So how is your spring going? Good I hope. We're doing well here at Compass, we've been going on trips and conferences, planning fundraisers, putting together a new curriculum for a new branch of our ministry. It's been an eventful past month or so.
I wanted to write a few things on here to share with you an exciting addition to our ministry. I, as many of you may know, have a strong passion for youth who have found themselves in trouble in some way or another, or could easily head down that path, kids I like to refer to as "fence" kids, as they seem to be on the fence and could make some good decisions and lead successful, fulfilling lives, or make bad decisions, and fall into a self-destructive pattern of behavior. I love them. I want to, as my wife has referred to her experience teaching junior high, push them off the fence and out onto the road of success.
I know that my life has been altered in times that I have spent in the wilderness, there is something so unique and special there. The activities we do with students on Compass trips encourage them to draw from pro social modes of thought and action, they are encouraged to communicate in productive ways, to encourage one another, to share in burdens and joys, to confront their fears. It is such an effective, beautiful tool.
I am so excited as we begin reaching out to students on the fence, good ones, students who are afraid, students who don't practice good communication, who don't practice good decision making. Right now we've got a few trips booked with this kind of a group, and will be working toward ministering to more and more of them in the future.
It is with this in mind that I plead the case that now, more than ever, it is vital that we have like-minded supporters enabling our ministry to reach our community, our world. I would love for you to be a part of this support team,and certainly appreciate anything you can do to help. There is a link on our website, www.compasswilderness.com, that you can click on to make a donation, or you can contribute by mailing a check to:
Compass Wilderness
PO Box 1441
Bedford, TX 76095
Steven
Steven
1 comment:
steven, it is now mid-july and you and some of your colleagues have guided a couple of day trips and an eventful campout for some of the fence kids you mentioned. and i must say, you have done exactly what you hoped to do. our kids have been touched in ways that bring tears to my eyes (and theirs, too).
our last crew of kids that you and canaan led on our extremely soggy campout left our program saying things like, "my life is changed forever after dreamcatchers..." and, "i'll never forget that hike. it was the best thing i've ever done in my whole life. oh my gosh, that waterfall was awesome..."
but today brought my personal favorite of all my memorable moments with at-risk youth in the setting of nature... it was the moment when the kid with the greatest amount of fear as well as the greatest physical shortcomings was the first to climb. this guy refused to stand on a log that was 2 feet off of the ground two days ago at a ropes course, for fear of losing balance because of his physical disability. he also got out of the van at the top of mt. scott before climbing and said, "i am creeped out..." as he looked over toward the open view of the refuge. and somehow, he found his way to the top of the medium level climb before anyone else made an attempt. he inspired so much in the other kids and staff... i really believe that he learned something about what he holds inside, what kind of power and capability he possesses.
i just can't say enough how much you have done for the kids we are reaching this summer. every moment you have shared with our staff and with the kids has been a supportive, powerful moment. you have definitely been a huge part impacting the lives of kids "on the fence".
Post a Comment