Guess what – I spent last week in Texas! I flew out to be part of The Prayer Room’s annual staff retreat, and it was a very welcome time of refreshing and re-envisioning.
On Friday we drove out to a huge retreat house on a farm. We spent the weekend playing games (Farkle, Pit, and Silent Football are always huge hits!), eating food, and generally enjoying each other’s company as a family. We also did some teambuilding games (which may or may not have drawn out the spirit of competition moreso than cooperation!), toasted marshmallows around a bonfire while retelling funny stories from the early days of the ministry that have become community classics, and met in the living room every morning and evening for prayer, discussion, vision casting, and individual encouragement.
I am so, so blessed to be a part of this family. I love that God has allowed me to visit five times since I finished my externship there last year. Next time I’m back in January, it will be to STAY!! God has entrusted The Prayer Room with a powerful mandate to build night and day prayer and worship until His return, and I’m so excited and honoured that He has invited me to join them.
This is a crew of people who passionately and sacrificially follow the call of God and pour out everything for His glory. They honour Him and each other so well, even in the midst of deep struggles that would tear many other ministries apart. The humility and zeal for truth I’ve seen in this community provoke me frequently to step up my game and lean on Jesus more and let Him transform me into His likeness. I’m eternally grateful that in calling me to leave all I have known in California, my Father has given me these people as family.
I love all the photos! So filled with joy and I could tangibly feel it! 😀 I love seeing all of you and the people my age together enjoying Jesus and fellowship. I pray for more community and people my and my hubby’s age here. He and I are the only ones our age for the most part at our HOP/church and those of us serving at the other prayer room aren’t as tight knit yet as we never get to see each other. I’m praying about suggesting we gather for fellowship more soon! 🙂
Love the pictures. 🙂 There will be issues anywhere there is a group of people, and the enemy will do all he can to take the focus off of God and keep people in conflict. It is important for any ministry to keep that in mind.
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