chi alpha retreat, MA
L-A-T-E last night I flew in from Boston after spending 48 hours with a group of college students whose brain power will change the world. Boston University, U Mass Amherst, MIT, Cornell... brilliant students studying photography, engineering, mathematics, music, fashion design, urban planning, and many other degrees gathered from Massachusetts, New York, New Hampshire, and Vermont.
Their giftings were many, but what I treasured much more was their hearts. They stayed with me as we went to some hard places spiritually. They stood boldly, confessing their need to follow God whole-heartedly. They processed the teachings and asked excellent questions.
And, they had a lot of fun! Saturday evening, the campus directors coordinated a coffee house that began with the area director, Mike Olejarez, dressing up like Satan--red head, horns, cape--and handing out copies of C.S. Lewis' Screwtape Letters while the students and staff invited everyone to a coffee house for poetry readings, music, and a brief message from a "former atheist" (yours truly). The evening was filled with laughter, great talent, and a few tears.
After I shared "Reflections of a young atheist: 5 things I really like about God" a man tapped me on the shoulder to say thank-you. I asked him where he was in his journey. He said, "I'm not a Christian. I only believe what I see. But," he said meaningfully, "I believe that you truly saw something. Thanks."
God will complete what He began this past weekend. It's an indescribable joy to partner with the Great Shepherd.
Their giftings were many, but what I treasured much more was their hearts. They stayed with me as we went to some hard places spiritually. They stood boldly, confessing their need to follow God whole-heartedly. They processed the teachings and asked excellent questions.
And, they had a lot of fun! Saturday evening, the campus directors coordinated a coffee house that began with the area director, Mike Olejarez, dressing up like Satan--red head, horns, cape--and handing out copies of C.S. Lewis' Screwtape Letters while the students and staff invited everyone to a coffee house for poetry readings, music, and a brief message from a "former atheist" (yours truly). The evening was filled with laughter, great talent, and a few tears.
After I shared "Reflections of a young atheist: 5 things I really like about God" a man tapped me on the shoulder to say thank-you. I asked him where he was in his journey. He said, "I'm not a Christian. I only believe what I see. But," he said meaningfully, "I believe that you truly saw something. Thanks."
God will complete what He began this past weekend. It's an indescribable joy to partner with the Great Shepherd.
posted by alicia britt chole at
7:35 AM
5 Comments:
That's so cool! It sounds like it was a powerful experience! My friends Pat and Leslie work with Chi Alpha in Boston, I hope they got to meet you!
there could not have been a better person for this retreat! Thank you!I'm disappointed that we could not talk longer or more in-depth than we did...maybe next time.
Chi Alpha!!!! brings back such wonderful memories. Thank you for being such a wise counsel back then. Your words brought such life to me Alicia. It was like a light turning on.
Thank you for sharing your heart and experiences with us through the blog. You paint pictures with your words. ~elaine
I just returned from a special ice-storm delayed Valentine's Date with the family and was so thrilled to see all your posts!
Jana: I met a Pat. In fact, he was the go-to guy for sound and computers. He had a great heart and servant spirit.
Matt: I SOOOO wanted to spend more time with you and Tracy. Let's connect on the phone!
Karis: We had great retreats, didn't we!! I still have hundreds of pictures from all of our times together.
Elaine: Thank you for your encouraging words.
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