Loch Tay Expedition Update 3
Good morning everyone. It was quite a day yesterday, so I apologise in advance for the lengthy message.
Yesterday the young people put tents away before breakfast and it was shaping up to be a great day (as I put in yesterday’s message) but it was about a half hour after I sent the update that things went a little pear-shaped.
Alan ran off up the hill (a BIG thanks to Ardeonaig for helping sort this out) and it was a little bit before he was found / turned up. We all though for sure Alan was going to be
coming home and Richard was ready to set off to camp. However, to Kirsty’s credit and insurmountable determination, she spoke to Alan and it seemed that what he really needed was a day off, not a trip home.
Kirsty and Alan went up to Ardeonaig and the others continued on canoeing. This actually worked out well since she had hurt her wrist and needed the break. The other children were shaken up by the experience and got a slow start. The wind clamed down from the morning and the group lashed boats together and sailed down the loch.
Wednesday is always a hard day, as kids are tired and out of their comfort zones, so lunchtime was a real problem with food as it is a bit of an unknown as to what kind of food will be available from Ardeonaig. Some children wanted to go home.
Kirsty and Alan had a good day at Ardeonaig but on return to the loch Alan started to freak out (Kirsty’s wording). Rogan persuaded him into the boat but the other children now wanting to go home.
During the paddle to the island, everyone was abusive and shouting. Kirsty gave them a pep talk and told them how well they have done to come this far. They all thought about it and only Alan insisted he still wanted to go home. The steady depletion of cigarettes has become stressful and some kids started wanting to go home again. Raymond was homesick and it looked lik
e he would need to go home but the leaders asked him to hold on for 24 hrs because a trip to Borders (for Alan) and Inverness (for Raymond) in same night not possible – even for Richard’s light-speed driving!
The leaders cooked a hearty meal and they seemed to relax after this. Ryan Thompson, who has always been an outsider in this group, started to want to go home. The decision was made he could go in the car with Alan.
Richard arrived to take Alan and Ryan home and off he went – to return home about 12:30 am. Raymond was still crying and called home to get his Mum to collect him today. The group had a good Time Out, after which they played some games. These children normally don’t have fun that is appropriate to their age but it was really great. When Ryan left, Raymond came out of his shell since Ryan was no longer clinging onto him, so Raymond started to mix with group and enjoy himself. He decided not to go home but stay to end of trip and phoned his Mum and said don’t come.
The kids went off and hung out and were able to meet as leaders and share and pray – amazing opportunity to spend time and everyone got really good sleep. The leaders used this time to seek and God came through (as He always does!) and healed so many of the day’s issues. God works in all things for those who love Him in Christ Jesus – God has worked in all these situations for all their benefit.
Up at 8.30 today - Psalm 139 (God’s presence all around us!). Kids up, then breakfast. It’s a beautiful day, with the wind in right direction, everyone so optimistic and smiling. Leaders are feeling well rested. An amazing turn-around from early yesterday - from complete crisis to everyone feeling better.
Thanks to all for your prayers during our difficulties yesterday.
Have a great day and we shall be in touch again tomorrow! God Bless.
Yesterday the young people put tents away before breakfast and it was shaping up to be a great day (as I put in yesterday’s message) but it was about a half hour after I sent the update that things went a little pear-shaped.
Alan ran off up the hill (a BIG thanks to Ardeonaig for helping sort this out) and it was a little bit before he was found / turned up. We all though for sure Alan was going to be
coming home and Richard was ready to set off to camp. However, to Kirsty’s credit and insurmountable determination, she spoke to Alan and it seemed that what he really needed was a day off, not a trip home.Kirsty and Alan went up to Ardeonaig and the others continued on canoeing. This actually worked out well since she had hurt her wrist and needed the break. The other children were shaken up by the experience and got a slow start. The wind clamed down from the morning and the group lashed boats together and sailed down the loch.
Wednesday is always a hard day, as kids are tired and out of their comfort zones, so lunchtime was a real problem with food as it is a bit of an unknown as to what kind of food will be available from Ardeonaig. Some children wanted to go home.
Kirsty and Alan had a good day at Ardeonaig but on return to the loch Alan started to freak out (Kirsty’s wording). Rogan persuaded him into the boat but the other children now wanting to go home.
During the paddle to the island, everyone was abusive and shouting. Kirsty gave them a pep talk and told them how well they have done to come this far. They all thought about it and only Alan insisted he still wanted to go home. The steady depletion of cigarettes has become stressful and some kids started wanting to go home again. Raymond was homesick and it looked lik
e he would need to go home but the leaders asked him to hold on for 24 hrs because a trip to Borders (for Alan) and Inverness (for Raymond) in same night not possible – even for Richard’s light-speed driving!The leaders cooked a hearty meal and they seemed to relax after this. Ryan Thompson, who has always been an outsider in this group, started to want to go home. The decision was made he could go in the car with Alan.
Richard arrived to take Alan and Ryan home and off he went – to return home about 12:30 am. Raymond was still crying and called home to get his Mum to collect him today. The group had a good Time Out, after which they played some games. These children normally don’t have fun that is appropriate to their age but it was really great. When Ryan left, Raymond came out of his shell since Ryan was no longer clinging onto him, so Raymond started to mix with group and enjoy himself. He decided not to go home but stay to end of trip and phoned his Mum and said don’t come.
The kids went off and hung out and were able to meet as leaders and share and pray – amazing opportunity to spend time and everyone got really good sleep. The leaders used this time to seek and God came through (as He always does!) and healed so many of the day’s issues. God works in all things for those who love Him in Christ Jesus – God has worked in all these situations for all their benefit.
Up at 8.30 today - Psalm 139 (God’s presence all around us!). Kids up, then breakfast. It’s a beautiful day, with the wind in right direction, everyone so optimistic and smiling. Leaders are feeling well rested. An amazing turn-around from early yesterday - from complete crisis to everyone feeling better.
Thanks to all for your prayers during our difficulties yesterday.
Have a great day and we shall be in touch again tomorrow! God Bless.
posted by Reality at
10:19 am
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