Great Escape

Friday, Sept 26th:
4.30pm - Met at UVic and I put my organizational skills into good use. Organized people into cars and off we headed to Cowichan River Bible Camp.
7.45pm - Ice-breakers by Peter and Tyler.
8ish pm - worship by Georgia, Gareth and Tyler. Session 1 by Steve on Jesus' Baptism. Small group discussions.
10ish pm - fellowship; Dutch Blitz with friends :)

Saturday, Sept 27th:
7.30am - Prayer
7.45am - Arise shine!!! (I needed the sleep)
8.30am - Breakfast and the beginning of the game "angels and mortals".
9.30am - worship, session 2 by Jacqueline on Jesus' temptation: turning bread into stones. Small group discussions.
12pm - Lunch
AFTERNOON: FREE TIME; I had to study Neuropsychology.
6pm - Dinner
7ish pm - worship, Session 3 by Steve on Jesus' temptation: throwing Himself down from the highest pinnacle and having the angels rescuing Him. Small group discussions.
10ish pm - Wide games, which involved people finding beads and running, and a bonfire at the end. (I had to continue studying)

Sunday, Sept 28th:
7.30am - prayer [I headed to the river for a personal retreat with God]
8.30am - Breakfast
9.45am - worship, Session 4 by Jacqueline on Jesus' temptation: Worshiping the devil and he will give Jesus all the kingdoms of this world. Small group discussions.
12pm - Lunch, end of "angels and mortals" game.
1pm - Clean up
2pm - Home :)

Memorable events:

* Blessing my mortal, Chrissy. I had a lot of fun; and not only blessing her, but blessings others as well.

* Friends who encouraged, supported and helped me studied Neuropsychology. Thanks guys! :) Chrissy, who helped 'tutored' me. [And she also helped me to see that Neuropsych wasn't a dull and boring subject, it's actually fun!]

* Dutch Blitz with friends! :)

* Meeting with God at the river

* Receiving compliments, encouragements, hugs, 'creepy touches', notes, smiles and appreciation from friends. <-- Definitely the highlight of my week. I'll explain why soon.

Lessons Learned:

~ TRUST in God. BIG thing in my life since the end of Summer. Even before heading for the Great Escape, I felt that God really wanted to deal with this issue. And He did. At the river on Sunday morning, God met me; and I know wholeheartedly that He wants me to let go of whatever that I was holding on tightly. That morning, I knew that God wanted me to let go of my financial needs to Him -- to fully trust Him that He will provide and take care of me. As I walked back to the dining hall for breakfast, I felt my spirit renewed, and my heart set so free and filled with so much love from God. As I entered the hall, I knew that God has dealt with me and now, I am free!

~ RECEIVING from others. Another BIG thing in my life. Years ago, I've always thought that people and my friends never really liked the real me; and I figured that if I want friends and want others to like me, I have to be the person that people will like. So, I'll go all out and do things that will show that I'm lovable. I tried and tried so hard to be the person people will like; and I will usually take on jobs that no one would want to do (especially 'backstage' jobs) and most times, people don't remember to show their appreciation. However, I wasn't concerned about it as I thought that owh well, they will love me because I took on jobs no one wants. I just wanted people to accept me, but I was afraid to show the real me. At the Great Escape, God taught me what it means to receive from others, especially compliments and appreciation. I remember so clearly that upon returning from the river, I received so much love from others that each compliment, appreciation, note, smile, hug, touch, etc. moved me to tears. Christine's note to me was another highlight of the weekend as well as when Steve got some of my awesome and wonderful friends for a "rachelle group hug" :) These little actions are priceless to me and I will always remember them.

~ BLESSING and GIVING to others. This is something that really fuels me up. I've always thought that I was never good at anything. I used to compare myself to my peers and I see that they're talented in music or gifted in this and that. But me? I have nothing. It took years for me to finally overcome this, and to fully accept that God has given me gifts and talents which are special and unique. I've discovered that I have the gift of encouragement. I find joy in encouraging people in whatever means I can. During the retreat, "angels and mortals" was definitely a game I loved! :) I had Chrissy as my mortal, and yes, I definitely had a great time blessing her, although she found out that I was her angel in a couple of hours ;p See, she helped 'tutored' me and instantly recognized my handwriting. I tried to disguise my handwriting, but I failed miserably. Haha! Nevertheless, we both definitely felt loved at the end of the weekend. Apart from that, I made it my mission to verbally affirm and encourage my friends throughout the weekend. I usually write notes, letters and cards to people; but this weekend, I realized that I needed to work on verbally encouraging people. I am not used to verbally expressing my feelings, so just to approach someone and thank them for what they have done is really a huge thing for me. I had to muster up a lot of strength and courage to do so, but as I verbally affirmed more and more people, I became at ease with it. I'm still learning =) At the river that morning, I was also reminded by God that I've been giving and pouring out into people's lives and I was empty. I needed to be filled up by God. Only after being filled up by God was I able to give and bless others with a joyful heart, mixed with a feeling of unconditional love for each one of them.

I feel really blessed and restored