This week Leif and I are at Cross Bar X in Durango, Colorado, where he is volunteering as the camp’s evening Bible teacher for a group of 8- to 10-year-old boys who have more energy and spunk than you can imagine.
Cross Bar X is an amazing place. Nick Brothers helped found the camp more than 30 years ago to serve low-income and at-risk youth. For many of the kids who come, Cross Bar X is the truly the highlight of their year—a place they come to have fun, try new things, and enjoy the love and care of counselors as well as hear and experience the good news of Jesus.
There are campers whose fathers are under court order not to see their children because of abusive behavior. Others are living in broken homes, foster care, and even centers for abandoned children. Their stories are heart wrenching. One child early this week sat down to a spaghetti dinner and announced, “This is the best day of my life!”
Nick’s approach to ministry is refreshing. He always invests in quality regardless of what’s quicker or easier. He believes in digging down deep rather than just building up and has developed a strong network of friends of the camp in the community and surrounding states. He has been here for more than three decades faithfully serving and building a quality camp that is truly changing kids’ lives as well as impacting the counselors and all who serve here.
But this summer, the camp—which includes horseback riding, a large ropes course, a rock climbing wall, archery, bb guns, a lake, and tons of great activities—isn’t full.
Why?
Even though the camp only charges kids a $30 deposit (plus whatever they can afford) a week to attend, they still can’t make it because many of the at-risk youth who the camp serves live in the inner-city and don’t have the transportation or means to get here. This issue has been compounded by the rising cost of fuel over the last few months.
That’s the missing piece.
They have a stellar team of counselors, gorgeous facilities, and an impressive week-long program, but when you choose to serve those in need—you also need a way to get them here.
So back in February, Leif and I started a bus fund for the camp. Nick estimates that buy a dependable used bus it will cost $20,000 (a new one runs around $80,000). To date, the fund has raised nearly $8,000.
Cross Bar X is an amazing place. Nick Brothers helped found the camp more than 30 years ago to serve low-income and at-risk youth. For many of the kids who come, Cross Bar X is the truly the highlight of their year—a place they come to have fun, try new things, and enjoy the love and care of counselors as well as hear and experience the good news of Jesus.
There are campers whose fathers are under court order not to see their children because of abusive behavior. Others are living in broken homes, foster care, and even centers for abandoned children. Their stories are heart wrenching. One child early this week sat down to a spaghetti dinner and announced, “This is the best day of my life!”
Nick’s approach to ministry is refreshing. He always invests in quality regardless of what’s quicker or easier. He believes in digging down deep rather than just building up and has developed a strong network of friends of the camp in the community and surrounding states. He has been here for more than three decades faithfully serving and building a quality camp that is truly changing kids’ lives as well as impacting the counselors and all who serve here.
But this summer, the camp—which includes horseback riding, a large ropes course, a rock climbing wall, archery, bb guns, a lake, and tons of great activities—isn’t full.
Why?
Even though the camp only charges kids a $30 deposit (plus whatever they can afford) a week to attend, they still can’t make it because many of the at-risk youth who the camp serves live in the inner-city and don’t have the transportation or means to get here. This issue has been compounded by the rising cost of fuel over the last few months.
That’s the missing piece.
They have a stellar team of counselors, gorgeous facilities, and an impressive week-long program, but when you choose to serve those in need—you also need a way to get them here.
So back in February, Leif and I started a bus fund for the camp. Nick estimates that buy a dependable used bus it will cost $20,000 (a new one runs around $80,000). To date, the fund has raised nearly $8,000.
But we need your help. For any tax-deductible donation designated to “The Bus Fund” at Cross-Bar X by September 15 2008, we will match all gifts that total up to $5,000.
Cross Bar X is one of the organizations featured at the back of The Sacred Echo. We believe that what we’re called to do is three-fold: Give Voice. Give Time. Give Money.
We invite you to join in on this adventure and change the life of a child forever! To give, visit http://www.crossbarx.org/
Blessings, Margaret & Leif
www.margaretfeinberg.com
4 comments:
Thank you for the opportunity to join with you guys in this ministry! It reminds me of what one of my pastors has said many, many, many times: "everything is better in teams."
Prayers now and hopefully financial contribution to follow soon. Yay for payday Friday!
Sometimes it feels as though one could drown in sorrow over what is happening to people all over the world - the desperate needs everywhere.
It helps me though to understand how Jesus could be the Man of sorrows and at the same time we hear that He was anonted with joy above any other person.
The joy of communion with God side by side with the constant view of humanity so far from what God intended for them . . .
The ranch sounds amazing - and so do the people running it.
I have no doubt the finances will be forthcoming for the transport.
Greetings from South Africa!
Margaret! What a small world. My cousins, Jeremy and Riki Yarbrough just left Cross Bar X after five years of directing the camp under Nick. Jeremy is pursuing a graduate degree now in Minnesota. So cool to see what you and Leif are doing to help.
Blessings!
Abbi
As a kid, I went to one of those camps. It's camp E.W. Young in Virginia. At the time, I thought all kids went. Only last year did I find out it was for "less fortunate". There, I learned to fish, swim, and trust adults.
Enjoy your time there guys!
Ven
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