by Jana Bongkotmart
Hope International Church Seattle’s August 31st, 2024 was just the beginning of a series of eye-opening events. This camp consisted of 103 people from all over, including participants from Los Angeles, Canada, Wenatchee, and one from Australia. During this deeply moving camp, 9 people were water baptized, a dozen or so were Spirit-baptized, and many hearts were touched.
To kick off the camp, guest speaker Pastor Lai Ling flew in from Australia to teach us about the Word of God. She faithfully spoke about God’s empowerment and how we are enabled to do all things through Him.
Even before the camp started, participants were assigned to teams, adding an extra layer of excitement, fun, and friendly competition. On the second day, team-building games were introduced, each carefully designed to creatively teach us more about our walk with God, our relationship with Him, and to help build closer bonds within our teams. These activities were full of thrilling moments. Whether it was being dunked into the lake for the sake of your team, blindly reaching into a box filled with random objects, or playing an intense game of memorization, each seemingly random activity was part of a larger plan to connect our experiences to our walk with God.
This retreat was also blessed with a dedicated group of musicians. Their determination brought every song, every beat, and every rhythm to life, filling each session with joy. Because of their efforts, worship became an incredible and unforgettable experience. Each session, every voice, and every hand lifted high contributed to a Spirit-filled atmosphere.
Every morning, worship illuminated the presence of God. There were moments of peace and silence, where nothing else mattered but you and God, but there was also a balance of fun and excitement as teams, friends, and family celebrated together, all basking in the glory of God.
Lastly, there were skits. On the final day, each team was tasked with preparing a skit based on their biblical prompt, which they would perform in front of judges and fellow participants. This activity encouraged communication, creativity, and teamwork. Every skit had unique and hilarious elements, filling the room with laughter. This retreat was not only a time of spiritual growth but also a thoughtfully planned, enjoyable experience. By September 2nd, 2024, it was clear that everything we learned and experienced during this camp had a purpose.
