Live Fire with Chuck Holton

July’s Extreme Weekend was quite different from the trips we’ve done in the past – in fact, it’s the only trip in seven years to have the rescue services of three states out looking for our group!

I must first say that I have great respect for the Fire, Police, and EMS services, and that they were very professional and efficient throughout the entire, er… exercise.

What happened? Well, nothing, really. Two of our canoers got separated from the group while paddling down the Potomac river. One of them was the group leader, a 22-year-old woman freshly graduated from college. The other was a 16-year-old boy who was on his first trip with us.

At some point, their boat got filled with water to a point where they decided to get out and try to empty it. It was, however, too heavy and they were unable to do so. So they waded to shore, leaving the canoe stuck on a rock about 15 feet out. After a time, when their group (who was specifically instructed to STAY TOGETHER!) didn’t come back for them, the boy climbed the riverbank to get help. Arriving muddy, disheveled and out of breath at a gas station at the top, the people there took one look at him and called 911.

When he mentioned that he had lost his group, apparently they took him to mean that the rest of his group had perished in the river (or something to that effect). Soon, the rescue squads from four counties were combing the river for bodies. The only one they found was the very alive, though somewhat wet body of the trip leader on the riverbank, where she was waiting for her co-paddler to return.

Rescue squads don’t have the luxury of assuming everyone is all right, however, and when they found an empty life vest in the river (it turned out to have been an extra that was in the leader’s boat), the circus got into really high gear. The upshot of it was that nobody was injured, everyone got back to the group safely, and we continued with the eXtreme weekend. The two canoeists who got separated, however, will have a few extra stories to tell for the rest of their lives. And if you read the Frederick News-Post, you may have seen a somewhat exaggerated version appear on Saturday, July 24. I’ll re-publish the article here if I can get permission from them to do so.

Things don’t always go the way we plan them to. As Murphy’s laws of combat states, “No plan survives the first contact.” But when we trust God to chart our course, we have no reason to be afraid, no matter what kind of deep water we get into. Holding our plans with an open hand, and being willing to “roll with it” when God throws us a curve ball will turn a situation that many would consider terrifying into a great adventure.

As Danielle Houser, the group leader and one of those in the lost canoe put it, “I prayed the entire time, and I knew that God’s hand was on me. It made me feel more secure; my conversation with God kept me from feeling alone. It was a great help.”

The July 22-24 trip is on! If you are planning to go, and have not already put your name on the list at the church, please email Chuck your name, age and , here is the info you need to get ready:

What: An exciting weekend full of surprises!

Where: West Virginia

How Much? $50

When do we start?
Meet in the Redland Baptist Church parking lot NO LATER THAN 3 pm on Thursday, July 22.

What do I bring?
For a packing list, click the “Continue Reading” link below.
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