DONIPHAN — Zachary Gray, 17, of Doniphan is using skills learned through scouting to serve others in his family’s mission work in Botswana, Africa.
The teen has done the work to earn the prestigious scout rank, Eagle Scout, with Troop 4069 of Doniphan.
Scoutmaster Christine Williams said Gray completed his Eagle Scout project, which was putting up a flag pole at the Methodist Church, before he and his family returned to the mission field.
“He will turn 18 while he is in Africa. Part of the Eagle Scout program is you have to have everything completed before your 18th birthday,” she explained.
He’ll have his board of review once he returns home.
Gray credits his scouting experiences with giving him a sense of purpose.
Using his leadership skills learned through scouting, Gray currently is serving as a Christian missionary with his family. His parents are Bradley and Patricia Gray and younger brothers are Patrick and Noah.
They are missionaries through United Pentecostal Church International. The city of Doniphan came together aiding the family with fundraising events to support their mission.
“It was absolutely amazing to see how our community was so willing to help support us,” Gray said.
The family establishes churches while preaching the Bible in Africa.
The brothers have been home schooled all along.
Patricia Gray’s parents live in Doniphan. Grandparents on both sides of the family go to Africa with them at times.
When the family moved from Illinois to Doniphan a few years ago, Williams said, “The boys saw us in the parade and chased us down because they wanted to join Boy Scouts.”
“The Gray family actually helps keep scouting in Doniphan going,” Williams said. “Without the three rechartering every year, even when they’re not in the states, we probably wouldn’t have enough boys to charter. They’ve really helped us keep going. I really appreciate their family doing that. They didn’t have to. They’re always good when they are here. They help us do whatever we need.”
Scouting since a young age, Gray was part of Pack 156 as a Cub Scout. In Boy Scout Troop 4069, under the leadership of Williams and Tiffany Jones, Gray enjoyed camping trips and hanging out with friends.
“My favorite scouting experience would have to be Pack and Paddle,” recalled Gray.
Pack and Paddle is a BSA National Youth Leadership Training event that he shared with his friend Jacob Williams.
“I would consider Jacob one of my closest friends even though we’re often an ocean apart,” he said.
The event covers approximately 40 miles of hiking, as well as white water rafting, intermediate backpacking skills, critical thinking and self-sufficiency, which is a must.
“The experience from that camp not only gave me better leadership skills, but it also helped me to be a bit more open minded,” he said. “It’s always amazing to be in a place where there are so many different people, experiences and identities. I love to see when people of different backgrounds are able to come together for a common goal.”
When the family moved to Doniphan, Gray was very involved in the local library and home-school group. Music has been a big part of his activities. He was in the school band. Currently, he leads the music team Botswana.
The two younger boys are returning at the end of April and will go to summer camp with the scouts. The parents will raise money for the next trip, which they plan to be for four years.
Accepted into Webster University in St. Louis, Gray plans to study music composition and live on campus. While Gray said this may be his last missionary trip for a while, Williams added, “his mama might have something different to say.”