January 31st 2025 Weather was cloudy it had rained hard the day before. Temps
were in the high 40 degree range. We had 41 attend this event. Some came as far
away as Memphis Tennessee and Kansas City to share in the warmth and glow of our
Bat Cave Campfire. Click on a picture for a larger view.
Thanks to Rob Batchman, Chris Summers, Marshall Jones, Dave Yonke, Del Wales for sharing
these pictures with us.
Zip file of
these pictures.
We left Friday morning at 10 am from Church. Our Sr. Commander Jim Evans had
came down with the flu that was going around and hitting lots of folk. We had
canceled some services due to the sickness going around. We carried on making
some new arrangements for drivers and all was well we headed to Conway, Mo. and
another 15 miles to the Bat Cave.
We were blessed this year to have the biggest group that came to help out in
clearing the path and cutting firewood. The path was way over grown as we didn't
make the trip last year due to 3 tentative dates that were canceled due to
weather. After we had the path to the cave in good shape we had fire going in
short order and enjoyed lunch and fun.
One of our Ranger Boys from one of my first outposts in 1992 came to visit and
he brought his 16 year old daughter on her first camping trip. We also had 5
other young ladies make the trip to experience the Bat Cave!
We had several visitors drop in for a visit; Mark Julian the Father of one of
our Missionaries that we support in our RR district funding. Also Damon Sprague.
Both Mark and Damon had been with us on our very first visit to the Bat Cave
some 30 plus years ago. Dave Yonke came and helped with firewood and cooked up
some pork steak for our group.
Rob Batchman kept the Jerky smoking to a premium by engaging our young folk in
lashing a 5 pod multi level jerky rack and together we got it all smoked up and
eaten. Thanks Rob!
Friday nights Council fire is always fun. Candle light service as we stumble to
the back of the cave by candle light. Rob shared a story of a father and his two
sons that were after 3 days of total darkness were rescued from the dark depths
of a cave. Several of us shared in the service.
Gold Treasure chests were being found in the cave and at 8:30 Saturday morning
those that found the chests helped with the morning devotion by opening the
treasure chests and assembling the treasure map to show where the real treasure
is. When we invited Jesus into our Heart.
The day went quick. Fire starting with flint and steel and metal match.
Our Bat Cave leadership team did a great job covering for the flu sickness that
was at our feet. We were blessed with a great weather event and a challenge to
seek out the lost and tell them about Jesus!
Mark Jones, Bat Cave Coordinator
