Everyone I have talked to enjoyed the retreat and took something away from it. This is obviously the whole idea. I obviously have a different view of the retreat being one of the organizers, as it is part of my life each year for more than a couple of days. I too am pleased to say I had a great retreat and took many things away from it. Some I am sure are at this point unknown. I know I won’t even realize the significance of some things until a need comes my way and a conversation, or something I witnessed pops back into my head.

As we have grown in numbers we have had to move the retreat further away creating a challenge in terms of how to use the precious time as part of the experience or lose it. Finding the balance of fun and faith is challenging not only to suit the many types of characters but more to find the balance that satisfies the need of for the many different places people are on their walk. For me though satisfaction is easy to measure. When the last team checks in at camp and I know we haven’t lost anyone and everyone is safe, like a shepherd who has accounted for his flock I can sit back satisfied, listening in on the conversations of new found friends.

Once at camp Scott’s account of his struggles and joy were amazing to hear. I imagine like me most of you heard your own life’s struggles in his words. The patterns are the same just change the circumstances, desires, struggles and realizations as each crossroads is reached. A man opening themselves up and putting their cards on the table so to speak is a hard step for any man to take; I was pleased to see that the competitive side of everyone from the early evening melted away into a group of caring Christian brothers. It was a very moving experience for me.

Because the Saturday events were facilitated by Tecumsah that allowed the other leaders to become part of a team which has always been their desire every year. My view differs. I missed facilitating a session but had a different opportunity floating and taking pictures. You see by facilitating an event (and this year taking pictures) I get to spend time with everyone not just one group. At the first couple of retreats even though I cooked I was part of a team (I was pulled up a wall by Greg Mantock like I was a bag of feathers) so I have experienced the retreat from a participants perspective too, yet I have found more personal satisfaction from the retreat this way. I learn a lot from many different people and there are always surprises, it is always humbling to listen to others, as we did on Saturday night and hear how the Holy Spirit is alive in us all.

Sunday is a peaceful release. Not only is the organizing part over with at this point but we are now bonded and nearer to what I believe Chris intended when he asked us to be brothers to one another. The affirmations are for some difficult to receive and I know I struggle with this too, yet I am always surprised with at least one thing that is said to me, where I have had an impact I had no idea about and never would if we were out in the “real world”. It reminds me that every thing I do and say is witnessed and registers. A scary truth.

Mike Peck and I finally jumped into my car for the return trip and let out a collective sigh and both mouthed a big grin. The team had pulled it off again. We slid down in our seats exhausted from the weekend and exhausted from the responsibility of our actions having an impact on the walk of others. We drove along picking out water towers, cows, red barns and railroad signs laughing at how easy it was in the daylight as we started to swap stories from the giant’s ladder, mousetraps and Wade mud diving. Before we even hit 65 South I was turning to Mike and saying, “you know next year we could……………….”

And so begins my retreat experience. Weekend before Thanksgiving 2007 Mark it on your calendar now.

Blessings,