It’s crazy how long the wait can seem as we plan and talk about the Youth Gathering. Since we’ve been here, it seems like time has flown by. Today was our last full day of Gathering programming. It seems like we just got here.
Bible study today focused on “let us ENDURE like no other” and looked at Scripture about the road to Emmaus. The disciples felt lost and hopeless without a Savior. They thought He was gone. But we know He wasn’t. Jesus revealed himself to the disciples, strengthened them and encouraged them. Christ does the same for us – He strengthens and encourages us when we feel hopeless and lost. And so we ENDURE because Christ ENDURED for us.
Our group attended several different sessions today, including ones about porn, dating, forgiveness, and being authentic. Youth continued to walk around the exhibitor tables to grab freebies, went to booths to make bracelets, and took time to pet the comfort dogs.
Every so often, a local kids band would come through the convention center floor and play for us. Talk about some TALENTED KIDS. The volume and quality of the music sent chills down our spine.
Tonight we enjoyed dinner at the convention center – tacos with chicken, beans, rice, and salsa. So yummy. Our groups debriefed about the day, shared favorite sessions, and prayed together.
Our final mass event was a special one. Our speaker, Bethany Hamilton, spoke about perseverance and how she has endured in her life after having her arm eaten by a shark while surfing. She has certainly been through a lot, but shared a powerful story about how to ADAPT:
Appreciation: gratitude is key to moving forward
Direction: find direction in life from God’s Word
Associate: what/who you follow determines how you react
Perseverance: you must be determined to adapt
Teachable: let God, the author and perfector of our faith, teach you His ways
In addition to a great speaker, the final evening of mass events at the Gathering always includes a memoriam video to honor those in the last three years that have finished their earthly race and rest in the arms of Jesus now. While we mourn the loss, we mourn with hope because of the resurrection. Thanks be to God.
We made our way back to the hotel with a stop for some at an ice cream shop called “Waffle Time”. It’s certainly hot enough to enjoy some cold ice cream!
What an incredible adventure it’s been. Wisconsin chants as we walk the streets of New Orleans, meeting people from all over the world, learning valuable things from Scripture and lived experiences, and so much more. Just one final day of closing worship tomorrow and communing together as a church body. It will most certainly be a beautiful ending.
