The Beginning: We all thought that this retreat was going to be like Singing Hills. We thought that we would choose cabins, have games to choose from, go to church, and then start a new day. However, everything was way different then what we believed. The holy spirit was truly with us during this week and blessed us with friends, relationships, insight, and open heart for our Jesus to dwell in. The first day was as follows:
Registration: we were checked off for being present, we were told our cabins and counselors. Then we were checked for lice and were told that a swim test was required later on.
Registration: we were checked off for being present, we were told our cabins and counselors. Then we were checked for lice and were told that a swim test was required later on.
Introduction: We were told to meet at the chapel so that they could tell us rules and how the camp was going to be run. Challenge: When we got to our cabins the first day, we were told to change into clothes that we wouldn't mind throwing away. We, first, played the name game to get to know our cabin mates. Then, we went to the upper field and had challenges; girls against girls cabins and guys against guys. The games were messy and on top of that it was pouring rain. We went from tug of war, steal the greased melon, marshmallows soaked in ketchup and mustard that we threw at out opposing team, water slide and the messiest of all mud wrestling. The freshest part of this experience was meeting our cabin buddies and joining together to get the victory prize of first in line for our meals. The day ended with cabin devotions between the counselors and mates and ended in a prayer and everyone went to bed.
The Week: Breakfast was served at 8am every morning and the food (by the way) was really good. After breakfast, we had a couple of games and activities to choose from that we were to participate in for an hour. After that, we had a half-hour to go back to our cabins for devotional and prepare for Chapel. At 10:45, we all went up to the Chapel to praise, worship, and learn about our Lord. After Chapel we were given a few minutes to go back to our cabins to talk about what we learned and to have a short prayer amongst our cabin mates. and then we went to lunch.[Yummy!! =)] Prior to Tuesdays schedule we chose groups that we wanted to be a part of based on our athletic, artistic, our unknown talents. Of course, the group that came from Brockton/Cambridge chose Group B (the lets chill and do whatever feels right at the time group). So after Chapel, we would separate into our groups and go to one out of the four designated activities for a certain amount of time. After the long hours in the sun, we would return to the mid-field and have dinner. After dinner we would have an hour of free time, where we could do whatever we pleased and could get ready to go back to Chapel. After the second service there was another hour where we could choose to go to the snack shack and have junk food. We decided to either have junk food, hang out, or have a moment with the wonderful preacher we had. At 10pm we returned to the Chapel for instructions on what we could do until it was time to go to our cabins. Everyday had different activities that we were to choose from.You could either stay in a room and ask the preacher questions that didn't make sense in the service, or go back to "the hanger" and chill, or you could go to the hall where musicians played for any fans!!! Everyone was to return to their cabins at 11:30 and lights were out at 12.
The Experience: On the first day, we all agreed that we were outcasts. Everyone was so excited to see one another as we just walked in, no one giving us eye contact or friendly waves. When we saw our cabins and beds, we thought, "Wow, how many days are left?" However, this attitude quickly changed in all of us once we actually did meet people. When the campers came together in the Chapel before a service and started dancing and running around we thought that we had come to the wrong camp. But quickly that idea escaped from our minds. When the campers and counselors came together there was a definite bond in the air and that bond was through Jesus and his mighty love. The love that each of us felt came together and made this great force against anything we didn't want to deal with. Whether it was problems in our lives at home, or awkwardness being around complete strangers, it all changed once we entered the Chapel. There was something about Windsor Hills that touched all of our hearts in special ways. We all made friends and each night after the last service, God was talking so loudly to all of us that no one was able to ignore. Some of us made friends that wouldn't leave our backs and wanted to learn more about our culture and amazing cape verdean creole language! Others, spent moments alone pouring out their hearts and crying to the call of Christ in their hearts. Some of us, didn't show how much they opened up until the end of the retreat. Some of us felt touched by the message God put through our wonderful preacher Jeremiah. Some of us held our hands high to Jesus in praise and worship. Some found new love like the joy of reading the bible and faithfully believing the deep message that was being preached through the bible. Some enjoyed fellowship out in the field and fellowship with our cabin counselors as they listened to our cries. The first time I went up to the alter, I felt a hand being placed on my back and then another, and another, I soon heard many voices praying for me and tears ran down because I couldn't believe that I felt the presence of my Lord with me and my fellow Christ believers. The amazing love that the people at Windsor Hills showed us was unforgettable and forever undescribable. Every teen that went up to Jeremiah told him how scared they were that they were going to leave the Camp and go back to living in the ways of the world. However, by the end of the week, we all came on our way home, humming new songs that we learned about the Lord, thinking about the friends and laughter we shared with our cabin mates, and most definitely not forgetting that we belong to Jesus and that the message that we received at Windsor Hills will be practiced in our lives until the next time we return and learn more to contribute to our daily lives as Christians. What a wonderful time we had at Windsor Hills and I pray that God blesses all the souls that attended, that everyone may see the love of God through them, not just by their checklist deeds, and that we try our best to live for Christ no matter the temptations that follow us. May we not let anyone look down on us because we are young, but dear Lord, we ask that you help us set an example for the believers in speech, life, love, faith, and purity. Amen & Amen.
Written By:Yara C. and Kerlin R.
Campers:Yara C., Samantha G., Vanessa DS., Kerlin R., Jovanni T.
Camp Counselor: Manny DB.
The Week: Breakfast was served at 8am every morning and the food (by the way) was really good. After breakfast, we had a couple of games and activities to choose from that we were to participate in for an hour. After that, we had a half-hour to go back to our cabins for devotional and prepare for Chapel. At 10:45, we all went up to the Chapel to praise, worship, and learn about our Lord. After Chapel we were given a few minutes to go back to our cabins to talk about what we learned and to have a short prayer amongst our cabin mates. and then we went to lunch.[Yummy!! =)] Prior to Tuesdays schedule we chose groups that we wanted to be a part of based on our athletic, artistic, our unknown talents. Of course, the group that came from Brockton/Cambridge chose Group B (the lets chill and do whatever feels right at the time group). So after Chapel, we would separate into our groups and go to one out of the four designated activities for a certain amount of time. After the long hours in the sun, we would return to the mid-field and have dinner. After dinner we would have an hour of free time, where we could do whatever we pleased and could get ready to go back to Chapel. After the second service there was another hour where we could choose to go to the snack shack and have junk food. We decided to either have junk food, hang out, or have a moment with the wonderful preacher we had. At 10pm we returned to the Chapel for instructions on what we could do until it was time to go to our cabins. Everyday had different activities that we were to choose from.You could either stay in a room and ask the preacher questions that didn't make sense in the service, or go back to "the hanger" and chill, or you could go to the hall where musicians played for any fans!!! Everyone was to return to their cabins at 11:30 and lights were out at 12.
The Experience: On the first day, we all agreed that we were outcasts. Everyone was so excited to see one another as we just walked in, no one giving us eye contact or friendly waves. When we saw our cabins and beds, we thought, "Wow, how many days are left?" However, this attitude quickly changed in all of us once we actually did meet people. When the campers came together in the Chapel before a service and started dancing and running around we thought that we had come to the wrong camp. But quickly that idea escaped from our minds. When the campers and counselors came together there was a definite bond in the air and that bond was through Jesus and his mighty love. The love that each of us felt came together and made this great force against anything we didn't want to deal with. Whether it was problems in our lives at home, or awkwardness being around complete strangers, it all changed once we entered the Chapel. There was something about Windsor Hills that touched all of our hearts in special ways. We all made friends and each night after the last service, God was talking so loudly to all of us that no one was able to ignore. Some of us made friends that wouldn't leave our backs and wanted to learn more about our culture and amazing cape verdean creole language! Others, spent moments alone pouring out their hearts and crying to the call of Christ in their hearts. Some of us, didn't show how much they opened up until the end of the retreat. Some of us felt touched by the message God put through our wonderful preacher Jeremiah. Some of us held our hands high to Jesus in praise and worship. Some found new love like the joy of reading the bible and faithfully believing the deep message that was being preached through the bible. Some enjoyed fellowship out in the field and fellowship with our cabin counselors as they listened to our cries. The first time I went up to the alter, I felt a hand being placed on my back and then another, and another, I soon heard many voices praying for me and tears ran down because I couldn't believe that I felt the presence of my Lord with me and my fellow Christ believers. The amazing love that the people at Windsor Hills showed us was unforgettable and forever undescribable. Every teen that went up to Jeremiah told him how scared they were that they were going to leave the Camp and go back to living in the ways of the world. However, by the end of the week, we all came on our way home, humming new songs that we learned about the Lord, thinking about the friends and laughter we shared with our cabin mates, and most definitely not forgetting that we belong to Jesus and that the message that we received at Windsor Hills will be practiced in our lives until the next time we return and learn more to contribute to our daily lives as Christians. What a wonderful time we had at Windsor Hills and I pray that God blesses all the souls that attended, that everyone may see the love of God through them, not just by their checklist deeds, and that we try our best to live for Christ no matter the temptations that follow us. May we not let anyone look down on us because we are young, but dear Lord, we ask that you help us set an example for the believers in speech, life, love, faith, and purity. Amen & Amen.
Written By:Yara C. and Kerlin R.
Campers:Yara C., Samantha G., Vanessa DS., Kerlin R., Jovanni T.
Camp Counselor: Manny DB.
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