As you probably have already heard, there was a huge flood at the ranch pretty recently. This flood occurred just two days before the interns arrived. So our first week at the ranch was dedicated to helping the cleanup effort. While it was certainly an interesting way to start the internship, it was also amazing to watch as the community came together to help the Ranch and how they have continued to stand by as we work our way to rebuilding from the flood. Since that time we have grown to see why so many people have such a love for the Ranch and have developed our own love for it.
The first several weeks of the internship were spent learning more about the program and trying to get acquainted with the Ranch. This of course included going down the zipline, going for a horseback tour of the property and simply getting to know each other. We have been busy working with outdoor education groups and facilitating the various high ropes elements. In addition to this we have also detailed frequently to make sure that the facilities are at their best so that the retreat groups can have a blessed experience at the Ranch.
While we have been hard at work, we have also had many experiences outside of work that have really helped us to bond as a group. In the middle of September the internship was given tickets to an Orioles baseball game and so all of the interns went and watched as the Orioles played the Devil Rays. It rained for most of the game, but was an awesome bonding experience. Unfortunately, it did eventually get rain delayed twice and thus we had to leave before the end of the game, but found out later that the Orioles did have a walk off home run to win... one of their few wins on the year.
About 2 weeks ago, 14 people from River Valley Ranch went to a Chick-Fil-A Grand Opening in the attempts to get the grand prize of 52 coupons for free meals. At a Chick-Fil-A opening you must actually get to the Chick-Fil-A 24 hours before the opening and be one of the first 100 to do so. Then you must spend the night there and make sure you get to all of the line checks to get your prize the next morning. So to do this we left the ranch at about 3 in the morning and got there at about 5:30. The morning began wet and cold and thus scared away many potential people who would have otherwise been there. All of us braved the elements and spent the day competing in the games that were put on by Chick-Fil-A and playing Settlers of Catan to pass the time. It was an amazing time had by all and to top things off everyone from River Valley Ranch were in the first 100 and thus we all won 52 coupons for free Chick-Fil-A.
As you can see we have been rather busy, but each of us have been growing in our relationship with God as we've been here. Our time in devotions have been marked with great conversations about deep spiritual topics and have served to strengthen our faith. Additionally, we have had the opportunity to talk with campers and teenagers who serve as workers about God's Love and have been able to serve as a witness to them.
Our time in the internship thus far has been marked with hard work, spiritual growth and good times. Each day we continue to grow closer to each other and find new ways of encouraging one another. God has been using this time to stretch us and has blessed us with the opportunity to see Him work in our lives. It is clear that this internship will really be a huge blessing to all of us and will help to shape our futures.
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