Four members of the SJA Scripture study group recently completed a 5-day retreat in the Boundary Waters. A canoe trip retreat organized by a professional expedition leader/retreat leader fell through last year so, just as when the Scripture Study group found itself without a professional resource person a couple years ago, we asked “Can’t we try something on our own?”

Bruce Whelan, David Barkmeier, Rik Murray, and Bob Beutel planned a route, gathered the gear, shopped for food, and headed north (!) to Ely. We put in on Moose Lake early the morning of the 9th with childlike enthusiasm and happy hearts and were then promptly hammered with rain and some lightning! We had our raingear at the top of our packs so we maneuvered ourselves into the nylon and kept traveling. We paddled and portaged 20 miles that day in to Knife Lake, where we had planned to find a campsite near a certain fishing hole.

With darkness fast approaching, the wind picking up and rain threatening, we were surprised to find campsite after campsite occupied. Apprehension and a little fear were creeping into at least some of the party when the story of Jesus coming to the disciples on the dark and stormy sea was remembered. One of us confidently proclaimed that, “there is a reason these sites are taken. God has something special in store for us around the next bend.” With these words all fear left us. When it was finally getting so dark that seeing the campsites from the canoes was almost impossible, we saw a clearing that we fervently hoped was a site. One of us ran to the top of a steep incline and yelled, “Campsite!” And, “Oh, what a site!” When we landed the canoes and the rest of us saw the site, we knew we were meant to stay here.

Our days were occupied with some day tripping to explore pretty little lakes and waterfalls, fishing, and bushwhacking up a 170-foot cliff behind our site where we witnessed a stunning view of the windswept lake and also discovered huge slabs of ancient and sacred stone. One could feel the acceleration of this special place. We lay down on these stones to meditate and dream; when we were filled with the Holy Spirit we began the exciting and difficult hike back. Evenings found us huddled around spectacular birch wood fires listening to Nature’s Vespers, the hauntingly beautiful call of the loons answered by the wolves’ mournful and beautiful song across the lake, with the Amen chorus coming from the owls. Periodically, the night sky would draw us away from the fire, to be amazed at the clarity of the Milky Way, to spot shooting stars, and to see constellations not visible (and totally new to some of us) through polluted city air.

Other than many spontaneous exclamations at the beauty of God’s creation, we did not engage in much formal prayer. But then, we didn’t need to. No cathedral with all its stained glass windows could better remind us of the nearness of God.

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Bob Beutel is a 20+ year "Joanie", a member St. Paul Saints Small Christian Community, the Scripture Study group, and the SJA Bookstore assistant manager. Bob says he is married to a very spiritual spouse whose challenges keep him active at SJA. They have three daughters and two granddaughters. Bob claims to be blessed beyond belief.

Rik Murray has been attending the 11:00am service at SJA off and on for about 15 years. He loves to share this time with his mom, step-dad, sister and nephew. Rik is a regular member of the SJA Bible Study and also enjoys the Meditation Group.

Mostly it was the silence that brought us indescribable peace. We found contentment, too, in the simple tasks of keeping a healthy camp; gathering water, cooking, washing dishes, washing and drying clothes, rearranging packs, gathering and splitting wood. We did, however, read Henri Nouwen’s meditation, With Burning Hearts, the Road to Emmaus. In the breaking of our own bread, we knew our brother Jesus was with us.