Into the Net Floated the 625

Five…four…three…two…ONE! A silence seemed to fall over the crowd huddled around Buck Creek. All eyes were on the stoic faces of the three young men waist deep in the frigid water; their eyes, bodies, and minds all fixed on one thing…sighting the first duck. Just then the silence was broken as a crowd of children came running down the creek bank shouting “the ducks are coming, the ducks are coming” in the same frantic tone one imagines adorned the call of that famous rider from the Revolutionary War.

As the first duck neared the finish line, our three heroes, Nathan Bergman, Chris Woolum, and Josh Osborne, remained resolute and unflinching. Placing complete confidence in their cat-like reflexes and the sturdy badminton net behind them, they stood poised like panthers ready to strike. They had but two goals before them: collect the first 21 ducks in the winners bucket and gather the rest in the net. Simple enough…or so they thought.

The crowd of onlookers seemed to hold their breath as they studied the lead ducks trying desperately to determine whether one of them was the bearer of their number. Just then as if recognizing the helplessness of the majestic yet lifeless rubber creatures, the creek ebbed and a small wave gathered a large group of the ducks and sent them reeling towards the finish line. Our heroes flew into action. Josh took the lead, collecting the winners while, Nathan and Chris backed him up in the classic duel of man versus nature. Just then another universal principle threw its hat into the ring and in the true fashion of Murphy’s infamous law, our heroes realized that not only was their net not long enough to catch all the ducks, but the weave was too wide to keep them from floating downstream. In tradition of those gone before them, willing to fall on their sword lest they concede defeat, our heroes let out an overly
dramatic falsetto cry for help.

As the pubescent crackle of the call echoed through the meadow, the crowd stood helpless as the ducks were thrown onto the bank. Chaos ensued as the panicked onlookers desperately sought cover from the seemingly endless number of rubber projectiles. At that moment, recognizing their 21st-century duty forged by the likes of Betsy Ross, Oprah Winfrey, and Wonder Woman, the girls flew into action. Jen Milks, Jenna Bergman, Michaela Mabee, and Jessie Jordan threw themselves into the creek to stop the aquatic fugitives while Jessy Delaplane joined our initial three heroes on the front lines. Fortunately for you, while the team fought a frigid downstream battle to save the duck race, your fearless reporter was racing up and down the bank taking mental notes of the entire situation to relay to you in the dramatic narrative style you have come to love and cherish. For this I desire no credit or accolades but seek to shine a light on the true heroes of the day, those that supported the Mexico mission’s trip by buying ducks and coming out to enjoy the race with us on a cool, overcast Sunday afternoon two weeks ago.

This was by far the most lucrative and entertaining fundraiser we have ever done. We sold 625 ducks and raised almost $3,000 for the Mexico Missions trip. It was really awesome to see how God used the actual event, as well as the preparation, to unite the team and generate interest and excitement for the trip. Not only was the duck race beneficial to the Mexico team, but several families from the community came out for the event and enjoyed the fellowship and familial hospitality of all of you.

A special thanks goes out to Mark and Brenda Bergman and the hospitality team for helping organize and set up for the pitch-in meal at Morrow’s Meadow and all of you who bought ducks and supported the team at the event. It was a lot of fun and a really encouraging day that God used to further His Kingdom here in Yorktown and in Monterrey, Mexico!

In Him,
adam