Mike Vilhauer just wanted to go fishing. Luck wasn't with him. After wandering a short distance from his route to look for crickets to use as bait, leaving his food and gear behind, Vilhauer soon became lost. His fishing trip quickly turned into a 5-day stay in the wilderness that featured an encounter with a wolverine, homemade shelters of tree branches, and drinking water from puddles and streambeds. He was finally found by rescuers, though, thanks to spelling out HELP in 8-foot-tall letters made of pine needles.

Possible Preaching Angle:

Sometimes, we spell out calls for help anyway that we can—desperate for someone to see. Sometimes, it would take an expert observer, in the right place at the right time, to recognize that we are in danger, are losing hope, are even thinking that it might all be over. But hope is never far away. If you are feeling desperate, use what you have—even if it's just pine needles—to reach out for help from others.