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Early in the morning of June 2nd, 33 recent high school graduates and 6 leaders gathered at the airport with not much more than well-stuffed backpacks. Their destination?? A mystery! Not until they were boarding a plane from Minneapolis did they learn that they were heading to Alberta, Canada. The entire seven days were shrouded in mystery, since the youth did not know from one hour to the next what they would be doing. Dealing with this unknown was a hard but valuable lesson for our students, reminding us that we must have faith in God each hour of the day – in time, He will reveal His plans for us.
Our first two days were spent backpacking in Jasper National Park among the gorgeous Canadian Rockies, ice cold waterfalls, and rapid, running streams. To further strengthen our relationships with God and each other, 20 hours of the backpacking experience was spent in silence. During our silent time we studied God's word, hiked in His beautiful creation, listened for His voice, set up camp, prepared meals, and contemplated our missions as college freshmen.
Once we had finished backpacking we spent a rainy day doing trail maintenance work in the park. We worked hard making new trails and covering up old ones. It felt good to give something back to this place of beauty where we had seen and felt God's presence despite our blistered feet, aching shoulders, and smelly clothes.
Day five was a travel day for us. We spent the entire day going from Jasper to Calgary – one of the most scenic drives imaginable! Along the way we visited a glacier, canoed on Lake Louise, and spent a little time in Banff. We saw black bears, big-horned sheep, and exquisite waterfalls.
In Calgary we participated in two different service projects. We cleaned the building housing the Jesus Loves You Society – an agency whose mission is to love and aid families in need.
The Mustard Seed houses, feeds, and offers training and rehab to the homeless. Here we served meals, helped in the store, cleaned closets, and supervised the showers.
Even though we did have work days, this mystery mission trip was not as work-oriented as our other mission trips. We were on a spiritual journey. It was a rite of passage into adulthood. These thirty-three students whom First Presbyterian Church has loved, nurtured, and witnessed to for eighteen years, must now reverse roles and become mentors and clouds of witnesses for the younger ones amongst us. We tried to prepare these thirty-three for their next four years of college – the exciting times as well as the challenging times.
Canada provided a beautiful setting for an incredible journey. Our last night was filled with laughter, hugs, and tears. These fabulous thirty-three have spent hours together in Sunday School, completed requirements for Confirmation, experienced five mission trips, and formed lifelong friendships. As they leave home and head for their various college campuses, we pray that they find a community of Christian brothers and sisters.
It's no mystery that we six leaders were blessed to be a part of this trip. We are so proud of these incredible young adults and pray that God will guard and guide them as He reveals His plans for their futures.
Adam DeVries, Mark DeVries, Sara Parish DeVries, Craig Parrish, Erika Shapiro, and Crea Sielbeck
" You are my beloved in whom I am well pleased."Matthew 3:17
Click here for more Mystery Trip 2007 Photos. |
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