Finding Jewels in Junk – Captain John Hance
Grand Canyon’s First Official Tour Guide, Captain John Hance Some of my favorite times at the canyon, whether guiding a rim tour or on a river trip, are when learning and sharing what we call “people stories” about the adventurous men and women who have come before us to this Grand Canyon and have long since passed. We often call them “ancestors”… someone who has come and gone and left their mark. Probably my all-time favorite "ancestor" is Captain John Hance (or self-proclaimed “Captain” as we should call him).
Sharing the Wonders of God with a Local Grand Canyon Tour Company
Recently I had the amazing opportunity to give a presentation on the Biblical Creation perspective we teach each day here at the Grand Canyon, the same sort of teaching you’ll hear on any of our rim tours or river trips. The only difference was this was not to our guests on bus or raft, but to a gathering of guides from a different Grand Canyon tour company who also operate rim tours here at the canyon. Throughout the years we’ve spent running tours, we occasionally run into guests and
Into the Wilderness
For 26 years God has given me the gift of taking people into the wilderness to deepen their relationship with Him. The wilderness is a powerful place of distraction-free reprieve and preparation. I have been doing this since 1992, but God has been calling people to the wilderness for a lot longer than that. Moses spent time in the wilderness before returning to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. God called Moses from the wilderness and equipped him for the task ahead (Exodus 2-4). The Israelites spent time in
God’s Sweet Songster: The Canyon Wren
Rushing water permeates the canyon air with its soothing white noise. Gently the dark curtain of night slides aside and stars commence their gradual retreat. The first rays of the sun act like Midas, turning the highest rock turrets to brilliant gold. I’m captivated by a sweet, cascading song of the canyon wren. One hearing and I hold my breath waiting for it to repeat its mellifluous trill. Indeed, one of its six sub-species (Catherpes mexicanus meliphonus, found only in northern Mexico) bears the name meliphonus, identifying its
Communicate to Connect
Kathleen and I appreciated the joy of God’s people while in Southern California. We had the privilege of speaking to six groups of people over the course of four days during the week of January 15th. We shared in a variety of settings with people ranging from kindergarten to adults. There was great delight among all people in response to the information and the great fellowship regardless of age or context. The supremacy of God revealed in creation empowers and equips to all who take the time to look,
The Wild Kingdom of the Grand Canyon
Most often when people think of the Grand Canyon, the first things to come to their mind are the rocks or maybe the river. But there is another fascinating aspect to the Grand Canyon – its wild kingdom of God-created wildlife. I’ve always had an interest in animals of all kinds. Growing up, my pets ranged from the normal dog to snakes, lizards, a monkey, and a chipmunk. They all fascinated me. My thirty-plus years of rafting the canyon have given me the opportunity to encounter much of what
Here Is Where We Are
“Here” is the only place we will ever be. “There” is always one step ahead of us. Therefore, if we are unable to live joyfully “here” then joy will elude us. God calls us to embrace the people and opportunities directly before us. In James 4 we are warned against making boastful plans about where we will go and what we will do because our life is a “mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes” (James 4:13-14). Jesus also taught us to pray only for
The Heavens Declare for All to See
One of the special river trips we do each year is a unique 7-day “Geology by Day and Astronomy by Night” experience. Dr. Danny Faulkner joins us on this trip and presents an amazing opportunity to study the cosmos over the canyon. We have amazingly dark night skies here in Northern Arizona. That, combined with the dry desert air and high elevation makes for an ideal location for astronomy. Truly the “Heavens declare the glory of God” over the Grand Canyon, much as they did 2,000 years ago for
With One Voice
Romans 15:5-6 “May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” God has faithfully directed our path to be a strong voice for Him at Grand Canyon. Thinking back through the events of 2017 extraordinarily points to the significance of God’s goodness and the impact of the community of the saints. Each day we seek to bring glory to God
Our Need for Prayer
As we go into this season of thanksgiving and the celebration of the birth of our creator, I’m reminded of our need for prayer. In 2 Thessalonians, Paul made it plain we should boldly ask for prayer. Paul said: Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you; and that we will be rescued from perverse and evil men; for not all have faith. 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2 Paul openly said "