We boarded the buses with our small group. (Thankfully, a team of able-bodied men loaded all of the suitcases!) Once on the bus the "crazy" began. Unlike in the states, no one stays in their seats--instead the bus leaders formed two teams (left side and right side) and challenged the teams to decorate their side of the bus, with the crepe paper, balloons, stickers and tape they handed out. No one seated during that time--and yes, the bus is driving through the city.
The decorating contest was just the first of three challenges; the second was making up new actions to a children's song about Jonah and the third was making up words/phrases with the letters they passed out to us. The best part is that the two-hour trip seemed to fly by.
We arrived at Entre Pinos Resort about 11:30 a.m. and trekked up the hill to the conference center. The same able-bodied men mentioned earlier, unloaded all the luggage and delivered it to the rooms.
We sat with our groups and the music team lead us in a sweet time of worship, introducing the theme song, Oceans, by Hillsong. You can find a video of this amazing song, by clicking here.
Unlike previous years, there wasn't any whole-group teaching. All four of the teaching times, each one focusing on one of the four chapters of the book of Jonah, were done within our small group. (Earlier in the month, 40+ group leaders were trained by the women's ministry team.) At the retreat there were 27 groups, each with a leader and 3-5 women. This allowed plenty of time to learn, discuss and share our insights and struggles.
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