Retreat Weekend was our top event for our time here...18 students from 8 different language groups came together from a couple differing worldviews to hear about the LOVE of Jesus...it was a remarkable time.
DeShae...
my time in thailand so far has been an amazing. i’ve got to connect with students my age & share similar experiences navigating the world in our 20’s. they have taught me a lot about just going with the flow and being open to new perspectives. i especially enjoyed the retreat where we talked about Jesus, played games, and got some nice relaxing time in. i am sad to leave them but also blessed we crossed paths
Besides being able to spend the weekend at such a beautiful location, the interactions with the students was fantastic. My first discussion group on the Tower of Bab had a Buddhist, a Muslim and a Shinto student. The Buddhist and Muslim students freely contributed to the conversation. The Shinto student didn't know what to say, as they don't believe in a spiritual power(pantheiestic). However, they all agreed that the sudden variety of languages spoken was an appropriate result to their actions.
Other times over the weekend were spent connecting with students during various activities and just having one on one conversations. I enjoyed reconnecting with Noon, Tin and Kim.
1st night of retreat
The Bernardinos truly are living out the Call to Sever, and hearing their story of sacrifice and trust in how the Lord has brought them to where they are today truly changes everything for me. It makes it all so much more real, especially given the relationship we’ve built and how personal it has become. The sacrifices didn’t stop at the beginning; they continue to this day, from sleepless hours spent fully supporting the kids on the retreat to continuing to serve without ever showing signs of tiring, even when they’re completely exhausted on the inside. It’s truly amazing to witness the love and passion they have for serving and helping others so unconditionally.
Weekend recap (Steve)
The time I spent with the students of Grapevine over the course of this weekend only further strengthened the relationships that initially formed during Souper Tuesday and somehow seemed to catapult those bonds to the point where I feel like I’ve known them for years, not just days. My entire time here in Thailand is something that will always be special to me, but the time I spent with the students over the weekend is something I will cherish and hold close to my heart forever.
All along, I’ve been wondering how God was going to use me or what He was going to show me on this trip. I was excited for whatever that might be, or even if it meant nothing in the way I had expected, but I never stopped to think about the change that would take place in me along the way. The people I’ve met on this trip are truly people I will love and cherish always, and I know I’ll miss them dearly until I hopefully get to see them again someday. We’ve shared group moments that have created memories I’ll carry with me forever and that will bring a smile to my face every time I think of them. Not to mention the endless belly-aching laughter and countless conversations we’ve shared, all of which have shown me just how genuine these new friendships have become.
And without overlooking the question of God’s plan for me on this trip, I think I found a clear part of that answer on the final day when I had the opportunity to share my testimony with the students. It’s hard to put the experience into words, but as I shared my testimony, it didn’t feel like I was simply speaking words into a room where no one could relate. Instead, I could feel the love and warmth from everyone in the room, and that made it feel so welcoming to open up and share my story. Some of the students may be experiencing some of the same things I went through and facing some of those same struggles in their own lives right now. I have so much love for the people I’ve met here, and I can only hope that sharing my story might help even one of them, in whatever small way it can.
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