LV CARP September 2018 Retreat!
From September 21 to 22, CARP Las
Vegas successfully held their first two day retreat for the fall 2018 semester.
There were a total of twenty-one participants, six of them being guests who had
been newly introduced to CARP. Second generation community members also came
and joined. These two-day retreats typically happen monthly as an opportunity
for students to get away from the chaos of their daily lives and take time for
themselves to really center on something meaningful. It’s a chance to spend
time with like-minded people who are seeking to lead lives with intention and
purpose. The retreat consisted of ice breakers, sports, discussions, Divine
Principle centered education, prayer, reflection, and quality time with fellow students.
Everyone was at all different
levels in their relationship with God, but everyone came with the intention to
really learn something new and grow, and it really showed through each lecture
and activity. For some, the content and the experience was completely new to
them. A few people were completely new to CARP entirely, yet despite all of
that, there was such a strong sense of love and family that was able to be
created.
Through the activities, people had
a chance to really connect in being able to really just enjoy having a good
time with one another. Through the discussions, people were able to really open
up and share deeply about their lives and where they are at. Through the
lectures, people’s minds were opened to a new and exciting perspective on life.
Through the sports, people were able to let go of their stress and simply enjoy
being present. Each activity really brought everyone together and gave them a
sense of much-needed love and warmth.
As the retreat came to a close,
there was a bonfire where participants had the chance to share about their
experiences. Each and every single new guest shared and talked of their
gratitude for the retreat. They talked about how they felt so much love within
every person and how they feel that CARP is something that has really given
them something special in their life. One returning participant shared about
how his experience with CARP has really changed his life and helped him to grow
and become the person he is. He expressed his gratitude towards CARP in knowing
that it has provided him with an incredible amount of love that he had not seen
anywhere else. It really goes to show that it is the love that is created
within each person, that really moves others to be a part of CARP.