Our theme, as in years past, was to promote a Band of Brothers in Christ based on Proverbs 27:17, which says  "Iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens another".  Iron stands for "I"ntegrity within the Body of Christ, "R"eliability to the service for Christ, "O"utreach for the calling of Christ and "N"oble in our walk for Christ. The retreat is open to all men and older male teens.

You have heard the saying "What happens in Jackman, stays in Jackman" and for most part that is true but we wanted to share with the rest of the church some of the things that don't have to stay in Jackman. 

Attending were 26 men in all, of which 4 were older teens. Pastor Lin Libby, Isaac Libby, Brian Perkins, Phil Perkins, Mike Rolfe, Ben Rolfe, Steve Doyle, Nathan Doyle, Blaise Loong, Ted Rolfe, Paul Fellows, Tim Fellows, Roger Pottle, Jim Brann, Carlos Libby, Pat Shepard, Pat Polley, Dennis Campbellton, Bear Stephens, Matt Moore, Ben Bailey, Ray Ladd, Rick Larrabee, Frank Hall, Marc Dumais, and Cameron Dumais.

We all met at the church and watched a 1 hour video by Pastor Mark Driscoll of Mars Hill Church in Seattle, WA. The video set the mood for our journey. The video left no man untouched.

After the video we all caravanned in about 10 vehicles the 119 miles to Jackman. We parked across the street from Bishop's Store. This was our last stop to grab a bite to eat before leaving civilization. Everyone went into the store, got their goodies and returned to stand on a grassy area near the vehicles.  We were an interesting looking group with some dressed in camo and others dressed in shorts and t-shirts. We looked like a bunch of guys that were heading into the woods. There was nothing about our looks or attire that would have suggested we were Brothers in Christ...or was there? While we were all standing around the vehicles talking, a man crossed the road from where he was parked at Bishop's. He made a beeline toward the group of us.  He asked Steve: "Did I see you praying over here?" Steve looked around and did not see anyone in prayer and responded: No, but we do pray". The man asked "are you Christian's?" The response was "Yes". The man then asked if we could pray for him as he was experiencing family problems and we said that we would.  The man did not elaborate on what the problem was, said please remember me as the stranger from Jackman, crossed the road and left in his pickup. Paul Fellows led us in prayer for this man and his family.  There was something unknown that led this man to us and we choose to believe it was divine intervention.   

We left Bishop's and travelled about 6 miles North and took a right onto Bald Mountain Road. At this point we were about 10 miles from Canada. We drove 15 miles on dirt logging truck roads through the beautiful woods of Northwestern Maine until we arrived at the camp on Iron Mountain Pond in Alderbrook.  The spectacular views of the woods and Bald Mountain provided the sense that we were truly entering God's Country. The last mile is only accessible on foot or by four wheel drive.

A few set up their quarters in the camp itself, while most pitched the various tents in a clearing about 100 yards away and aptly named the clearing "Shantytown".

Our evening Devotional was led by Rick Larrabee with all 26 of us in a circle in Shantytown.  The topic, discussion and, for some, men pouring their hearts out, was awesome. And,well let's say "What happens in Jackman, stays in Jackman". The evening sky was wide open for us to look to God above.  Pat Shepard and Brian Perkins provided the music. Jim Brann also lead us in prayer about an older man named "Jon" who disliked Christianity and Christians most of his life but had recently been searching for God after a near death experience. We would ask that you too pray for him.

We talked into the night until everyone turned in. It was said that a familiar musical banjo tune could be heard outside the tents of Shantytown late into the night.

Around 4:00 am on Saturday, July 10, a severe rain storm rolled through the area and Shantytown had a river running down the middle of it. The storm lasted for about 2 hours.

A morning devotional was held inside the camp and was led by Brian Perkins.  Again, the topic and discussion is held under the confidence of "What happens in Jackman, stays in Jackman. After the morning devotional and breakfast a few of the guys went off fishing while a majority of the guys went target shooting in a nearby gravel pit. Some friendly clay pigeon and target shooting matches were had.

This trip was, again, not without vehicle problems. On the return trip, Paul Fellows hit something which tore his oil filter off and he lost all his oil. This led to a mad dash by others to the local NAPA store in Jackman which ended up being closed. However the owner of the NAPA was driving by and opened the store for them. A return trip back down the logging road and a quick change of the oil filter, adding of oil and Paul was back on the road. Also, Jim Brann lost the spare tire from his vehicle.

If you attended this retreat you know that God had His Hand all over this trip. From the guy asking for prayer in Jackman, to the owner of the NAPA store happening to just be driving by and much more. We all came away a much closer Band of Brothers in Christ.

Special thanks to Jim & Janie Brann for providing their camp for us to use, once again. Your generosity was a blessing to all of us. Thanks to the guys that spent their time preparing to lead us during devotions.

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July 10 & 11, 2009
Alderbrook, Maine

This was the 2nd Annual Retreat. The 1st Annual was attended by about 15 men

What a great time. We had 14 men attend.  Awesome time of devotions and men on their knees in prayer. Thank you Jim & Janie Brann for the use of your camp.


  
There was also fishing, 4 wheeling, hiking and shooting clay pigeons. This Band of Brothers came away closer to God and each other.

We hope you too can make it next year.

We will be staying at a rustic camp owned by Jim Brann that is about 10 miles North of Jackman and then 20 miles East off the paved road. Vehicle accessible. Plenty of room to sleep inside the camp or bring your own tent. Men and older teen boys are welcome.

We usually caravan from the church on the morning of July 9. There is no fee to attend. Bring your own food. To car pool with someone, contact Isaac below.

There will be brook fishing, 4 wheeling, hiking and shooting at the range. There will be a time of devotion after each meal.

This will be a time to renew old friendships and begin new ones. A time to hear God's Word in the Wilderness. A time of Freedom for men who are Wild At Heart.

Sign up sheet on the bulletin board at church or below. Signing up below gets you on the retreat email list. Or for more info, contact Isaac Libby at ilpsalm51@aol.com