YCLA Creation Trip Report

Hello friends!

Our group had an awesome time on the Creation Museum adventure this past weekend. There were 21 people who came along, plus one boy who we met at the campground where we stayed.

The ride up took about seven hours, including stops (approx. 9:45 AM to 4:45 PM). The final hour was tense as we drew closer to our destination, and at the same time, to a huge gray cloud system! As we neared the campground, rain was increasingly falling and everyone was dismayed to realize we would have to set up our tents in a watery deluge. However, we prayed and miraculously, as we began to unload, the rain completely stopped.

For supper, we had a luscious meal of hamburgers and hot dogs grilled over the campfire by our pastor, John Griffith. Pastor Griffith is also a former Scoutmaster and a creation geologist, and we are happy to say his cooking "rocks!" (NOT as in "tastes like rocks") :-D

We had a fairly uneventful but relaxing evening. Several of us went for walks around the campground and on the couple of verdant trails. We also had a lot of fun at the small park and playground. At the playground, we met Bobby (an unsaved public school kid), the boy who we were able to bring along to the Museum the next day.

Saturday, I woke up early due to a watch alarm from another tent, which went off at 5:30 in the morning! Pastor Griffith and several others headed off to Wal-Mart at about 6:30, and I whistled Reveille for everyone who was not up yet at 7:00. Breakfast was excellent, with bacon, eggs, grits, and fruit. We got ready to go around 9:15, and left just past 9:30.

We were greeted at the Creation Museum by the helpful and friendly Answers in Genesis staff. While I worked on the admission fees and group paperwork, they handed out schedules for the day and explained information about the museum.

Our trek through the exhibits went well, although we were divided up somewhat when we came out, which was expected. Most people said their favorite part of the museum was the "Men in White" special effects program. This show features two "angels" who depict for the viewer the absurdity of Evolution, as well as providing an overview of the Creationist view of science. Many of our group also said they liked the petting zoo, the Noah's Ark exhibits, and the Planetarium. My favorite part was probably the lecture by Dr. Terry Mortenson on the relevance of Genesis to Christian doctrine and morality.

I was able to give out at least a dozen YCLA business cards to respectable-looking young people at the museum. I even talked to two kids who were volunteering their work there that day (Joshua, a boy of maybe 12 and his sister Kaitlyn?, a girl of maybe 10). They seemed awed by the YCLA concept of bringing together and mobilizing like-minded young people for causes such as that of Creationism. I tried to really thank these kids for what they were doing, and let them know I was very encouraged to see them there!

Back at the campground, we enjoyed the swimming pool with Bobby and several other children from the campground. The water was not bad at all. :-)

We ate burritos for supper. Afterwards, a few of us got together and prayed for Bobby and his family. However, this particular evening was slightly more energetic than the last one; there was a lot of running around and confusion, and even in the middle of the night, a large shout was suddenly heard from inside a tent right next to mine. I got up and investigated, but to this moment, I am not quite sure what caused it.... Oh well. :-D

We left the next morning at 8:30 AM, and arrived back at the church in good time to get freshened up for the Sunday evening service.

We praise God for the wonderful time we had on this trip. Please pray with us for continuing results and impact from it in the lives of those who went, as well as for the salvation of Bobby and those like him. Also, pray that God will direct us as we look towards a similar (2nd annual!) trip to the Museum next year.


-R. Josiah Magnuson
www.YoungChristianLeaders.org



Note: If you would like to still donate to cover some of the expenses of the trip, please send checks to:

Young Christian Leader's Alliance
c/o Faith Independent Baptist Church
4905 Geer Hwy.
Cleveland, SC 29635