Christmas was on the way as the Outpost gathered one last time before the Holiday break... The plan was for the Straight Arrows Buckaroos to have the gym for games a party.. while the Pioneers and Trailblazers went on the church bus to look at the lights on display at the local racetrack... On the way, the bus with foggy windows rocked as the Rangers sang out *praise choruses and some carols... This was a great time for the happy Outpost that had just swept Ranger of the year for all age groups in their section... "It's a big house.. with a big backyard<G>" "He's under my feet- *I went to the enemy camp..and I took back what he stole from me..." When the noise died down to a roar<G> we noticed that we were stuck in traffic.. and it was a good time to get serious and read again the Christmas story. ...some of the boys stared out the window as beyond the lights a glow was seen coming from town... HEY! SOMETHING'S BURNING! Sure 'nuff.. flames lit up the night and were bouncing firelight off the low clouds.. The Rangers continued with the drive that night like a normal event till a cell phone rang on the bus... Parents were concerned about their boys as the fire was in a large apartment complex close to the church.. Commander told the driver to return to the church and when they pulled in it was a disaster...*right in their front yard! Fire Trucks and hoses... EMT's and the Sheriff had the streets blocked just at the Church lot... the media was present with news vans and lights on as Live TV showed the Christmas disaster.. The Boys were quiet... Suddenly, Sr. Guide stood.. and said: Guys! First we are going to pray.. then Rangers are going to work! We got lot's of gear stored for time just like this... check in with your parents, then if you can.. come back and let's do something! Prayer rose like the flames of that apartment fire for the safety of both the apartment dwellers and the Firefighters! Commandeer? It's cold out there... theirs people and kids that need help.. Do you think we could hold an emergency "camp-out" in the church and maybe open the gym to these people? We could use the Ranger Powwow trailer and start up some chow for whoever needs a bite and coffee for the Firefighters right? (Commander was already on the cell phone to the Pastor and a staff member and they ok'd the operation... they opened the food closet and started contacting official disaster relief agencies as well for assistance) Shortly the boys worked to set up the cook trailer and tarps like they practiced for Powwow last summer and fired up the stoves and boiled water... Everybody had a job.. and ran to find blankets and cots and exercise pads to set up the Gym.. As the people saw the lights and activity, they came over... and were greeted with hugs by the people attending the wed. night service and helped inside to warm up from the cold night... "What will we do? Everything is gone!" .....some one was there and quietly said: "First, thank God, and come in!" We have lots to share, and you are among friends! The boys organized a makeshift first-aid station with their Royal Ranger emergency kits.. and used the "Buddy system to" find lost kids and get them back to their parents.. They set up the tents in the lot for people to put whatever they could slavage under a cover.... The gym began to fill as the fire was put out... and crying and weeping was tempered by the sound of *praise for safety and a warm dry place in the night... The Media caught it all.. *Royal Rangers arriveing by bus.. holding a "huddle" and breaking into teams to set up emergency facilities right on the fire frount! They caught a couple of Rangers...for an interview.. "Young Man.. can you tell us who your group is that is being so helpfull?" "*Yes mamm... We are Royal Rangers, and we are Ready for anything! I wish I could fight that fire...mayby someday I will, but right now I can do this.. for some reason.. *I have to do this! These people are cold wet and tired.. they need a place to stay, and isn't that just like the Christmas story? That's what Jesus would do<G>" . _______ To unsubscribe, send "unsubscribe rangernet" to [EMAIL PROTECTED] "Eat the hay & spit out the sticks! - A#1's mule" RTKB&G4JC! http://rangernet.org Autoresponder: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
