Windy Gap 2009 was amazing! I have been going to Windy Gap since the 1990's. It is always one of my favorite three days of the year. Located in the majestic Smokey Mountains, this Young Life Camp is so beautiful for so many reasons. As you can tell from the photos, Windy Gap packs a punch with good looks and great weather.

Our middles school students came prepared to meet God this year. As we told them, God is here! It is up them to embrace Him at camp. Pastor Grey King, teaching pastor of Five Stones Church in Waxhaw was our speaker. He is always so on target with the students. This year was no different. He gave the challenge, "Your direction, not your intentions, determines your destination." We call our time of worship "County Seat". Pastor Greg uses God's word to pierce the hearts of the students with His truth. Several students prayed to accept Christ as Savior and many others prayed to rededicate their lives to Christ.

Heath Nestor and the Five Stones Band joined us again to lead our worship time. Their energy and song selections gave the students a platform for worship. I enjoy seeing the students totally engaged in worship. Windy Gap lends to that atmosphere during worship.

Windy Gap is all about fun! The blob, the zip line, and the Sippin' Parlor take up much of the time during free time. The weekend starts with group games and the world's most famous "flour war".

For the sixth year Back Creek Christian School has joined us on our trip. They are a great group of educators and students from Back Creek Presbyterian Church in the University area.

Praise God for what Windy Gap is and has become to Carmel Christian School. It is the premiere event that CCS provides. Our graduates mention Windy Gap more than any other special event when we poll them about their years at Carmel. I trust they remember it because of the fun, because they met Jesus there, because they saw their teachers in a new light there, because they were challenged to live life for Christ there. Whatever the reason, I trust they will always remember the great God of Windy Gap.

Washington DC Trip 09

I have been taking students to Washington DC for 24 years. This year was like most years: filled with fun, too much food, mostly good weather, a photo meeting with Rep. Sue Myrick, a musical at Ford's Theatre, a trip to the Naval Academy and a visit to Mt. Vernon (in photo). This year's group was able to experience a few new things. We visited the new 911 Memorial at the Pentagon. The memorial had so much meaning. Every element meant something for the victims. Those lost on the plane or in the Pentagon will forever be remembered in that special place. Next our group was able to visit the Jewish Chapel at the Naval Academy. The protestant chapel was closed for renovations so our students were able to tour the Jewish Chapel. The students and I learned a great deal about how our Jewish friends worship. We were also able to see the new $626,000,000 visitor center at the US Capitol. The space was very well done but I am not sure it was worth the price. I was so proud of our students again this year. The CCS 8th grade class of 2009 is a great group. They were so much fun to lead. They behaved well, look great and were a great testimony to those we met.