Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 3:12-14

Reflections from OHT Outfitters’ 2011 Fishing Trip to Wyoming

by: Dave Brubaker

THE CAMPERS
The first full day of the trip, Kevin and Andrew were on a guided trip floating the Shoshone River, having the time of their lives and making some special memories as father and son. Steve and I had fished a well known section of the Shoshone early in the morning and were looking for some new water along the route from the east gate of Yellowstone to Cody. We pulled into a small public campground and noticed a rather old motor home parked along the entrance road but didn’t think much of it. As we began to drive through the campground toward a very “rich” looking stretch of river that was calling our names, a man walking along the road waved at us. I stopped, thinking he was the campground host, rolled down my window, knowing he was going to tell me I was traveling the wrong way on the one way road just as the host had done in another camp the evening before (read on to see that God can really use a moron like me)….Instead, we were staring into the longing eyes of the owner of the motor home parked along the entrance road asking “do you have a can of gas”? Understand, we are in Wyoming, in an area with no cell coverage and over 15 miles each way to the nearest gas station. I sat there staring at him for what seemed to be an eternity, him not knowing there was a war going on right before his eyes…Satan pulling me toward the river and the Lord reminding me of my prayer on the plane the day before, pleading for Him to use me (us) on this trip to be a light and to provide specific opportunities to share His love. My foot was on the brake but my fleshly desires were telling me to say “sorry, can’t help you” and return to our search for new water and a place to reflect on the beauty and wonder of His creation……. We shared casual conversation on the 30 mile ride, talking about his “last hurrah” vacation with his daughter before she departed for her first year of college, the beauty of Yellowstone and their plans for the remainder of their journey, but there was no opportunity for us to share the good news of the Savior. As we watched the family once again on the road to Cody, I was comforted by the fact that God did use us for His greater purpose and we will never know the impact we had on this family, but one thing was certain to this weak vessel….true joy is following the quiet whisper of the Savior rather than the louder and sometimes more tempting call of the deceiver.

THE GUIDE
I called the Humble Fly Shop on a cold February morning to ask about booking our future float trip, explaining that I represented OHT Outfitters, a Christian organization that provides outdoor adventures in a Christian environment with the objective of building and strengthening relationships with men and their families.
We had prayed that God would use us as His mouthpiece during this time on the water. Little did I know that before the raft left the bank that our guide would say “I would really like to have some time to share where I am in my spiritual journey”. Wow, what a great time we had on the water and during a break in the action the guide talked openly about his conversion experience as a youth, being raised in the Mormon church, the loss of two siblings and his journey to find Christ in a real and personal way. I am confident the Lord had just the right words for Steve and I to share with him. We continue to pray for him daily and look forward to updates from him.

Just as you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father would his own children so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory. – 1 Thessalonians 2:11