Kayak training was about to begin.  The object was to roll your boat upside down, and exit into the water.  Then, righting the kayak, we were to re-enter it and pump the water from the engulfed boat.   It may sound like summer fun, frolicking about; except this water was frozen not too long ago.  This was Canada, after all.  Our surroundings were beautiful and our trained Young Life guides were closely watching over us.  Even so, I was definitely beyond my comfort zone.

Pictured:  Randy and Ashton enjoying solitude in British Columbia

We all know Young Life's catch phrase about camp:  the best week of your life.  But just when I thought it couldn't get any better, it did.  Our little band of 6 high school kids and 2 leaders found themselves in tiny boats in British Columbia, working hard, laughing alot, and waiting in stillness before the Lord, going beyond where we thought we could go in our relationship with Him.

Pictured: YL AFRICA (Arusha, Tanzania) - Taken Summer 2006, with the Group Trip Drew Voyles helped lead from Florida.  The Children here have just finished YL Club, & are chanting "Allelujiah" in Swahili, over & over & over again.  Note this community is where Alexis Kwame, who first came to visit our Area in September 2006, began contact work & YL Club in January 2006.

And that's what we are all about with our "Beyond Atlanta" vision.  Getting kids, leaders, and even adults beyond themselves, where they can examine what it means to be a follower of Christ.  This year, as the Lord invites more kids to join Him, I challenge you to join our efforts in going Beyond Atlanta, beyond comfort and familiarity.  We will be going to new parts of the world, seeking to lead kids and leaders into a deeper, more intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.   From camping in Colorado and Canada, to work trips to Africa and Costa Rica, we need you.  Whether through prayer, financial giving, or going yourself, I prayerfully consider how the Lord might lead you to get on board with what He is doing in Northwest Atlanta, and Beyond.

In Christ,