NoBody walked away hungry! The scenery is gorgeous and the kids are taking it all in. Kids too many pictures of the “mountains” and we made our way across the parking lot to outdoor theatre to find our seats. What great seats! Great Job Medora! We Augustanians need to hit the hay….we have a long journey ahead of us tomorrow. Breakfast at the cowboy café then off to the riding stables to get a taste of riding through the ntl park (literally not a taste but figuratively!!!) Sleep tight. The kids are exhausted but are excited as to what tomorrow will bring!
God Bless!
Rebekah
Update July 29th, 2011:
The Augustana Youth are on their way, they left Friday, July 29th before 8:30 am..
To learn more about the area where they are going, check out www.seeleyswanpathfinder.com.
The youth will be in the Bob Marshal Wilderness area and more specifically the Seeley Swan area. Type Bob Marshal Wilderness Area into your search engine and you will see some amazing country. Please keep the mission trip and its participant in your prayers.
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