Wilderness Trip 2010, Enjoy the Journey!

I just got back from a crazy, challenging, eventful, amazing experience! Class of 2011 at Portersville Christian School (my school) had the opportunity to "camp" in the Allegheny National Forest for 3 nights and 4 days. I have to admit that I wasn't thrilled when I considered this trip because sleeping under a tarp, no showers, and peeing in the woods isn't really my thing. Before we left, my Bible teacher Pastor Charles told us to "enjoy the journey" no matter what. To my surprise it wasn't terrible and we made some hilarious memories, God really moved in our class during this experience and it's impossible to explain being there but I will point out the main highlights from the trip:

~Cook Groups. We wanted to get to know the people that we don't really know during this trip so we made groups with those that we weren't that close with and a chaperone. These groups came together for each meal which we had to cook ourself and prayed together each night and really bonded and got to know eachother on a new level. We had to work together to hang our food bags in a tree so that the bears wouldn't eat it. It was a hilarious challenge that we completed after every meal. My cook group was a blessing for the trip.

~Rock Climbing. We were put into small groups to hike a 1/2 mile to get to the rock climbing area. Each group had designated compass holders and we were taught how to correctly use a compass to find our way in the woods. Our group got their first and we helped direct the person that had to have a blindfold during this. The biggest challenge for myself was climbing to the top. I thought I could handle it but when I got stuck in a crutch and there was nothing to hold on to I got very frustrated and wanted to give up. Everyone encouraged me to keep going and guided me throughout the climb. I still don't know if rock face climbing is my thing but it was an awesome day and many people conquered their fears. God used this challenge as a major opportunity for so many of us!

Nightly Campfires. Every night at dark we circled the camp fire and came together and just talked it out. Mr. Harbison our 'director' proposed us with challenging questions about our class, ourselves personally, our relationship with God, and our relationship as a class. We all let down the walls we had up and became unified as a class but more like family. It's SUCH a blessing to have every person in our class genuinely love eachother and encourage eachother. So many highschools don't have such a wonderful connection to know that they can go to eachother for anything and they will always be there for eachother. Many people asked forgiveness from eachother and healed old problems. We also went around and said who inspired us that day and why. It was so impacting watching God move in the hearts of my classmates.

Worship. There's just something splendid about having worship around a campfire with a guitar. Our main song for the trip was Healing Begins by Tenth Avenue North. The lyrics are so true.

Friday Night Prayer. We prayed each night, but on one particular night, Friday, our small group came together and each prayed for one another. Each person said what they needed prayer for and we just went around and prayed it out. You could seriously tell that these people genuinely cared for you. The power of prayer is so amazing!

Devotional Time. We took a long hike on Friday during the day and split up to have alone time with God out in the wilderness. It was so refreshing just sitting on a rock in the forest in the complete silence just being still and knowing He is God. It's not too often we have an hour to do this without distractions around us.

The Rave Cave! The craziest thing that happened over the trip was probably finding the "rave cave." The guys came across this 2 by 2 ft. hole that you literally had to shimmy though and crawl down a skinny hall and it opened up to a huge room where everyone could stand up. We named it the rave cave because our entire class fit into it and had a party. Someone beat boxed and shined thier flashlights and we just had a full out dance party. Inside of a cave in the ground. It doesn't get much more epic. There's a video for proof :)

The Wilderness Trip turned out to be a very interesting, eventful, and impacting experience. The fact that we were all out there gross, no makeup, no showers everyone the same. Just worshipping God in nature was amazing and God has bonded our class together as a family. I know that God has placed me here in this school, this class for a purpose. And i'm just enjoying the journey.

I challenge you in your own life. If I can survive in the wilderness for 3 nights and 4 days doing crazy things, then you can survive the challenges and troubles in your life. It won't always be easy, there will be challenges, burdens, irritating bugs, and sometimes you'll have to climb above that rock in your life, but you WILL make it! You'll come out in the end a little scratched and bruised, but with great memories and hilarious stories ;) ENJOY THE JOURNEY.