Adventure = Fun?

Greetings To All,
How are you on this September day? We are doing well. We are curious what a Pacific Northwest autumn is like. Last year at this time we had just left for Thailand and were not around for September or October and most of November. So, we're excited for this season to come. I find myself generally excited for any season to come, climate- or spiritual-related. Part of the reason is because of the adventure we are on.
The other Sunday in church the pastor gave everybody a definition of adventure. And because of the title of our blog my ears perked up, one eyebrow raised, and my head cocked to one side. "What will he have to say about adventure?" I wondered. To my surprise the defiinition he have from a dictionary was: a bold, usually risky undertaking; a hazardous action of uncertain outcome. Hazardous, really? Risky, huh? That's right, it's not the happy, fun, or just dandy time that we usually asscociate with the word "adventure." I thought, "Yeah, I can related that to our life."
Since we felt led to sell our house in Millersburg in '06 we have been living and moving into the future without anything being for certain in our lives. We stepped out not knowing what we were going to experience. Even as recently as the beginning of this year things were left up in the air. We were trying to get to China for and indefinite stay, but that didn't work out. What we didn't know was that God wanted us to stay here and develop some skills and build some relationships that will be beneficial for us and others. And what parent would say that having children is not an adventure? Is everything about a new child certain, safe, and secure? No. Is anything about children of any age ever completely known? No. So, I believe the word adventure fits what our life has been and is like.
I also want to take some time to give you a better explanation of what the nature of our Ropes Course Ministry is like. Challenge Ropes Courses worldwide are used for the teaching of life skills. Here in Salem that is also true. But what is different about using the Ropes Course as a ministry is that we, as missionaries, are in a place to give participants valuable spiritual answers when they find themselves experiencing new emotions and thoughts. And one beautiful thing about the Ropes Ministry is that the people come to us. Less than 50% of the 4,000 participants (to date this year) on our course are believing Christians. We do not exclusively work with Christians. The other night Kathy and I were working with an extended family of 14. After one of the events we had a chance to talk with them about the nature of faith. The inquisitive and attentive looks on their faces made us realize that we had either just planted a seed or watered one that had previously been planted in them. They were here for a bonding experience as a family and in support primarily of one of the young men of the family who is having a rough time emotionally and psychologically. They all had a blast. Later that night one of the aunts emailed us and told us what a difference the day's experience was for the young man. He had a noticeable change in his demeanor. Good days for him are few and far between.
Another purpose our Ropes Ministry serves is tentmaking. No, not for us personally. But for the YWAM Salem base as a whole. To be able to host students for any of the schools that this base operates takes more finances than what the students would pay from their dues. At least half of the income generated from the Ropes Ministry goes directly to the base. The rest of it goes to maintain our course in Salem and to train and maintain other courses around the world, for example the course I just helped build in Russia. So, we are tentmakers as a ministry; we have to raise our own personal support.
I hope this gives you a better understanding of what our life is like these days. We know nothing of what our next season of life will be. But we are so excited to know that God is in charge and that He has promised us good things. We continue to pray about our vision for China and what that will look like. God will take us there when He says we are ready and the best opportunity for us is available.
Thank you for taking the time to keep up with us. Please email us and let us know what is new (or old) with you.
God's Blessings To You,
Carson, Kathleen, Dakota, Baby