Oregon Gardens

Today was our first day off in the 10 days that we have been here. We slept late and went into Silverton - a little town close to here. Scott's son is gone for the summer so he let us borrow his car so we were able to have some much needed family time. We walked around downtown and visited all the fun shops, had lunch and then went to Oregon Gardens. 80 acres covered with all the plants grown in the Northwest. It was absolutely gorgeous. Flowers, trees, plants everywhere. Waterfalls, ponds - even a children's garden. The kids had fun. Here are some pics.....

Even a Hobbit House! How cool is that? We didn't see Sam or Frodo.....

We were told that these guys are called "The Pot Couple"

Anne was fascinated with the flowers growing out of the toilet!!!

We report for work tomorrow morning at 11:00 and a new group of kids come in at 1:00. We have a new guy that joined us this past session as our Games and Sports Director. He will only be working for three weeks. Nick has a history in Christianity, but he has rejected his faith recently and has become a self described liberal hippie. He is a really nice guy but is very vocal about his views and some of the teens find him fascinating. Russ was able to have a conversation with him tonight and we are praying there will be more. He has obviously come across negative situations, people, etc. in his faith journey and is continuing his search elsewhere. Please pray that we may have some kind of impact in his life.

We are finding that most of the young adults here come from pretty rough backgrounds or family situations. Some are Christians, a few Latter Day Saints - that's popular around here - but mostly the staff are non-religious. We were amazed today as we drove around town - probably only saw 3 or 4 churches total. Oregon is the third most unchurched state in our country. So unlike the south!!!! Seems like the ones we talk to have a buffet type of religion. A little this - a little of that. Whatever seems right at the time. It's so sad.

It becomes clearer and clearer to us that we have been put here for the staff. Not for the scouts so much as we only see them for 2 or 3 days at a time. But the staff is here with us for the summer. Russ is going to begin a devotional time with them in the evenings after Staff Meetings. Please pray that this goes well and can open up many new conversations. Many are lost and need the Lord.

Until tomorrow......