Small Retreat Recap

This weekend God did some amazing things for our youth kids. We took 17 students up to Emmanuel Heights in Creston, and it was so wonderful. We combined our Jr. High and High Schoolers and it was worth it. Nathan was the speaker this weekend and it was on topics that even us leaders were able to relate to and contemplate. The cool thing was the amount of times we met in small groups, which brought unity to our group and the high school girls I had were wonderful. I got to know some of them so much better, and just get closer to them. They also keep me up with the times of new slang, and the fashion statements. The girls were so real this weekend with us and so open. I am reminded how tough high school really was and just the overwhelming life we as people lead, even from that age. Constantly bombarded with demands of the world to be up on the latest trends, the world is one big noise from music, television, internet. This weekend was fasting from all those things. Spending free time playing card games such as "Poopy Head" or canoeing in the pond, or hiking around the hills in Creston. Absolutely beautiful.... and the silence at times was so deafening. I am so blessed by our youth and so blessed to see growth in our ministry and unity continuing. Our retreat's theme was "Desert", and our spiritual lives having those moments and those slumps and how we handle them. Gosh, how I was able to relate and those moments of dryness and complacency. It was just cool to see it all come to discussion and seeing our kids have such a desire to go through those things and want to be filled. They want to be overflowing, but are so overwhelmed with life commitments with school, drama, sports, and that God becomes this after thought or they are so self conscious, or they lack the faith or the strength or the boldness. We have kids who have dealt with alot, and I think it is something to be reminded of.... spiritual warfare is happening to them as they are continuing to be molded. I was reminded during a game of Angels and Demons that so much comes at them that seems right, and has the appearance of right, and they follow this deceptive path, and it leads to destruction. I pray hard for them that the Lord would protect them from the enemy leading them away. I know God is so much bigger than anything that Satan can throw their way! I appreciate the prayers for this past weekend. They are appreciated by all us leaders. And your continued prayers just for the ministry and the kids would be wonderful!