Day One

 We began hiking as the sun was going down one Friday evening. The tall pine-filled woods brought back sweet memories from trips past. Such memories reminded me that this night would also be etched in my mind for years to come.

 With headlights illuminating the path in-front of us, the “vets” (kids with camping experience) were ready to show the “newbies” (kids who had no such experience) how it was done. As bats swooped overhead, we marched forward and I curiously listened to the trail talk. The majority of the stories these kids were excitedly reliving with each other were from previous ‘Adventure Crew’ trips! I caught a glimpse of the impact these trips have on our students. While it might be statistically immeasurable, that moment reminded me that this work is good.

 After a brief hike into the night, we arrived at our first campsite location. The type of backpacking Adventure Crew practices is called ultra-light backpacking. We sacrifice some comforts while utilizing gear that minimizes the weight we carry. For example, we use open tarps in place of tents as protection from the rain. Unfortunately, tarps aren’t much of a shield against bugs . . .  At our campsite the vets showed the newbies how to set up camp while I gathered wood for the fire—pita pizzas for dinner.

 Taking a kid into the woods for the first time is a magical experience. Their sense of wonder refreshes my own, and reveals how unimpressed I have become by truly amazing things. Ty Thomas found a tree covered in thick neon green fungal pattern that entranced the kids for a full five minutes. Their headlights later illuminated glowing crawfish eyes in the stream that glow—the shells of these freshwater crawfish were so thin you could see their hearts beating. Science class was in session and the kids didn’t even know it!

 How many times have I arrived at a campsite thinking about resting or reading a new book? The wonder of these young people was inspiring and fueled a sense of worship as we beheld such beauty together. Seeing the world through the eyes of a child can help bring our hearts closer to wonder and glory! The more of this gospel-work I am a part of, the more I wonder who is impacted more, me or the kids?

 Another highlight of the night was learning the “Big Foot” call. Kevin Thomas had practiced for weeks in anticipation of his first trip. Quite the expert after hours of documentaries chronicling the Sasquatch, Kevin assured us there were no Sasquatches nearby because they would have certainly responded to his call. His expertise in the matter helped everyone sleep a little sounder that first night.

 Day Two

 As the morning water boiled we shared breakfast, scripture, and student-led prayers of thanks and provision. Our goal for the day was to hike the Kincade Lake Loop before turning back toward our first campsite. This loop wasn’t going to be easy—totaling thirteen miles with many hours between our feet and the rewarding swim hole awaiting us at mile nine.

 Each turn on that looped trail brought in a new view of the lake’s expanse. Families of turtles piled on logs sunbathing would quickly jump into the water as we approached. We surprised wood ducks, egrets, and even two deer that flagged us with their white tails as they leapt from the path. We were nearly halfway through our day’s mileage when Kristina and I marveled at the maturity level of our team. Even though the long hike was grueling, the attitude of the group stayed incredibly positive.

 Arriving at the swim hole meant a well-deserved break for lunch and rest. It seemed as though we hadn’t eaten in days as we all eyed the sausage and cheese, ready to leap on our portion. The younger boys explored after lunch, sure they spotted alligator and bear tracks in the sand by the lake.

 The final push was a gut check for the team. We finished the hike with under an hour of daylight left. With one night under their belts, the crew knew what was expected and set up camp with very little support from the adults. Trevon Eaglin and I prepared a gourmet meal of chicken, pasta, and mashed potatoes. The pots didn’t need much cleaning after dinner that night after being literally licked clean (with a finger)! Even after such an exhausting day, the kids still didn’t want to turn out the lights . . . I guess a few years have finally snuck up on me.

 Day Three

 Sunday morning found us pushing to eat breakfast and pack up camp in under thirty minutes. We managed to make it back to HFO, sort out the gear, snack on some boudin and cracklins and still make it to church on time.

 These training excursions help prepare the kids’ expectations as we head out on longer and longer trips. After two preliminary ventures into Kisatchie Forest, we will tackle an intermediate trip spanning four days and over twenty miles of the Eagle Rock Loop Trail in Arkansas. These tracks serve as preparation for our return trip to Durango, CO this summer to finish the trail we began over two years ago. This will be six days, five nights, and over thirty-five miles in the Rocky Mountain wilderness—an undoubtedly “epic” adventure!

 Like everything we do at HFO, Adventure Crew is another opportunity to walk beside our students. We set big goals, and then prayerfully and lovingly push towards these goals. Seems like a simple strategy, but it’s difficult to accomplish. We often complicate ministry, but this simplicity helps keep our priorities straight—“love changes everything.” The mountains we climb on Adventure Crew will hopefully help the kids see the adverse and figurative mountains of education, difficult home lives, and personal struggles differently. Not as impossible obstacles to accept, but as just another hill to climb as they press on to where the view gets even sweeter.

 Please pray for our Adventure Crew. If you would like to sponsor a student in this program, head to our donation page for more information.

-Loren

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Earlier this summer we began our preparations for what would be an amazing eight day adventure to Durango, CO.  The kids trained every day to get ready for what was going to be challenge of a lifetime for some of them.  As the details started coming the anticipation grew stronger and stronger.  And on July 18 everyone piled in the van with trailer in tow ready embark on the HFO’s longest road trip to date.  By the time all was said and done we would be on the road for close to 45 hours and have logged 2500 miles on the odometer.

After a full day of driving we stopped in New Mexico for the night.  While in NM we were able to have dinner with Matt’s (one of our kid’s) family.  This was a very special time for everyone.  Matt had not seen them for over three years.  Tears were shed not only by Matt and his family but by the rest of us that were able to witness the reunion and all the love that was poured out.  That evening set a tone for the rest of the week and we couldn’t wait to see what else God was going to do in us on the trip.

We arrived in Durango and were once again blessed.  This time it was by the kindness of the people at the First Presbyterian Church in Durango.  They went above and beyond to serve us.  They opened their church to us to sleep in which was wonderful.  But then they decided they wanted to have a BBQ with us as well, so their church members could come meet us and hear about what we were up to.  The kids enjoyed interacting with the members of the church, sharing stories, and getting advice on hiking in Colorado.  I think the church members were quite entertained by our kids as well.  After the BBQ it was time to get everything ready because in the morning we were catching the next train to “nowhere”.

That’s right, the next morning we woke up and boarded a train that stopped in the middle of the wilderness, no depot in sight, and let us off with about 25 other backpackers.  The ride was an amazing experience in itself.  We were on the train for about 2.5 hours and this old steam train was winding through some beautiful gorges giving us both heart pounding and breathtaking moments the whole time.  When we got off the train we began hiking what would be the most challenging of the 4 days we would be on the trail.  By the end of the day we had hiked 6 miles, mostly uphill, rising 4,000ft in elevation.  With some encouragement we made it to our first campsite and settled in for the night.  We were just outside of the Chicago Basin in what some called the Lower Basin.

Our goal for the next day was to make it to the Chicago Basin and set up camp early so we would have time to do a day hike up to Columbine Pass which is a Pass at about 13,000ft.  It took some encouragement to get the kids moving but we got back on the trail.  As the hike went on it became clear that they were not all going to make it to the top.  Upon the suggestion of one of the kids we let them all set their own goals on how far they would get.  Tavian, Dartanian, and Ariel all made it to the top.  I was extremely proud of everyone though because even though some of them were not able to make it all the way they were still encouraging the others as they continued on.  It was one of those moments that wipes away any frustrations that may build up along the way.  I was proud!  Ariel and I made it up last and we had about 2 minutes to enjoy the view before a storm began to roll in.  It’s amazing how fast you can get down a mountain!

The next day was a relaxing day.  Loren gave the kids the option of climbing Mt. Windom, which is one of three 14,000ft peaks in the Basin.  There was one taker.  So that morning Matt, Loren, Tim, and Ben conquered that mountain while the rest of us stayed back and played Uno and slept.  It was an overcast day for us at camp but once all of our gear was dried out we decided to pack up camp head back to our first campsite.  However, the weather was not very cooperative.  As we got back on the trail we were hiking through heavy rain and hail, racing to get to the camp.  This was another one of those moments that doesn’t go the way you hoped but in the end makes you stronger.  In this hike I could see the kids working as a team to help each other across streams and setting up camp quickly.  As we made it down the mountain off the trail the next day we were able to catch the train into Silverton and eat lunch and walk around awhile before we got back on the train to return to Durango.  I think all the kids were ready to be off the trail and see a hamburger.

On Saturday morning before we left we were able to surprise the kids with a rafting trip down the Animas River.  They loved it!  The river was perfect and there was even a place where they could get out and swim, which of course they loved.  After rafting it was time to pack up and get on the road again.  We made it back to Opelousas Monday morning.  After cleaning all the gear the kids were returned home safe and sound.  Another successful trip!

We had many times of trial and many times of joy on this trip, but overall I think the kids grew closer together, began to trust each other more, and learned what it means to push themselves.  We left with some kids excited about what our next adventure will be, some questioning if they even want to go on that next adventure, and some too overwhelmed to think about it.  What a wonderful place to be able to encourage them through their struggles and to show them what they are actually capable of.  I’m looking forward to the conversations to come with them about the joys and hardships and to continue to see God shape them through this trip even off the trail.

Hi my name is Lekeisha Lyle, but I’m known as Keisha. I have been with Hope for Opelousas since it first started. I am now entering the 10th grade at Magnet Academy for Cultural Arts. The trip to Durango Colorado was awesome. We got to see things that we never thought we would be able to see. Well at least I did. We had a great ride there and back, signing songs, telling jokes, and not to mention sleeping made the time go by really fast. When we arrived the sights were so beautiful……especially the tall mountains because as you know, we can’t see that down here in Louisiana.  And the weather was totally different than what we are used to.

The things that we did on the trip were really fun. The first thing that we did that I will never ever forget is when we road the Durango-Silverton Train. We were really excited.  We entertained lots of people on the train. We danced and sang for them, which made the train ride even better. Then once we hit the trail we all attempted to climb a mountain that was around 13 thousand feet called Columbine Pass. 3 of the 8 students made it up there, I wasn’t one L. But after we left off the trail we stayed at a church and that same night the sponsors surprised us with something. We were going WHITE WATER RAFTING the next day. It was a huge experience a couple of us jumped out and swam in the water next to the raft for a bit. But we still had a blast.

This hiking trip to Durango Colorado was and still is a huge experience for me. When it was first brought to my attention to go hiking this year, I thought it would be easy since I had already attended the camping trip to Tennessee last year. Boy was I wrong! Although the trip was very challenging I saw God working in it, in some of the simplest ways ever.

To me it seems as though He used this trip for me to get closer to my friends and my family. I got to know someone a whole lot better who I doubted when I first met, and now we’re best of friends. Also my brother went on the trip and we got alone just fine, except for small things. But to me it was a big step. That was just some small ways I saw God working in me to be a better person.

I also realized, not only on this trip, but through Hope for Opelousas, that God loves me no matter what and that I can go to Him for anything.