Backwoods '07

Another Watersmeet Men's Retreat has come and gone. This year, Backwoods went international with 4 men attending from Fort Frances, Ontario, Canada. Five churches in all were represented at the retreat. Each year is a special blessing...that's why we go. Each year is also different; some new faces mixed with the familiar veterans; some dear brothers missing, but very much there in our hearts. Usually Pastor Ohman will say something like, "this is the only time in history that we will ever meet together quite like this". He's always right about that and it's always special! It's a place where the bond of Christ insures that you'll meet someone new and become old friends before you leave. Commonly, the good-byes are accompanied by wet eyes, bearhugs and the words, "I love you brother".

One constant is that God always meets with us. I've never attended a Backwoods Retreat yet without my heart being stirred by the Holy Spirit and God's Word. This year had special meaning as Pastor Ohman shared his personal trials and what God taught him while going through them. God really is out there and He really does all things exactly right.

The other constants? Let's see...John Williams (never missed a one yet and will remind you of that fact)...the horseshoe tournament...and the coveted Chamber Pot award. Congratulations to our own Matthew Galvan for being only the second man in history to win the CP two times back-to-back. Why he won it is pretty lame, but why he really did deserve it is a bit more interesting: Actually, Jeremiah Alderden and Matthew should have shared the honors for gun hunting mice in the outhouse in the middle of the night. Maybe we can amend this year's award.

~Steve