The Tale of the Three Trees

Sunday evenings at Alpine are for Vespers.  Right about dusk each age group quietly sets out to a picturesque spot in camp.  Last night the full moon (or almost) rose high above the trees at just the right time. Vespers is the punctuation at the end of a great week. A counselor or head counselor for each area will share a Bible story and perhaps an application or two for life, and maybe even a brief personal testimony (for the older boys).

Yesterday the Hunters (rising 3rd and 4th graders) asked me to lead their Vespers service.  When I was a counselor in 1997 I had Hunter cabins all summer long.  I loved it!  Plus my girls are about that age.  So I’m a bit partial to these youngest boys in camp.

We built a fire in a rocked fire ring overlooking some large trees down in the gorge that carries Little River.  We sang “Lord I Lift Your Name on High” and “Amazing Grace”.  Then I read them “The Tale of the Three Trees.” If you are not familiar, it’s an old folk tale that tells the story of three trees who had visions of grandeur.  But alas, they were chopped down and sold. Used for a common animal feed box, an old fishing boat, and squared off beams, they resigned themselves to being of no use.  You probably see where this is heading, but they all ended up being used for Jesus at various times in his life.  The campers listened so intently and quickly picked up on the applications.

The excitement in the air this morning was palpable.  For one, it was a new week with fresh activities and some great things in store (Trip day, hint, hint).  Plus I looked down the road to see a lot of excited Chief 2’s (rising 10th graders) and their counselors walking down the road, backpacks on their backs.  These backpacks held sleeping bags, tents, cooking utensils, stoves, flashlights, chacos, and all the ingredients for three days of backcountry food prep. These boys left on a chartered bus after a warm breakfast of grits, scrambled eggs, toast plus the granola/yogurt bar.

It is a pinnacle experience for them.  Something that many of them have looked forward to for a number of years.  They’ll hike on a section of the famed Appalachian Trail in North Carolina.  Leading these boys will be a professional guide service out of Rome, GA, Higher Ground.  We’ve worked with Higher Ground for almost 10 years now and our ministries and philosophies really line up very well together.  We are grateful for their leadership.

I have been fortunate to make this trip twice, once as a camper in 1993 and then as a counselor in 1998.  It is quite a unique experience to hike with a pack on your back containing everything you need to live for that time period.  I remain great friends today with quite a few of the guys I hiked with on both trips.  I credit a large part of that to this trip.

With excitement to match, though not quite as much on their backs, the Trappers (rising 5th graders) hiked out of main camp this afternoon before dinner.  I stood on the road and cheered them on as they carried sleeping bags, water bottles, and flashlights for a night under the stars.  As I write they are cooking hot dogs over an open fire at one of our wilderness campsites.  One counselor packed his guitar on his back as he walked past me so I bet they’ll be some campfire songs.  There are also a few cabins of Warriors out on overnights as well (rising 7th grade).

Otherwise, it’s been a beautiful and normal day on the Mountain.  We are in a rhythm that happens naturally when boys are here for 25 days.  Temps are still cool, many wore sweatshirts to breakfast.  Lunch brought hamburger steak, green peas, mashed potatoes, and rolls, plus the usual salad bar.  This evening we ate red beans and rice with sliced sausage, buttered toast, and cole slaw.

Thanks for reading and good night for now,

Glenn