Wilderness Trip 2022 - Part 2

     God is most clear in the uncomfortable: the suffering, the hard questions, the star­ing down a 45-foot jump into unknown water. I’ve spent enough of my life in the safety zone, and I’ve realized that it’s not truly living. I want to fully embrace the story that God is writing for me; the good, the bad, and the ugly. Wilderness gave me all of those moments.

​Freezing cold NID water at 6am, watching the sun rise from the top of English Mountain, stumbling through a mineshaft while shouting out lyrics to whatever songs came into our heads, staring up at the moon and stars, jumping off rocks, cliffs, and dams, looking west over the moun­tains. These moments – all of them – are invaluable to me. Not just for the thrill, but because they showed me more of my Father. - Alec

     I think along with learning the importance of com­munication comes learning humility. Communicat­ing our needs and asking for things can be tough but I think it is necessary for growth. – James

     Before we ran the 5k, Suzanne read to us from Hebrews 12, which speaks about setting aside everything that weighs us down or ensnares us, and running with endurance the race set before us, always keeping Jesus as the center of our focus. That last run for me symbolized how the pace I set in my life needs not to be one of speed or great form, but one that sees only Jesus and runs enduringly to Him. - Danika

     I had to learn that I don’t stop loving others even if I am depleted or tired. Jesus never stopped loving others, even when He suffered ridicule, torture, and isolation. When did I start thinking I could stop loving others just because it became hard? Love looks like carrying two backpacks. Love looks like carry­ing a teammate up a hill even when my feet feel like they are going to fall off. Love looks like encouraging a teammate even when the last thing I want to do is speak to another human being. - Hannah

See Wilderness Trip 2022 - Part 1.