The Whetstone
happenings
out
During the 2006-2007 Christmas break, students and faculty
from Montreat’s Outdoor Education department traveled to
Bolivia as part of their participation in a class known as Wil
derness Journey. Students included Chris Austin, Laura Hein,
Sarah Schrum, Will Tourtellot, Josh Weathers, Josh Woodward,
and Todd Yancey. The trip was led by faculty members Dottie
Shuman and Dave Sperry, and recent Montreat graduate John
Jordan.
This Wilderness Journey course had three main components: ex
Bolivian city culture, exposure to Bolivian village life, and a trek th
Bolivian mountains. The team visited the cities of La Paz and Coc
and then connected with Camp Kewina (just outside of Cochabi
their trek and time in rural Bolivia. Jake Wetzel, the founder of the 0
department, spent many years at Kewina developing a Christian campir
ministry.After spending time at Camp Kewina, the group trekked at hi|
altitudes—often over 14,000 feet—and experienced challenges desired i
push the students to deeper levels of understanding in the areas of stewan
ship, leadership, community, and discipleship.
Two of the group’s most significant experiences took place
in the village of Candelaria, where Camp Kewina is located.
They were able to visit a local orphanage, as well as spend a
full day with a Bolivian family and experience life as Bolivian
villagers do on a daily basis. Another significant activity was
helping with Kewina’s annual Christmas Party, through which
approximately 400 rural children experienced the love of Jesus
while receiving simple gifts and watching a Christmas presen
tation.
Page 6, Apr. 27,2007