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