Getting Lost on the Appalachian Trail

So last week the men of all 4 squads were blessed to be able to go camp out on the appalachian trail for two days. 

 Upon arrival we were told that we will be spending the first day and a half in solitude. Solitude is where we practice just being alone with the Father.

    After setting up my campsite I decided that I would go explore a little bit because it’s the Appalachian trail and how often do you get the chance to explore the Smoky Mountains. I decided to start hiking uphill. So yanno i’m hiking, spending time with Jesus, enjoying the beauty of the mountains. 

    A little while goes by and I start to think that I should probably start to head back to my campsite, so I start heading back down to the campsite still just enjoying my time, not a worry or care in the world….

    About a half mile later I start to realize that none of this part of the forest looks familiar. This is not good… Shoot, I’m lost in the middle of the Appalachian trail with no phone, water, or anything that could help me find my way back… Alright Jesus this is all on you. So I kept heading the way that I was going hoping that eventually I would run into some sort of road. The entire time I was walking I was just reciting Psalm 23 in my head ‘’The Lord is my strength. I shall not fear. His rod and his staff comfort me.”

 Finally after walking for who knows how long I made it to a gravel road, praise Jesus! Sign of human existence! So without asking Him I decide to go up the mountain I make it the top and it’s just an old cell tower. Great, now I’ve walked all this extra way for nothing. 

After a short while I made it to a dirt road, now I’ve got to decide whether I take the gravel or dirt road. This time I stopped, paused and asked God which way to go. After a short bit I heard ‘’Go left,’’ so left I went. 

Finally after who knows how long I made it to a road. Praise Jesus I’m no longer lost in the woods wondering if I’ll make it out alive instead I only have to figure out which way my campsite is. So I get to the road and without much thought I just stick up my thumb. My thought process was, alright God, who do you have that’s gonna pick me up.

 4 to 6 cars come by and nothing happens. So there’s a trout farm behind me so I figured I’d go bang on some doors and see if anyone would help me. As I turn to walk away I just hear “wait, wait, wait, wait.” Alright God what do you have for me? 2 minutes roll by and a little minivan rolls up, I stick up my thumb and before I knew it this old lady and her dog pulls over and ask me if i’m ok. I was ecstatic by this time just freaking and praising Jesus that she actually pulled over. 

So i’m telling her what i was doing, how i got lost etc… She calmed me down and told me that she would take me to the campsite. While we’re driving back she told me that she wasn’t planning on going to the grocery store until later that night. But she heard Jesus tell her to “Go now, someone needs your help.” So both of our minds were blown by this point and we praised Jesus all the way back to the campsite. She dropped me off. I said goodbye. Went and grabbed my dinner, walked to my hammock and called it a night….

    All I can say is God provides for his children above all else, it was such a neat experience to have absolutely nothing and have to rely completely on Jesus and have Him come through for me. Man God is sooo Good.