Day 5: "LORDS DAY" Deer Mountain in Ketchikan, Alaska
Today was a long day! We had to wake up, pack up, clean up and move our stuff out "before" Sunday School and church. We got that all done then Abby shared a devotion with us before Sunday School. We went to the youth class. Pastor Doug shared about the message to the church at Ephesus found in Revelation. Worship was really good. Ben Edwards, Doug's son, led us in a great time of praise then Pastor Doug shared with us how we could live holy in an unholy world. The service and people were super. We also got to meet more youth and encourage them to come to camp. Several said they would.
We ate sandwiches and then loaded up to go hike Deer Mountain. The rain had let up until we got to the trailhead. We headed up knowing that it would take a couple of hours to get to snow and the first overlook. The trail was covered at times so that kept the rain off us some. Because of the massive amounts of snow that fell this winter there was a lot of water coming down the mountain as it melted.
Therefore, our feet got soaked along with the rest of our body. There were some great picture stops along the way as well as places to take a break. The group divided into two due to pace. Both groups made it up to the snow and down in good time. It felt so good to get to the Overlook, what an accomplishment! It then felt great to get back to the van and then to church so we could warm up in the shower and put on dry clothes.
At 6pm we met with the youth group. Several were coming to camp so it was great to get to know them beforehand.
At 7:30pm our dinner showed up. Vee ordered Chinese from our new friend Lee. We hAd a great variety which included Sweet and Sour Halibut. After dinner two groups went to the Ginter's to help bake cookies and do laundry. A third group went to Wal*Mart one last time before camp. The Wal Mart group finished shopping and joined everyone else at the Ginter's. We ate cookies, talked, watched tv, listened to music, finished up the cookies and some of the laundry. By this time it was nearing 11 pm. Many were tired from the hike so we went back to church and thanked the Lord for a great day. Then it was off to sleep.
Tomorrow we again have pack and clean up so we can head to camp! We have to load all the food and our stuff on the boat. Then we have a three hour boat ride to the two mile trail we have to hike into camp. We will do all that we need to do to get settled and ready for camp. We will hike back to the dock on Tuesday at noon to meet the campers and hike in with them. Camp will begin Tuesday afternoon.
Everything is going great, keep the prayers coming!
bob g
& the Alaska Team
