In2venture

This week brings one of the most special days in the Christian calendar – but what is all really about?

Presents?

Yes

At this time of year we concentrate on presents – however it should not be the gifts that we give to each other that we celebrate, but the meaning behind them.

It is all about the amazing gift that was given to all of us over two thousand years ago.

The greatest gift we will receive this year is not the new bike, the food or even the friends we share them with – it is the gift of forgiveness and therefore eternal life.

The true gift of Christmas is Jesus –

John 3:16-17

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Have a great time this Christmas and as you enjoy the festive season try to stop occasionally and reflect on the true meaning.

Happy Christmas from all at In2venture

– Graham

Waterproof Matchbox

Anyone who spends much time in the woods will often come across discarded shotgun cartridges. Whilst disposing of these, keep a few back and recycle them into a waterproof matchbox.

Obviously it should go without saying that this should only be done with used cartridges.

Take your first cartridge and heat the brass gently over a flame until the plastic starts to droop. Carefully grip the brass using something like pliers or a fire/heat proof glove (I used a rag soaked in water) and pull away from the plastic.

While you leave this to cool take the other cartridge and using a knife or small saw cut off the crimped section. Very carefully using a knife or possibly some very fine sand paper you can round off the blunt edge you have left on the plastic when you cut it – this will make slotting the two together easier.

And you are done – easy, free, recycling.

– Graham

For most of us with busy lives and funds depleted daily by offspring, flying off to the Alps, Nepal etc for winter conditions to play around in is not a realistic prospect. Therefore our winter kit is locked away for months on end waiting for winter to arrive. All across the country snowboards and winter boots are stacked upon ice axes and crampons in lofts and garages until that first sign of snow when we all attempt to dig out these dusty artefacts

We know winter has truly arrived when we step out the door dressed in down and gore-tex, while the board shorts take their place at the bottom of cupboards and drawers.

Winter involves many things that we only think about at this time of year and like winter outdoor gear, Christmas often ends up in this category as well.

For many people Christmas is that thing that comes around too often, costing us a fortune in presents and hours in the gym to work off the effects of seasonal excess.

As I’m sure you are aware and often told, this is not the true meaning of Christmas. However what we also tend to forget is that Christmas and the message that comes with it is not a piece of winter equipment – only relevant when there is snow on the ground.

The prime message of Christmas is one of salvation, a king born to save us.

This message is as true in the heat of summer as it is around the Christmas tree.

Remember this message as you are dusting off your ice axes, but the real challenge is to keep remembering this message as you continue through every other day of the year.

– Graham

Improvising a mountain bike mudguard

A mountain bike mudguard can be unnecessarily expensive, especially if you rarely use one.

These simple home made guards are extremely cheap and easily improvised and (cue Blue Peter theme tune) all you will need are a pair of scissors, four cable ties and an old inner tube.

The premise of these more modern style guards is that much of the mud that hits your face is actually dragged up by your tyre and thrown through your forks, which you then ride through – this guard blocks the mud’s path through your forks, reducing the amount of splatter that hits you.

Cut a slice of inner tube to approx size (as shown above) then slice length ways to make a rectangle of rubber. A mountain bike tube works best as they are wider, unfortunately all I had to hand was an old road bike tube – still works but gives less coverage.

Poke a hole in each corner and cable tie to your forks (as shown below), trim off the cable ties and your done.

Cheap, recycling and effective.

– Graham

After taking part in my latest first aid course this weekend it got me thinking about the duty of care we have to those around us.

This course, being an outdoor first aid course, was mainly attended by people required to possess the qualification for their jobs or to keep their outdoor qualifications current.

This however is only a small part of the reason people take part in these courses.

For many people the ability to help someone they care about when they are in trouble is a strong motivation.  This duty of care stretches beyond family and friends, we should care for those around us on a daily basis and if we see someone in need of medical help while we are going about our day to day life we should use our first aid training and knowledge to help them also.

The concept of ‘duty of care’ means that if we have the knowledge to help someone in need, it is our duty to do so.

This concept is hugely important in the Christian faith.

As Christians we have the knowledge of the good news of the gospel and it is our duty to share it.

If I was injured and in need of help that others were capable of providing, it would be my hope that they would be willing to do so.

If I knew nothing of the Gospel and was in need of all the benefits it provides, it would be my hope those around me with the knowledge would be keen to share it.

If we have knowledge that is beneficial, life changing and ultimately life saving, it is our duty of care to those around us to share and use this knowledge.

If you feel the way I do about spreading this life changing news of the Gospel – why not share this post on your own social media page and perhaps you will encourage someone else to share their much needed faith.

Alternatively why not share these simple words and perhaps you will give someone some life saving spiritual first aid –

whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life – John 3:16

– Graham

There are many ways of navigating through the hills and mountains. For purists like myself there is nothing better than a map and compass, but many would argue that technological advancements have made this process obsolete. These days there are any number of gadgets that can more or less navigate for you, anything from handheld gps units and altimeter watches all the way to the simple (or not so simple as the case may be) mobile phone.

Outdoor types are obsessed with navigation – which route is the best? which is the most exciting? the longest? the shortest? the most interesting? the best views?

Ultimately which route to take?

We have previously looked at how we can be drawn off course in life and in faith – but which path should we take?

As Christians we believe that the route is laid out for us by God. You will often hear of Christians who have given up jobs and livelihoods to move into other lines of work because they ‘felt God telling them to do so’.

It is very difficult to know what God’s path for us actually is. He holds all the maps (and if you are that way inclined – all the unnecessarily complicated technology), we do not. We must recognise this fact and be open and listening to what direction we are being encouraged towards. The path we think we are on may not be what God has in mind for our ultimate destination.

It is up to us to choose our way, our path, but it would be foolish not to listen and take note of the person holding the map;

as someone famous once said –

‘I am the way, the truth and the life’ – John 14v6

– Graham

Of all my years in the mountains this photo is the only time I have been fortunate enough to see a Brocken Spectre.

A Brocken Spectre, put simply is the shadow of the observer cast upon cloud or mist. This spectacle is often seen on mountain ridges or summits when conditions are right, you may also encounter them looking down from a plane while flying over cloud.

Many legends and folk tales surround the concept of the Brocken Spectre. One common tale is that many an unfortunate mountaineer has followed them to their death. The theory is that in difficult conditions the mountaineer spots the Brocken Spectre and believing it to be a fellow climber walks towards it, straying from their route hoping to find a way down from the mountain, only to plummet to their death of the side of the ridge.

The links between this and religion are obvious; choosing who to follow is the most important decision of your life. Following the wrong person will be catastrophic.

As a Christian it is Jesus who we follow, but many people will try to persuade you from this path and the temptation to follow them will be strong.

To the mountaineer hoping for a way down, following the route they know to be right or following the image of someone in front of them promising an easier way would prove an important but tough decision.

Who you follow is the most important decision you will ever make.

Choose wisely.

– Graham

On a recent trip leading a group of young people down Smallcleugh mine in Nenthead, it struck me just how much trust these people put in us.

Looking back to your first underground trip, it is easy to remember the apprehension you feel as you leave the comfort of the outside world and step into the dark confined space of the mine.

Many of these mining systems have hundreds of miles of complicated passageways – none of which you know.

You are given a lamp with a limited battery life – without it you couldn’t see your hand in front of your face.

You are surrounded by potential hazards – none of which you have the experience to identify.

As a member of a mine exploration session you put total trust in the leader as you follow them through these passages. You trust that the leader knows the layout and the hazards, that they have the equipment to negotiate these passages and that they have the experience and qualifications to get you through safely.

This is a lot of trust and a lot of responsibility that these participants are putting in you as their leader when they follow you into that mine. It is therefore your responsibility to ensure that this trust is not misplaced; you know the route, you have gained the qualifications and experience, you are continuously pushing yourself to learn more – a lot of work, but essential.

As a Christian seeking to spread the word of the Gospel you have the same responsibilities to the people that follow you on this path. If you are going to lead people on a journey of exploration you need to be prepared, you need to know what you are talking about by putting the effort into reading and studying the Bible. Without this pursuit of personal knowledge, how can we lead others?

As someone seeking faith you look to your Christian peers to seek knowledge about the life of a Christian.

This is a lot of trust and a lot of responsibility that people are putting in you when they follow you into that journey. It is therefore your responsibility to ensure that this trust is not misplaced – a lot of work, but essential.

– Graham

This Friday’s look into the In2venture community sees us heading down to Yorkshire with Steve Windass.

– Graham

Steve Windass

Hi I’m Steve Windass, project leader of Forest of Galtres In2venture Skelton, York.
I’m 37 years old and have been a christian since I was 12.
My wife is Sarah who is also a outdoor instructor with F.O.G In2venture and we have our little girl Esther who is almost 4 months old.
Since I was the age of 15 I wanted to be a outdoor instuctor especialy a rock climbing instuctor. I was inspierd from the age of 10 when I use to atend a weekly adventure club called cliff hangers.
2 days after my last GCSE exam I volunteered at a Christian run outdoor center in the north of England for 10 weeks before going to outdoor college for a year in Skipton.
I gained my first main qualification (spa rock climbing) in 1998 whilst working for 4 years at a outdoor center in mid Wales.
Whilst working in Wales I felt that God had put Eastern Europe on my heart and got to go on a trip to Romania in 97 to take part in a christian camping Romania conference  high up in the mountains of Romania.
A few years later whilst on a trip to Kosova and Albania in the October of 2001 I herd about a Christian charity in the south east of Albaina that had started providing sumer camps for Albanian young people including a outdoor climbing tower !
So in the January of 2002 I traveled to a very cold little town 3,500 (aprox) ft above sea level in the mountains on the Greak / Albanian border.The top of the mountaian been about 8,000 feet,  where you can stand with one foot in Greece and one foot in Albania !
After many short trips to cross roads camp in the town of Erseke I ended up living there for 3 years to help develop the outdoor activites and train local Albanians to be outdoor instuctors.
It was really over this time that I got to know In2venture as instructors came out from the UK to help with training Albanians in Canoeing, Kayaking, cave exploring, Archery and more.
While living in Albania I was supported by my home church in Skelton,York. While visiting home one Christmas I spent time praying and talking with my Pastor about using outdoor activities to work with young people in our own local area of Skelton and to cut a long story short, after returning to York from Albania in March 2007 we ran our first session of forest of Galtres In2venture in June 2007.
From starting with 1 after school club once a week we now run 4 we also provide canoeing for another local charity and have provided activities such as climbing, Archery and pedal go carting for a number of schools in the York area.
Though been based at home in York for the last 7 years I have continued to make trips to Albania with my wife Sarah as well as helping with Pathfiner camps in the Lake District each summer.

Prayer points

Please pray for us, and our continuing work with young people in the York area.

– Steve

A while back I tweeted an amazing shot of an amazing day leading archery sessions with a school residential group.

The photograph was of the archery target with a wonderful view of the Northern fells in the background.

The Northern fells have been a huge part of my life for many years, a half hour drive from my house they have been my home for hill walking, biking, gorge walking and many other activities.

As an outdoorsman it has become ingrained in me that I always take note of my surroundings and this amazing view was the first thing I noticed while setting up for the session – not only because of my love of the Northern fells but because this was a particularly stunning day.

What struck me while taking these sessions was how few of the children taking part noticed the view before it was pointed out to them.  I thought the fact that this was an archery session and the group was focusing on the target rather than the world around it, particularly appropriate.

As Christians we often find ourselves consumed by our targets and goals. This is not a bad thing as the Christian goals of spreading the gospel is, and should be the most important thing to us. However it is often the goals of society that end up driving us to focus on worldly targets such as money, possessions and status.

Ultimately we all need to take the time to step back and view the world around us, to take our eyes off the targets society tells us to aim for and to look at the bigger picture.

What targets are you aiming for? Is it the new car, the best job, the biggest salary?

Are these the targets you think you should be aiming for or is there something more?

This week take a step back and look at the bigger picture.

– Graham