Well, let's start with fun or silly times > Crafts were off the chain this year (duct tape crafts, tie dye, misc. craft day, and beeswax candles). Mrs. Tammie did a wonderful job! This year our new addition was having Morning Wetoga. This is modeled after Morning Impact. There were videos galore. Wetoga Song, Lazy Day, INTERLUDE. We played so many games- Gross ones and challenging ones- Morning and night.
And it is incredible how much our group loves Honey, if you love me, give me a smile. Haha!
I loved getting to know new people and making new friends!
MVP: Connor Kapperman (Green Team)
I lived in cabin G2. What A Treat! Haha. These girls completely blew my mind. I am so proud of the way they stood out this week - from speaking out in devos to just being involved. These girls, on their own, chose to have a devo during F.O.B time. They completely opened up to one another! They covered each other in love and acceptance. We got to experience being a part of a sisterhood and now all truly understand what that means. I am so encouraged by all of your leadership.
I was extremely uplifted by the decisions made this week! We had 5 baptisms: Casey Hardison, Luke Hedrick, Avery Roland, Jeremy Borders, and Allie McKamey. Wonderful teenagers! Thank you for your example and dedication to living a life walking with Christ!
Senior Night touched me this week! Josh and Matt did a wonderful job. What I remember most is hearing about selflessness. This youth group is not about you. These guys are great examples of what it looks like to put your time and effort into making Refuge Ministries as strong as it can be. They knew that it wasn't about them, and gave us their best. They love this group with all they have and we are so thankful for them!!!
Tearing Down the Wall: Wednesday night had so much impact on so many lives! We walked up to the craft shack to find a wall built out of cardboard bricks. (We had been making these bricks throughout the week and wrote notecards that we put inside revealing things that were separating us from God). When everyone sat down we turned the lights out. Then Andrew and I went up to the wall with black lights and as we walked toward the wall all of the things separating us were revealed by blacklight marker. This was so emotional, just to read what our brothers and sisters are struggling with. Andrew and I then laid the lights down (still exposing the sins) and sat down among the group. Josh played a couple of songs and I just fell apart. One song he played was "How He Loves". Looking up at all the worldly things drawing us in and creating our pain then hearing of God's unfailing love was so beautiful to take in. Our God is greater! Then, at just the right moment - A cross swung down and broke through the wall!! Our teens were bonded together, feeling God's presence and grace. Melissa and I were asked to pray for many girls. I love these girls so very much! They are so real and open. They have been exposed to so much pain. I want so badly to take it away from them, and our God can do just that! It was such a privilege to hold these girls, to cry with these girls, and to lift these girls up in prayer! And I want to thank our guys. Yall mean so much to us and we need you. The way yall stood over by the shack waiting for all the girls to regain their composure so you could shower them with love meant so much!
The next night was Talent/Skit/Video Night. EBY has Got Talent! In my cabin alone, we had 4 solos. By Abbie Cribbs, Ashlyn, Cribbs, Peyton Riddle, and Avery Roland. Then we had two groups of boys that played guitar and sang - *Mason Wortman and Matt Hogan, *and Aaron Sanders, Matthew Davenport, and Garrett Mitchell. The skits were wonderful too. Great job to everyone! So encouraged by everyone's participation!
Girls Night was after that. And although we normally have a crazy night of singing and dancing - This year Melissa and I felt called to tell the girls our testimonies. After we did that we opened the floor for *people that wanted to ask for accountability about things they have decided throughout the week or *share their testimonies with each other. We feel that it is very important that these girls TRULY know each other! This is the only way we can know how to love on and encourage each other better. So many girls shared and prayed for one another! I am so thankful for that night we were able to share together!
Refuge Ministries is Unbelievable! This group is so strong and united! I enjoyed so much truly getting to know each other throughout this week. The love they have for one another and the love they have for Our Maker is absolutely breathtaking.
Praise God! :)
When I got home I opted out of my nap to go to Harry Potter 7 Part:2! Wonderful decision, Haha. Jared-Jace-Luke-Cameron, "GET YOUR BABY OUT OF HERE!"
Sunday morning was so wonderful! First, the sermon was about things children wish their parents knew. It was a continuation of learning more about my kids and being amazed at their openness and impressed by their hearts. These kids need leadership and an incredible amount of love. We talked about Wetoga in class and things we loved. We got to hold onto that feeling a little bit longer and for that I am grateful. We also did the Interlude... Twice! Haha.
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