High School Retreat

I love the students here at ICSB. I also love retreats, so last weekend was a blast for me!

Each fall we take every high school student on a retreat for the weekend. In an effort to teach the seniors about leadership and responsibility, the 12th graders plan the activities for the weekend, invite the speaker, design the t-shirt, and lead the small groups. We teachers are responsible for wise guidance and crowd control. Sometimes this "hands-off" role is fun for me, but let's be honest, we who teach love being in charge. It takes a lot of self-control for me to sit back and watch them make mistakes. Sometimes "the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry", but sometimes the plans of teenagers implode.

This year the seniors did an excellent job. Even when it rained and their game of Capture the Flag was cancelled, we played board games inside and I heard almost no complaints.

The theme of the weekend was "Survivor" and the speaker focused on living a life of brokenness and humility. The kids responded well to the talks and I've been encouraged this past week by their comments about what God is teaching them.

I was encouraged by the speaker's reminder that if we want to live lives of humility we must first see the Truth of who Christ Is and who we are. When we have a right perspective of ourselves and of God, then our goal will not be what others think of us, but what others think of HIM!

One of the highlights of the weekend for me was speaking to a student who is not a believer. During free time one afternoon I was reading a book (The Pursuit of God - so good!) and when I looked up, he sat down and began to chat with me. I've only known this student since August, but he asked me questions about the authenticity of Scripture and if Jesus truly was perfect while living on earth. We talked for about half an hour until it was time for dinner. Please be praying with me that God will continue to work in his heart!