Inspiration | Rich Obenschain

Thirty years ago we offered our first wilderness expedition under the name Scotsman Adventure School. Ten students signed up for 15 days in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. What great memories we have from that first trip! Over the years God has allowed us to grow into the La Vida Center for Outdoor Education, which now houses six programs and partners with the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies to offer a concentration in outdoor education. A new initiative to share adventure ministry abroad has led us to Africa and most recently Ecuador, where La Vida alumni, staff and immersion students help in program development and facilitation training.

Time spent alone in the wilderness is important--even more important now in our age of cell phones, iPods and the Internet--than it was in 1978. Students overcome their fears and experience the power of encouragement in community. They learn to appreciate God's creation and spend time listening for His "still small voice." I am reminded of this need in my own life as I spend more and more time in the office and less in the mountains. I pray God will continue to use the power of the wilderness to refine and prepare His servant leaders--as He has done all through history. 

An Inspirational Staff
Over the years I have been inspired by the servant hearts of our student staff and by God's awesome faithfulness in the midst of challenges those students overcame and through which they grew. 

Wilderness Adventure
Adventurous time in the wilderness encourages students to fully trust God and commit their lives to Him. 

Family
I'm inspired by the impact wilderness adventures have on the lives of Gordon students, high and junior high school kids, and adults as well. My daughter, Tess, and I participated in the father/daughter trip in 2007.

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