God is faithful even through crazy times, and Alaska Pathfinders experienced this firsthand on their International Camporee trip. A journey from Alaska to Gillette, Wyoming, for 120 Pathfinders is almost a bigger-than-life experience.
A pre-camporee tour was scheduled starting with a trip to an aquarium on Friday. Sabbath morning brought a wonderful service at Loveland Adventist Church in Colorado where Pathfinders and adults shared about Alaska and how they live their faith. After lunch, the group experienced the beauty of God’s creation at Rocky Mountain National Park and completed the day with sundown worship in the mountains by Estes Park Lake.
Sunday was the day that the prayer journeys really started. The group went to a theme park to enjoy the rollercoasters and waterpark. Shortly after arrival, a storm closed most of the park with a strong possibility that it would close for the day.
What happens when plans for 70 people fall apart and tickets are non-refundable? Pray and watch God lead. Pathfinders enjoyed rides that were open and, to their amazement, the storm subsided and the park reopened. Monday, the final day of the tour, was a visit to Mount Rushmore.
On the way to Gillette, Pathfinders were able to “Believe The Promise” of God’s leading and protection as the transmission in one of the buses started to fail. Again, prayers went up, and the group arrived safely Monday evening and joined the rest of the group.
Tuesday was the official start of camporee and Pathfinders were off to pin trading, honors and activities. That night, massive thunderstorms and high winds blew down tents and flooded camping areas. Again, God took care of the group.
While the tents got a bit wet, all were safe and sleeping gear was dry enough to keep warm. The conference's large assembly tent that was rented allowed Alaska Pathfinders to invite flooded-out clubs to come and stay the night. Stormy weather continued with a prediction of a huge, potentially dangerous storm Saturday night. After much prayer, camporee leadership decided to end Camporee on Friday evening to allow clubs to choose their best pathway forward.
Again, prayers ascended from the group as to where they could stay the next day; God quickly provided. Brighton Adventist Church and School extended their scheduled accommodations, so on Sabbath morning, the group enjoyed an awesome worship service led by the clubs and leaders of Alaska.
God is so good and provides even amid storms. Praise God the team made it home safely with great memories. During the final worship on Sunday, the crew sang “Away Beyond Jordan.” Alaska Pathfinders are excited for the day when we can meet in Heaven.
The group worships at camporee.
The group stops to visit Mount Rushmore.
The group is ready for their next adventure after a delicious meal.
Pathfinders enjoy the sun and pool time during travels.
Stormy skies clear and Pathfinders enjoy the waterpark and rides.
God kept the group safe and the busses in working order during their travels
The group worships together at Campion Academy.
Pathfinder leaders refuel to keep their energy levels up.
