IVLI week 1 and 1/2

Ice cream trip day!

It's been an interesting week and a half. We've been learning so much that it's been a bit overwhelming. Morning sessions' topics ranged from "difficult conversations" to "multi-ethnicity and reconciliation". Personally, it's been a challenge processing through everything spiritually and emotionally but seriously, praise God for my family group.


Family group time



We've been very open every time we get together. Many of us share openly of our struggles, conflicts during IVLI, and even praises and blessings. God is definitely faithful in providing me this group because that was one of my biggest fear coming to IVLI: that I would not get along with my small group. 

Parachute + egg competition

Ben with his family group during the competition

Basketball timeeeeee

 
Ben's doing good. Overwhelmed too but free time has allowed him to process and rest. As for his family group, well according to him, it's been "chill". As much as he has shared with me, God's been challenging him in some areas and the biggest one coming up is next week for our evangelism trip to Mackinac Island. ...He's going to preach!! Please pray for him everyone (:


As for the fun activities ...that I've probably never mentioned until now (and trust me, it gets FUN), there's kayaking, camping, wind surfing, sailing, paddleboard, volleyball, basketball, etc etc etc. I'm already sunburned from kayaking almost everyday!

Bonfire with the family and cousins (another family group that's "related" to you)!

We had a challenging time... well, at least, the boys did haha

For the "sisters" I've met here, we've gotten so close it's a little bit weird to think that we just met last week. Our talks has been such a blessing and challenge. Just knowing and understanding that everyone who has come to this retreat has a goal and a passion for the people back at home, makes getting to know people even more easily here. What's been challenging and eye opening is to hear how everyone's schools and chapters have struggled through and how God faithfully carried them through all those conflicts. Ben and I definitely gained a lot of wisdom and advice when we presented how our chapter is doing back at Chicago just in these two weeks.

 

 

As for Jason, our Ohio friend, surprisingly he's in my cousin group! Not much to say here except he's still crazy as always ha.

 



Thrift store shopping with the families!

Celebrating Micah's (the guy with the hat) birthday

Just some prayer requests and praises:

Ben:
- Life's good.
- Just continue to be engaged
- Preaching on Monday. Please pray for peace and that God would speak through me.

Teyen:
- The support of my family group (as mentioned above) has been a blessing.
- Continue to be vulnerable with God. Emotionally and spiritually, it's been a little bit challenging processing through everything.