REPORT!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ash Grove AOG, Central AOG, Oak Grove AOG and Mountain Grove The Church headed towards the BIG BAT CAVE!
We had approx. 55 in attendance (some were never heard from again...grin...just kiding). The outing started at 6pm with 7 vans/busses/cars heading for a hour journey to the hike into the cave. Weather was tops. A warm 20 ish in the early a.m. and upper 20's in the evening. The hike along the river took us across a barb wire fence, downed trees, briars and ice. It was a grand 1/4 mile trip. As we approached the mouth of the cave it's huge black face gaped out to swallow us up. Everyone stopped to cool off and drop their load at the cave entrance. Sr. Commander grand goula told everyone to head back in there and find a place to sleep council fire is at 9:30 sharp. As the 50 tromped back to the pits of darkness I started setting up my tent at the face of the cave. It is a vigil for me. I love to see just how cold it gets at the mouth of the cave....low teens sometimes...brrrrrrrh! 4 of us insane leaders who have camped back in the cave now for years (6) decided to test our down bags and holofill. After we got the sleeping quarters arranged we split up some 2x12s and made a council fire. At 9:00 pm I headed back into the cave to roust out the roosters for the service. Back in the cave you had to shed your extra jackets gloves, hats...etc. as it is 57 degrees back there. I check my boys and 2 commanders that were up there with them and the rest of the 3 churches reminding all to be at the face of the cave no later than 9:30 sharp. At the council fire we used a yucca stick and got an ember(2) times..but the birds nest wasn't dry enough and it wouldn't burn. So a match was then given to the drill fire man and he lit the council fire on the top. I had stuck 3 candles in the center for added flame. The fire went great and lasted just long enough to talk about the light of Christ and his birth and the star that pointed to Christ and several songs. We then formed a single file line by outpost and each commander came forward and recieved candles for each of their group. Once handed out. I talked a bit about what we were going to do and lit my candle from the council fire. There I returned to the line up and asked the commanders to step forward and light their candles from my light and then in turn light their groups light. As we walked in encouraged silence toward the back of the cave. I stopped half way there in a large cavern that was pitch black. As we all gathered in that cave we lit it up. I talked about your light for Christ and how as a collective body of Christ we can light our dark world for Christ. As I was talking my candle fell from my hand and went out...a few of the boys laughed. I added sometimes in your Christian walk your light in Christ may grow dim or go out. ... I picked up the candle and re lit it from one of the others close by me...if this happens to you go to someone whose light is shining bright and get your candle re lit by fellowship and drawing encouragement from them. We then went to the very back of the cavern where you have to start climbing to get up to the upper rooms. I had all come in close and once seated on the cave floor I asked all the lights go out on that side of the cave. Then this side and then that side until just a few were lite. Until all were out except mine. I told the boys what I was going to do and ask them to be patient with me.... I extinguished the last candle and talked about hell and separation from God. A invitation was given to except Christ into their heart. The rest of the time the boys explored and all had a great time. We left the next day around noon and got back to the Church at 1:15 or so. God is good. All the time! Mark Jones Mark Jones, Ozark MO, [EMAIL PROTECTED] Download a Free Royal Ranger Database visit my website at: http://home1.gte.net/mjones02/index.html ________________________________________________________________ GET INTERNET ACCESS FROM JUNO! Juno offers FREE or PREMIUM Internet access for less! Join Juno today! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/web/. _______ This mailing list is dedicated to the glory of God. Let the Golden Rule be your daily rule. Offering bucket: http://eBible.org/mpj/partner.htm To unsubscribe, send "unsubscribe rangernet" to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or visit http://rangernet.org/subscribe.htm http://rangernet.org Autoresponder: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
