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

Comedians Wanted!

 

 It is my pleasure to announce that we are currently looking for men and women in our community to take part, as comedians,  in our 3rd annual Comedy Night on April 21st of this year.  This event is one evening of delightful clean comedy with all proceeds going to benefit Wilderness Trails.  If you, or someone you know, is interested in participating, please contact the Wilderness Trails office at 541-772-2892 for more details, or visit our website at wildernesstrails.net.
 

Our Identity Is In Christ

      
 

In a society obsessed with labels, titles and the next best thing, it is easy for today’s generation of youth to get confused on where their identity lies.  However, as the campers at Wilderness Trails join us for weekends and summers at camps, we remind them that the labels, titles and things that fit them best, should always include a God who knows them best.  That their label should be a follower of Christ, their title: a daughter or son of the most high God and the next big thing, can be a life of adventure and excitement if they pursue Jesus Christ with their whole heart! I leave you with these questions today: What are the labels, titles and big events in your life?  What do they say about your relationship with God?  I encourage you, if needed, it’s not too late to allow Christ to reinvent your identity this moment!  You have nothing to loose and everything to gain! For more information about Wilderness Trails, please visit our website at wildernesstrails.net.

 

God Sees The Whole Picture!

Sometimes I think our lives are like a 5000 piece puzzle!  When we first start to put it together, the task can seem overwhelming, daunting and even a little scary!  It is easy to wonder how all the pieces will fit together to make something beautiful.  Even with a guide, it is easy to question if the craftsman really knew what he was doing and if the project will ultimately come together in the end.  I think this is an incredible picture of our, all to often, reality. We tend to only see the separate pieces of our lives.  Some broken, Some together.  However, God sees the whole picture!  He sees the end result!  He see’s the beauty in His design.  At Wilderness Trails, the campers we host learn to trust their Craftsman’s design.  That their lives are not just meaningless pieces but delightfully planned works of art which God has created for His glory.  May we remember this today as well.  Each new day brings another opportunity to trust God for the entire puzzle…not just the pieces we see or understand.  For more information about Wilderness Trails, please visit our website at wildernesstrails.net.

In Christ,

Leslie Ingraham

Girls Program Director

The Gift That Keeps On Giving!

        
 

           

During this holiday season, Wilderness Trails would like to encourage you to give a gift that will keep on giving.  Starting this month, you have the opportunity to give a gift donation in the name of a friend or family member. For all donations above $25, your friend or family member will receive a thank you card and a 3 minute DVD about our organization.  If you are searching for the perfect gift idea for Christmas, birthday or just because, here it is! This opportunity is three fold: With this gift, you are able to bless the life of an at-risk boy or girl by sending them to camp.  You can and will bless those around you.  And you yourself will be blessed in return!  God’s direction in Act 20:35 says , “‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.”  Please pray and consider giving the gift that gives back today!  From all of us here at Wilderness Trails, Happy Holidays and may God richly bless your day!

How To Donate Online:

If you choose to donate online, you can simply visit our website at www.wildernesstrails.net and click on the donate button.  After you donate, please send an email to csmith@wildernesstrails.net  giving your name, amount of donation, and the name and address of the person who you would like the thank you card and DVD to go to.

How To Donate By Mail:

If you choose to mail in your donation, our mailing address is PO Box 4655 Medford OR, 97501. Please include the name and address of the person who you would like the thank you card and DVD to go, in written form attached to your check.   

Thank you!

Wilderness Trails would like to say a huge “Thank You!” to everyone who participated in our Annual Fundraising and Appreciation Dinner held on Oct. 20th.  We were absolutely blessed by the generosity, kindness and support that was shown by your presence and your giving!  It is your time, support, resources and prayers that allow us to continue in the progressive work Christ is doing in and through Wilderness Trails.  If, by chance, you did not get an opportunity to give but would still like to, you can simply click on the link below that says “Make a donation on-line” or send a donation by mail to Wilderness Trails at PO Box 4655, Medford, OR  97501.  Thank you again for your support!

In Christ’s Love,

Leslie Ingraham

Girls Program Director

Check Out Our Follow Up Camp Schedule

    
 

           

We are happy to announce that our fall, winter and spring camp schedule is now posted on our website!  We would encourage you to take a look today at wildernesstrails.net and pray about perhaps joining us for a weekend in the near future.  We have availability for both leaders and campers alike. Our vision is to reach as many at-risk youth as possible through our program which is biblically based and centered on the love of Christ.  If you would like to become a leader or would like to register a camper, please call our office at 541-772-2892 or once again, check out our website at wildernesstrails.net for more information.  

In Christ,

Leslie Ingraham

Girls Program Director

 

“Jesus Is The Rock & He Rolls My Blues Away!”

One of my favorite camp songs says, “Jesus is the rock and He rolls my blues away!”  I love this song simply because of the truth that is proclaimed within it!  In Ephesians 2:20 it reminds us that the rock of ages, the cornerstone of our lives, is Jesus Christ and that in Him we may find support and a firm foundation to build upon when we form our lives around Him.  For some of our campers, Wilderness Trails is the first step to building their lives around Christ.  To finding safety and strength in the shelter of a most high God. We humbly ask today that you would join with us in prayer for these youth.  That we may see lives changed for the cause of Christ with each passing camp!  For more information about Wilderness Trails, please visit our website at wildernesstrails.net.

In other news, we are happy to announce Pastor Kenner Gotzman as our keynote speaker for our annual fundraising and appreciation dinner to be held this year on October 20th.  If you haven’t reserved your spot, please do so by calling our office at 541-772-2892 before October 16th.  We hope to see you all there!

In Christ,

Leslie Ingraham

Girls Program Director

Establishing Roots

           

It is my pleasure to invite you to our annual Wilderness Trails Fundraising and Appreciation dinner held on Oct. 20th at the Red Lion Hotel in Medford!  Our theme this year will be “Establishing Roots” and the evening will include a delicious dinner, heart warming fellowship, camp style entertainment and much, much more! Please come partner with us as we strive to maintain, promote and pursue God’s marvelous call on our lives, to serve the at-risk youth in Jackson, Josephine, Douglas and Klamath counties.  For more information about the dinner or to reserve your spot before October 16th, please call our office today at 541-772-2892.

In Christ,

Leslie Ingraham

Girls Program Director

The Greatest Love Story Ever Told!

  

^{The gospel from beginning to end is the greatest love story ever told! It is when we truly understand our need for a Savior and the reality of Christ’s role as that Savior, that we find true contentment, peace, healing, restoration and abundance in the life we live.  At Wilderness Trails, it is our aim to point each child at our camps to the cross.  To teach them about the sacrifice Christ made in laying down His life and the great hope we have as a result!  If you know a child whose circumstances have left them with little or no hope for the future, we would love to talk with you about signing them up for a camp today.   Please contact us through visiting our website at wildernesstrails.net or by calling our office at 541-772-2892.} 

 

In Christ,

Leslie Ingraham

Girls Program Director