It's hard to believe I've already been here for four weeks, the time is going by so quickly!
Recently I've been spending my office time working on programming with Raj. We've been brainstorming how to get the Fishermen Trust's name out a bit more and how to introduce people to the concept of Adventure Camping. It seems like my 'to-do' list keeps growing every day! One of the more exciting things we've been working on is a 'mobile program' that the guys can take into schools doing Adventure Challenges and building Outdoor Survival skills in partnership with another local organization.
Recently I've been spending my office time working on programming with Raj. We've been brainstorming how to get the Fishermen Trust's name out a bit more and how to introduce people to the concept of Adventure Camping. It seems like my 'to-do' list keeps growing every day! One of the more exciting things we've been working on is a 'mobile program' that the guys can take into schools doing Adventure Challenges and building Outdoor Survival skills in partnership with another local organization.
Alongside that, we've also been continuing our Climbing Training. Nandu, Dinesh, Michael and I went out to a retreat centre called Visthar and worked on the actual instructing skills as well as rescues in a massive dry well they have there. It was good banter and the guys really picked up on the skills quickly.
On February 4, they got to put their new skills to the test as a group of eight from a nearby college asked the Trust to take them on a climbing trip to Tyakal! It was an amazing day. We climbed on the train at 7 AM and arrived there an hour and a half later! The three of us instructors headed straight up to get the set-up done while the group and Raj had breakfast and did some team challenges. In all, we were able to do two abseils and a climb with them. They were a really great group to work with and the guys did a good job managing the group and communicating instructions.
Our feedback was so positive! One girl was seriously afraid of heights and it was exciting to see her lean back on the rope and do this crazy vertical abseil down into the cave. Another guy said he never dreamed he'd ever get a chance to do this kind of stuff that he's only ever seen in the movies. The only 'concern' given was that they'd like to be able to do more of it in a day – possibly book the Fishermen Trust for an overnight excursion so that they can get started first thing on the rock!
God is doing great things here and it's only just the beginning. Our Tuesday morning of prayer has been such an encouragement to me personally and I'm excited to see what God accomplishes through the Trust this year as we continue to seek Him!
