Getting to Know One Another
August 21, 2008
Please accept our apologies for the delay in posting last Wednesday’s blog.
Today, our mission team hosted the first day of a two-day retreat for Horizonte’s staff. In attendance were:
- Martin, Horizonte’s Pastor
- Mayte, Martin’s wife & Head of Production
- Izamar, their daughter & a teacher in WaumbaLand (kids’ ministry)
- Edith, Head of Family Ministries*
- Sarita, Pastor’s Assistant
- Justin, University Student Ministry staff
- Lluvia, Justin’s wife & University Student Ministry staff
- Phil, University Student Ministry staff
- Ricardo, High/Middle School Ministry staff
- Ana, Ricardo’s wife and Host Team staff
- Job, Production staff
- Juan, Facilities/Maintenance & Children’s Ministry staff
* – Edith was also very helpful in assisting our team as we prepared for the retreat. Muchas Gracias, Edith!
Horizonte's Staff & Buckhead's Team
The day’s events were designed so everyone could get to know one another, to establish connections, and to demonstrate love to one another. Fun events included a questionnaire game and the first ever Horizonte Christian Olympics (almost as exciting as the Beijing Games).
For the Olympics, we split our groups into two teams, Uno and Dos (who says we’re not creative?). The first of three events was a water balloon toss. Liz & Martin pulled off a win for Team Uno in a sudden death tie-breaker against Team Dos’ Mayte & Julian. Team Dos came back in event number two with a win in a water tray relay race; we literally had a photo finish in that contest. At this point, athletes on both sides were in need of food and rest, so we had a relaxing lunch beside the hotel pool. It was a relaxing place to continue conversations and share our faith.
- Water Balloon Toss
Team Uno Celebrates
After lunch, we set up a quiet prayer room in our meeting space, our idea being to create a place where we and our guests could pause and reflect about God. Jennifer & Natalie created a calming environment with candles, cushions, and soft music. We also set up two areas in which one could cast his burdens and share your thanks. For the burdens, we set a basin of water with rocks all around it; by placing a rock in the basin, you symbolized that you were giving a weight up to God. In the “Thanks” area, we provided Post-It notes that could be placed up on the wall with one’s blessings written on them. A very simple way to give thanks.
Burdens & Blessings
Later that evening, it was time to determine who were the true champions of the day’s Olympics. Our two teams were given 40 minutes to develop and perform a 3-5 minute skit using randomly selected details. For Team Uno, the challenge involved Batman…in ancient Egypt…writing a hit song; Team Dos’ was just as wacky: Cupid…at the beach…planning an invasion of the moon. Wish you had been here for this, don’t you? We don’t think either skit will be nominated for a short subject Oscar, but we had lots of fun and laughs doing it. Cupid won out over Batman, and Team Dos was crowned the day’s champions. Congratulations to Mayte, Natalie, Edith, Job, Phil, Ricardo, Justin & Julian!
Team Dos, Horizonte Christian Olympic Champions 2008
After all this excitement, we broke for the day. Some folks stayed at the hotel to watch the Olympics (we just couldn’t get enough), while others went to Taco 57 for a well-deserved dinner.
Thanks for keeping up with us and continuing to pray for this trip!
