A Simple Gift

What do two weeks, twelve thousand youth, and two thousand adults have in common? The 2023 National Jamboree. This Jamboree was the first gathering since the pandemic. Scouts from across the country come together for activity and fellowship. They also learned what it feels like to experience a “Black Alert” for potential heat stress. During one of these times, a person should drink two or more liters of water per hour. This alert phase is the highest alert with a danger to life from heat stroke and heat stress.

We kept two coolers of water at our booth. Both had ice water in them. We kept them full. As every person finished our maze activity and prayer wall, we encouraged them to drink up. The call was to fill their bottles before they left. We even tagged one cooler with the label “Living Water.”

Some were extremely grateful. They would either polish off their water or pour out the warm water. They filled their bottles to the rim. Occasionally, one would drink the whole cold bottle down. They would fill it up again before leaving. There was plenty for anyone who wanted. All were invited.

Some just topped off what they had in their bottle. This does cool the water down. But it does not last long in such heat.

Others, including some with empty bottles, said, “no, thank you.” Chiding them by pointing out the heat and the alert status made no difference. Our concern for these did not change what they chose.

The Black Alert status was a potential life threat. The response to the alert varied widely. My favorite response was the one that said, “Oh, I get it. Living Water. Stay hydrated and live.”

Lesson shared.

Do you know who is the Living Water? Where can you find it?

Want to know more? Read John 4:5-14.

A Scout’s prayer for the church and scouting was shared on the Prayer Wall.