Recently, seventy students enjoyed Andrews Academy's annual spiritual retreat, "Winter Bible Camp," at Camp Au Sable. The design for the weekend was to have each student involved in leading out in some aspect of the program so that each would be blessed and grow through the activities.
Friday afternoon, all of the students prepared for the communion scheduled for Friday evening. The young women prepared the soup for the special evening meal and prepared the communion bread. The young men spent time setting up and arranging tables, chairs, and decorations in preparation for communion. The footwashing, the breaking of bread and the drinking of the grape juice was a memorable and a very meaningful communion service for all. Following communion the guys and girls separated into their own afterglow activity. There was laughter, tears, and lots of hugs. The event allowed so much bonding between the students that friendships grew stronger, and many new friendships were formed.
For Saturday evening Vespers, everyone hiked to the chapel in the woods in a nearby 49 acre park of old growth pines. The rustic wooden structure provided beautiful acoustics. The spontaneous singing of hymns, gospel, and many familiar songs, interspersed with testimonials, went on for more than an hour. Parents, your hearts would be filled with joy if you were able to be there and peak in the chapel doors. There was joy on everyone's faces, there was harmony all around, and it felt like we had created our own bit of Heaven.
Between the activities of this busy weekend there was time to enjoy the snow that was in abundance at camp. Almost everyone tried out the sledding hill at various times throughout the weekend, hiking the nature trail, and communing with God in nature.
Many students (and sponsors) came back to AA changed.... having a deeper relationship with Jesus and with each other. We thank the team of teachers that planned this weekend.
by Steven Atkins, Andrews Academy Teacher