Retreat Reflections: Chaos and Caring!!

Coats on!  Here are your group flags....Vangie, this is your group...no, don't poke people with the flag...line up....Eli, you lead your group....straight line, please....stay with your flag leader....upstairs....carefully walk....find a chair and sit down....no, those boxes are not for you....music is beginning....you will all get an instrument to play....sit in your seat....you want a different instrument?  ....we will bring it to you...seat in your seat.....don't bother your neighbor.... all eyes up front....no talking....raise your hand if you have a question....don't talk or whisper to your neighbor....don't shout out an answer to a question....you need to use the bathroom? .... yes, that is the story I am going to tell.... you can share something later.... all eyes up front.... do the experiment again?.... review game....do not shout out the answer....your team's turn next....do not shout out the answer....to the gym for games....parachute....don't whip it too hard....watch the flying balls....relay races....this team needs help....did anyone escape?  Back upstairs....craft time...you don't want to do a craft?....you want another color crayon?....you want a different craft?.... no snacks tonight....time to put on coats....where is your coat? ....you weren't wearing a coat?....it is cold outside!....walk carefully downstairs....no, do not stop in the gym....keep a straight line....no running....stay with the group! 


Whew!  Chaotic but Caring!  We did it!!! Didn't lose one child during the retreat as we walked them across the street every day and night!  And I actually think they had fun!  I sure did and loved the hugs!


Reflections.....


January 5-8, eighty-four people from far and near traveled by various means to attend the 10th Elisha Foundation Retreat.  Cannon Beach, Oregon once again provided a majestic setting as families gathered in uncertain anticipation.  Some were excited at what God would do in this fast paced three day event.  Others were optimistically reserved.  However, volunteers and leaders were passionately awaiting this opportunity to provide encouragement and love to each and everyone.

As I reflect back to June 18, 1997, I am reminded of Psalms 136:13-16 that God gave me that day...the day Elisha Alexander was born into our family, our very first grand child.  He was and is God's masterpiece, known to the Heavenly Father before he was created in his mother's womb.  God's purpose has been slowly unfolding since that special little boy was born and we are seeing a small glimpse of what God is orchestrating as His plan unfolds.  Now, here we are in 2012,  and I humbly thank the Lord for the opportunity to be a part of this ministry.


Reflection of His Purpose --
These 3 day retreats provided for families with children of special news are bathed in diligent prayer, planned meticulously, anticipated excitedly, so that the Gospel of Christ is presented as the focus of daily life - 24/7. The worship leader serves joyfully with music that prepares hearts through gentle but powerful songs. God's Word is proclaimed by His servant who humbly shares his own struggles and what God has done and will do.  God's purpose was fulfilled as 12 families soaked up His Word.


Reflection of  His Power --
With all these families attending which included 39 children and 29 volunteers, we totaled 84 people!  Our highest number thus far for any retreat. As volunteers met their families, preparations were completed  for the children's program as well as the adult program, and now we all were relying on the Holy Spirit to give us the strength and power to minister to these dear new friends.  I for one know that He gave me the energy and excitement to pack in so many things in these intense days.  I think all my wonderful volunteers would tell you the same. Some had never worked with special needs kids prior to retreat.  Yet God did wonderful things through each volunteer.


Reflections of  His Love --
I have always been very passionate about children. Working with children in our church for many, many years has been one of my greatest joys.  So it was only natural for me to want to help our son, Justin and his wife, Tamara, with the Elisha retreats.  I have only missed two!  There are many challenges when you have a large age span to engage throughout the program...and hold their attention more than 5 minutes!  Add to that those who do have special considerations and it can be chaotic.  Just makes it more interesting and fun!  When  I reflect on how much God loves me, there is no earthly way that I can ever love Him enough in return.  So...my feeble attempt to show Him is to give Him myself wholeheartedly with no thought of my desires.  His unfathomable love can then flow through me and overflow to others.  Especially the little ones that come my way.  Everyone who worked tirelessly for this brief week-end gave Christ's overflowing love to all the children and their parents.  Awesome!


Reflection of His Patience --
When there are so many people from all different backgrounds, different personalities, different likes and dislikes, different life experiences, things could prove to be interesting!  Especially when you are going to see each other from morning till night for 3 days and work together! Some even rooming together in what some referred to as "the closet"!  Trying to juggle the parents' schedule and their needs, the children's program and all our little emergencies that came up, free time to be used wisely by all and let's not forget to be sure everyone is fed well!!!!  God gave us all the patience needed to continue joyfully serving and ministering to our guests.  I cannot express how in awe I am of these special parents who exemplify God's patience as they work with not only their special needs child, but the needs of their other children as well.  (By the way, the siblings are the most loving, caring children, no matter their age as they love on their special needs brother or sister.  It is the normal thing to see these sibs kissing and loving on their sibling.)  What a privilege to give these parents a small window of time to be alone together to be refreshed and encouraged.


Did each and everyone one of us volunteers reflect the dear Savior's holy attributes during our time together?  I trust eyes that were watching us were blinded to some of our weaknesses and will remember instead the passion we all shared to embrace our families with His Word lived out through us.


Now to look forward to the Lord providing for the next retreat wherever He leads in 2012!  I am already looking at curriculum and thinking of more creative things to do!