Derek
Derek is 13 years old and attends Allendale Middle School.  Derek’s birthday is October 25.  Derek moved to Michigan about 2 years ago from Vermont.  Derek has a brother that still lives in Vermont who he misses very much.  Derek is introverted and shy.  Derek enjoys hunting and fishing and being outdoors.

40 Comments

  1. Mark Bruursema

    Hello Derek!
    My name is Mark Bruursema and I am happy to meet you! I see in your profile that you enjoy hunting and fishing. I also love to hunt and fish and spend time outside. I am looking forward to meeting you and following your adventure with RR in the coming year. I am praying for you and your family. Please let me know if there is anything you would like me to pray for or about. I hope you are having a great week!

    Reply
    • Beverly Ridderman

      Hi Derek, Hope you had a good first day at camp. You are very lucky to have this experience ,make the most of it. Nana remembers the fun we used to have taking our 5th graders to camp. Love you!

      Reply
      • Beverly Ridderman

        Morning Derek, Don’t be nervous buddy you can do this. Have fun and I will keep you in my prayers.

        Reply
        • Bev Riddermam

          Hi Derek , Just checking to see how you’re doing ? Hopefully you are having fun. Have you met your horse yet ?

          Reply
        • Naomi Nyboer

          Hey Derek!! I saw you jump off of the platform on the zip line!! ( I think that was you) Pat was talking with someone else when you went. Pat made a good point that sometimes you just have to take that step of faith to do things that scare you. I have seen you make some great accomplishments like this at school and I am looking forward to see all the ways that you will succeed this coming year! Keep having fun!!!

          Reply
    • derek

      thank you. i’m nervous about the horses you could pray for that for me please.

      Reply
  2. Arica Adams

    Hi Derek!
    I hope your Summer is going well! Camp is right around the corner! You are going to have an amazing time I just know it. I will be praying throughout your journey

    Reply
    • derek

      thanks Arica. I’m having fun so far.

      Reply
  3. Holly Olcott

    Hi Derek! Hope you have a great first day at camp! We love you bunches and miss you already. I can’t wait to hear all about your horse.

    Reply
    • derek

      thanks mom. I miss you guys too

      Reply
  4. Blaha

    Hi Derek! It looks like you are doing awesome! That climbing wall looked scary! I am not so sure I could do it! What was going through your mind as you were climbing? Miss you tons and will be checking throughout the week!
    Invisible Hugs!

    Reply
    • derek

      I was scare the lowering down machine wouldn’t work. I am having a great time so far.

      Reply
  5. Aunt Heidi

    Have a good time this week!

    Reply
    • derek

      thanks I’m having a good time.

      Reply
  6. Adelina Olcott

    Hope you’re having fun

    Reply
  7. derek

    thanks, I am having fun.

    Reply
  8. Mrs Adams

    Hey Derek! I am so excited to see how God works in you during your time at camp. I will be praying that you go out of your comfort zone little by little :). Climbing wall looks fun, not sure I would have the courage to do that!

    Reply
  9. Garrett Olcott

    Hey buddy I hope your having lots of fun, hopefully we can see each other soon, we all miss you out here.

    Reply
    • derek

      hi i’ve been having a lot of fun here i ride a horse named alfredo

      Reply
  10. Holly Olcott

    Good Morning Derek! Hope you slept well last night. Have a terrific day today. Love you!

    Reply
    • Gary Olcott

      Derek, Mom has been playing the FB live pots for me. It looks like you are having a good time! I miss you, have fun on the trail! We will see you Sunday.

      Love Dad

      Reply
  11. Mark Bruursema

    Hi Derek!

    I am happy to see that you are having a great time. I am afraid of heights and would have had a hard time with the climbing wall. I saw some pictures about an arm wrestling tournament. Did you get in on that? I am looking forward to seeing what happens the rest of the week! I am praying for your confidence and strength. Please let me know if I can pray for you in any other way. Have a great night!

    Reply
  12. Holly Olcott

    Hope you had an awesome second day of camp! Did you meet your horse? What did you think of each other? I pray that you embrace all the new things at camp and make amazing memories this week!

    Reply
  13. Blaha

    Hi Derek! I am so happy to see you doing awesome stuff! You look amazing on that horse! What’s the name of your horse? Keep it up! Enjoy every moment! Looking forward to hearing about the awesome things you learned about yourself through this!

    Reply
    • derek

      I had fun riding the horses i’ve been having fun so far here and my horse is named alfredo

      Reply
    • Bev Ridderman

      Hi Derek, I can’t believe all of the things you have been doing. I will say a special prayer as you leave on the hike tomorrow. Have fun sweetie Nana loves you !

      Reply
  14. Holly Olcott

    Glad to see you boys all had fun even though it was raining today. Dad and I sure miss you. Love you tons.

    Reply
    • Bev Ridderman

      Hi Derek, Well it’s your 4th day at camp and it looks like you are having fun. Is Alfredo behaving? Can’t wait to hear all about your camping experience.

      Reply
  15. Mark Bruursema

    Good Afternoon Derek,

    I am glad to see you on a horse! I know you said you were a little nervous about the horses. How was it? Did you get comfortable and have fun? It looks like you all had an amazing day together. Be safe and have fun!

    Reply
    • derek

      we had fun i liked riding the horses

      Reply
  16. Naomi Nyboer

    Good morning Derek!! I have loved seeing you accomplish things that you may never have done if you hadn’t come to camp!! I think your horses name if funny!! I would get hungry riding him, thinking about pasta and Alfredo!! I know bad joke! Please know how proud I am of you, keep going!

    Reply
  17. Holly Olcott

    Hi Derek! I have been praying for you. I haven’t heard from you for a few days, send me a message so I stop worrying ok! It has been fun seeing you on Facebook. Love you tons.

    Mom

    Reply
    • Derek

      I’ve been having a good time here we are going to the trail

      Reply
  18. Mark Bruursema

    Hi Derek,

    It sounds like you are having an amazing time! Zip line, hatchet throwing AND tubing?!? What?!? The zip line looked a little scary to me. Which one did you like the best? I am glad you had an opportunity to hear testimony from Dave and Patrick. You are not alone. God is watching over you all the time and turning you into the person he needs you to be. I am praying that you continue to experience God’s love on this trip and that you have good weather for the hiking trip. Have a good afternoon. You are loved!

    Reply
    • Derek

      Thanks I’m looking forward to the trail

      Reply
  19. Blaha

    Hi Derek! WOWZERS!!!! A zipline!!!! I super enjoy tubing … my kind of physical activity! Floating! Ha! I am so happy you get to have this experience! I imagine you are gearing up and preparing for an awesome hike! Are you nervous or do you feel prepared for the hike? I hope and pray you enjoy it and power through it like the champ we know you are!!!!

    Reply
    • Derek

      we are on our way to the trail and I am looking forward to the trail

      Reply
  20. Mark Bruursema

    Good Morning Derek!

    It’s a little sad to hear your time at Cranhill is coming to an end but exciting to think about the trail ahead. I’m excited that you are excited for the next part of this adventure. Hopefully the bad weather is behind us. I will be praying for good weather for the rest of the trip. I look forward to seeing pictures and reading about what happens over the next couple of days. I will pray for you and the rest of the guys for perseverance, unity, and enjoyment. Have a great day!

    Reply
  21. Mark Bruursema

    Good Morning Derek,

    Tomorrow will be the last day of camp for this year. You have done an amazing job this week of overcoming fear and learning how to work as a Team to accomplish goals. I am thankful that God has used the RR Staff to help you overcome those fears and walk along with you this past week. I will continue to pray that God will be with you and your Family even though camp week is over. Thank you for the fun I have had following the group this week and for allowing me to be a part of your adventure!

    Reply
  22. Arica Adams

    So proud of how hard you are working at school this year! I’m excited to see your continued growth!

    Reply

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