Will you hold my leg for a minute?

I never really know what is going to happen when leading a group on the ropes course.  Yesterday was a great example of just that...


So, we started out the day with a large group of 54 people on the lawn playing some get to know you games.  This group was a mix of some different churches joining up to do some team bonding before heading out on a mission trip to Haiti.  Such a wonderful group of people wanting to serve the Lord!  After the games we all harnessed up, split into 5 groups, and headed off to the course.  


The first stop for my group... the Huge Green Cheetahs... was the low circuit, which is an obstacle course just off the ground.  The goal is to do the obstacles without touching the ground.  This is a difficult task for most groups and requires physical strength, creativity, and teamwork.   


On this particular day I had a man named Zack in my group.  I was a little nervous about this because he had a prosthetic leg.  I thought about his safety and wondered how he would do on the course because of the difficult nature of the obstacles, but as I watched I was amazed!  Not only did he complete each challenge, he was instrumental in helping the rest of the team.  Wow!  What an example of creativity and the determination!  


My favorite moment of the day was when Zack came to the underground tunnel.  He was having a little trouble fitting through the tunnel because of the tight space.  I was about to tell him that he could just skip that obstacle... the next thing I knew he was holding his leg out to me and asking me if I could hold it for him.  Oh my goodness... I could't believe it... I was holding his leg and walking it to the other side of the tunnel!  We got a good chuckle out of this and it totally broke the ice for the rest of the day where he rocked the rest of the challenges!


Throughout the day I heard a little bit of his life story... how he lost his leg serving our country in Iraq... and how he has chosen to not be held back, but instead to press forward and give to others.  I'm sure God will use him in mighty ways as he heads out to love and serve people in Haiti! 

So... the end of my day came with another little surprise... a bird decided to poo on my arm.  Gotta love the random things that happen when working on the ropes course!

Loving Salem Ropes!

Hey everyone, thought I'd let you know that I love what I'm doing here in Salem!  Here's a little look into what I do on the Salem Ropes Course. 

First of all, I'm finding that no two days are ever the same when working on the Salem Ropes Course.  Each group is unique and it keeps me on my toes as I do my best to lead them through the course in a way that will challenge them and also give them opportunities for great success.  Sometimes I wonder if I'm the one doing all the learning because I get so much out of the activities that I lead the groups through.  

Teamwork written in many different languages

One of the main reasons that groups come to the course is to work on TEAMWORK.  Most of the elements are designed specifically to require teamwork and it's fun to watch groups begin the day with an independent mindset and leave at the end of the day depending on and even enjoying working as a team.

  

The five commitments that we all make at the beginning of the day

I love seeing how so many amazing things can be learned from these fairly simple and fun activities.  

I can't begin to list all the lessons that are learned through the activities, but I will share a couple to give a general idea.

Flying Squirrel

The Flying Squirrel:  a high element where the "flyer" is pulled up about 30 feet into the air by the rest of the team.  This element allows individuals the opportunity to trust their team with their life as they fly into the air and also for the team to serve the "flyer."  It's really cool to see how much fun people have in pulling on the rope.  Service doesn't have to be an agonizing thing... in fact there can be great joy in serving others as you are joining with them in reaching a goal! 

Giant Swing

The  Giant Swing:  a high element where you climb a pole 25 feet up to a platform and then swing out over the hill to a height of about 60 feet.  Definitely a breathtaking experience!  This element is great for bringing out the encouragement of the group and also for overcoming fear.  There are very few people who don't fear this swing... even I still have a moment of fear up there!  The Giant Swing has been an amazing thing to experience as a facilitator.  To witness the life giving power of encouragement is so cool and seeing people overcome their fears is truly wonderful!   

"For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, of love, and of a sound mind."  - II Timothy 1:7