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July 22, 2008

On Tuesday afternoon, we left for our retreat to Rivendell Retreat Centre on Bowen Island.  There were 12 residents of our Alcohol & Drug Recovery Program, as well as 2 A&D Alumni who volunteered to cook, and 2 staff. 

The first day was an orientation day, with a great meal cooked & enjoyed by our men (much appreciation to our amazing kitchen).  Our next day, we had our morning meeting, followed by an afternoon of free time.  Some of the men slept, others went into town, two managed to go kayaking (I still can't figure out how they managed to find time to do that!) and others hiked around Killarney Lake, and towards the end of the hike, went for a swim in the lake.Thursday was our work day.  We do this to serve the Rivendell community.  It started out with watching a fire develop on an opposite hill.  Two water bombers worked at putting it out.  That was a great way to start the afternoon.  We sat on the deck and cheered on the planes.  After the fire was out, we got to work.  Some cleaned the centre inside, others worked on the labyrinth, and others chopped wood.  They said by the time they were done, they had copped three cords of wood.  I don't know how much that is, but I reckon it's a lot, as evidenced by the previously empty shed now filled with chopped fire wood.



Every day at 5:00 there is a chapel service.  It is a time to quiet down, and listen to God.  Our hosts, John and Wendy, gave us this theme:

Ephesians 3:14-19

"For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."

John told us that the word "strengthen" comes from the same root as "steroid" so he prayed that we would be "steroided" with the Holy Spirit.  One man quipped, "That's one drug I wouldn't mind testing positive for."  John also pointed to the trees.  The wind was blowing heavily during our time up there so we could see them dancing.  John asked, "Why are they not falling over?" 

They're rooted. 

"What are they rooted in?"

Dirt.

"And we are rooted and established in Jesus' love, so we can stand firm when we are blown about."

Thank you, John, for your words.

The last night, we went down to the beach for our final meeting.  We were pointing to the West, so we could see the sun setting.  The men arranged to logs so we could sit in a circle.  After singing, we shared what we felt God was saying to us.  Where there was previously animosity, Jesus brought about healing.  Some men made amends, and several spoke of this evening as being the best part of the week.

Please pray for these men that they will know in whom they are rooted.  I want to thank Jesus for working at Rivendell this week, and for the incredible healing He has performed:

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”  (Ephesians 3:20-21)