A Reflection from Easter Retreat
At Easter Retreat, we explored the theme of 'Shift' which was woven through each story shared along the easter journey. We had the privilege of hearing from Davis Sione, Bishop Ana Fletcher, Lorna Gray, Ants Watt from Joyya in India, and our very own Jesse Duckworth. We were challenged to shift our lives to hang with the last, lost, least and lonely and to love them like Jesus. We saw so many young people step up in courage to respond to this call, choosing to shift and follow Jesus where ever he's inviting.
Throughout the rest of camp there was heaps of joy, fun, connecting across youth groups and celebrating each other. We had the amazing Epic team from Waipukurau run Top town on Saturday afternoon which the whole camp enjoyed, it was next level! We also had a wide range of activities that young people could participate in and earn potential points for their combined Superteams. This included, football, pool challenges, orienteering, wrestling, 4-way volleyball, an ultimate NYT connections competition, as well as our key evening events; The Game Show, The Talent Quest, and The Great Debate (plus a secret outdoor nightline, called 'Temple Run'). All playing on our competition theme of retro game worlds competing to stay online and avoid getting 'unplugged.' Lastly, we were lucky enough to have Cypher, a dance crew from Palmy running a workshop and performing their dance together on Sunday night!
We were so blessed with Praxis prepping our dinner on Friday and serving pancakes every evening! They were incredibly generous. Alongside this, Naenae youth ran an awesome toastie shack in the village space and Tawa youth ran the canteen. All the goods sold from these spaces raised money for Joyya. Everyone did an amazing job serving and contributing to the kaupapa, and it created such a buzz over camp.
A huge mihi to everyone who served at camp and gave so generously with their time, energy and spirit of love. We had SO many helpers and leaders running our activities and events throughout camp, bringing life and fun. Many of you were the glue that held camp together and created a beautiful whānau culture.
Ngā mihi nui koutou.
Our fundraising kaupapa
If you're interested in learning more about Joyya, watch the video below. This is the kaupapa that we supported together at camp through the funds raised in our village space - everytime someone bought a toastie or something from the canteen!
Over the weekend we were able to raise $2330 together! How awesome. This will go directly to Joyya and supporting their incredible ministries.