God blessed us with perfect weather for the Michigan Kicking Bear event. I think there were around 150 kids and they had a blast. I know my son particularly liked the water slide this year. Again, I met many great men and women I wouldn't have a chance to meet if I didn't volunteer to help at this event. Thanks goes to Craig Mortz and Livingston County Conservation for putting on an excellent event. Also, it was a pleasure to meet Ray's grand daughter Tristen (sp?) who was really the event coordinator for kids the all weekend. What a great job she did organizing the kids and getting them moving from one activity to another both days! It was impressive how many KCC and FAST people attended and volunteered at the event. I really don't think this could have been pulled off as well as it did without all the great men in this group. Kudos to you all, you know who you are.
I worked one of the 3D target stations when the kids went around the 3D course and got to talk to all of them. It was a blessing and shows when serving that God will work on our heart as we work to change others. One kid told me it's the only vacation he's ever been on. He considers a single night camping and playing games a vacation. It's a reminder to me how much I'm guilty to take for granted. It was my son, River's, second time at KB and I think he really got the message this year. Ray did an excellent job speaking before the campfire on Friday night. It had an amazing impact on the kids and adults. As we laid down to sleep on Friday night, River said to me, "dad, I think my friend Julio would like to come to Kicking Bear. He doesn't have a dad and his mom is away in the army. That's why he lives with his grandma." I got choked up. I felt bad that I didn't think of this a month ago and invited those closer to us. So many times we're looking to help those less fortunate that are in other areas but forget about those right under our nose. I realized through Ray's speech that God was working on my son's heart to be aware of those less fortunate around him. So next year, I told River to think of all the kids he knows that either don't have dads in their lives or have never been camping and we're bringing them.
God Bless you guys and the impact FAST is having in our community!
~Sars
Replies