Camp BaYoCa Retreat!

Hello! I just got back from a wonderful high school retreat today! All of Berean Christian high school and faculty went to Camp BaYoCa for two and a half days, and it was wonderful.

Wednesday was a full day of school except for 7th period, when we left. After a one and a half hour bus ride, we got to Camp. That night was just settling in, but we managed to pack quite a bit into it. Dinner was barbecue sandwiches, and then we had Session 1 with our speaker, Richie Beeler. The worship was so powerful; I haven't experienced anything like it in quite a while. Everyone was totally focused on God. It was so beautiful! Mr. Beeler gave a talk on "Being An Authentic Christian in 2009." I have been totally inspired! After that, my friends and I walked up to the Mess Hall (there was a TON of walking up and down very steep and slippery paths). Our theme for Camp was Survivor, so that night the teachers hid our team flags (there were 10 teams), and then we had to find them. But it wasn't quite that easy. We had to be in groups of three and link our arms! My team never did find our flag, and in fact, the teachers hid it so well they couldn't find it! After games, my friends and I went to sleep.

Thursday started early for me, 6:30 am. Wake up wasn't until 8:00, so I just read my book by flashlight. When everyone finally did get up, controlled mayhem ensued, and then with much hiking and groaning, everyone made it to a breakfast of tater-tot casserole! We then had Time Alone With God and Session 2. The worship really blessed me at all the Sessions, and since I was having a pretty rough week, I appreciated it so much! After another thought-provoking session with Mr. Beeler, all the teams went off to play games. Let me just say the game was stress-filled, involved tons of running, and I did not think I was going to make it to the end. Thankfully, all the participants (save one who passed out) made it to the end, and my team, The Ligers, came in 3rd. I staggered up the hill yet again with some friends for lunch and then performed clean-up duty. That afternoon, everybody rested, and later on in the afternoon, all the teams were given different scenarios to act out. Ours was pretty lame, but we managed to do it without making very big fools of ourselves. For dinner, we had a banquet and the teachers served us! Then we had Session 3, which was really "Weeping Night." Most people were bawling and/or praying. It was amazing to watch God move in our student body!

Friday was Race-the-Clock-Day. The bus schedule got messed up, but we managed to have a good 4th Session. After that, we all raced around packing up, cleaning, and eating lunch. It was a wonderful retreat!

I'm now home and thankful to be here! I am also so grateful to God for touching my heart and really showing Himself to me in this somewhat difficult time. May the praise continue!