Summer recap by Doug

Well I'm done with my summer of mission trips and of course we had fun, we served others and we lived as the church. But here is the my personal big highlight. We had a dozen of our 30 plus graduating seniors attend our denominational conference which was held in Estes Park Colorado. On the 2nd to last night there, these graduates gathered around a bonfire and four a couple hours they shared about their how much God has used the junkyard to help shape who they are today. They mentioned how they came to love God and learn about him from things they heard at the junkyard and from friend that they have made there. They shared about their fears for the upcoming year and about the changes they will face. They confessed to each other the things that they have been struggling with and what has tripped them up over the years. But they also remembered how they are accepted at the junkyard and that they know they will always be accepted when they are a part of God's family; even when they mess up in big ways. But the coolest thing I saw that night is how they prayed for each other. When one of them shared a concern or a doubt, someone stepped up and prayed for them. And when I went around and prayed for each of them individually, they also go up out of the circle and prayed with those who God layer on their heart. One of the girls said it was the most significant night she has ever had being a part of the junkyard and she has been a junkyardigan since 7th grade. They remembered what I always tell them…"the prayers of the righteous are POWERFUL!". They remembered that and they did something about it. They prayed with and for their brothers and sisters in Christ. This groups of grads is set and ready for their next big adventure. Be proud Prairie Ridge, you have helped raise up a great class of kids! Oh, and the second highlight of the summer was while on the high school trip when my son saved my life and pulled me out of the raging rapids and back into the raft after I fell out while we were white water rafting in Colorado.

 

doug applegate

515.205.7070
youth director
the father & son junkyard-where souls are salvaged a ministry of the ridge