Tsawout Winter Trip 2015: Day 1

The Lord replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."
(Exodus 33:14)

Reflecting on our winter trip to Tsawout, one of the many truths that has come alive to us is God's promise in Exodus.  In everything, from the earthquake that shook the ground to the testimonies that shook our souls, God's presence was undeniable.  The living, loving God we worship made Himself known to us, and He showed us how He continues to be the very same God to Tsawout.  Our team came in brokenness, weariness, expectancy, and prayer, and as we drew near to God and trusted in Him, we found that He was working wonders far beyond us.  All we needed to do was follow.

Our team (of eleven people) was blessed with the opportunity to spend two days and one night at Tsawout.  Heading out on a beautiful morning, we spent our first day playing with the kids, making pizza with the teens, and sharing some testimonies in the evening.  As the day went on, we found that our tiny plans gave way to God's bigger, more wonderful plans.

Surrounded by God's splendor!

Preparing crafts

Everyone was super excited about the new additions to the bathrooms!

Long-time-no-see friends & recently-made friends

                             Preparing for a yummy lunch

Looking at the Sunday school attendance
(*God working: Pastor Moses' wife says that one Sunday they had 35 kids come!)

Charlotte leading crafts... for the big and the small

Seeing how much food fits in your mouth

Peaceful colouring

O the joys of playing in the curtains

Friendly faces

Guessing who's who (playing lots of Guess Who)

Teen Fellowship: Hanging out, making pizza, and sharing testimonies

Not having planned to do a formal Bible lesson with the teens, we decided to have Raph and William share how God has been working in their lives.  We were blown away by how God provided, both in bringing people to listen and in how He spoke through Will and Raph.  Continue to pray that, as those who heard these testimonies reflect, God use these words to transform, heal, and save lives.

Catching up and playing cards

Charlotte's ham snowflake... yum?

Spreading God's love and tomato sauce

Jonny posing for a nice picture

Hanging out with the girls

Ending the day with debrief and William seemingly causing an earthquake while sharing about how he had seen God working, we were reminded again of what a mighty God we serve and of the supportive prayer warriors we have back home.