Big Sandy, Texas, March 10-13, 2022

Ten (10) fathers with twelve (12) sons along with six (6) members of the leadership cadre came together to serve side by side at the International ALERT Academy (IAA).  There were 3 service times, each 3 hours in duration: Friday morning, Friday afternoon, and Saturday morning.  In addition, due to unseasonable cold rain, Saturday evening, we had an impromptu work session compiling John and Roman pamphlets.  The service work completed included the following.

• Assembling 15,000 pamphlets of John and Romans in Spanish
• Moving 400 boxes of John and Roman pamphlets into a storage container
• Weeding and mulching flowerbeds around the Administration Building
• Constructing 20 picnic tables

The theme verses for the camp were:

“While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” John 12:36a

You are all sons of light and sons of the day.  We are not of the night nor darkness. 1 Thessalonians 5:5

Group teaching included Friday and Saturday morning wisdom searches led by Capt. Terry Williams on being Sons of Light.  Friday evening Maj. Michael Smith shared on Living as Sons of Light, Being Vessels of Honor from 1 Thes 4:3-8.  Saturday evening Capt. Rick Warner taught on the cautions of celebrations, noting how many celebrations in scripture went wrong due to the fear of man.  Finally, Sunday morning, Maj. Smith expounded on being Sons of Light, noting as such we have relationship (John 15:15, Matt 28:10, Heb 2:11) purchased through the cross with the One who called Himself Light (John 14:6). As His sheep we can hear His voice (John 10:27), therefore, we can and should walk as children of light (Eph 5:8).

As Saturday morning dawned with frigid 25°F temperatures, the fathers and cadets enjoyed an invigorating jody run, warming up for our final work session of the camp.  Following drill and ceremony training in the refreshingly warm Texas afternoon sun, the reminder of Saturday afternoon was free for fathers and sons to spend time together playing, praying and sharing.

During Sunday morning final inspection prior to camp dismissal, the cadre shared words of encouragement and challenge with each father and cadet.  Truly the heart and focus of this camp was turning the hearts of fathers to their sons and sons to their fathers.

Strong to Overcome,

Michael Smith

Maj. ALERT Cadet