In the early 1970s, John Denver penned Rocky Mountain High, a song about a man who was transformed by a visit to the mountains. Today, we began orientation with a team of 31 volunteers Breckenridge, Colorado, nestled in these same Rocky Mountains. We’re praying for transformation—both in ourselves and in these global women—but we know it won’t come from “climbing cathedral mountains.”
As the volunteer staff met for the first time today, we spent our first hours together in a time of corporate and personal worship, “walking in quiet solitude” with the One who created these views. As we got acquainted, we discovered this retreat’s volunteer staff comes from rich backgrounds: Phyllis and Nancy are seasoned Thrive volunteers who brought several friends along to volunteer this time. Mary heard about Thrive on Moody Radio Midday Connection. Mother-daughter duo Jan and Kiralyn are first time volunteers, as are sisters Cindy and Susan. Our team ranges from recent high school graduate to retired, homemaker to published Bible study author to personal trainer. And Paula Dean came, but this one doesn’t cook.
We’re diverse. But as we got to know each other, an unexpected theme emerged: roughly a quarter of the volunteers had been zip lining. (Others admitted they’d prefer a colonoscopy to zip lining!) Zip lines operate with a pulley system which, using the gravity of an incline, gets a rider from point A to point B in the fastest way possible.
These ladies have three short days to prepare, physically, emotionally, and spiritually, for our global women guests. We’re using our own zip line in these mountains—prayer, training, meal times, and preparation projects—to get from point A (strangers) to point B (friends) in the fastest way possible so we’re ready to minister—as a team, not just as individuals—to the women God has called us here to serve.
©2015 Thrive