North Woods, Van Rides, and Bob Marshall

This is the first post I'm writing on my phone so forgive me for my many typos that are sure to come. I'm using my phone because I'm back in the van (with A/C) for a loooooong haul across three states to western Montana. 

These past few days I've been at a place called White Buck Lodge in Three Lakes, Wisconsin, right near HoneyRock, where HSM goes for SnowCamp. The lodge was unbelievable! It's your stereotypical classic north woods lodge. Made completely of wood with a ginormous stone fireplace in the middle and a giant moose head above the fire. There's no heating in the lodge, so the fire was our only source of warmth, and boy did we need it! But the best part about this place is that it's on a street called "Chicken in the Woods Road". A couple of afternoons we had some free time, so I of course went 'mocking next to the lake! Turns out I'm not the only hammock fan here - I think there are at least 5 hammocks between the nine of us!  As a group, we have the goal of reading the entire bible, cover to cover, in the next 90 days. We're taking a look at the Bible from 30,000ft and getting a grasp of His whole story. We've also started our leadership training, learning about what kind of leadership types are out there and taking a collection of assessments to figure out our own strengths and weaknesses. It's been a sweet time of discovering more about myself and my new friends along with me. 

So that's one end of the long road trip, waiting for us at the other end is the Bob Marshall wilderness preserve near Missoula, Montana. I can't wait to get into the wilderness! There's nowhere I love being or feel closer to God than deep in His creation. It's also a place where I feel I can connect well with those around me. Something about sitting around a fire (or a hot stove) with a group of guys in the middle of nowhere. Deep and meaningful conversations happen there that with ease that are few and far between in other places. We hit the trail midday tomorrow (Sunday) which is great because it's coming so soon, but it also means we're leaving JUST as the Packers kick off! As much as I love the Packers, I'd choose the backcountry over watching a game just about every Sunday. 

We have a really awesome collection of guys on this journey. Evan and I are from Madison, both heavily involved with Blackhawk HSM, Josh is from Minneapolis and enjoys your typical Minnesota sports, Nordic skiing and downhill skiing. Other Evan is from Houston and loves computers, Austin is a 6'2", 320lb (by his own estimates) offensive lineman from Oklahoma, and Corbin is one of eight siblings running a massive pig and cow farm in Huntington, Indiana. Each of us has something unique to contribute the team and after only 4 days (!!) we're starting to form some strong bonds.

Bryce, one of our leaders, talked to us the other day about the difference between The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings. He said Tolkien wrote The Hobbit as a children's book. It's the story of a hobbit going on an adventure.  Though it's a great adventure, chances were he'd return home and back to life as he knew it. Conversely, LOR was described as a journey. Gandalf asked the Hobbit to head east to Mordor, not knowing if he'd ever return home. And if he did, life could NEVER be the same. That's what this gap year is for me. It's a journey. One where I will return home (I promise, mom) but I will not be the same. Life won't and can't go back to the way it was. Exactly how I and life will be different is up to the next seven months and how God works in me during that time. 

Thanks for the comments guys! They're really fun to read. And thanks to those of you keeping up with me! It's comforting to known I have an army of friends and family praying for me and following my journey. Hope this post made sense! Like I said, I'm writing on my tiny phone screen so I'll use that as my excuse for any mistakes. I'll be in the backcountry, far, far away from any type of Internet connection (I can't wait) for the next ten days or so but feel free to text or email or comment and I'll get back to you when I can! 

Love you guys,

Ben Hershberger

Big Vans With Air Conditioning... It's The Little Things

And we're off! Not even 12 hours in and I can already tell this is where I need to be and where I want to be.  The last few weeks leading up to this point have been difficult, the anticipation of going and watching so many others leave for college had me getting antsy and anxious.  I just wanted to get started! My engine was revving but wheels not aloud to spin.  They're finally spinning and I'm headed full steam ahead!

Thanks to momma Hersh for posting these
pics on FB so I could download them!

I'm writing form a hotel room in Carol Stream, Illinois, near Wheaton College and about two minutes from the LeaderTreks headquarters.  Tomorrow morning at 8:00 sharp we'll all pack our bags back into the cramped yet beautifully air conditioned van and head up to a lodge in Three Lakes Wisconsin.  After three days or so there it's off to Montana for an eight day backpacking trip in the wilderness!  I can't wait to see what God has in store for me at these next two stops and beyond.  I may not have internet access at the lodge and definitely won't in the backcountry.  Though it's possible I won't be able to post for a while, know that I am in very good hands, none better actually.  God's hands are the best to be in after all!  Plus I love being off the grid, so don't feel bad for me.

It turns out there are only six of us participants heading out on this great adventure rather than the 10-12 I previously expected.  When I first heard there are only six of us, I was quite nervous to be honest.  I'm the type of guy that likes bigger groups.  I like to be able to bounce around and I get my energy from being with people.  Upon getting here (Carol Stream, just outside of Chicago) and meeting my fellow participants, I couldn't be more excited to have such a small number.  These are guys who I truly enjoy being around (so far at least) and can't wait to embark on the adventure of a lifetime with.  Plus, our 12 passenger van is completely stuffed to the brim with people and bags and I can't imagine fitting anything else in there.  I will say that I have never been in a 12 passenger van with air conditioning.  After traveling around Honduras and Romania in the sweltering heat for hours in large vans with no AC in past years, I'll trade the cramped space for bearable temperatures any day.  Those of you with me in those vans on past trips will completely understand.

My sendoff crew last night.  Love you guys!

I'm thankful for the opportunity to travel the country jumping into adventure after adventure with my brothers in Christ for the next seven months.  Thanks to those of you who have supported me financially and plan to do so yet.  And to my prayer warriors out there, love you guys! Your prayers are already being felt.  I was sent off by a great group of friends around me last night.  I'm blessed to have such a conglomeration of friends and family who love me and support me!  Thank you all for being behind me on this one.  I know that God is going to great things in and through me and the other guys on this adventure.  I couldn't be more excited for the next seven months!