SRCFC Email Update - Volume 11,  Number 9 (Issue #197)         July 24, 2010
"Why Are Your Beliefs Superior?"
Report for the National Conference
By Calvin Landrus
 
"Why are your beliefs superior?" was a question posed by Steve Hughes (SRCFC Board Member for Denver, CO) at our seminar about "How to have a God Talk" during the National Conference.  Amazingly, it was the same question asked a few days later by a climber around a campfire in Ten Sleep Canyon, Wyoming.  How would you answer that question?  More on this encounter later.
 
Main Wall at Wild Iris, WY (Torrey Piatt)
Main Wall Wild Iris
When Brad Morris, Torrey Piatt and I arrived in Lander, we soon learned that the week was going to be a fun, relaxed time as the camping is totally free in a beautiful city park and all the folks are friendly and open.  In the morning, we quickly made friends with Chris and headed-up to Wild Iris for a day of climbing. That night we hooked-up with Travis Weil & Brad Waters and heard a presentation by Arno Illgner on climbing the "warrior's way." 
 
On Thursday, we headed out again to Wild Iris, this time to beautiful Main Wall.  Tucked in among the aspens on a ridge at 8000 feet, the white limestone walls are stunning.  By far, its one of the most beautiful sport areas I have climbed at.  The climbing was great fun and we found something to challenge everyone.  That night, Steve & Billy Potter and Luke Ebeling found us and we all attended the International Climbers Festival's opening party where the highlight of the evening was the pull-up contest. 
 
Friday morning, Brad Waters (who is a missionary at an adventure business in Japan - see www.ridenorthstar.com) gave a wonderful devotional about each one doing his or her part and we divided-up to go minister in different directions.  Travis and Torrey teamed-up and went to Wild Iris to shoot video of Paige Claassen climbing.  Others went on-mission climbing in Sinks Canyon.  I sat-up our trade-fair, outreach booth and began to invite climbers to stop by.
 
By the end of the day, over eighty people had entered our give-away, (each has been followed-up with an outreach email).  I had a few conversations with some about spiritual matters that included one conversation with a 20-something year old lady from Australia.  She shared that someone at work had tried to convince her to become a Christian.  I didn't sense the moment was right to follow-up with her; she moved on.
 
Burrito Feed Prep (Steve Hughes)
Adam on DaKine Corner
On Saturday morning, we gather at a Lander church to hear Steve teach.  Afterwards, we went to work to prepare a burrito feed for 250 (we ended up feeding 150).  It was mass confusion but we got it done and served the dinner on time.  The "community" felt by all who enjoyed the meal was strong.
 
As we gathered for our service on Sunday morning, I wondered if anyone besides Solid Rockers would attend.  Give thanks to the Lord, as four people came besides the dozen from SRCFC heard Paige's testimony.  She did a great job of sharing her thoughts about feeling lonely and how Christ helped her overcome that.
 
After the National Conference/International Climbers Festival, the plan for those of us from Bend was to head on to Devil's Tower with a stop over at Ten Sleep Canyon. We pulled into the campground where we found the young lady from Australia and her boyfriend in the site next to us.  After some warm small-talk, we went to sample the limestone of Ten Sleep.  
 
That evening, we started a campfire and soon the Aussie had joined us.  Sensing the time was now right to follow-up with her about her spiritual journey, I asked her to share more about her friends' dialogue with her.  She soon communicated it didn't work and that she was an atheist.  With her having that personal perspective, it's odd she came over to visit a bunch of Christians. 
 
Our conversation flowed both ways and soon she was asking the question, "Why are Christian beliefs superior?" Being tired from a day of driving and climbing and not being a late night person, I'm not so sure my response was the best.  However, if you would like to see it, please visit online feedback at survey.constantcontact.com. Also, Steve Hughes' potential answers are posted.  Finally, while there, you may share how you would answer. 
 
Please pray for her and all others that were touched by God's love and grace at the Festival.  And, thanks for your prayers and donations that make the mission work of Solid Rock - Climbers for Christ a reality.
Highlighting an Annual Donor - Rudy Vedovell
 
Rudy Vedovell
Rudy Vedovell
"We had an awesome climbing trip this past August and were successful in carrying Jack's ashes and Club Flag to the summits of six Eastern European country high points.  We climbed these peaks in our scheduled fifteen day time frame, including 3800 km of driving to reach the approach trailhead for each peak.  Weather conditions on the climbing days were perfect without any problems and no rain!  I now have a total of twenty-five European country high points with ten more to finish.  Next summer we are planning on finishing the list."
 
The above note is from SRCFC Member, Rudy Vedovell, of Holland, MI, who was 82 years old when he made the climbs.  It was written to Jean, the sister of the founder of the Highpointers Club (see below), Jack Longacre, who passed away several years ago.  Rudy was pleased to let her know of the successful ascents of six more HIGHPOINTS in Europe. His goal is to climb at all 35 European highpoints to go along with his ascent all 50 highpoints in the USA and all 56 of the 14,000 footers in Colorado.  Right now, he is currently in Europe working on finishing the list.
 
Rudy describes himself as an "old geezer" who has the belief that we should show the younger generation that life is still worth living at 80 years plus.  He says, "God has been very good to me!  I always feel very close to the Lord and Savior when I'm climbing. Happy to be out there in God's mountains that He created for us to enjoy and appreciate."
 
Solid Rock - Climbers for Christ exists solely on donations from its members!  Every year since Rudy became a member in 2008, he has given an Annual Donation (suggested amount is $30).  If everyone listed as a member gave that we could be doing so much more in bringing the Good News to climbers.  If you haven't had a chance to give your Annual Donation (or more) and wish to do so, please visit http://www.srcfc.org/About-Us/Order,-Pay-andor-Donate/.  
 
ADDITIONAL INFO: The Highpointers Club is comprised of people who share a common interest of attaining the highpoint of each of the 50 states. The club had it's beginnings in 1986 when the founder - Jack Longacre - managed to get a blurb printed in the October 1986 issue of Outside Magazine under the Bulletin Column asking "highpointers" to contact him.  And the rest is history.  Learn more at http://highpointers.org/.  
In This Issue
Report of National Conf.
80 Year Old Annual Donor
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Cuba Trip, Members Place at Nationals, Worship Album
Community Shout-Outs
Featured Sponsor - Tight Climb Hand Repair Bar
 Help Bring the Good News to Climbers with Your Giving!
 
Upcoming Events

August 21
Beat the Heat 5 - Sportrock
Alexandria, VA
 SRCFC Sponsoring 
September 17-19
Smith Rock Detour
 
SRCFC Sponsoring
September 24-26
24 Hours of Horseshoe Hell Register on August 3rd!
 SRCFC Sponsoring
October 8-10
Rocktoberfest
Announcements 
 
Interested in a "On-Mission" Climbing Trip to Cuba?
Over the last year, we have added members in Cuba and in dialogue with recently approved, Cuba Chapter Coordinator, Maikel Rosabal Gómez (maikelclimb@polzaza.ssp.sld.cu), SRCFC is considering putting together a climbing mission trip to Cuba.  The timeframe is January 2011.  A Festival of Escalade in Viñales is scheduled for January 14-16, 2011.  Maikel is friends with Cuba's leading climber, Yarobys Martinez.  You can learn more about the climbing and travel to Cuba at www.cubaclimbing.com.   
One of the issues about traveling to Cuba is that Americans can't travel directly there.  So more than likely, we would coordinate with the Mexican Chapter and travel through Mexico, with a stop over for climbing and ministry in Mexico too.  The tentative schedule is leaving the USA on January 6th and returning to the USA on January 17th.  Many details need to be worked out but would like to hear from you if you have any interest in being on this trip.  Please send an email to info@srcfc.org to record your interest.
 
Solid Rockers Place at SCS Climbing National Comp
Collier Skinn of Austin, TX placed 4th in the 16u Speed Division. And since the top four make the US National Team, Collier will now represent the US at the World Championship in Scotland in September and then in December at the North/South America championship in Ecuador.  Additionally, Grace Kane of Fresno, CA placed 3rd in Sport/Difficulty in Youth-D Division.  Pray for them as they train and participate in future competition!
 
SoIll Co-owner Releases Worship Album Daniel Chancellor (daniel@soillholds.com) of SoIll Climbing Holds is part of a band called An Epic, No Less.  They have released a worship album called "We are an Echo of Love" and it's available for download at anepicnoless for a "name your price" donation.  He says "We feel like God gave the music to us, so we want others to have it as well." 
 
This section allows us to give extra news about our community and/or to give members the opportunity to spread the word about something that is not directly related to SRCFC's mission - items like things for sale, job announcements, etc. Please email info@srcfc.org with your announcements.  Click here to learn more.
1. Mexico Chapter Leader Looking for Climbers to Serve at Camp in Mexico

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Featured Sponsor
 
 Tight Climb's Hand Repair Bar is an all natural, ultra moisturizing solid hand bar that helps heal & promote healthy skin.
 
Editor of Updates
  
Calvin Landrus
SRCFC Director
 
 
 
Donation Information 
If you would like to support the mission of Solid Rock with your financial resources, please send your donation to: SRCFC National Office, PO BOX 9831, Bend, OR 97708-9831.  Visit Donate or Order for a response form to mail or email, and info on how to pay with check, credit card or PayPal.  Solid Rock - Climbers for Christ is a California tax exempt, religious, non-profit corporation organized in accordance with IRS Sec. 501(c) (3).  All donations in excess of the fair market of the goods and services you received (if any) are deductible. 
WARNING!!!!!

Activities described and depicted within this update carry a significant risk of personal injury or death. Rock climbing, ice climbing, mountaineering, and all other outdoor activities are dangerous. Solid Rock/Climbers for Christ does not recommend that anyone participate in these activities unless he or she understands the risks involved, is an expert, has qualified professional instruction, and is willing to personally assume all responsibility associated with those risks.