As most people know every year I work as a small group leader for a few of the 1,200 youth that come to Behold every year. The second that it gets over every year I start to think about how I can not wait for next year. It really is one of the best experiences of my whole year. This year marked my 8th Behold, and my 5th as a SWAT leader. It was by far the best year yet. The Lord really worked this weekend and anytime you see the Lord at work it takes your breath away.
Here is a breakdown of how things went. I left from work and went to pick up about oh 1,000 t-shirts from the printer and then headed to camp. It is about a 3 hour drive, but on the way there it seemed like a 20 minute drive. I knew that most everyone was already there and I was missing out so my excitement made the drive seem shorter. I arrived around 6:45 to a snow covered camp. It was the definition of beautiful. As I suspected most of the staff and other SWAT leaders were already there, but luckily not too much was going on yet. For the rest of the night we worked on lesson plans and just got to hang out with all the people that we don't get to see enough.
Saturday we started our day with breakfast at around 8:30 and then took a dangerous tour of snow covered camp which allowed me to try to take a few artsy photos, while getting told to hurry up by Byron. It was ok though because I know where everything is. At 12:00 students started showing up and at 2:30 we kicked off Behold. The first session was about finding your Purpose in Christ and abandoning the things in your life that are keeping you from Him. We had our first SWAT meeting ate dinner and then went back to Hutto for the second session of the day. I also got the chance that night to get something that has been weighing on my heart out in the open. I can say that I now feel about 10 pounds lighter.
Sunday is always an exciting day because it is the only time that we are there the full day. We had a morning session, a SWAT meeting, lunch and then 4 hours of free time. I read The Radical, spent 30 minutes in the prayer chapel and worked in the craft room. Then it was a SWAT meeting, dinner and a worship service. Sunday night is always the big night and I can honestly say that God moved in that night and everyone felt it. It is amazing what happens when we just open ourselves up to Him. After the students headed to youth group time the SWAT leaders bundled up and headed out to have a bonfire. It really was amazing. We got to stand in the prettiest place ever while singing and worshiping our Father. The entire group said a prayer over Derrick and I while we were outside. We both have some big events coming up that involve leaving the country, his in service to our country and mine being World Race. It is humbling to stand in the middle of 75 people who love the Lord and hear them ask Him to protect you and use you. The friends that I have made throughout are more like family, and what a great family it is.
Monday is always sad because everyone knows that the end is near and we are about to have to head home. We closed with communion and worship. Then we headed out, after stopping to eat Mexican (A tradition) on the way home.
I can not say how much this weekend meant to me because words could not do it justice. I hope that everyone gets the chance to experience something like Behold if not Behold itself.
Lots of Love!
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