Edge Retreat and SNOW!

Hello Everyone! This week has been awesome for team 5. From an Edge crew retreat to the first snow it was amazing.

That's right, I said we had an Edge crew retreat. Our team now has a group of nine teens who are fully trained now to help out with edge when we come back from Christmas break (that's them on the right). That weekend was so full of energy, and the Holy Spirit. The first day we had a couple of talks, played many games...which reminds me. Pull Up and Screaming Yellow Zonkers are the most loved games out here. If you get a group of young people who love to be ridiculous then those are the games to play! Now back to the retreat. That night we also had Adoration for the youth for the first time. I don't think there was a dry eye. Especially after we gave the teens affirmation letters from their parents, but that wasn't the best part. I played 'The Stand' as a song for the teens to surrender themselves; to start over and give themselves to Christ. By the end of the song every person was standing and singing. That sight made my heart feel really happy. When we got back into the hall after adoration, we gave each other affirmations on big bristol boards. It was nice.

I cannot stress the enthusiasm this group of teens have for the ministry. The next day involved learning how to lead games, how to write testimonies and other things. When they began leading the games, they were so amazing and really into it. They've all got a natural talent for awesomeness. Their testimonies were also super powerful. I almost teared up in women's session with the testimonies that the girls gave. All of us on Team Five felt how much the teens put their hearts into their testimonies, and in the weekend in general.

That night we just had a bunch of fun. The men honored the girls with supper, then we had snacks and set up a movie: Ice Age 3. The best part though was when the teens honored our team. They had an AAME (after after meal entertainment) called 'Name that Netter'. Was it ever funny! There is a video and I believe it's on our ministry facebook. We had so much fun that weekend. The teens are awesome!

On Wednesday we had a snow day. It snowed so much that we couldn't get to the office safely so we spent our day in the host home. It was great because it gave us some time to run and play in the snow. Another cool thing that happened this week was that our team bought a real tree and decorated it. Yup it was fun and it looks beautiful! That's it in the picture to the bottom left.

This week was great. We just had a blast with everything that has happened. Now we can't wait for Christmas! So before we go we just want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Years!

Jesus is the reason for the season!

God Bless,

Shayla

Team High-Five