The weekend of June 7 was like the previous three — Sunday river rafting with the Wenatchee (Wash.) Adventist Church youth group also known as Crossw@lk. The rafting trip was different in one way though: participants rescued four rafters whose boat flipped and became stuck in a strong river hydraulic.
Crossw@alk rafters, Eric Barber and Gary Blanchard, guided their boat to rescue the capsized rafters and their floating gear. The other Crossw@lk boat, guided by Travis Hornby, stayed behind to save the capsized boat and one other stranded rafter. It was a reminder of the importance of rafting knowledge and river safety. Fortunately, no one was injured, thanks in part to God's timing and the help provided by this group.
Crossw@lk's rafting ministry has taken more than 100 people down the river this year. By attracting young people to adventurous events, group leaders hope to keep them excited about the even bigger adventure of a saving relationship with Jesus. So far this year, Crossw@lk's more adventurous activities have taken young people snow skiing, snow shoeing, sea kayaking, river rafting, camping and caving. Other activities have included multiple gym nights and ultimate Frisbee.
Later this summer, they plan to do a Lake Chelan campout at a cabin on the lake owned by the Upper Columbia Conference. The property can only be reached by boat and has a lot of potential for youth and other activities. They are praying for someone of vision to help them obtain a boat they can use in this special ministry.
Crossw@lk leaders have already seen more unchurched youth involvement in their church due to these activities, and they hope to see much fruit in the near future.
The Wenatchee (Wash.) Adventist Church youth group goes rafting among other adventures. Here Jessamyn faces the camera. (Eric Barber)
Marina and Victoria are part of the rafting group. (Eric Barber)
Members of Crossw@lk youth group gather after their June 7 white-water rafting adventure.
