Hi TF's! This is my 3rd attempt to send this journal. I just found out that I only have a 20 minute window in which to write and when you only type about 3 words per minute thats not much:) ANyways I went to a 6 hour training course on Saturday for an upcomming Religious Retreat for high school kids. THe retreat is sponsored by the Catholic Church and the kids (about 100) are preparing to receive the SAcrament of Confirmation. Its held in the mountains and lasts for 3 days beginning April 2nd. THere are 10 adult leaders (me and others) and 10 youth leaders (16-18 years of age) and 100 students. At the retreat an Adult leader and youth leader are paired up and given a group of 10 students. Through prayer and activities such as skits, music, games and group sharing we hope to strengthen their faith in God. It will be my second retreat. Last year a "Nun" harrassed me until I agreed to help out. It very hard to say no to a "Nun". Yet I'm glad I did it. It was a such a wonderful,and powerful experience. Just a quick example of our group sharing last year. I figured it would be easy and no problem but I was wrong. We sat in a circle in our cabin, no lights and a candle burning in the middle. I try to engae the student to speak about any thing that may be troubleing them. The river of tears began to flow, one boy said "I'm gay and I can't tell my parents" Another girl said "Last year during a vacation in Vietnam my 9 year old sister and I went on a boat ride and the boat sunk and my little sister died, I asked god to save her but he didn't" another girl said "my mother never tells me she loves me and always yells when I get B's but never congraqtulates me when I get A's" Another girl said "I'm smart but I don't seem to fit in anywhere at school, I was so unhappy so I attempted suicide" WoW!!!!! I never thought it would of been like this. These young faces had such heavy hearts. As the tears fell like rain during the group sharing I just asked them not to loss faith in God. So for this retreat please pray (to who ever you pray to ) that the leaders young and old will have the Wisdom, Strength, and Pateience to make a difference.Thanks Delmar

Nice journal !

For your '20 minutes window' problem, just write your journal with 'NotePad' and copy/paste into TF !!

Keep up the good work my friend, it pays off in the end as well as in front of your eyes!!

Bravo!!!

Its a really edifying experience to work with children. I've attended as well as led many such camps and the experiences you receive from such events are life changing not only for yourself, but for many who you have touched or have touched you. The most satisfying experience of all is to see these children grow into adults and though they may stumble along the way the finished product is someone you're proud of. Good work Delmar. Keep it up.