Beep, Beep, Beep… My alarm went off at 5:30 AM. Remembering that Jon and I had planned to leave for the Wilkes land in just half an hour, I jumped out of bed. We quickly got ready, completed the final packing, and then settled back for the peaceful one hour trip.

A couple hours later we were encouraged with a round-the-campfire wisdom search.
 
After a nice breakfast we set out to tackle the project of building a lean-to off the Wilkes’ newly built shed.
         
We completed this project just before lunch, following which we had a leisurely afternoon ending in a couple of revival sermons ‘round the ol’ campfire. We also witnessed a stunning display of the God’s glory through a beautiful sunset.
               
I awoke early Sunday morning to the familiar, though unwelcome, feeling of cold feet.  After putting on a second layer of clothes I started feeling better, and went outside the tent to warm myself by the fire. As soon as I stepped outside I was awed by a bright moon and stars which clearly revealed constellations…
 
Waking early turned out to be very special because I was able to experience as it were, the whole creation stirring from its slumbers. From a total stillness I listened as the sounds gradually piled on one another- hooting owls, chirping birds, lowing cattle, and finally the wide yawns and hearty ‘good mornings’ of sleepy brothers and sisters in Christ.

Directly following the morning Bible reading time, Daniel Wilkes and I cooked up pancakes for the whole group. What a blast!

Out of the whole time I feel that the most important concept that I learned was to ‘come out’ and be separate from the world, but to check my standards and convictions so that they are Biblically sound. I should also be constantly on the watch so as not to offend a ‘weaker brother’ by my ‘liberty in Christ’.

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork. (Psalms 19:1)
The morning stars sang together (Creation) (Job 38:7 )

The Wilkes report on this event.