Saturday, July 23

Between Youthquake and Hidden Haven

I got home at about 10:30 on Friday night from a week in the Rockies with Youthquake, a camping experience with about 210 high schoolers and sponsors. It has probably been over 10 years since I have been to Colorado and I was amazed again at the "awesomeness" and beauty of the mountains. We camped at almost 11,000 feet, which made it even better! The best part, of course, was the people - especially the eleven men and women in my family group who had just graduated from high school. I appreciated their hearts for God, their openness, and the way they worked together and encouraged one another. Mark Baugher (from Ft. Scott) and Kristin helped my lead the family group. Thanks guys!

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When I got back from Colorado, I found out that my friend, Ward Patterson, had passed away in Cincinnati. Ward was campus minister at Indiana University from 1974-1990. He also taught at Cincinnati Bible College & Seminary and Northern Kentucky University. Through the years, Ward was always an encouragement to me. He kept up with our ministry via newsletters and emails. He encouraged me to start the Journal of Campus Ministry, which I edited and published from 1994-2000. When writing a magazine article on "Gracious Living" a few years ago, he interviewed me (along with others). I was honored to be a part of that. I always stayed with Ward when I took classes at CBS. Staying at Ward's house was like staying at a museum. Ward was a life-long bachelor and a world-traveler. In the early 1960's he spent two or three years motorcycling across Australia, Asia, Northern Africa, and Europe. He paid his way by perfecting a method of doing "rubbings" of ancient inscriptions. He never stopped traveling. His house was full of "artifacts" from around the world, including a rickshaw in his living room! I'm not going to be able to make the service in Cincinnati on Wednesday, but I will be thinking of him and thanking God for bringing him into my life.

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On a more cheery note, our friend, Becky Patterson, is recovering well from her almost 11 hour surgery on July 13. We were by her house tonight and she is looking great! And best of all, the pathology reports have all come back negative. She's cancer free! Thank you for your prayers on her behalf!

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Tomorrow I'm off to Hidden Haven Christian Camp in Thayer, KS. I'll be speaking to a high school camp through Thursday night. Please keep that in your prayers. It will be fun - and hot! FYI, I attended this camp as a camper 32 years ago!

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