Many of you already know that I recently drove four of our youth down to Camp Myrtlewood, in Southwest Oregon’s coastal range, for an eco-stewardship work camp.  We joined youth from Colorado and Pennsylvania to learn about the ecology of forest and stream on-site, and undertake two work projects.  Our first involved the grooming of some unhealthy forest, thinning overcrowded trees and trimming invasive brush from the forest floor to reduce the fire fuel load and to ‘release’ young trees for the gathering of much needed sun-light.  Our second involved the building of prayer oratory out of environmentally sustainable materials.  ‘Cob’ is an ancient material, made of sand, clay, and straw.  We mixed it with our feet and applied it with our hands!  We used only buckets, tarps, and wheelbarrows to mix and transport our cob.  For construction, we needed little more than a level and saw for trimming the walls and openings which we formed with our hands.

Since returning, we’ve begun to reflect on the experience.  I will offer a few of my own, then share those of three of our participants.

On-site coordinator, and Myrtlewood camp co-director, John Jones has a strong and deep spirit.  His kindness bespeaks an attentiveness to all who are around him.

On our first night, our group went out to sit on the banks of Myrtle Creek.  After a brief devotion, we discussed the week ahead.  A few of us were pretty excited to get working and we wanted John to know that we were ready to get a lot done, and that we would probably far exceed his hopes and expectations for the week.

What a wise man!  He saw our bravado and deftly side-stepped it.  “What I really hope for this week” he replied “is that we all find the opportunity to be present in this place, in these woods, and by this creek.”  He went on, “We could all break our backs down here to get twice as many trees cut down or twice as much cob stacked up and I don’t think it would mean nearly as much as learning to really love the forest and creek.  When we learn to love something, we deepen our commitment to it.  When we are committed to something, it becomes a part of the way we live our lives, and that is how our lives really make a difference.   It’s not as much what we do and how we learn to be.  So I hope you leave this place having had a good time, having made some new friends, and having grown to love God’s creation in a new way.”

Judging from the feelings of all in our group, our week was a success.  We grew in our understanding of, our love for, and our commitment to being better stewards of creation.  I thank each of you for the support you gave as a congregation so that our youth could have this opportunity.

- Ken Miller Rieman

Being not-so-skilled in the upper-body strength, it was always a challenge for me to keep up with all the manual labor our group had to do. But after working all day, then going back to the field to play and relax, I got to thinking.  I was thinking of something someone said during the work camp; “we are human beings, not human doings.” I was able to enjoy the beautiful scenery, and be with the other campers while laughing, joking, playing, talking, sitting… in other words, we did everything together. I had a blast, and a week definitely did not seem long enough to anyone.  On the last day, our director asked us what the hardest part of our week was.  Taylor, from Pennsylvania, said “When I go home, I’m going to tell my friends that the hardest part about the whole week was leaving.”   I agree with Taylor.

- Amy Helmuth

I liked creating the prayer oratory with cob, meeting new people and interacting with them.  I learned that I need to be aware of what is happening to the environment and how to build with cob.

- Misghana Andemichael

I think, even though I wasn’t originally all for the idea of the work camp, it was definitely worth a week (if not more) of my time.

The Washington/Oregon district does not have very many Brethren members in it, and this makes it very hard to get to know and relate with the other youth of the church because there aren’t very many other opportunities to meet with these young adults. The work camp originally let me be introduced to 7 other youth from Pennsylvania and Colorado, and later in the week, a plethora of other youth because a family camp was going on at the same time. I believe that during the week, I was able to make ties that hopefully will never be forgotten or severed, and I was able to strengthen my own feelings about the Church.

Perhaps more importantly, I was able to experience the very home-like and welcoming environment of Camp Myrtlewood and when it was time to go back home, all of the work camp members agreed that we wanted to come back next year.   After a week, I felt as close to Camp Myrtlewood as I feel with Camp Koinonia, and the staff there who played countless Frisbee and football games made that very possible.

Lastly, I am grateful for the 8 hour ride I spent with my fellow Seattlites. I was able to get to know them very well, and, on the way back, I was able to get to know myself through the Enneagram personality types.  We had lots of great laughs.

To all that made this trip possible, I salute you. Without you, I wouldn’t have been able to become a better person, and a stronger Brethren.

- Xuny Haley