Kayak Kamp 2015: Day 5

Today was our last day of Kayak Kamp. We reviewed the four words that give us a Biblical view of the world and life: CREATION: God made all things good: SIN: has brought all the brokeness in our lives and world. REDEMPTION; Jesus came to make all things new, take on himself the punishment for our sin, restore our relationship with God and give us the Holy Spirit. RESTORATION; Jesus is coming back to make a new heaven and new earth. This future hope makes a difference in our present reality by giving us current hope and knowing the end of the story.  Our Scripture today was from Psalm 46 and the theme verse of River of God. "There is a river whose streams make glad the City of God. God is in the midst of her."  And God is in our city that is surrounded by the Passaic River.  

 Today we paddled 8 miles on the Delaware River to the Delaware Water Gap. It is a beautiful waterway, full of fish and part of a National Park and National Recreation Area.

 We stopped for lunch at an island and enjoyed swimming in the current after lunch.

Back in the water after lunch

We often "make a float" to talk, have devotions, discuss the upcoming rapids of all of the above.

Some other rafters swinging into the river on a rope

Destiny upfront as we go through the rapids

Mrs. Englehard came along today as one of our female volunteers. 

This concludes Kayak Kamp 2015. We will still be doing a few paddles in the Passaic River for adults and youth with parents. If you are interested in going on September 1, 6:00 pm send me an email at jaalgera@gmail.com.

Kayak Kamp 2015: Day 4

Today we began our day remembering the key to understanding life and the Bible. Creation: God made all things Good: Sin: has corrupted and polluted all creation and all people: Redemption: Jesus came to make all things new by taking on our sin and giving us new life. Restoration: Our Bible lesson today was from Revelation 21 and 22. Here we see that although the Bible begins in a garden it ends in a city. But this is a Holy City where there is no more tears, sorry, pain, sickness, brokenness, violence or problems.  Out of this city flows the River of God that brings healing to all the nations. This future reality can give hope to our present. Its a picture of the Kingdom of God that is already present although not yet completed. This is good news. This is the Gospel!

 Today we traveled to the State Park at Lake Wawayanda. A wonderful small lake in the highlands of New Jersey about 1 hour from Paterson. You can spend a day here for just $5.00 a car. What a deal.

The weather looked challenging but only rained on us a little.

We enjoyed the beauty of many lilypads and gave God the glory.

At the end of the lake in the lilypads

All our kayaks tied up as we stop for lunch

Lunchtime

Mr. Eric leading our noontime Stewardship Lesson on caring for the earth God gave us

Everybody enjoyed going back to the beach to sit or swim

Robert learned to swim today

It was windy but a great afternoon in the lake

All kayaks loaded and ready to head for home

Ian instructing the children of the Child Care Center  in how to kayak

Friday we are taking a day off due to the weather and will paddle the Delaware River on Monday from 8 miles above the Delaware Water Gap to the Gap.

Kayak Kamp 2015: Day 3

Today we began our day with a review of what God has been teaching us from His Word about Creation - Sin & Redemption. God created the world perfect and good. We people have rebelled against God and usher sin into the world. Sin accounts for all the the brokenness we see, pollution, disease, violence, war, disasters and more. But God did not abandon us but sent Jesus to come and make all things new. He did this by giving his life as the payment for all of our sin and sending His Holy Spirit. All we have to do is believe in him, ask Him to forgive our sin and welcome the Holy Spirit. Great Deal!

We began paddling today at River Barge Park on the West side of the Hackensack River near Giant Stadium. The kids did well paddling on the "big water" of the Hackensack.

Some have been taking turns paddling the canoe with me. We have 14 kayaks & 1 canoe.

The Hackensack Meadowlands Commission offers pontoon boat rides for those who don't want to paddle

Ms Tiaira

We paddled through the marshes between the NJ Turnpike and in the shadow of New York City

Ms Claire

Check out the Empire State Building

We had lunch in the park after which some slept and some played !