Wilderness Trails: A Place Where God Speaks and Children Listen!

      

Recently a little young lady came to Wilderness Trails as a camper.  Upon arriving I was told that though she had heard about God and had many opportunities to accept God into her heart, she refused every time.  When asked her reasons for this refusal, this precious little girl said it was because she was waiting for Jesus to speak to her.  She wasn’t going to get saved until Jesus told her it was time! 

 

During the course of the weekend, I watched this little darling play, laugh, listen intently, follow all the rules and in general have a great time.  I wondered to myself, is any of this making a difference to her?  On Saturday night, the speaker shared about a time in her life when she got her car stuck in the mud.  And how she had a choice to make when someone came to rescue her and pull her out.  That choice was to stay in the dirt, muck and mud, where her poor decisions had got her.  Or, she could take the outreached hand of help, be pulled to safety, and in so doing be completely restored.  She explained how we have that same choice.  God is extending a hand of salvation and restoration through Jesus Christ.  It is up to us whether we cling to Him and believe or stay in our sinful state. 

 

The very next day, before everyone was to head home, the little girl pulled me and a couple other leaders aside and said, “Jesus spoke to me last night.  He said it was time!”  On that day Heaven rejoiced as a new little life entered into the kingdom.  It was at that moment that my heart rejoiced for another reason as well…. Wilderness Trails made a difference!  It was no longer just a youth camp but a place where God speaks and children listen!  A place where a silly story has everlasting value.  And a place where God redeems, restores and new life begins! 

   
In Christ’s Love,
Leslie Ingraham
Girls Program Director

 

A HUGH “Thank You”

Wilderness Trails would like to say a HUGH “Thank You” to everyone who attended this year’s “Battle For The Mic” Comedy Competition.  We are privileged to let you know that it was an absolute success!  Our competing comedians were fabulous, with a first place win by Russell Brown and a solid second place victory by Brady Adams!  This was topped off with a side-splitting, can’t-catch-your breath, my-cheeks-hurt-from-laughing-too-much, performance by Stephan B our professional comedian!  We hope if you missed the show this year, that next year your schedule will be open to come and laugh with us as we raise money for Wilderness Trails and the incredible youth we serve.       

In Christ,

Leslie Ingraham

Girls Program Director

Get Your Tickets Now!

           
We are excited to announce that our Amateur Comedy Competition, “ Battle For The Mic”,  is coming up this weekend!  We have collected comedians from all over, for one night of outrageous entertainment benefitting Wilderness Trails.  The event will be hosted at the Old South Medford High School auditorium on April 21st, 2012 at 7:00pm.  Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 at the door, which includes free refreshments at intermission.  If you haven’t purchased your ticket yet, we would encourage you to do so as soon as possible.  Ticket are available online through our website www.battleforthemic.org or by calling our office at 541-772-2892.  Thank you once again to all of you who faithfully support Wilderness Trails.  Through you, we have seen many youth come to know Jesus and for this we rejoice daily!  May God richly bless your lives and we hope to see you soon!

An All-Star Cast!

 

In anticipation of the Wilderness Trails “Battle For The Mic” comedy competition, we are proud to announce our comedian line up, as well as our guest judges and emcee for the evening! Our all-star amateur comedian cast hosts eight brave men: Larry Cogdell, Terall Blalock, Dave Twitchell , Brady Adams, Brian Bishop, Russell Brown, Billy O’Quinn and Randy Dodge. The judges who will ultimately rate the performance of these competitors are Kate Skustad, Ron Grensky and Kris Vandehey. Our emcee for the second year in a row will be Scott Lewis of KDRV Channel12. Lastly, to top off the evening, we are honored to welcome Stephen B as our professional comedian of the night! (He will also serve as a judge for the comedy competition portion as well.) This event promises lots of laughs and most certainly outrageous fun. Please join us on April 21st at 7:00 pm at the old South Medford High School auditorium for an incredible night of clean comedy going to benefit the youth of Wilderness Trails. 
 
For ticket information, or to purchase tickets, go to battleforthemic.org or call our office at 541-772-2892.
 

In Christ,
Leslie Ingraham
Girls Program Director

Secure In Christ!

     

The weather, like life, can be very unpredictable.  One day it is sunny and warm and the next it is pouring down rain, freezing cold and windy enough to up-root a hundred year old tree.  For many of the campers at Wilderness Trails they feel as though their lives are in a constant state of storm and that their roots, torn up early, may never have the chance to be established once again.  However, it is our hope that the youth in our program, leave with an understanding that they can establish roots in Christ anytime, and those roots, come sun or storm may never be shaken, destroyed or displaced.  That God is with them in the midst of each transition.  And that unlike the weather, He never changes!  It is His love that will hold them fast during the storms of life and carry them on to the great future God has in store for them.       
  
 In Christ,
Leslie Ingraham
Girls Program Director

Benefit Concert For Wilderness Trails!

We wanted to take a moment to let you know about a special event happening in your community.  On Feb. 28^th at Mountain Christian Fellowship’s “The Rock” (1 Main St. Medford (across from the main church building)), Wilderness Trails will be the beneficiaries of a concert put on by singer and songwriter Stephanie Malone.  Stephanie is a senior at Logos Public Charter School, and has chosen to put on a benefit concert for WT as her senior project.  The event is free of charge, however, a donation of $5 at the door is suggested.  Starting at 7:00 pm, Stephanie will début her own original contemporary christian songs.  The second half of the evening, to the conclusion of the show, will be a time of traditional worship. All proceeds from the event will go to Wilderness Trails and the at-risk youth we serve.  For questions about Wilderness Trails, please call our office at 541-772-2892 or visit our website at wildernesstrails.net.

In Christ,
Leslie Ingraham
Girls Program Director

Adoption – A Camper Story

           

As I sat across the table from one of our young campers, I began to ask her about her life.  As she spoke, she mentioned she was adopted.  I asked her, “Do you like being adopted?”  To this she replied, “Yes!”  I further inquired, “What’s your favorite part of being adopted?”  With a sly little, joyful smile, she quietly responded, “I like that I will never be taken from my home again.  I like that I will have the same Mom and Dad forever.  I like that I have brothers and sisters, and that I am not alone.”  I smiled back at her, as if she hadn’t just told me something heartbreaking and touching all at the same time.  Her words made me think of the process of adoption into the kingdom of God.  In Ephesians 1:5-6 the bible says, “God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son.” (NLT)  Like this camper, we too have been adopted.  Once in the family of God, through salvation, our home is in heaven and comes with eternal security.  In Christ, we find a loving, forever Father, who never changes. And with Christ living within us, we are never alone.  It is our hope, that not a single child leaves Wilderness Trails without knowing these truths. That they may embrace adoption into the body of Christ and go home praising God for the glorious grace that He has poured out upon them. 

     
  
 In Christ,
Leslie Ingraham
Girls Program Director