LAST BLOG ABOUT OUR TRIP

In Yumuri, like in Gibara, the retreat was about giving young people tools to live a holy life.  Devotionals, worship music, bible studies,  role models, bible teaching in the evening, presentations by the kids, sports, and team competitions were all part of the busy days focused on getting the message across to them.

The last night of the retreat everyone gathered around a huge bonfire to talk about this retreat has impacted them.  An inch of movement towards holiness?  One "aha"?  I always come away with doubts about the impact we or I or anyone can make in someone's life in such a setting.  How much of an impact can we have in four days?

Then I remember my first vacation bible school at age 7.  I still remember the Psalm we memorized--Psalm 100.  I think about the drops of wisdom from God I’ve learned throughout my life at vacation bible schools, conferences, books I’ve read, retreats, girls’ programs, preparing Bible studies.  And yes, we can start filling the bucket of holiness, one drop at a time.  It’s a process. And God’s Holy Spirit will do the rest.

Our team is ready to go home.  It is hard to say good-bye because it’s been a time of bonding.  Their love has filled us up; and working together we’ve accomplished a lot.  We will bring with us pieces of them that have stuck to us. That makes the good-byes a bit easier. But we already miss them.

~ Rachel and Oscar