Pictures Link + Why Alaska Was Amazing

This year we had the honor of introducing the very first Survival Alaska, and wow, what a blast!  Getting to see the beauty of  God’s creation first-hand in the Alaskan wilderness was an unmatched experience.

 

 

 

The interesting thing about Alaska is that it is, well, separated from the rest of the US by Canada.  This means that the huge trailer load of Survival materials that we carry around to all the other events would have to be left behind. So our first order of business was to purchase everything necessary to operate a Survival event.  Wow!  I, of course, went with the group headed to the hardware store, because, for me, going to a hardware store to buy all the materials to build eight obstacles is much like releasing a small child into a candy store.  Purchasing everything was a task that took nearly all day, but, when finally accomplished, we headed to Camp Maranatha to spend the night.  I say “night;” however, the term only really applies to an Alaskan summer in the very loosest way, seeing that the sun didn’t set until about 11:30 p.m. and rose again at 3:30 a.m.  The next morning we actually built all the obstacles, a task which the fabulous staff team, with the aid of Curtis Whatley, the founder of Survival, got right to and accomplished rapidly.  The last obstacle was up by the time the students arrived.

The week went smoothly, which is a real testament to God’s power.  There are millions of things that could have gone wrong in a completely new location away from all our usual resources.  The students really changed from loose groups to close-knit teams, as they were forced to rely on each other to overcome obstacles.  I must say though, that we had some of the most original names I’ve seen, like  ”The Super Scarlet Skeeter Squirrels” or “Skmo!”   On Thursday, we were able to take a hike in Hatchers Pass, which was absolutely spectacular.  Being from the east coast, I’m used to mountains covered with trees, but these had none.  They were instead covered with lush grass, boulders, and snow caps. Seeing snow in August was a really new experience for this Georgia boy.  Daniel Solid, Curtis Whatley and I were able to hike to the peak of one of the mountains from which we could overlook all of the teams navigating the points.  The view was breathtaking and I think the most beautiful that I have seen in my whole life.  As we climbed, I was reminded of Psalm 12, “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help [cometh] from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.”

Overall, the week was a tremendous success.  God was faithful to bring all the students and staff closer to Him by working together in His beautiful creation.  It is always so extraordinary to see God at work and quite exciting to have the privilege of being a part of it.