I’m thinking about camping with my friends again next year.
This past weekend 34 of us went camping together about 2 hours from Guadalajara at Santa Maria del Oro—on the banks of a lake that is in the crater of an old volcano. Most all of the adults in this group have been following Jesus for some time now and are actively involved in leading and caring for (mothering and fathering) others—and in incarnating Christ among those who don’t know him well in their corners of the world.
During the weeks before our camping trip, we envisioned the weekend being mainly about spending time together with God—allowing God to draw us to and prepare us for this retreat—and to guide our time together. For the weeks before many of us prayed with expectation to that end—that we would encounter God together. We tried to structure our time for a balance of encounters with God over the weekend: solitude, small groups of 2 or 3, large group conversations, and just having fun together. We encouraged all of the participants to prepare for the time by being attentive to God and to come to the weekend prepared with what each believed God had given them—to be prepared to both give and to receive.
It was great fun—and a great blessing from God for all of us I think. Lots of things happened: prayer, mutual encouragement, reading of scripture, singing, playing, confession, eating, discovery, crying, and laughing—lots of laughing. It was a blessing to be with some of my fellow missionary coworkers—Cory & Toni Burns and James & Erin Henderson. It was a blessing to be served by some of our AIM apprentices as they played with our little ones. It was fun watching the interaction between older and younger leaders, between those with different experiences, gifts and styles. It was cool to see the discoveries that were being made. It was super cool to see the unity and the love and respect for one another that was shown.
We believe that this kind of regular retreating together and attentiveness to God together is an important practice for those who are intent on caring for others—for those who are in the trenches of kingdom leadership. The desire of this group of friends is to continue this practice a time or two each year.
I’m thinking that wherever they are camping this time next year is not going to be that far from Texas!
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