This past weekend 4 TreeHouse’s gathered together at Camp JIM (Jesus Is Mine) in northern Minnesota. It was an awesome time of fun, spiritual renewal, and bonding. The kids were able to boat, play games, sit and talk, relax, hang out, jump in the lake (yea it was pretty cold!), play volleyball, basketball, football, and spend time thinking about the pain, hurt, and suffering we all experience. They were challenged not avoid the hurt by stuffing it and trying to move on without taking it to God. It is only when we give our pain and hurt to God that we are able to truly forgive, move on, and experience healing from the wounds we receive on a daily basis. A lot of tears were shed as kids began to step into the pain and hurt they carry around each day. God worked in awesome ways this weekend and I pray that it does not stop but that it continues to be something they take to Him each day.
I was able to have several awesome conversations with a few of the Chaska guys who came on the trip. One in particular has been on my heart the last few days. Please pray for me as I continue to share the truth of the character of God is and how He is not some universal “god” that all religions believe in. This youth said he is having trouble trusting God (”god”) because if he does and is let down than it would have been a waste of time and it would just add to the hurt. Pray that I am able to accurately communicate to him who God is and how He will never let us down. This kid is amazingly smart and intellectual so he tends to rely on logic and brains a lot. At some point the facts, proof, and logic have to step aside so his heart can be reached. Pray that he is able to get to that place quickly. He has so much potential for spiritual growth, knowledge, and peer influence that it would be awesome to see him begin to impact his friends for Christ while still in high school.
I took a bunch of video of the trip but I didn’t get any pictures! 
Sorry! I might be able to get some from other kids and staff so you can see what the retreat was like.
Thanks in advance for all your prayers and thoughts. If anyone has any questions about the United Way info in the newsletter please let me know. Thanks!
Dan
PS…. I have been having trouble with my website so if you leave a comment and you don’t see it or it has an error message don’t worry. I am trying my best to fix it. So far I haven’t figured it out but don’t let that keep you from commenting on postings or other things. Thanks!
I’ll post some pictures as soon as I get them from David. I also have a video of the dedication so when I format it I will post it here so you can watch it (if you think it’s that exciting).
