No, not the physical location - just a reunion of various participants over the last 10 years. Last night most of the participants from this year and some from previous years showed up to view the video memorial for this year. What a joy it was to hear of the young man who had intended to be a youth minister upon completion tell the story of his completion of the rehabilitation program and his acceptance into a ministry training program to begin in January. The memories shared and the encouragement offered were a great dessert to the pizza dinner that was shared.
A repeated theme in most of the sharing was the recognition that "real" fun (what I define as joy) feels so good when remembered; and it never has regrets associated with its experience or sharing; whereas the worlds view of fun often has a terrible price to pay and may often be remembered with regret rather than fondness.
These men and their sponsors all have that same fondness for the memories of Death Valley; and that fondness will never go away. They are truly "treasures laid up" - if not for eternity; then surely for the rest of their lives.
So how should the redeemed then live? By hoarding up treasures for self; or by building treasures by sharing with others. I am certain that if the former is the choice; then one is excluded from the list of the redeemed. I know that the greatest joy comes when a friend or loved one is recognized and the relationship and experience are remembered. One cannot know real joy alone; and one cannot enjoy salvation selfishly - it has to be shared. The question for each of us is: When did I last share the real joy of my life with someone who really needed it? Is our joy based on "thank you that I am not like those poor lost souls", or is is based on "thank you that I am saved and know what to tell others so they can rejoice, tool"?