Simple Living Course

We had our survival course (Simple Living) earlier than the last classes of students did.  That's right, it got moved up to the second semester instead of being in the last semester.  I really think this was a good move to make on the schools part.  It's given all the four different mentor teams something more tangible to work on together and given us all a better understanding of one another earlier on.

As a mentor team we spent three days building the plastic houses we would be living in four 3 1/2 weeks.  We prepped our supplies and made a team strategy, which we would all live by while out in the woods.  Chore charts were made for everyone and birthdays were noted.

Day four we hiked out to the boat docks, hopped unto a boat, took a ride to our drop off point, waded through the water, than began the grueling hike to our campsite.  The step incline was made worse by the rain that had started early that morning, the heavy loads on our backs weighed anywhere from 250lb to 150lb.  Why so much weight?  We had to hike in anything we needed that couldn't fit on the flight into our new location.  These things were only our personal belongs though.  We had to hike in any team supplies that hadn't made it unto the flight as well.  Our team came up with an idea for this.  We made an ark (like the Ark of the Covenant) and carried it in.  Weighing in at well over 400lb it took four people to carry.  Our team did a wonderful job rotating people for this job.  No, we didn't give up our packs while carrying the ark.

It wasn't all sunshine and roses though.  We ended up having rain for all but two days; and one of those nights we got a thunderstorm that produced extreme winds and pounded out 7 to 8 inches of rushing water, maybe more.  Yes, if you are asking, it was an interesting experience just trying to keep dry.  

In spite of the rain and mud, we had a blast!  SMILE!!!!  We enjoyed singing, studying, and fellowshipping together as a class.  Naturally any kind of food cooked over the fire tops off any outdoor living experience!   You name it, we pretty much made it!

Along with our normal morning classes we had an over abundance of afternoon classes.  These classes included/covered things that we would be needing to understand or to know how to handle on our own (once we were on our own in the mission field).  Everything from building/designing our own house to electrical & pluming.

Two full days were set aside for two teams to work together on butchering.  Yes, we did everything from killing to dividing up the meat among ourselves.  Why two different days, you ask?  The short answer is because we butchered a pig the first day and a flock of chickens the second day. ;)  Some people handled the whole process better than others, but we all past with flying colors.  Those that had done this many times, came along side of those who had never even touched a pig or a chicken in their lives.

Our last Saturday out in the woods we were all extremely excited that the day was bright and beautiful, because this meant that the airdrop wouldn't have to be canceled!  We all enjoyed letters and small packages sent from loved ones, along with a little candy and chocolate bars that the pilot's got for us as a sweet gesture. 

 Before heading back home at the end of the 3 1/2 weeks, we took down our homes, leaving the woods look desolate in our absence.  While we all enjoyed our time out in the woods, growing closer as a class, it was really good to be back home again!  A hot shower was the first thing that many of us did when we got back, and was it ever nice!  Sleeping in a real bed that night wasn't all that bad either!