On March 29, 30, three Southwestern Ontario UBF chapters-Waterloo, Guelph, and London held a joint spring retreat at Conestoga Bible Camp. The theme of the retreat was "Love is..." We had three joint meetings, one hosted by each chapter, to discuss the overall theme, passages, programs, and to pray. We thank God for Joshua Yoon's leadership and love in serving the retreat. He served many things, including helping the messengers prepare their messages through several drafts until their hearts were moved by God's love. James Oh and Isaac Sung, the other chapter directors, also co-worked humbly and prepared their chapters well for the retreat. God blessed our preparation richly so His love could flow throughout the whole program like a beautiful spring of water.
We learned many wonderful lessons about love. After writing down our personal views about love, we discussed in small group workshops on 1 Cor 13 and 1 Jn 4. Andy Stumpf gave a summary presentation on the greatness and distinctiveness of Divine Love compared to all forms of 횂징횂짰natural횂징횂짱 love. Following this were three 횂징횂짰love stories횂징횂짱 by Ryan Dyck (God횂징횂짱s love for Joseph), Anna Sung (keeping a pure heart for God), and the powerful personal story of guest speaker Dr. Acol, a survivor of genocide from Sudan whom God helped to love and to forgive those who did terrible things to her family. On Sundaye morning we thought about the Risen Christ whose love healed Mary Magdalene횂징횂짱s sorrow and his disciples횂징횂짱 fear and doubt, through two beautiful messages on Jn 20 by Monica Bae and Ray Grondin. James Oh served the communion and Isaac Sung delivered the closing message on Dt 6:5. Sixty-five people (Waterloo 40, London 18, Guelph 7) attended. Most of all, God, who is Love, was present with us. As his children, we prayed to live in love, starting by loving one person sincerely and for God횂징횂짱s blessing on Purdue International Summer Bible Conference.
