Fwd: A Weekend Retreat prepares for the unexpected

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Fwd: A Weekend Retreat prepares for the unexpected

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Crossfire Youth Ministry <jdhorning@crossfireyouthcenter.org>
Date: Wed, Oct 23, 2019 at 10:44 AM
Subject: A Weekend Retreat prepares for the unexpected
To: <philandkelly@gmail.com>

A Weekend Retreat prepares for the unexpected

Greetings,
This past weekend we held our 19th annual camp weekend at United Zion Camp Grove in Manheim. Students from Crossfire Ephrata & Ashland & students from United Zion churches joined together for an amazing weekend.

Jose & Stephanie Gonzalez shared in ministry during our 4 devotionals. God used them in amazing ways to shower His love on these students.
Aaron Hackman led worship and God was truly worshiped during this time.

I am so thankful for the many dedicated volunteers from both Ephrata & Ashland who gave of their weekend to pour into the lives of this crew.

Saturday afternoon we played the favorite game "Thunderball". This is a combination of football, soccer, basketball and is so much fun for young and older alike. We enjoyed an ice cream treat following the game.

During our devotionals God spoke to many of the teens. Little did we know He was preparing them for unimaginable pain that was to come. Saturday evening Dwight & Sara and I traveled to Ashland to deal with a family situation of one of the students. At 1:30am we were at the youth center and the one child ask if we could worship! And worship we did. We left Ashland at 2am to travel back to Manheim and this child sang worship songs almost the entire trip returning to camp at 3:15am. God prepared a heart to chase after him even during difficult times.

Later Sunday a couple of other kids had a family member who tried to end his life. They were at the hospital and PRAYED. God spared this persons life....I am expecting God to do something amazing out of this entire situation.

There were 2 other intense family situations that I will not cover. I am so thankful God has called us to serve in this community. These teens are getting it. They are understanding a dependence on God and placing their trust in Him.

Cover our volunteers and staff in your prayers. The emotional strain is overwhelming. We need God to show up and draw lives close to Him.

Thank you for partnering with us in Prayers and generous donations. The harvest is ready - the fields are white - we are on the ground and God is using us to make a difference.

Sincerely,
James L Horning
Executive Director