FHLM 2nd Annual Prayer Retreat Camp-Out Report

Our 2nd Annual Faith Hope Love Missions Prayer Retreat Camp-Out at Ndegeya mountain, ran from 16th – 18th January.  The theme was C.L.A.Y. (Christ’s Light in All Youth), based on Isaiah 64:8 (“We are the clay, and You are the potter; and all we are the work of Your hand.”).  We had 21 youth from five different area churches, and organizations attend this year, along with 5 youth facilitator leaders.

The youth experienced many types of activities including Quite Times and Bible Study. Our 1st Quite time verse was Jeremiah 18:1-6 and our 2nd was John 1:3-5. This is what Tendo had to say about quite times, “Spending time with God- the guided quiet times–helped me.” And Jjuko said “I know now God molded me and has a purpose for me.”

This year’s Bible Study was based on our theme verse Isaiah 64:8. Each of the 5 group facilitators were given pieces of dried clay to use as a visual for their time with the youth. This is what Kellen said about what she learnt in Bible Study, “We can be struggling, but if you want God to change you, He can change you and you become a new creation.”  Catherine said, “Even if you do a bad thing, God can re-mould you, and make you pure.”

Each day we fasted from sun up to sun down. This allowed us to all focus on God, as opposed to the next meal. During our breakfast times we had Morning Glory, praising and worshiping the Lord in song and prayer. At lunch times we did Prayer Walks around the camp site and we prayed for the things God was teaching us at Retreat, for Masaka, the youth of Masaka and for Uganda as a whole. Of course, when we broke fast for dinner time and after a full day of activities, everyone was ready to eat!

We also engaged their minds and gifting with Art Workshops that included Sculpting out of CLAY, painting words of praise on the Halleluiah Wall that we started last year, and learning to do Tie Dye with pieces of cloth. Each afternoon we had games that included sack races, bottle fill relay, bobbing for apples, and jump rope. Of course, we had rousing games of football (soccer) and it wasn’t limited to just the guys, the young ladies willingly participated too.

Friday Night we all enjoyed Talent Nite with several dramas, many songs and dances and much laughter had by all! Saturday night after dinner we enjoyed a campfire and Praise & Worship Nite. I have to thank Maranatha Chapel for providing a big treat of marshmallows for the youth to enjoy the Ugandan version of somores!!! It was a 1st for 97% of the youth! Thank you church! After Praise & Worship we broke into prayer that led several of the youth to fall to their knees in worship. It was a powerful time!

Sunday morning we had church service on the mountain. This year Pastor Rogers (yes my husband) spoke to the youth about looking at things with God’s eyes and not our own. As the world deceives our eyes we need to keep checking ourselves, as we sin and confess God gives us grace but we have to sometimes wait on His mercy when don’t repent and change. It was a very straight forward and needed, message, as many of the youth in attendance are still struggling with addictions and trying to fit into a “worldly life-style” instead of letting God shape and mold them. And at the end of the service two young men, Patrick and Kazzy, gave their lives to Christ! As you can see this Retreat allowed God’s hand to start the process! This is what Tendo said, “I am asking Jesus to do what He wants to me and mould me how He wants, because I am the clay and He is the Potter.”

When we were driving down the mountain, leaving Ndegeya, many of the youth said, Aunt, “Can we have Retreat for a whole week next year?”  You can tell they can’t wait till next year’s Retreat! I thank all of you who stood in the gap and prayed for the Retreat. I am looking forward to reporting some more changes and amazing events next year!