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First Lutheran Church sponsors a youth trip each summer. This year FLY (First Lutheran Youth) decided to go to Colorado to "Dive into the Water" -- to raft on the Arkansas River. Looking at the river as a sign of God's power to move us along in faith, the youth and adults looked at the uses of "water" in the Gospel of John. Each day FLY members led the group in morning prayer,
participated in Bible study, and worshipped in the evening. After a two day trip out to Colorado -- a trip Jesse described as "cramped, hot, and long," and Zach and Dannielle saw as opportunity to improve their "patience and tolerance," the group arrived at the camping ground of River Runners Rafting in Buena Vista, CO,
where they set up camp. Zack was one of the many who "didn't think it would get that cold" at night, but nobody actually froze! Advisor Drew Emery praised kids for their way they "cooperated and participated when it was time to make camp and take camp down." On the third day of the trip, the group rafted down Brown's Canyon on a full day trip. This part of the river is rated as a two to three class of difficulty (the highest class of rapids are rated a "five").
Drew thought that "The white water was great to see with everyone working and playing towards the goal," and
Ian Wankerl stated that "On the white water rafting days I learned that God has blessed us with such amazing things. . . he also protects us when we view these things." The fourth day brought the group the chance spend the entire day rafting down the Royal Gorge portion of the Arkansas River. This part of the river has three and four class rapids. It goes under the Royal Gorge Bridge, which is the highest suspension bridge in America.
Brittany Bennett stated that "White water rafting was scary at first but ended up being tons of fun. It's awsome that we got to experience this together." After rafting, the group packed up and moved to Leadville for some high altitude camping (over 10,000 feet), where Rosemary Sibley got to
"watch the sunrise because it's too cold to sleep." Sean Prat remembered the "campfire each night where Pastor talked to us about the day and how it brought us closer to God."
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Jesse experienced the importance of teamwork when the group "set up camp each night. We helped un-pack, pitch tents, cook, and in the morning, tear down tents and pack back up."
The fifth day was spent in Estes Park, and on the sixth day we hiked in Rocky Mountain National Forest, where we made it up to Miller's Lake for lunch and Bible study.
From there, some hardy hikers journeyed on to Black Lake, a climb of three miles over snow and rocks.
On the seventh day we had morning prayer in the park,
then packed our bags and headed back to Prophetstown. FLY worked all year long to raise money to help pay for othe trip. They worked together to do the camping, cooking, and community building. And they all experienced the purpose behind these trips: a chance to grow in faith, build unity,
and learn how to serve others. The group was led by youth andministry director Rosemary Sibley, Pastor Greg Olson, parents Drew Emery, and Sue and Randy Skelton. The youth "diving into the water" were: Britanny Bennett, Emily Skelton, Zach and Luke Larson, Sean Pratt, Tyler Sandrock, Danielle Hungerford, Ian Wankerl, Katia Urban, and Jesse Sutton.
"Thank you Lord for: snow covered mountains, trees that grow in rocks, little yellow flowers growing in the gravel, mountain tops meeting the sky, billowy white clouds, and gentle breezes. Thank you Lord for safety during and after rafting; for bringing us home safely; for words from scripture that love us, guide us, and show us your Son; and for the church that sends us out to experience your beauty and to give the kids this out-of-the-box experience." Pastor Olson |
