First, thanks to all of you for reading and for posting your comments on this blog and on FaceBook. It is very uplifting to us to know that you are indeed praying for us and the work we are doing here in Calgary.
Desperate to avoid the predicament of the previous day, we made sure to get a very early start as we headed for Camp Gardner. Let me also say that the students and parents have been incredible at following this adaptive schedule. No complaints, that are uttered loud enough for me to hear, and everyone on time. Our work at Camp Gardner included several new tasks like removing rocks and debris from a sand volleyball court, trimming weeds (manually), creating some souvenirs for the campers, washing windows, and painting the camp logo on a shed. We got to the camp and as soon as we got our orders we were working. You would be so proud to see them in action. Everyone engaged, and everyone contributing. They continue to make a difference in the lives of children they may never actually meet. The ones we did meet, however, would come up to our groups and begin singing some of the songs that we had taught them on Monday. It was very gratifying. We have planted seeds.
Once finished with our work we headed to the Olympic Park, the site of the 1988 Winter Olympics. They have continue to train world class athletes at this park, but they have also converted it to several different family and extreme sports activities like, mountain biking, zip lining, and luge! They have paved one of the downhill ski runs and created a really fun event that basically allows you to zoom down the track. Much fun was had by all. Afterwords we gathered under the site of the Olympic flame and Rick and Brogan talked to the kids about how athletes work for a perishable crown after buffeting and training their bodies. They reminded us that we must be disciplined and focused, but that our crown was imperishable. It was the right word, at a wonderful moment.
We then drove to Nose Hill Park which is situated north of downtown and offers several hundred acres of hills and trails. We packed our lunch to the top of a fairly decent hike to a magnificent view of the Calgary skyline. It was really beautiful. I reminded them that Jesus was taken to the top of a hill and was offered all that he saw, but Jesus refused to be seduced by worldly gain. It was an opportunity to challenge the kids to stay focused on our call from the Lord. Not every gain is evil, but we must make sure that whatever we are offered we should measure against what the Lord has called us to be. Another wonderful, teachable moment.
We have also had student led devotional all week long. Jake, Josiah, Marshall, Mary Beth, and Matt all read, shared, and prayed yesterday. You would be so proud of their leadership.
Since we started so early, we had some time to relax before our evening activities. The students welcomed some downtime….and so did the adults.
The evening was a time to take the seniors to a nice dinner to thank them for their service to the Chapel Singers and challenge them to continue to sing their song to the Lord as long as God gave them voice. The underclassmen spent time exploring Steven Avenue Walk an open air shopping area in the downtown.
Danny and Peggy finished the evening with a great story about being prepared and ready to serve at any time.
Please continue to pray the forecast if for a lot of rain in the next few days. All of our activities are scheduled for outside. Also some of the kids are not feeling well. We suspect it has to do with not drinking enough water. Altitude and dry atmosphere are factors. You prayers are appreciated.
