LNO Retreat

This past weekend Ladies’ Night Out went on our annual Love Retreat! We headed out to Camp Carl to give the girls a more rustic experience. They seemed like the cabin minus some feared being by woods and Amish people.. 

The retreat was filled with food, activities/games, lessons, and crafts. We had two lessons. The first we talked about what love actually is verses the love they see around them and on TV. Jamey, a leader at LNO, led the second lesson on how we give love to our friends and those around us. She walked them through the story of the good Samaritan. The girls really connected with the story. I felt like they were able to connect so well because the violence that some of them have been exposed to. They were pretty honest about situations at school where they have witnessed themselves and others “pass by” the hurting. 

One of the favorite parts of the retreat was an activity where we had one girl sitting in the middle of the circle and then gave 2 students and 1 leader an opportunity to say affirming things to her. I realized quickly when many of the girls got teary eyed (and some even vocalized) that they don’t hear encouragement very often from the people around them. It was such a unifying experience for them. 

I am really looking forward to follow up conversations and seeing how the trip has  bonded the group closer together. Thank for you the prayers! God is doing so really cool things in the hearts of the girls!