Quest Winter Weekend Get-Away in Søvassli
March 6-8
Finally, an update about our winter retreat! Feel free to take a few minutes to view the slideshow above to get a better idea about the great time we had. There were 12 of us who drove 1.5 hours to a snowy mountaintop to get away with God and each other. As always, this was a great time to bond as we spent the days and nights together playing games, hiking, worshipping, praying, and making meals together. What was different about this time is some of the even greater openness we witnessed in many of the students through tears, laughter, and the sharing of our hearts. We felt like God was really bringing us together to encourage and lift on-another up. We all left feeling closer to each other and God. After times like these we always seem to see significant growth in relationships so it was a blessing to spend this precious time together. We only wish we could do it more often! We are continually reminded about the importance of community and how God enriches our relationships with a deeper love and greater authenticity.
It was such a blessing also to have a dear friend come along with us who is not a Christian but who is genuinely seeking to know God more and learn more about the Christian faith, especially the life of Jesus, through us. It is simply the acceptance, love and peace that our friend feels in relationship and community with us (since we arrived in Norway, in fact) that has deepened the desire to more recently actively seek out God. To learn from oneanother and to be a part of this process in our friend's life (with no pressure or strings attached) is truly a blessing and honor. Isn't this how the Christian community should be- welcoming all in and journeying together? It brings fresh new meaning to the concept of "belonging before belief" and we feel it enriches our lives just as much. It certainly seems to be the way that Jesus would have wanted it. May we all pray that God would so fill our hearts with his love for people that all we meet are naturally drawn to Jesus.
It was such a blessing also to have a dear friend come along with us who is not a Christian but who is genuinely seeking to know God more and learn more about the Christian faith, especially the life of Jesus, through us. It is simply the acceptance, love and peace that our friend feels in relationship and community with us (since we arrived in Norway, in fact) that has deepened the desire to more recently actively seek out God. To learn from oneanother and to be a part of this process in our friend's life (with no pressure or strings attached) is truly a blessing and honor. Isn't this how the Christian community should be- welcoming all in and journeying together? It brings fresh new meaning to the concept of "belonging before belief" and we feel it enriches our lives just as much. It certainly seems to be the way that Jesus would have wanted it. May we all pray that God would so fill our hearts with his love for people that all we meet are naturally drawn to Jesus.
2 comments:
Cortney and Brett-
I was thinking of you today. Can you believe how quickly these three years have flown by? I'm sure you must have mixed feelings as you wrap up your ministry in Norway. Know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Tera
Hey! Just thought I would stop by. I had forgotten about your site. I know, bad big brother :( But I found it again so that is good, right? I started writing on my blogger site again, after like a three year absence!
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