Words cannot describe the retreat and even as I look over the pictures they also don’t do it justice. To be honest I was surprised that nothing went wrong – all the vehicles worked in fact the girls showed up an hour early (which is unheard of), all 200 of us stayed healthy – it was amazing! I’m gonna stop talking and let the pictures do the talking…
The venue for the camp was at boarding school in Manzini (1 of the 2 main cities in Swaziland). The team from RiverLakes and a few other friends from the States as well as my Swazi team decorated the auditorium where all of our group meetings were. The theme of the camp was CHILD.CHERISHED.CLEANSED. In Swaziland they have what’s called the 3 C’s. Men with money will have sex with the girls in exchange Cash, Car (the girls ride in the car), Cell Phone (or clothing). So we replaced those 3 C’s with why the girls shouldn’t have sex. CHILD – God is their Father and He will provide all of their needs, they don’t need to look to these men. CHERISHED – They are loved by God so much so that He gave His only Son for them and that these men who say “I love you” do not mean it, they are only trying to get them to sleep with them. CLEANSED – so many of them have already been sexually active and they carry around this shame. They feel dirty and they think since they’ve already started having sex they might as well continue but we shared that they are cleansed in the blood of Christ.
When the girls arrived they each got a purse sewn by Dan’s aunt. Inside they got a journal, a toiletry kit, pens, lip gloss. I think they liked it…what do you think? Take note of Busi, the one who is clutching the journal, has been radically transformed since she was given life through Christ. Busi’s story will come in the days to come.
The girls got settled in their rooms. They took up 3 dorms upstairs and downstairs. Once settled in they went next to the dining hall and got pedicures and a new pair of flip flops so they wouldn’t mess up their toes.
We had group sessions where all 200 of us met for worship and teachings. The girls would start in song occopella and it would fill the auditorium and fill my heart. It’s hard to explain but when they sing the SiSwati worship songs it is as if a switch is turned on inside all of them and they get up and dance – it’s involuntary they just can’t help but have rhythm.
Saturday and Sunday afternoon was free time. The girls broke up into teams for volleyball and netball (like basketball) or they could do a craft. The craft was from Bev’s (one of the teachers on my church’s team) who taught on the treasures of our heart. We had to decide if we were going to have the worlds treasures (cash, car, cell phone,
clothes) or God’s treaures of more of Him through prayer and getting in His Word. Then after every group session we would hand the girls something on their way out to remind them of each teaching. After “child” they got an adoption certificate from God, “cherished” they got a small tea cup because Cathy gave that as an example of something she cherished and after “cleansed” they got a ticket that said “paid in full” that Christ has paid the full penalty for our sin so we can be cleansed.
The backbone of the retreat – 1) Discussion Gro
ups and the 2)Prayer Room. Every time I would ask any of the girls “what is the best part of the retreat so far?” they would all answer “discussion groups”. We broke the girls into small groups to talk about what they had learned in the teaching sessions and how to apply it in their lives. Okay, i’ll be honest, one of the girls responded “the food” cuz we ate well but EVERY other girl
said the discussion groups. These girls don’t have people they can talk with about these issues and so for them to have an entire weekend to learn and share, the loved it. 2) The prayer room – the Lord made it clear we were to have 24 hour prayer throughout the retreat so there was a prayer room and it was the reason the retreat went so well, we were covered. It was a place to come and lay burdens at the cross, thank God for what He’s done, praise Him, write prayer requests and pray through Scripture.
Thank you to all those who were praying, to those who sponsored a girl or gave financially to the retreat. These girls will never forget that weekend. The Reed Dance is this week where the girls come for a week and collect reeds to build the fence for the queen mother’s house and then dance for the king. I know some of the girls who were at our retreat have to go and i’m praying they would see such a radical difference between something done for the king and something that the King of Kings ordained for them. Those girls got loved on like never before, they didn’t know what was coming, Praise you, Lord. I love how much you love your daughters.
On our last meeting before the girls went home I told the girls I wanted to ask them a question. I said “Baphi bosisi abahamba noJesu” which means “Where are the sisters who are walking with Jesus” and then all who are walking with Jesus reply “Hallelujah”. I didn’t know they were going to come on stage with me…press play in the center of the video below. If you didn’t already wish you were there from the rest of this story, you will now.
So beautiful Becca. The Lord is so pleased and delighted! Got your email, praying for you and inspired by your faithfulness. I haven’t been able to send the money to sponsor a girl because I was in the midst of moving and then ran out of checks. Can I still send it? I hope so. Many blessings and much love to you!!!
Kovonne
Becca,
First of all, I LOVED the video. I really should visit you!!
Second, girl you’ve got rhythm NOW! I just laughed out loud as I watched the video with you singing and dancing on the stage.
Know that I’m thinking about you!
Robin
Becca,
Thankyou so much for the beautiful video and the report of the retreat. Wow, I am so thankful that these beautiful young women have tasted how much the Lord loves them. Praying for you!!!!