Belated Post...

Alright, so we have not posted in a couple days, but that does not mean stuff has not been going on. The past 3 1/2 days have been filled with alot of God moments, physical activites, worship, sleeping, and a whole lot of driving.

Thursday was a big activity day. We got to witness God's awesome creation as we white water rafted down the Arkansas River for about hour and a half. The rafting experience is normally a 2 1/2 hour trip, but so much rain and snow melt has caused the river to almost double since last year. This caused for the river to a be a class 4 river, instead of the normal class 3. It was an awesome experience with many instense rapids and a whole lot of wet rafters. Keith and I both agreed that we have never been on a rafting experience quite like that, but also agreed it was by far the best rafting experiece ever. Many of the kids commented on not only how awesome the rafting experience was, but also how awesome God's creation was while we rafted.

Thursday night many of us hiked up Soldier's Mt. around 11pm for a over night sleep over on top of Soliders. The hike up was like no hike ever for many of us. As you may have read we hiked up Solider's Mt. earlier in the week, but definately not in the dark. Some of struggled more then others, but a few definately would have not made it without the community of support we had as we hiked up the mountian. Wouldn't it be awesome if we always had a community of support around us when life turned dark or when your in a really tough time? I challenge you readers to seek those kind of Christian friends to be around. The youth group definately saw how this type of community can make a difference in your life. On top of Solidier's Mt. we were greeted by an amazing view of the stars. It was an awesome experience even though we were awaken by another group a little ealier then we wanted.

Friday was another big day for us. Friday we went repelling and mountian climbing. It was also espeically tough because many of us were tired from the early wake up we recieved on top of Solider's Mt. that morning. The rock climbing was in the middle of the Garden of the Gods. It was a challenge for many of us to climb some of the parts we wanted to. The climbing was split into 9 sections ranging from easier to really hard. The other half of the day we repelled down a 150 foot climb. It was an awesome experience because all the kids that did it also admited they were scared or nervous. The group running the repel hill shared how the rope is like God and you need to reliy on God. It was was really cool to see the kids repel and succeed at it. Another really awesome thing we did on Friday night was a big group meeting with just our youth group. All of the kids shared how they saw God's face throughout the week and what they liked best about the trip. We also had had each kid and leader share a prayer request and another student or leader prayed for that prayer request. It was awesome to see the kids open up and share wht they needed prayer for. Overall, the chapel and worship time thoughout the week was amazing and many of the youth connected to it in awesome ways. As leaders, we would love it if you continue to pray for the youth and the struggles they shared and the crosswalks in life that they face.

Saturday and Sunday was packing up, saying good byes, and driving. We arrived back home in Holland at 3:30 on Sunday afternoon.

On behalf of all the leaders, I just want to say that the high school youth in our church is amazing. Each of them have amazing personalities and are on fire for God. Please continue to pray for us as we go through the summer and get ready for another school year. As leaders, we love these high schoolers so much and seek to help them grow in their walk with the Lord in any way we can. Avid readers, church members, and EDGE parents: thanks for all your prayers and support thoughout this past week. We couldn't have done it without you guys.

On a sidenote, more pictures will be posted once I get caught up with my laundary and sleep!! And for the youth reading this for the first time!! We love you guys!!

In Christ, Hefty

The real truth...

Ok, so if anyone is wondering what the real story of the bear is.......yes there has been more than just the bear statue that Alden was making friends with. We have enjoyed the company of "Oscar" the bear wandering around camp for the last three days, as you can see from the picture. He seems to like the garbage cans that are around camp, but keeps his distance from people. We have been told it is a cub that has been hanging around the last few weeks around here.

We had a great time of worship in chapel last night. As always, this camp is a place filled with the presence of God, both in what we see around us, in each other, and in his Spirit moving through people. Thank you for the opportunity to spend the week here to experience God's presence in a different way and to experience this week with a great group of kids.

Other important news clips from yesterday:

Alden got schooled in mini-golf twice yesterday, even by the oldest guy in our group...despite his claim to being the best golfer in the group.

Alden quit his last game of golf due to frustration with losing.

Alden got kinda wimpy in the last game of paintball when the going got tough. He was last seen hiding behind a brush.

Despite all of this....Alden's a good guy.

Well, today was a visit to Pikes Peak. It was the best weather I have seen yet up there, and we got to enjoy our lunch overlooking the view. Then we came back and did low ropes initiatives, which are team building activities. Enjoy the pictures.

Keith

Bear Picture

Here is one of the pictures of the bear. It was taken by Ryan Jacobs.

Rocky Mountain Thoughts

Brian and I just finished up a little bit o' square dancing, so I'm ready for some low-energy blogging to you folks back home. (Actually, we thought we'd better step out of the square dance because our stellar moves were outshining all the students. . . )

Today, we enjoyed a smorgasboard of activities around camp: Everyone grabbed a little of this and a little of that to piece together a fun day. Most of the crew headed out for some flyfishing this morning (with many of the girls there for "fly fishing support") and grabbed a little lunch and ice cream before heading back to camp. The afternoon offered opportunities for mountain biking, paintball, and horseback riding. And of course, some of us tried to sneak in a little nap along the way.

Personally, I skipped out on the mountain biking, but refined my "hide behind the tree" paintball strategy and enjoyed a nice ride with a horse named Cisco. (He was a little out of alignment and kept veering left, but it was a nice relaxing ride after being peppered with paintballs.)

All in all, it's been an amazing journey here in Colorado so far. The mountains out here are incredibe, of course, and one can't help but be amazed at God's creation when looking at them. But I've also been amazed at God's beautiful creation in the people I've met this week: For those of you who are parents reading this, I have to say that you have some wonderful kids. As a "newbie leader" they've made me more than welcome and I'm having a great time getting to know them. They've heard some challenging messages at chapel and it's a great joy to be walking with them on this Colorado journey--both physical and spiritual.

So thanks for keeping up with us. And just keep praying for God's blessings on our group.

For the crew,
Amy

Soldier's Mountian Conqured!

On a more serious note, the youth group conqured Soldier's Mountian today. The mountian is an intense, steep, and very rocky mountian on camp. The camp is located at about 9,000 feet and the top of Solider's Mountian is over 10,000 feet. For the first time since we starting coming to coming to Colorado Chellenge, we decided to hike the mountian together and not let the youth spread out while hiking. This allowed us to build community within the group and let the youth that were better hikers encourage those that were not the best hikers. It was a great experience and I must be honest in saying that the 6 times I have hiked Soldier's Mountain that this was by far the easiest hike up Soldier's for me. The idea of hiking the mountian together stemmed from a sermon Pastor George taught on a few weeks ago. How much easier and more rewarding is things when we set together and trust in God? This was definately evident in todays hike. At the top of the mountian is one of the most amazing views I and many of the youth have ever seen. Also at the top of the mountian is an old rugged cross over looking camp. It was an amazing experienc for myself and the rest of the group.

In Christ,

Hefty

BOVEN ATTRCTS BEAR

The first thing the heads of the camp told us when we got to camp was to not keep any food in or around our cabin because of the danger of bears. This went in one ear and out the other to the Men of the Edge youth group: Alden, Taylor, Ryan, and Kris had a great idea to buy Tuna fish at the local Wal-Mart to put in the girls cabin. After Alden opened the tuna he set it outside the cabin while we all waited for the right time to put it in the girl's cabin. However, a strange thing happened about 10 minets later. While sitting on the back porch Keith spotted A BEAR circling the cabin. Over the course of the next hour and a half the bear went through the trash and contiued to hang around the cabin. We were smart enough though that none of us got closer than 15 yards from the bear and we were all happy to escape with our lives.

Alden Boven

**Leader Discliamer** -- The youth's lives were never at risk and the bear was really a cub. None of the youth got too close to the bear as well.

Quaker Ridge Camp arrival

We made it! A little after 2:00 Mountain time we pulled in to the great city of Woodland Park. We found they gained a new Walmart in town, so of course we had to stop by (mainly because Megan and Hefty needed new loofas to shower with), and we needed some water to keep us hydrated in this altitude. And while we were there, we decided it was a good idea to buy a cheap coffee pot and some quality coffee for our early mornings.

So anyhow, weather is great, scenary is incredible, and God is good! We actually enjoyed our first meal, which was a surprise. And we had our first chapel time tonight.......
Jeremiah 6:16 This is what the LORD says: "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.

Tomorrow we attempt a challenging hike up Soldiers Mountain, and then maybe some caving if were up for it.

Thanks for your prayers and for keeping up on our adventure.

From the old guy....Keith

The Great State of Nebraska!!

We have arrived in the great state of Nebraska, after traveling in the even more exciting state of Iowa (That is a joke for those who didn't get it). We did however get to witness some of the flooding that has gone on in Iowa. It was a gut wrenching sight (and a weird awesome) to see the power of God through water.

One a more serious note, God blessed us with great weather and good traveling on the way out here. Day one is complete!! Tomarrow we will drive the final 8 hours to camp. Our ETA for Quarter Ridge Camp is somewhere between 2-3 pm, God willing. Please continue to pray of us and thank you ALL so much for the many hours of prayers that you have already put in. God has been amazing to us so far and we are praying He will continue to bless us. Next time we blog we will be Colorado! Yippe!!

** There is a link on the bottom of this page where pictures from throughout the week will be up loaded. However, done have been uploaded yet.**

In Christ,
Hefty

Heading to Colorado Challenge!!

We are heading to Colorado Challenge on Saturday, June 21!! We will traveling with 10 youth and 5 leaders (the leaders are really just kids at heart).

The trip is designed to bring the youth out of their 'comfort zone' by challenging them with many physical tasks. Some of things the youth will be doing while in Colorado is: white water rafting, repelling, mt. climbing and hiking, caving, paint ballin', mt. biking, flyfishing, and many other exciting activites. At night, the youth also have an amazing worship setting with a main speaker, a live worship band, and much more. It's definately an amazing and exciting week!

I hope you enjoy reading about our week while we are gone and seeing how God is working in our lives.


Please pray for us while we are gone!!


In Christ, Hefty Hellenthal