Phoenix First Rangers

Jamboree Recap 2009

June 29, 2009 at 8:16 pm Leave a comment

Wow!!!  We had an exciting time on our Jamboree June 26-28!  There were over 400 Rangers and adults that attended.  We had a fantastic praise and worship time around our own campfire Friday night with some dads that are members of the Phoenix Dream Center Worship Team.  They were great, and we had a great devotional and prayer time as well.  Saturday night we met with all of the Rangers from the District and heard from a pastor and worship team from the Los Angeles area.  Many came forward for salvation (including some boys from our outpost who were new), to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, and to answer a call to ministry.  The Lord ministered in a wonderful way, drawing us all close to Him.

The theme of our Jamboree was “Git-R-Done”.  Our camp speaker told us about Gideon and Noah and others who had to overcome great difficulties to complete the task God had for them.  Little did we know that we would have a chance to put that in to practice even before we got home from our trip.  Our bus was having some trouble starting even before the journey began.  So we bought a new battery and we were off.  After we arrived and had to move the bus, we tried to start it again and the battery was dead.  Fortunately we were able to start it with jumper cables from another vehicle. 

On the way from Payson to Fountain hills, the bus began to overheat and we noticed it was leaking antifreeze/coolant.  Going up a hill at 4 PM, it quit and we were able to pull it off the roadway.  We were about 15 miles North of Fountain Hills on the Beeline Highway. We prayed and called the Highway Patrol and they were there in 15 minutes.  It was over 100 degrees so we got out of the bus and sat in the shade of the hill.  We had plenty of water, had just gotten snacks in Payson one hour before and everyone was safely out of the roadway.  The Highway Patrol car towed our bus up the hill about 500 feet where there was a wider shoulder and the bus would be farther off the traffic lane.  Two police cars helped to shuttle us up to road to rejoin the bus and we waited for a replacement bus and a mechanic to arrive.  One officer took a Commander to a convenience store to get more drinks for everyone.  Finally by 8 PM the replacement bus arrived and we joyfully hopped on, leaving our gear on the old bus along with Commander Leroy Jones and the bus driver.  We arrived at Phoenix First at 9 PM after having watched the fireworks show from the bus windows for the previous 10 minutes.  When we exited the bus, the Grand Finale took place, welcoming us home in victory.  We really did learn to “Git R Done”.

Parents, thanks for your understanding and patience.  We were very careful to keep all the Rangers and leaders safe, in the shade and well hydrated.  (Emergency medical care was just a call away).  My cell phone was operating and I kept Gayle Jarrel informed of the situation on a regular basis and I tried to notify a few parents as well, so you would not have to worry or wonder what had happened.

After the loaded bus left the scene, the bus mechanic arrived, diagnosed the problem and making emergency repairs, the bus was able to be driven home under its own power.  All of our camping gear remained on the original bus so we could get the boys home as quickly as possible since it was getting late.  You can pick up your camping gear at the church Wednesday night at Rangers.  Thanks for your prayers and understanding.  We really did have a great time, even if your boys forget to tell you all about the campout and only tell you about their police car ride.

David Cleaveland

Ranger Commander, Phoenix First Outpost 24

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