In 2022 I invited Muddyfeet over to my house. I had an idea for a ministry and I hoped he would help.

I wanted to start an outdoor part of our church ministry. I had just read "Last Child in the Woods" by Richard Louv, and I was taken by the notion that people (not just children) need to recapture their sense of wonder at creation. Besides that, post-Covid life needed new opportunities for people to build community and get to know each other. Surely the church could do that!

I asked Muddyfeet if he would help me mastermind a process of building canoes for a ministry. Kevlar canoes. As we sat in my driveway he said "Pastor Jeff, when you share a campfire with someone, you're friends with them no matter how you might disagree about other things." That sold me.

We made it one of our goals to start this ministry. A church member offered shop space, and Muddyfeet got to starting with the parts he knew about--he had built a solo boat already. A group of interested people chipped in with helping hands--most of us knew nothing about canoe building but Muddyfeet was our mad scientist guide.

We found two generous donors for the supplies and the church bought a trailer. A local Boy Scout leader offered us use of extra gear and in June we took a day trip with ten people to a local lake and last week we took our first BWCA trip with youth.

Here are some pictures of this experience. I am so very happy that we are able now to share outdoor experiences with any in our church who may wish to be outside and make new friends.

Bless you Muddyfeet.

One more picture from the day we departed.

everyone looks so happy!

what a great idea and partnership between board members.

Good for you, Pastorjsackett!! Thank you for sharing this.

I too had a chance to lead a church-sponsored BWCA program for about 10-15 years. It was so fulfilling and I personally witnessed where it truly contributed to changing lives, including my own!

Well done to both of you.

I'm a happy pastor these days.