We're Home!

After a fantastic week, we made it back to Roanoke last night around 11:00. Everyone stayed around to help unload, clean up, and have one last prayer and round of good-bye hugs. The weather did clear up on Wednesday and Thursday. Since the camp staff decided not to reschedule our visit to the 38-feet tall cross sculpture, our group decided that it was worth it to make our own trip. The entire group quietly left at 5:00 (yes, that is a.m.) Thursday morning, which was an achievement in itself since we were sharing sleeping quarters with all of the other youth groups. We made the beautiful drive just after sunrise to the cross. The last part of the trail was not clearly marked so we ended up going too far and got the bus stuck in the mud (there always seems to be a mishap story on these trips!). Much good came out of this story, though. First, we had to walk up to the cross, which one of the youth said felt like we were actually getting closer to God as we walked. Second, the kind person who came to tow us out with his tractor happened to be the artist who created the sculpture. Many thanks to Brett and his dog, Highway! Third, we did make it back to camp in time for breakfast. Throughout this entire experience, there was not one complaint. Everyone just enjoyed the experience and we all agreed later in our back home meeting that it was worth it.
The cross sculpture is made of old metal parts and scraps, and one of the youth pointed out how it was neat that those things could be put together to create something so beautiful. It reminds me of 2 Corinthians 5:17, which says: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
In the next day or so, we will be adding stories from the youth so that you can read firsthand what this trip meant to them.