If it's nice, do it twice!
This was the thinking behind using the same theme from our Young Adults retreat earlier this year, Living by Truth, for our annual Borough Retreat. Point Fortin's Borough Day celebrations tend to take on a Carnival-like atmosphere, with lots of drinking and partying all over the borough. For more than 10 years, the youth leaders of Mahaica Gospel Hall located in Point Fortin plan a retreat for their youths over this weekend, so they could have a positive alternative to the festivities. This year was no different.
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| Pizza anyone? |
We started off with our traditional Friday night activity - making homemade pizza. For some of the youths, this was a learning experience as they had never before had to cut up a fresh pineapple! With a little guidance and much grace to deal with the fast-rising dough, pizza sauce was made, ingredients were lavishly arranged and the pizzas were loaded into the oven to bake. While we waited, we watched the movie God's Not Dead 2. This movie set the background for our theme nicely, as it highlighted the lead character's decision to not compromise her faith (truth) even if it meant losing her career. It challenged them to consider if they would be able to trust God in the face of seemingly impossible situations.
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| Breakfast of champions! |
Devotions the next morning focused on Psalm 1 where the actions of the righteous and ungodly men were contrasted. They were prompted to reflect on their lives and compare the characteristics of these men with the way they were living their lives. They were encouraged to meditate on the Word and live according to it's principles rather than the counsel of the ungodly.
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| Striking a pose outside the maxi |
After breakfast, we contacted the driver who was supposed to take us to Port of Spain but in the background we overheard the sound of a party in full swing. He said he had to do some work on the maxi but he would send someone else to take us up. When the replacement driver came, he said they other driver was on his way but I felt more comfortable going up with him so I hurried everyone into the maxi so we could leave before the other one came. On the way up, he kept calling the other driver to see if he would come to pick us up but was not getting a favorable response so he decided that he would stay up in town with us so he could take us back home. I am so thankful to God that he cared enough to ensure we were not stranded.
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| Point posse in pink! |
The event was Youth for Christ's Liberation Day held at the Queens Park Savannah. It was encouraging for our youths to see hundreds of other young people worshiping God in song and dance. They had a good time praising God with the various groups who led in worship, and it was a nice time of reconnecting with persons who I had not seen in a long time. Afterwards we had a photo shoot on the lookout before heading back home.
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| Taking in the sunset at the lookout |
In the evening, we split the youths into two groups and they examined two case studies and answered questions about whether the decisions made were based on truth or experience. They were invitedand to consider whether they allow experiences from the past to influence decisions they make, rather than using truth as seen in the Word of God. Later that evening, a couple who were coming up from Point Fortin to help with meal preparation for our Sunday lunch had their car hit from behind. Thank God that even though their car was seriously damaged, neither of them were injured, and those who had to go back to Point later that night got back home safely.
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| Borough clip :) |
For devotions the next morning we looked at the account of Jesus and Peter walking on water, and recognised that fear can hinder us from walking by truth. The youths were challenged to recognize that God's Word has power to change reality, so we need to have the faith to be obedient to God's Word despite the storms we face in life. We are thankful for the opportunity we had to impart truth to these young people, and pray that as they continue their Christian journey, they would apply the principles learnt and let God's truth dictate their reality.
