David's account

During the first week of September, Jeff and I took a week long trip to the San Juan Mountain range of the Rockies in southwest Colorado. We joined a company of about 25 men with two purposes: 1) to hear from God and 2) to experience some great adventures. It turned out to be an amazing trip on both counts. For the first time I was "unplugged" and away from cell phones, email, the internet, etc.

Reece Bricken of Adventures of the Heart was our guide, so to speak, for adventures both spiritual and physical. Our quarters turned out to be a great log lodge in heart of the Rockies. It was the perfect setting for the week. I discovered how much I needed to get away in order to allow my own heart to be still and hear God speak. For me, it was a time to look squarely at some of the fears that had dominated my life, to invite God into them and to be willing to see what He would do. A 75 mile jeep ride carried me to the top of Cinnamon Pass on the Continental Divide at an elevation of roughly 13,000 feet. Overlooking mountain peek after mountain peek I was in awe of what I saw and utterly speechless that God had brought me through all of my fears to see this with my own eyes. That alone made the trip worthwhile for me. Yet that was just one day and each day was filled with it's own insights and discoveries.

There are many stories to tell and many places in me that were affected by this week of adventures. For now, I will just say that if you get such an opportunity you should take it. God will meet you there and your life won't be the same.

Jeff's account

Having worked with men for over two years in the Cave I felt the need to take time for my own heart. I took a close ally in David Riley who had never been to a Wild at Heart boot camp and we set off for the heart of the Colorado Rockies with 25 men from around the country.

Reese Bricken from Adventures of the Heart led this Expedition. We set out from Denver international for a 5 hour drive to Red Cloud ranch just outside of Lake City. We were overrun immediately with the beauty of the valley that the lodge rests in. The lodge sits at 9200 feet but the mountains around us rose precipitously to a crystal sky unencumbered by the kind of moisture we see on the eastern seaboard.

Our days were a true Expedition of the Heart, as we were challenged in morning and evening meetings. The messages were directly towards the masculine heart where Reese opens the larger story of our lives that fate has chosen us, evil pursues us, and a fellowship protects us.

Our days were spent running adventures with all the men. We rode a new 2007 Jeep Rubicon thru Cinnamon pass to the Continental divide. I would totally suggest buying one of these Jeeps. I am talking to my board of directors about getting me one, it rocked! We climbed hairpin turns to a nose bleed altitude where we city slickers were a little light headed.

We shot skeet; rock repelled down a 125 cliff (nobody got hurt) and performed a ropes course. We hike together, ate well with purpose, and laughed prodigiously.

Along with excellent messages (we loved the movie clips) we all had time with God to hear from Father on the deep things we need to know about as a man. As the old Celts would say, “the atmosphere was thin” and the Lord spoke to us about our past and where the enemy has wounded our hearts. We heard from Him about what He thought of us and some heard what our place is in this story.

We also broke into small groups to discuss all the Lord was processing in us. I am particularly thankful to Steve Humphrys for his insight and courage to ask us some tough questions. I learned as much in these small groups as I did in the larger meetings.

Bottom line of this week was restoration with God.

David and I talked for hours about our lives, realizing Gods building as we did.

With all our heart we highly recommend this adventure.

View Movie of our Expedition, courtesy of Adventures of the Heart