Spiritual Retreat at Rain Forest International School (RFIS) is the best part of the school year.  The high school students go off campus for 4 days of fun, games, fellowship and good teaching from a special speaker.

Ron’s part was in the preparation — making sure the high schoolers had all the equipment they need: water filter system, soccer goals?  I guess so…

After loading up the busses, truck and van, they were off.  We didn’t see them again until Friday afternoon when they came back tired, but fired up.  There was talk of revival among the Cameroonians.  There was talk of new and renewed commitments to follow Christ, to be more faithful, to make wiser lifestyle choices. God did amazing things in the lives of our students!

Meanwhile, the middle schoolers met at school daily.  Ron and I were here to help.

Communication was the theme of the week.  Communication with God, with yourself, and with others.  And one way of communicating in Africa is with drums:

Students learned sign language, puppetry and mime dramas as ways to communicate the Christian message.  Then they had 2 opportunities to share that communication.  One was at the Deaf School, the other was with Primary School children who came to visit.  They came from the Akoa School, which we pass by every day on the way to RFIS.

First the middle schoolers gave presentations in the auditorium including puppets, drama and signing the words to a song —

Then they all went outside to the soccer fields for games.  The tricky part was stopping them from just wanting to play soccer every time they saw a ball!  There were numerous relays, and games —

Then there were snacks for the children before they went back to their school.

Lunches during the retreat were very special.  The middle schoolers were treated very well, with glass plates, flatware and even tablecloths!  That’s not an everyday occurance here.

Meals represented many continents:  We had steak and veg on the barbie from Australia on Day 1:

Another day we had Asian Teriyaki chicken and veg over rice.  Another day was American hot dogs (roasted over the open fire), beans and cole slaw with “S’Mores” for dessert!  And one day a student’s mom brought Cameroonian food for lunch to celebrate her son’s birthday.

Praise God for all He has done in the lives of our students during retreat week.  And pray that He who began a good work in them will see it to completion!