Last weekend, we had our missions retreat in Crestline at Thousand Pines retreat center. It is such a quiet and serene spot in the mountains. All of the teams joined together from all NewSong sites. This year’s theme was “KNOW LOSS KNOW LIFE” based on Luke 9:24 which says, “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.” I love this verse and how it embodies missions and what happens after. The Message version says it this way: “Then he told them what they could expect for themselves: "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat—I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you?”
Retreat is my favorite part of the preparation process because you meet different people whose hearts are bound by the same tie of servitude, and also for the reason that this is the time when the team usually bonds the most. At this time, the “technical” stuff (airline tickets purchased, dates set, etc.) is usually out of the way and the team can breathe a little easier and just spend time getting to know one another. I enjoyed watching my team bond and slowly begin to take responsibility for and care for one another.
I think my team will do great things in South Africa and I can’t wait to see how their hearts are broken and forever changed by this experience. Because I’m so familiar with the “lay of the land” I rely on the fresh eyes to take me back to my first time and to show me how much I’ve grown since that time. My eyes there are so different now as I see beyond a superficial “intro” layer.
On Friday night of the retreat, I looked around at my team, and I was excited. I had this overwhelming feeling of pride—both my own and God’s. I felt like God was smiling at them and giving them a round of applause for their courage to step out this year, turning faith into action, and “go.”
These are things I love about my team already listed by person:
Tyler – Tyler is the “all American boy” to me—well rounded, athletic, kind, just a nice guy. He’ll be helping to lead the men’s group. He has a missions past and has many leadership skills. He’s always the first to volunteer and is very energetic. We may lose him on the trip….well, maybe we’ll find him but I bet it will be under a massive pile of little children who I know are going to flock to him! This guy will soon be leading teams again—maybe to South Africa next year?
Jenn — Jenn is quiet at first but her strength is evident in the quiet. Silence is always comfortable. She is that person that you feel that you have known for a while even though you just met her. She’ll be helping out with leading the women’s group with me.
Elliott – Elliott is quiet at first so he’s a little bit of a mystery but everyone can tell what a big heart he has in there. He is very talented and loves music. He plays on the worship team at NewSong (guitar). He is going to be a huge piece that completes our puzzle on this trip. He is very easy going in conversation and I think he is going to really show his strengths on this trip.
Peter – Peter has the most gentle spirit of anyone I’ve met in a while! He is so kind. Although he is gentle-natured, there is a spiritual strength there that I know we will all rely on during the trip. I know he will continually grow, and I know this trip will be a huge platform for that growth. Watch out for this guy in the next few years!
Susan – Susan is so easy going. She is the one who gets along with everyone and will be the one to rally the team when we are all tired and half asleep. I love her spirit. Susan will be up for any challenge presented! This personality is much needed on a team, and we will appreciate her encouragement carrying us through difficult times.
Lisa – Lisa seems to be a caretaker. There were many occasions on the retreat in which she tended to the team. She is very calm and easy going. Lisa is taking a leap of faith on this trip, and I know her faith will be reassured before the trip and rewarded on the trip.
Janet – Janet has spunk! Janet came later to the team but jumped in at 100% with an attitude of “I’ll do whatever I need to do!” She is getting married in October but never lets the stress that she must have with planning 2 big events show. She exudes a positive energy that is contagious.
Dianne – Dianne is our social one. She blends easily into groups and is so easy to engage in conversation. She would be the first person to break the ice in conversation and connect the group. She likes to have fun and will be an asset with planning fun events to further bind the team.
Team, you rock! I can’t wait to share this experience with you!
Retreat is my favorite part of the preparation process because you meet different people whose hearts are bound by the same tie of servitude, and also for the reason that this is the time when the team usually bonds the most. At this time, the “technical” stuff (airline tickets purchased, dates set, etc.) is usually out of the way and the team can breathe a little easier and just spend time getting to know one another. I enjoyed watching my team bond and slowly begin to take responsibility for and care for one another.
I think my team will do great things in South Africa and I can’t wait to see how their hearts are broken and forever changed by this experience. Because I’m so familiar with the “lay of the land” I rely on the fresh eyes to take me back to my first time and to show me how much I’ve grown since that time. My eyes there are so different now as I see beyond a superficial “intro” layer.
On Friday night of the retreat, I looked around at my team, and I was excited. I had this overwhelming feeling of pride—both my own and God’s. I felt like God was smiling at them and giving them a round of applause for their courage to step out this year, turning faith into action, and “go.”
These are things I love about my team already listed by person:
Tyler – Tyler is the “all American boy” to me—well rounded, athletic, kind, just a nice guy. He’ll be helping to lead the men’s group. He has a missions past and has many leadership skills. He’s always the first to volunteer and is very energetic. We may lose him on the trip….well, maybe we’ll find him but I bet it will be under a massive pile of little children who I know are going to flock to him! This guy will soon be leading teams again—maybe to South Africa next year?
Jenn — Jenn is quiet at first but her strength is evident in the quiet. Silence is always comfortable. She is that person that you feel that you have known for a while even though you just met her. She’ll be helping out with leading the women’s group with me.
Elliott – Elliott is quiet at first so he’s a little bit of a mystery but everyone can tell what a big heart he has in there. He is very talented and loves music. He plays on the worship team at NewSong (guitar). He is going to be a huge piece that completes our puzzle on this trip. He is very easy going in conversation and I think he is going to really show his strengths on this trip.
Peter – Peter has the most gentle spirit of anyone I’ve met in a while! He is so kind. Although he is gentle-natured, there is a spiritual strength there that I know we will all rely on during the trip. I know he will continually grow, and I know this trip will be a huge platform for that growth. Watch out for this guy in the next few years!
Susan – Susan is so easy going. She is the one who gets along with everyone and will be the one to rally the team when we are all tired and half asleep. I love her spirit. Susan will be up for any challenge presented! This personality is much needed on a team, and we will appreciate her encouragement carrying us through difficult times.
Lisa – Lisa seems to be a caretaker. There were many occasions on the retreat in which she tended to the team. She is very calm and easy going. Lisa is taking a leap of faith on this trip, and I know her faith will be reassured before the trip and rewarded on the trip.
Janet – Janet has spunk! Janet came later to the team but jumped in at 100% with an attitude of “I’ll do whatever I need to do!” She is getting married in October but never lets the stress that she must have with planning 2 big events show. She exudes a positive energy that is contagious.
Dianne – Dianne is our social one. She blends easily into groups and is so easy to engage in conversation. She would be the first person to break the ice in conversation and connect the group. She likes to have fun and will be an asset with planning fun events to further bind the team.
Team, you rock! I can’t wait to share this experience with you!
Bottom (L to R): Jennifer Hananouchi, Danielle, Peter Ahn, Lisa An, Dianne McAlexander
Top (L to R): Janet Pamoleras, Susan Chong, Elliott Kim, Tyler Ternes
what a good looking team :)
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