West-Ark Youth
14th Annual Winter Retreat
January 30 - February 1, 2004

We had 50 teens and adults from West-Ark participate in the 14th annual weekend Winter Retreat at Siloam Springs. Youth groups from several different churches in Northwest Arkansas and Southern Missouri participated. The purpose of the weekend was very simple: to teach our teens and adults how to listen to God. Our 5 lessons included the following:


Two of the activities of the weekend designed to help the teens learn first hand how important "listening" is involved the following games: BLIND KICKBALL and the THE MINE FIELD.

During BLIND KICKBALL, each blindfolded teen had a partner help them with every aspect of the game. They had to learn to trust the voice of their leader. Their leader told them when to run, when to kick, where to run, where to find the ball, where to throw the ball, when to look out for obstacles that were in the way, etc.

The other game was called THE MINE FIELD. Before this game started, the adults set up a maze filled with all kinds of obstacles. The obstacles represented mines. If a teen touched a mine at any point in the game, they were disqualified. The teens were blindfolded and given a partner. As the blindfolded teen entered the mine field, their partner had to stay off to the side and shout out directions to their partner telling them the "safe" path to choose. However, the problem is that there were several blindfolded teens playing at the same time. So there were many "voices" to try to listen to and each person had to learn to trust the voice of their leader. Then things got really tough. We planted some adults in the mine field. Some of them were meant to purposely mislead teens and send them in the wrong direction and others were there to tell the truth. Each blindfolded teen had to decide, who do I listen to? Do I listen to my friend? Do I listen to the adult? Do I listen to those around me? Very few teens made it successfully through the mine field. In every single case, only the teens who did not get sidetracked made it through. Only those who listened to the voice of their leader survived.


Brad:
    Thank you for the news about the blessings of the past retreat. I urge the youth group to inspire the "adult congregation" to continue to grow in our relationship with God. I encourage them to model for us their faith without apology or timidity.
    It seems to me that we, the adults, need to be creative and intentional in the ways we share our faith with the youth. That will first mean sharing our time. My hunch is that the youth really want the adults to bless them and share their spiritual journey with them. I grew up at the Winslow Church of Christ - for part of the time I was the "Youth Group" - I was blessed to have men and women of other generations share their faith with me and accept me as a "full member" of the community of faith. Sure we were different, but we served one God and participated in the same Spirit.
    My experience at West-Ark thus far as convinced me that there are many adults in our church family who have a rich and inspiring faith. There's a lot of wisdom, too. I know the youth will be blessed by that. I have also been impressed by the faith and love for God I have seen in the young people here. I personally have been blessed by that. I realize there are different needs among age groups, but I hope we will avoid setting up unnecessary "boundaries" among the ages.
    Thanks again for this good news. I am encouraged by it. I hope we all are. To God be the Glory ...
    Chris Benjamin
    Feb. 4, 2004


But the Lord still waits for you to come to Him so He can show you His love and compassion. For the Lord is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for Him to help them. ... He will be gracious if you ask for help. He will respond instantly to the sound of your cries. Though the Lord gave you adversity for food and affliction for drink, He will still be with you to teach you. You will see your Teacher with your own eyes, and you will hear a Voice say, "This is the way; turn around and walk here."
Isaiah 30:18-21

Blessed are those who listen to His voice and follow!







West-Ark Church of Christ