Team Retreat

Last weekend, I was able to escape gray Lima with REAP North for our team retreat in sunny Ica.  We arrived mid-afternoon Friday  sunny, warm Ica, which is about four hours south of Lima. The hotel was wonderful and even had a pool!  It wasn't quite warm enough to swim, but it was so relaxing to sit by the pool, soaking up some sun with a good book.  That night Jeff led us in a great group Bible study about having a divided heart.

Saturday morning was set aside for nothing but time with the Lord.  Parents switched off watching the kids so that everyone was able to have a solid hour+ with no distractions.  It was so wonderful to be free from all the distractions of home.  

Ica is famous for a place called the Huacachina. At the Huacachina, you can go out through the hills in a dune buggy, as well as do some sand boarding on some of those hills. In the afternoon, team bonding began!  We struck out together for a new adventure.  I had no idea what was to come, and probably should have been a little more nervous! We were about to go speeding up and down the sandy hills in an open vehicle!  The only way I can really describe what this ride was like, is it was like being on a roller coaster, but in a dune buggy and on sand. We really went almost vertical on some of the hills, would make a sharp turn and then almost feel like we were going to free fall to the bottom.  So much fun.  We stopped on three different hills so that we could do some sand boarding. You lay on the board, then just slide right on down the hill. I was definitely more nervous about the boarding because I was in control instead of a skilled professional.  This too was so fun.  I can't wait to do it again.

Sunday morning, I spent another morning at the pool with sunshine, the Lord and my Bible.  Twas a perfect morning.  In afternoon we set out on another adventure. We drove further down the desert to Nasca to see the Nasca lines.  They are shapes of animals and objects, that were supposedly created by the Incans.  Some of the team went up in a tiny plane to see them.  I opted to keep my feet planted on the ground, and the money in my pocket.  Well, in my pocked until I land in the USA!  

Last weekend was so refreshing and for me, desperately needed.  I love being with my team and being able to experience new things with them.  It was sad to leave the sun in Ica.  Maybe the retreat can become and annual thing.  :)

Me and Amber