S.E.E.D. V - Reflection

August 6-8, 2010

This year we started out with an extremely enthusiastic team of S.E.E.D. Retreat leaders. As we initiated our planning process, we knew that our primary goal was to address the needs of the children and teenagers because this Retreat is for all of them. We knew that we wanted retreatants of all ages to have a spiritually fun-filled retreat. Knowing that in the past we have had obstacles addressing the different age groups and keeping them all involved and attentive, we decided to split up the S.E.E.D. Retreat leaders into two distinct teams; one group leading the children ages 6-13 and one leading the teenagers ages 14 and up. Our hope was to have the children open their hearts to God and to gain a deeper understanding and relationship with God. We wanted each retreatant to open their eyes in order to experience God through different aspects of life. We wanted them to feel Him in our surroundings, through nature, through praise and worship, and through the people around them. One of the biggest graces of the planning process was being so organized and helping each other out. As a unified team, we worked brilliantly well together as we were on top of the planning process while always taking the time to enjoy each other’s company. We were optimistic and excited about the retreat which made us work rather diligently. Our organization and hard work ultimately allowed us to enjoy our first couple of days in Arizona before the retreat. We were able to visit the beautiful Sedona and take a hike to the river banks.

Having this free time to relax and enjoy our time before the retreat gave us the much needed energy that carried us through the retreat.

Upon arrival we were excited to finally be able to put all of our plans into action. We introduced ourselves and did our opening skit to kick off the retreat strong. At the end of the night the children track was all gathered around in a circle around a flickering candle to close in prayer. The children were asked to go around and answer the question, “What are you most thankful for today?” It was truly touching to hear the children’s heartfelt answers which included “I am thankful for making new friends. I am thankful for my brother helping me out today. I am thankful for the leaders for taking the time to do SEED for us.” Many times we heard the children thanking us and praying for us which made us feel very humble and loved. After the children track was done for the night, the children’s track retreat leaders went over to help the teen track retreat leaders lead a trust walk with the teenagers.

This trust walk was specially designed to enhance each retreatants’ sense of God’s presence through taking away one of the most valued human senses. Their faces were covered with paper mâché in order for them to silently reflect on the masks that they wear throughout their daily lives that they may have not yet noticed. These masks are the personas, attitudes, and characteristics they put up amongst their families, friends, peers and environment. Such masks keep us from truly knowing our genuine self. This activity was meant for them to know themselves better and start seeing themselves, once again, through God’s eyes.

In that moment of reflecting upon their own “masks” they had to be in silence and trust the S.E.E.D. Retreat leaders and God to guide them safe through their forest surroundings. At first many of the teens could not stop talking as we started to place the mask onto their face, but once the mask was on we felt a shift in the atmosphere; they began to finally relax.

In the silence they journeyed with God by opening up their other senses. They became vulnerable in losing their most used sense that we tend to take for granted: sight. Through losing this sense, they were able to follow our voice and see God’s beauty with their other senses of touch, sound, and smell. With eyes closed and covered, they became significantly more attentive to God’s gentle and welcoming presence. For only when we silence ourselves are we able to truly be with God.

The next day we also took the children on a trust walk where they too temporarily lost their sense of sight as they were blindfolded. To our surprise, the children took the experience quite well. They told us that they never get the chance to experience God like that. One child said, “It was a nice experience because even though I couldn’t see I could still feel God in the cold stone and water dripping that I touched during the walk. I’m really grateful that I got to experience this.” No matter what your age is, those moments of silence and stillness allow us to open our hearts and experience God in ways that are usually very difficult to experience in the everyday hustle and bustle of life.

Another aspect of S.E.E.D. that really shown through as a blessing was having Anh Chi from Nhom Nazareth being our supportive life line. They were always there offering us help in case we needed anything. They provided us with meals, which nourished and gave us energy through out the day. Whenever we needed supplies or help they were always there ready and willing to support us. Best of all, their prayers and love became the spiritual sustenance along with God’s graces that made the S.E.E.D. retreat possible and fruitful.

Just being here for this weekend with all the children, being able to experience their abundance energy, and seeing God in each child, teenager, and parent was wonderful.

There was one moment where the leaders had to step aside to discuss the next activity and when we came back in, all the children were up singing and dancing along to our theme song. It was a wonderful moment because we could feel the joy in each of the children, it seemed like the kids knew the lyrics and dance moves better than we did even though we had just taught them.

The whole entire experience of S.E.E.D. Retreat was amazing and eye-opening. We as S.E.E.D. Retreat leaders bonded as we worked together to serve God. By the end of the retreat the leaders were completely drained of energy but were filled with a happy-go lucky-feeling that made us all smile. The entire six hour car ride home, we could not stop singing and reminiscing about the whole experience. To be able to experience a weekend to serve such a wonderful group of God’s loved ones was our pleasure, a blessing, and a grace all in itself.

We are always left with God’s presence, whether we know it or not. When we do know, it means that we have just felt His graces.

In Christ’s Love,
Diana Pham