Camp Conqueror
Newsletter
November 2000
Issue Number 58

In this issue:
Conqueror Crossword: Special Edition
Road Kills and Little Foxes
The Lone Ranger Speaks
A Trekka Special
Three Trees
Rainy Days

Life's Little Obstacles

The day's bushwalking is planned, you have all your equipment, your food, all the right clothing. On the map you pick out the spot where you will cross the mountain range that looms ahead. You can imagine yourself striding over it and into the next challenge. When you reach the spot though it's too steep, too dense, you can't get over the mountain. You try and go around it but after hours of searching, you still haven't found a way. It's getting to the point where you may have to give up and find a new direction altogether.

In life, there are some things that stop us in our tracks. Obstacles, problems, situations, things we just don't seem able to overcome. We ARE human. It's easy to forget sometimes that we are not invincible, all-conquering, unstoppable super men and women. We will fail; we will have absolutely no idea which way to turn. Then when we ask God's help in a situation, there can be the problem of not having a crystal clear answer suddenly appear. Or what if we think that we are following His will and then things start going wrong? Did we misunderstand Him? Didn't He speak clearly enough?

In Romans 8:28 we read that "God works in all things for the good of those who love Him". It's pretty comforting to think that in those times when we think that nothing is going right, God's working in it for good. When all seems to hard, we can't manage…don't fret, He's there!

When faced with something HUGE, it's normally a good idea to step back and say, "this is bigger than me Lord, I can't handle it by myself". When we know that God is working in all things for good, it makes it easier. We know that there is someone there with us the whole time who only wants the best for us, and who is in total control.

If you're not in a relationship with God, you have to ask yourself whether you would like to have the God who "knit you together in your Mothers womb" (Psalm 139:13) and who "knows all your thoughts" (Psalm 139:2) to be guiding you in the decisions you have to make day by day. He wants to be a part of your life!

"Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life", Jesus says in Luke 12:25. Instead, "devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful" (Colossians 4:2). God always seems to know the best way over, or around, a mountain. Funny that really, you'd think he'd created the world or something!

The Lone Ranger

The Adventures of the Trekka and his Apprentice

Well dear reader it all began on my 50^th birthday. My daughters gave me, as a birthday present, a day canyoning in the Blue Mountains. Not to be outdone the Apprentice sponsored the both of us a trip to N.Z., a.k.a. the Shaky Isles, land of the long white cloud and the place where people can't say six.

We flew into Christchurch with loaded backpacks ready for 12 days of adventures and trekking. First off we toured out to the entrance of Littleton harbour with its windswept hills of long grass and the occasional tree, then through the staff tunnel to the WW2 gun emplacements. The next day we drove down passed Lake Tekapo with it's bright aqua coloured waters, onto the southern coast of the south island. From there we followed the wild and windy coast before turning north and arriving at Lake Te Anau.

It was from here we set out by launch to the start of the Milford Track, a 4 day stroll. Day 1 consisted of about an hour's walk beside the crystal clear waters of the Clinton River. Accommodation consisted of large dormitories with vinyl covered mattresses on bunk frames. A communal kitchen/dining area with gas burner for cooking, cold running water (no showers though) and flushing toilets, made up the remaining 5 star amenities.

Day 2 involved a good stretch of legs, about 4 1/2 hours worth. Looking for more adventure we dropped packs at Mintara Hut and light footed it up to McKinnan Pass. From there one can almost see Milford Sound in the distance, on a clear day that is, and we got it clear. We could also look back to where we had come from, as well as up to many nearby peaks above us. We then returned to the solar powered Mintara Hut.

Next morning the notorious Fiordland weather set it with a vengeance. Again we climbed the 500m ascent to McKinnan Pass, lunched in the walkers shelter, before descending 800m to the base of Sutherland Falls and Dumpling Hut in a pleasantly soaked condition. I was greatly encouraged by the number of old people doing the track, but one lady in particular was completely unprepared for such weather conditions.

Day 4 meant an early start if you wanted to enjoy some of the side trips and arrive at Sandfly Point (well named!) in time for the first launch trip across Milford Sound.

While the Apprentice and I aren't used to taking 4 days to do a 2 day walk, we appreciated the different type of bush, crystal clear streams, ear-shattering thunder of water falls and super highway sized tracks.

We returned to Te Anau to reload food supplies, do some laundry and rest my knee. Then we departed for "the divide" which is the entry point for the Greenstone and Routeburn Tracks. It rained consistently for 2 days. As we came to the intersection of Key Summit, the mount with 360 degree distant views, the cloud base was literally at head height. I quipped to the Apprentice, "Would you like to go up to see more of less?" As we walked on the lad suddenly bounced backwards, then beckoned for me to join him in yet another new experience. I rounded the corner to be jet sprayed by thunderous waters coming to an abrupt halt at the base of Farland Falls. It was like being met with the wrong end of a fire hose. After detouring around the base of the falls we continued to enjoy the sights and atmosphere you only get while walking in such drenching conditions (aren't thermal shirts terrific).

After spending the night at Mackenzie Hut, the Impudent suggested I start walking and that he would catch me up (such cheek). He did. Interestingly that morning we started below the cloud in dense rainforest then passed through the cloud base to tundra grass country — at that point we were still in the cloud which was the source of yet another unique experience, snow. By faith we continued on, arriving at Harris Saddle Shelter for lunch. Again, the junction to Conical Hill lookout was avoided due to limited visibility. From here it was all downhill to Routeburn Fall Hut for 5 star bush accommodation.

Next morning we descended to Routeburn Flats, crossing at a tree-a-lanche site (that's an avalanche of trees — common in Fiordland) on the way. Eventually we reached the bus stop, before being driven to Queenstown. We stayed 2 nights there visiting a boutique brewery, a vineyard and several restaurants. The Apprentice did a jet boat ride and a bungy jump, while the Trekka did some white water and black water rafting.

From Queenstown we hired a car, touring through Wanaka's Amazing Maze, before descending the Haast Pass to the glacier country of the west coast. Coincidently we came to Hokitika on their annual Wild Foods Festival day. Naturally we dallied long enough to taste most of what they had to offer (Hu Hu grubs, Bread Fruit, Possum Pie, etc.) Then it was on to Greymouth to board the Trains Alpine Express train for our return to Christchurch.

At this stage dear reader, I have to concede the need to refrain from calling the lad, the Apprentice. He has graduated, with honours.

The Trekka

P.S. Watch this space for the further adventures of Trekka and Son.

Rainy Days

It was quite rainy overcast day today, got me thinking about rain and how it's a bit like life can be sometimes, wet, cold and generally annoying. Don't get me wrong I love rain, not so much while I'm hiking but I love to fall asleep to the sound of rain on a roof or even a tent.

The thing with rain is that after the rain has gone if you go outside and look around, smell the air, everything is all clean again.

So many times in our lives we wind up in smoggy, smelly, pea soup of a mess and we really don't see how things can get any better, or worse. Then along comes the rain and we think that it's the last straw.

The rain passes, though, and the sun comes out again and we find that it wasn't so bad after all. Hopefully next time we also realise the rain isn't so bad.

All this musing reminds me of a song by a group called Church of Rhythm. It's called "Matter of Time". On their website (www.cor-site.com) they have the lyrics and also a brief paragraph about the song by its writer. I want to leave you with it because I find it's encouraging.

Karl

Matter of Time

Lyrics

Thoughts on this song

This song just kind of came to me one day. I really didn't spend a lot of time on it, and, as with any song, I give God all the credit because I look at it now and don't know what possessed me to write it.

Rather than further explaining a straightforward song, I'd like to tell you about someone whose life has been touched by it.

An acquaintance of mine recently fell hard as a result of some mistakes he made in his life. So hard, in fact, that he lost his ministry, his marriage, and will probably spend the next three to five years of his life in prison. He appears to be very broken by all that has happened, and if anyone would have a reason to wish that he was dead, it would be him.

I was recently told by a friend of mine, who knows him, that he believes that this song was sent by God to help him make it through each day. And when it gets really tough, he sings it to remind himself that God is still there for him, and that it's only a matter of time until the sun will shine again in his life.

Road Kills and Little Foxes

Saw a road kill the other day. Some kind of small marsupial, probably on the endangered list for all I know. Suppose it couldn't be helped… these things happen. Also spotted a couple of foxes. Cats and foxes do much to destroy our unique native birds and animals. Maybe we CAN do something to minimise the havoc these animals wreck on our environment. Even the Bible warns of the damage that can be done by foxes, even "little foxes."

In the Song of Solomon a picture is painted of the glorious love relationship between God (the lover) and us (His bride). The relationship is depicted as a beautiful vineyard and the fruits of the love relationship are succulent grapes. Song of Solomon 2:15 warns us to beware (or catch) the little foxes which sneak into the vineyard and steal or spoil the grapes.

Any good farmer would do his best to keep pests and vermin away from his crop. If you fail to push away temptations, even "little" ones as they arise (…"the little foxes which steal the grapes"), then we dull the richness of our relationship with God.

Road kills happen, but we CAN beware of the little foxes.

Greg Martin

Solutions for the Conqueror Crossword 57

Across:

Down:

Three Trees

Once there were three trees on a hill in the woods. They were discussing their hopes and dreams when the first tree said, "Someday, I hope to be a treasure chest. I could be filled with gold, silver and precious gems and be decorated with intricate carvings. Everyone would see my beauty."

The second tree said, "Someday, I will be a mighty ship. I will take kings and queens across the waters and sail to the corners of the world. Everyone will feel safe in me because of the strength of my hull."

Finally, the third tree said, "I want to grow to be the tallest and straightest tree in the forest. People will see me on top of the hill and look up to my branches, and think of the heavens and God and how close to them I am reaching. I will be the greatest tree of all time, and people will always remember me."

After a few years of praying that their dreams would come true, a group of woodsmen came upon the trees. One came to the first tree and said, "This looks like a strong tree, I think I should be able to sell the wood to a carpenter," and he began cutting it down. The tree was happy, because he knew that the carpenter would make him into a treasure chest.

At the second tree, one of the other woodsman said, "This looks like a strong tree. I should be able to sell it to the shipyard." The second tree was happy, because he knew he was on his way to becoming a mighty ship.

When the woodsmen came upon the third tree, the tree was frightened, because it knew that, if it was cut down, its dreams would not come true. One of the woodsmen said, "I don't need anything special from my tree, so I'll take this one," and he cut it down.

When the first tree arrived at the carpenter's, he was made into a feedbox for animals, placed in a barn and filled with hay. This was not at all what he had prayed for. The second tree was cut and made into a small fishing boat. His dreams of being a mighty ship and carrying kings had come to an end. The third tree was cut into large pieces and left alone in the dark.

The years went by, and the trees forgot about their dreams. Then one day, a man and woman came to the barn. She gave birth, and they placed the baby in the hay in the feed box that was made from the first tree. The man wished that he could have made a crib for the baby, but this manger would have to do. The tree could feel the importance of this event and knew that it had held the greatest treasure of all time.

Years later, a group of men got in the fishing boat made from the second tree. One of them was tired and went to sleep. While they were out on the water, a great storm arose, and the tree didn't think it was strong enough to keep the men safe. The men woke the sleeping man, and he stood and said "Peace," and the storm stopped. At this time, the tree knew that it had carried the King of Kings in its boat.

Finally, someone came and got the third tree. It was carried through the streets, and the crowd mocked the man who was carrying it. Finally, the man was nailed to the tree and raised in the air to die at the top of a hill. At the end of the day, the tree came to realise that it was strong enough to stand at the top of the hill and be as close to God as was possible, because Jesus had been crucified on it.

The moral of this story is that, when things don't seem to be going your way, always know that God has a plan for you. If you place your trust in Him, He will give you great gifts. Each of the trees got what they wanted, just not in the way they had imagined. We don't always know what God's plans are for us. We just know that His ways are not our ways, but His ways are always best.

Editor's Notes

First let me apologise profusely for how late this newsletter is (again <sigh>).

It's been an interesting few months for me, so much to be done and so little time to do it in. And when there is time to get something done it's a fight for motivation. C'est la vie, I suppose.

I'm reminded of the much quoted verse:

…But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."…

2 Corinthians 12:9

We all have weaknesses and it's good to know that God can still work through us despite of them, sometimes even turning them into something useful.

Just a reminder for those of you that don't know, Camp Conqueror's temporary website is:

http://www.uow.edu.au/~krudd/cc/

At the moment all it contains is the last three Newsletters and a small photo gallery. Of course without help from willing Conquerors that's all it will ever be <hint hint>. So get writing, composing, scanning, etc, and send them to me!

For those of you who have contributed to this newsletter, we salute you! Remind me next time I see you and I'll dispense your reward! <mwahahahaha> <cough> <cough> <cough>

Remember contributors to the newsletter get a mystery prize! Now where did I leave that rubber chicken…?

And most importantly remember:

Summer Camp 2001
January 6^th-15^th

Be there or be… bored!

(get in quick, places are limited)

So till next time… God Bless and I hope to see at least some of you in January 2001.