Celebrate with Cinnamon Rolls

I love sharing meals. It's a unique opportunity to fellowship, to bring people together, to share in life, to experience the gift of community. Meals at Beyond are no exception. They are gifts, times when we all come together, regardless of our jobs, to share a meal. We enjoy being filled, not only with food, but also with fellowship. The dishes spread across the table are as diverse as those eating off of them, but all are united in their purpose: celebrating Christ.

As the cook this summer I had the joy of seeing this gift come together around the meals I made three times a day. It was powerful to witness the community of Acts 2:42-47 come to life in the faces gathered around the long table under the trees.

The Fellowship of the Believers
"They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."
Around the table at Beyond people brought coffee, blueberries, Tony's, chocolate, fruit, smiles, and stories to share. But most importantly, they brought themselves. Each person from a different place. Some having sat at the table longer than others, some there for the first time, some returning after many years. Yet for that meal we are all reminded that we are united in Christ, even when we are apart.

So, with joy I share with you a recipe from this summer. Each week on Saturday morning, there is a meal that is special because it is a celebration of another week of God's work in our lives and in our ministry, from basecamp to the mountains to the water. For this one meal each week we are all- every guide, every base camp staffer, every guest- together. It is a grander version of what every meal is. Its a feast, we sing, we share stories, and we rejoice together. Each week delicious cinnamon rolls made their way to the table early on Saturday morning, baked with love. I pray that you enjoy them as much as we did. While you devour the sweet cinnamon and lick the frosting from your fingertips, remember God's faithfulness. Celebrate it!
Celebration Breakfast Cinnamon Rolls (from Uprisings: Today's Classic
Baking Book)
1 1/3 cups Warm Water
2TBSP Yeast
1/4 cup Honey
4 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1/3 cup dry milk
1 tsp salt
2 eggs
1/4 cup oil
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup honey
cinnamon
1/2 cup raisins
Sprinkle yeast on water and stir in 1/4 cup honey. Allow to bubble up. While waiting, measure and stir together dry ingredients. Crack the eggs and beat them well in a separate bowl. Stir in the flour, dry milk and salt into the sponge, until it begins to look evenly balled-up. Add eggs. Mix or knead until it looks even then add oil in a steady trickle. Keep mixing to get oil evenly distributed-doughwill be tacky. (Keep total mixing time around 5 min to prevent dough from getting tough) Turn dough into an oiled bowl. Shape quickly into a compact ball. Cover and allow to rise 30min or so. Meanwhile melt butter and whip with honey. When dough is puffy, don't punch it down. Roll out on a table, shaping it into an even log withyour hands, until close to desired length. Then roll out 20-22'' wide with a rolling pin or other cylinder (like a bottle). Dough should be about 1/3'' thick. Pour a small amount of whipped butter and honey over the length of the dough and spread it until it is a thin film, set the rest aside for thetopping.Sprinkle with cinnamon and raisins. Roll dough up into a log again, trying to wind it upfirmly and evenly. Cut log into 3/4" wide slices and place in oiled pans. Let rise in a warm, moistplace until they begin to fill the pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes til they are golden. Take out and pour leftover honey butter over the top. Enjoy with friends and family!

Elisa served for two years as a guide for our Sea Kayaking program, where she also provided excellent meals for the whole crew in Egmont. She had so much fun she came back

for another summer to try her hand at feeding the hungry mob up the inlet. We are so thankful she did. We left every

meal with our stomachs full and our taste buds satisfied. Her

cinnamon rolls are truly legendary.

Trips, Trips, Trips!

Thanksgiving may be just around the corner but now is the time to start planning your next Beyond trip. We are currently taking reservations for Summer 2011. Both our sea kayaking and mountain programs are filling up quickly so book today to guarantee the week that works best for you. Check out our schedule below and then click here to get started.

Hiking Dates

Week #	Dates	Status
1	June 25- July 2	1 Spot Available
2	July 2- July 9	3 Spots Available
3	July 9- July 16	Wait List Only
4	July 16- July 23	2 Spots Available
5	July 23- July 30	1 Spot Available
6	July 30- August 6	1 Spot Available
7	August 6- August 13	2 Spots Available
8	August 13- August 20	5 Spots Available
9	August 20- August 27	tentatively scheduled

Sea Kayaking Dates

Week #	Dates	Status
1	June 27- July 3	Open
2	June 29- July 6	Waitlist Only
3	July 4- July 10	Open
4	July 6- July 13	Open
5	July 11- July 17	Open
6	July 13- July 20	Open
7	July 18- July 24	Waitlist Only
8	July 20- July 27	Waitlist Only
9	July 25- July 31	Open
10	July 27- August 3	Waitlist Only
11	August 1- August 7	Open
12	August 3- August 6	Waitlist Only
13	August 8- August 14	Open
14	August 10- August 17	Waitlist Only
15	August 15- August 21	Open
16	August 17- August 24	Open
17	August 22- August 28	Open

Staff Profiles!

We have a new feature on our blog, staff profiles! Just click on the tab labeled "Meet our Staff" for bios of Beyonders past and present. Get a glimpse of what brought them to Beyond and gain some insight into a summer in base camp, on the water, and in the mountains. We'll keep a rotating line up of different people from different positions and different years so keep coming back. Enjoy.

 We’re hiring for next summer. If you like what you see and want to join us click here for more information and an application.

Oh the Things We Learn

A big THANK YOU to all who participated in Beyond this past summer! Last week, Jenny (Head cook, 2008 and Guide, 2009-2010) went through all of your participant evaluations to see what you had to say about your week long adventure. It is truly amazing the impact that God has made in each one of you. One of the questions that you were asked was, “What did you learn from your trip that you can use in situations back home?”

Here is what you said:

• “I learned about perseverance. And that God rewards those who faithfully persevere. There were so many times I wanted just to go home but I knew I had to keep going and it was so worth it in the end.”
• “God has provided people in my life that will help me even when I won’t help myself.”
• “So much – I can’t write it all down. But I am going to reach out, pray about and follow God in my community of women.”
• “I learned to take initiative while serving others. And I really learned how to love others sacrificially.”
• “God will never leave or forsake me, ever! And because of that, I can take on whatever comes my way with God.”
• “Life can be lived wonderfully and simply.”
• “It’s okay to ask questions and still be a believer.” 
• “I feel better in knowing a group of teenage Christian girls because normally I feel very alone.”
• “I learned to pursue people the way God wants to pursue me. I want to allow people to see more of me, and open up.”
• “I learned what is actually important in life. I learned tolet go of things, including pent up emotions and insecurities. I learned to seek answers, to learn peoples’ stories before judging them, to forgive…and so much more.”
• “The entire climb paralleled life for me and all its challenges. So I will always use the strength I learned here in life.”
• “God is faithful and it takes me deciding that I am just going to keep walking through the crap till I get in the clear and see God.”
• “The trip had me reflect on what I believe, question God’s existence and love, learn why I want to be a Christian, and learn about Christ-centered relationships.” 
• “There is so much beauty in the scars because they are an integral/joyful part of the journey.” 
• “Nothing will be as challenging back home as climbing mountains.”

Thanks for sharing with us, and thank you for everything you taught us this summer!

BEYOND'S ARTISTS: Featuring Steven Gnam

Steven Gnam started taking photographs as an eight year old. In high school photography grew into a media that allowed him to share God’s Spirit revealed to him through creation while exploring the woods and mountains of his native Western Montana. Steven served as a mountain guide from 2005-2007, where he also met his wife Aly.  Meeting Aly, broadened the scope of Steven’s lens to Seattle and then to Guatemala where he worked with Agros International photographing the day to day life of the families in various Agros sponsored villages. Back in Montana, Steven works with conservation magazines and other organizations. His current focus is working on a book sharing conservation issues in the Northern Rockies, telling the interrelated stories of Grizzly bears, the Whitebark Pine and other species. To see more of his work please visit, http://www.stevengnamphotography.com/.


Here is some of his shots from his years at Beyond:

Mountains above the Jervis.

Mt. Pearkes from Beyond Heaven.

Hiking to Kingdom Come.

 A few of Steven's photographs from his time in Montana. 

Cottonwood leaves and dew drops.

Aly Dimmit-Gnam in the Mission Mountains Wilderness.

Grizzly sow and cub standing up for a better view.

Yellow-Headed Blackbird singing at sunset.

A LETTER FROM BIRMINGHAM

Forty years ago Beyond Malibu was born out of the idea of going beyond the resort camp setting into the rugged outdoors where more situations exist that afford the opportunity to go beyond one’s self physically, mentally and spiritually.

This summer I had the wonderful opportunity to take 9 teenage guys from Birmingham on the Beyond Malibu backpacking expedition into the rugged Western Canadian Coast Mountains surrounding the Princess Louisa Inlet in British Colombia. The trip was by far one of the most relationally enriching experiences I have ever encountered in my time pursuing kids with the extravagant love of Jesus Christ.

At the end of our trip, I huddled the guys together and asked, "Can you imagine trying to do what we did without our guides to lead us through the mountains?" They emphatically responded, "No way, we would never have made it!" I then replied, "Fellas, life itself is a rugged wilderness and Jesus Christ says, 'Follow me.'"

May we follow Him together in this grand adventure, pressing on, full of hope and abundant love. Thank you for supporting this mission and allowing trips like this to exist.

Much Love,
Jason Zinn

Birmingham Young Life
Alabama

"That you may tell the next generation that this is God, our God forever and ever. He will guide us forever." Psalm 48:13-14

BEYOND'S ARTISTS: Featuring Brandon Sawaya

It is no secret that Beyond is a beautiful place. After sifting through thousands of photographs taken throughout the last four decades, we have found it takes considerable talent to capture the essence of Beyond in a photograph. In the next few weeks we're going to highlight a few artists that have spent some time at Beyond in the mountains or on the water. Take a look at Beyond (and more) through their lenses.

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Brandon Sawaya is a professional photographer with a BA in Photography. He specializes in (but is not limited to) outdoor lifestyles and lives actively by rafting and swimming in scenic rivers, trekking trails and guiding at Beyond Malibu. Brandon lives in Redmond, WA with his wife Alaina (also a Beyond guide) and spends most of his time snapping shots and honing his skills in the outdoors of the Pacific Northwest.  Brandon will be back at Beyond for his second summer of guiding in 2011.  Here are a few of his shots:

A beyond trip climbs the JJ Glacier Moraine.

Rope Teams on the JJ Glacier.

Jeff gets his summit ridge stoke!

Sea Kayaking in the Princess Louisa Inlet.

A Beyond group and the sunrise over the Princess Louisa.

A light ride!

Check out his website to see more of his work.

Website: http://www.sawayaphotography.com
Blog: http://sawayaphotography.com/blog/

Bee-yond Song

If you've visited Base Camp in recent years, this will be a familiar tune.  If not, then the lyrics of the current "Beyond Song" should give you a nice chuckle.  Enjoy!

BEE-YOND

These mountains don’t mess around,

You’ll probably wet your pants when you hit the shore.

You’ll struggle through the forest and the streams before us and get Christmas toe. 

You’ll try to climb these rocks and rappel these drops in your pink swamis.

Thank God for Mom and Dad for letting us be here so we can hang with Jesus.

Bee-yond (x4)

You think you got it-ooh you think you got it.

Just cat clawing in your helmet when you start to fall.

We get the cheddar, ooh we get the cheddar.

Mexi-meal always beats Taco Time at the mall.

Enjoy yourself, trips don’t last forever.

What makes (x5) this the exception!

So why oh, why oh are we so in denial when we see that our God is here?

Bee-yond (x5)

Leader: Alright now fellas.

Guys: Yeah!

Leader: What’s cooler than being cool?

Guys: Glacier pools!

Leader: I can’t hear you, what’s cooler than being cool?

Guys: Glacier pools!!

Leader: Alright, alright now ladies,

Ladies: Yeah!

Leader: I’m about to break this thing down for ya… Now hike it, hike it, hike it. Now hike it, hike it, hike it, hike it like your mamas stairmaster.

Bee-yond (x4)

(To the tune of Hey-Ya by OutKast)

Base Camp is closed for business

After an intense summer of nearly 50 trips, we've packed up camp and left the inlet. This week we washed everything, and we mean everything! Every tent, sleeping bag, stove, 2-cup, boot and backpack was cycled through a rigorous washing, drying and inventory process, then packed away into Rubbermaid bins and shipped down the inlet to be stored at Malibu for the winter.

Although the process of closing up camp for the year is often exhausting, it is also a very special time for those of us who have had the pleasure of spending the summer there.  Ironically, Closing is the longest period of time that we have our entire staff in camp at once. Intermixed with the long workdays are many opportunities to enjoy the people that have made Base Camp such a meaningful place and to reflect on where life has taken us over the past three months.

We boarded the boat at the end of the day, tired from a long summer of work.  With Base Camp empty and boarded up, we are thankful for the chance we’ve had to serve in this enchanted place.

Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD;

let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.

Let us come before him with thanksgiving

and extol him with music and song.

For the LORD is the great God,

the great King above all gods.

In his hand are the depths of the earth,

and the mountain peaks belong to him.

The sea is his, for he made it,

and his hands formed the dry land.

Psalm 95:1-5

8 Weeks gone by.

It is really quite hard to believe, but yesterday we let go of our last week of trips. This was an action packed summer for both the Mountain and Sea Kayaking programs.  We took more participants on more trips this summer than in previous years; meanwhile finishing up some substantial building projects and hosting a ton of guests in Base Camp.  It will be 10 months before we send another group of participants into the hills or onto the water but you can bet on this: we're looking forward to it already. 

The grasslands of the desert overflow; the hills are clothed with gladness. The meadows are covered with flocks and the valleys are mantled with grain; they shout for joy and sing.

Psalm 65:12-13                                     

2010 Staff Photo

Beyond: In the Eyes of our food packers...

Life at base camp this summer has gone beyond what we had hoped for.  I’m not sure either of us fully knew what was coming, but whatever our expectations, they have certainly been exceeded.  Behind-the-scenes work proves to be difficult, although most people may not be aware of the challenges.  As food packers, the two of us (Ellie and Mercedes) live in the pack shack, which is probably the size of your closet.  This is where the magic happens.  Pack sheets, scales and dehydrated foods of every type are the recipe for our work, and dance parties keep our spirits high.  We pack and re-pack every trip with considerations for everything from the number of guys and girls on the trip, to allergies, food preferences, and more.  Nineteen black plastic bags for each trip, full of the food that fuels the experience.  After each ingredient is weighed and the meals catered for each specific hiking or sea kayaking trip, the work is done... or is it?

Dull moments between packing meals don’t exist.  If we have nothing to do, we may dig a biff (bathroom in forest floor- basically an outhouse) while narrating Prince Caspian aloud to each other.  We also find ourselves doing our fair share of dishes and filling other miscellaneous base camp needs.  But no matter what the task- laundry at Malibu, baking Beyond Bars or cleaning to Oldies music- we really do delight in our work.

Every week, we welcome shell-shocked campers onto our dock, and send the same campers out on their trips with pizzazz, jumping fully clothed into the inlet or hiding in the trees along the trail.  But the fun doesn’t end with the campers’ departure.  Let us emphasize: base camp is never boring.  Each week, base camp celebrates in a new way.  For one Bible study we threw “burden rocks” into the inlet to reclaim freedom in Christ.  A week ago we transformed into characters for a mystery dinner.  Last night we adorned ourselves in trash-bag cocktail dresses, and every night this week we are celebrating a different holiday.  Meals are always a time of community and fun and we spend “off” nights with other staff reading aloud to each other or just laughing and sharing in our bunks.

Overall, even if all of base camp staff is fighting for the Chronicles of Narnia books, this place is an amazing place to live.  We can see the Lord’s presence here through the majesty and flawlessness of God’s creation.  The work is hard but it is good.  We wake up each day rejoicing that we are still here and dreading the day we have to leave.

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Ellie and Mercedes are our outstanding Food Packers on this summer's Base Camp Staff.

THE SPHERE OF EXALTATION

"Jesus leadeth them up into a high mountain apart by themselves." Mark 9:2

We have all had times on the mount, when we have seen things from God's standpoint and have wanted to stay there; but God will never allow us to stay there. The test of our spiritual life is the power to descend; if we have power to rise only, something is wrong. It is a great thing to be on the mount with God, but a man only gets there in order that afterwards he may get down among the devil-possessed and lift them up. We are not built for the mountains and the dawns and aesthetic affinities, those are for moments of inspiration, that is all. We are built for the valley, for the ordinary stuff we are in, and that is where we have to prove our mettle. Spiritual selfishness always wants repeated moments on the mount. We feel we could talk like angels and live like angels, if only we could stay on the mount. The times of exaltation are exceptional, they have their meaning in our life with God, but we must beware lest our spiritual selfishness wants to make them the only time.

We are apt to think that everything that happens is to be turned into useful teaching, it is to be turned into something better than teaching, viz., into character. The mount is not meant to teach us anything, it is meant to make us something. There is a great snare in asking - What is the use of it? In spiritual matters we can never calculate on that line. The moments on the mountain tops are rare moments, and they are meant for something in God's purpose.

Taken from My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers

Eye Candy

Just a few fun photos I ran across.

Expanding Beyond

Five years ago I had the opportunity to take my 16-year-old son on a week trip with his friends up Mount Albert. It was a powerful time for both of us and a tremendous reminder of how impacted I had been at 16 when I had the privilege to climb Frankenstein Mountain in 1973 with Jim Caldwell as our guide. When we got back to base camp the Lord convicted my heart that He was not done using Beyond as a way to reveal Himself to me. I asked Rob what his vision was for Beyond; what dreams had the Lord placed on his heart in using one of the most beautiful places in the world to reach more folks with the heart of Christ?

Together with other long time committed folks that had walked with Beyond we were able to create a plan that would more than double the use and access to this incredible gift. By upgrading the base camp we could now offer base camp adventures. Groups can now come and stay the week at base camp, doing work projects, day adventures, personal and group retreats, and inviting folks that might not otherwise have the opportunity to access this property. We are now able to extend the window of time we can offer folks the ability to use the property at base camp due to not having to worry about snow in the high country. Also with the addition of the explosive growth of College YL this will now offer a place for groups to come serve, grow and have adventures together that is available for them.

The past four summers has brought a new experience with each group that has come to serve, seek adventure, and have uncommon fellowship with each other and the Lord. Not only is the camp being transformed, but every individual that has come has left a different person than before. The unique thing about Beyond is that it is for everyone. We have had groups of fathers and sons, couples, college groups, and folks the Lord just put together, and in each experience the Lord showed up in powerful ways. Ways that we could never plan or imagine.

The first three summers we built campsites. It was unbelievable to see what we could do as a group in just one week. We would arrive to a cleared out campsite and in just 6 days we would gaze at an unbelievable structure, knowing that kids would have life changing experiences there for years to come. This past summer we had a college group from Northern Arizona University that worked on a water purifying system. To watch as they worked side by side, shared their life stories, worshipped with the guides and base staff around the fire, broke bread together around the table at each meal (like Robin Hood and his merry men), had one adventure after another, and fall in love more with each other and their Lord was a dream come true, an answered prayer.

We invite you to come and be a part of what the Lord is doing here. If you feel in any way that the Lord is not done using Beyond in ways that will reveal Himself more to you or your friends, than come join us. There are plenty of projects, adventures and opportunities that await you. We are currently planning trips for next June and would love to have you join us.

Blessings,

Jay Abraham

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Jay Abraham lives in Phoenix, Arizona and is an active supporter of Beyond Malibu.  For more information in about to trips Jay brings to Base Camp or to learn how you can be apart of the changes at Beyond, feel free to contact him at jay_abraham@cox.net or contact the Beyond Malibu office at BeyondMalibu@beyondmalibu.younglife.org.  Also, read more about the changing plans at Base Camp on our website. 

Busy Summer for our Sea Kayaking Program

This has been the busiest summer our Sea Kayaking program has seen in the past few years and our awesome but small staff of guides has been working incredibly hard to stay afloat.  We received this short update from Marshall Potter.  We're looking forward to hearing more about how their summer is going. 

If I have been learning anything this summer it is to take to heart Matthew 6:25-34. Between guiding and occasionally the acting Operations Managers, I've had to continually read and pray over those words of Christ. Each day does have enough trouble of its own, and worrying about tomorrow has yet to been useful. Tomorrow has been considered and actions taken for things in the future, but the Lord has provided everything needed. Some things have been stressful and extremely frustrating, but again and again we are provided for. The mission statement of "opening our eyes to the presence of Christ in self, community, and creation" has not and will not be hindered by the challenges we face here in Egmont. The participants are coming to know Christ more fully, and in that I will rejoice.

 

Rain Drops

Blue skies turned to a grey wind-blown canopy above our campsite at Morrie’s Mound, and not only was the wind blowing in rain clouds, it was making our task of setting up the tents difficult.
The eight guys from Tuscon and Seattle were out on an overnight solo, to experience the most quiet, still hours some had ever felt. Ryan and I, as guides, kept a watchful eye on the campers and the weather. Dark clouds to the west had pushed in. We had a great vantage of each individual, as we were able to monitor their safety from a distance. Our hope was that rain and wind would not be a limiting factor in their solo. As we were having trouble with the tents, and drops started to smatter the rocks, we called everyone in for dinner under the McKinly Fly, our community canopy.

The fellas wandered in one-by-one, thankful for warm food and dry shelter. As the storm calmed, Ryan sent the participants out again, this time for the night. We knew it would continue to sprinkle but prayed that God would change the winds and allow blue skies beyond the Albert range, the direction from which our foul weather was generated. And God did just that.

I sat up for a while longer watching the clouds pass, revealing white pinholes in the night sky. And when I slept, I felt cool rain on my face for a few minutes, but continued to sleep.

In the morning, Kurt, the leader from Tuscon, mentioned that the night was a great parallel to how God cares for people. He sends us out, allows some storms to pass through, but is always watching for our safety. Then, when the circumstances are too stormy, he calls us in, provides us shelter, feeds us when we are hungry and sends us out again.

Psalm 36:5 – 7 ‘Your unfailing love, O Lord, is vast as the heavens; your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the ocean depths. You care for people and animals alike, O Lord. How precious is your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings.

We still encountered rain, but was refreshed by the reminder that cares to know us. He wants our attention, and that night He had 11 undivided hearts and minds. Some were fixed on His amazing display of beauty in the mountain peaks, some on from the stillness during a star-studded night, and others asking if there is He is really there at all. I was encouraged that we didn’t have to call it off, that it didn’t rain or blow too hard.

The solo was a great experience for the guys, and was something they will remember and draw from next year as they go off to their first year in college, where they will be on a different kind of solo. Hopefully they will think back to their time on the mountaintop, where they saw blue skies turn to a grey wind-blown canopy and remember God was there, present in their lives. Maybe they will wonder where else they can experience God if they stopped to listen. And they will know Him.

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 Brandon Sawaya is a first year mountain guide at Beyond Malibu.